Photography: Romeo Archi / Styling: Studio Priscilla
Sarah Marie Fahd felt like she “was in a movie” when she and her husband, Matty, first inspected their house in Sydney’s south in 2020. She simply intuited that the authentic 1960s brick home was the place for them. At the time, the beloved Gogglebox cast members were living in an apartment with their first baby, Malik, and iconic English Bulldog, Bane. “We wanted to find a house that was neat enough to live in, but that we could renovate and make our own.”
Initially, Sarah Marie and Matty gave the house an cosmetic glow up. Loving the mid-century-style brick frontage, the couple decided to – in the words of The Rolling Stones – paint it black, rather than render. They installed plantation shutters to dress up the windows and knocked down the separate toilet and linen cupboard walls to create a larger main bathroom.
The big renovation
The Fahds continued to live in the house for a couple more years before considering a head-to-toe update. “Renovating the main bathroom made us realise, ‘Oh, okay, if we do this on a larger scale, we are not going to be able to do it ourselves,” recalls Sarah Marie. “We’ve got work, we’ve got the kids [son Lyon joined the family in 2023]. That’s why we engaged Priscilla, our interior designer.”
Priscilla Elasi, founder and director of Studio Priscilla, says she embarked on “a timeless, contemporary interior that would age gracefully – avoiding transient design trends”. The aesthetic? Modern with subtle French influences. “We did this through Shaker and moulding joinery, herringbone tiles, timber flooring and aged brass hardware,” explains Priscilla. “These elements were carefully curated to feel refined, yet current.”
Architect Sam Russo from Habitat Housing designed a sympathetic extension with an open-plan living space, a concealed laundry and pantry, and a master suite with a walk-in robe and ensuite.
Who lives here?
Sarah Marie and Matty Fahd, cast members of reality television show, Gogglebox, and their sons, Malik, five, and Lyon, two. Rounding out the family is English bulldog, Bane, whom Sarah Marie describes as “a menace”.
Any problems during the renovation? None, according to Sarah Marie. “Our builders were incredible, and Priscilla would be on site all the time, checking every detail. Our architect was a really good communicator, as well. Having people who know what they’re doing and communicate well with each other allowed us to enjoy the process. We were never overly stressed or anxious.”
Any specific renovation requests? To avoid sharp joinery corners for the safety of the couple’s children, explains Priscilla. “We incorporated soft curves on the kitchen island bench and ensured the fireplace design had no sharp edges.”
What do the kids love about the house? “There’s a lot of playing Batman, jumping on the couch and running down the halls,” says Sarah Marie. “They love playing under the sprinkler in the yard, as well.”
Living
Sarah Marie and Matty’s 1960s brick house has been sensitively brought into the 2020s. This is most evident in the living space, where – you guessed it – the couple, along with friend Jad Nehmetallah, record hilarious Gogglebox commentary.
“The extension’s open-plan layout replaced the separate kitchen and living areas, making the space more conducive to hosting,” says Priscilla. The Fahds coveted loads of natural light, “but we wanted it to feel homely, comfortable and not sterile,” says Sarah Marie. “I love the high ceilings.”
Kitchen
A lot of thought was put into both the ‘macro’ details and the finer features of the kitchen, living and dining areas. Practicality was always top of mind. Sam drafted roof lines to allow as much light in as possible – the ceiling soars to more than five metres – while Sarah Marie worked with Priscilla on seamless kitchen surfaces.
“I don’t like having too many handles on cupboards sticking out,” she says. “Because I bump my legs on things all the time! I didn’t want anything that’s impractical in any way. I wanted storage, and timeless finishes. We didn’t want specific features that date over time.” Dark ‘Ravenswood’ joinery by New Age Veneers no doubt disguises the kids’ sticky fingerprints, too.
A Scotch aficionado, Matty loves to entertain and on his wish list was a hidden bar. Even if their guests abstain from drinking, the bar, featuring Verde Alpi marble, sets the tone. “Once that’s open, it means, ‘People are coming! It’s on, it’s entertaining time’,” says Sarah Marie.
Hidden bar
Dining
Ensuite bathroom
“The renovation and extension introduced a master suite with a walk-in robe and main ensuite,” shares Priscilla. Green Verde Alpi marble and Florentine walnut joinery complement each other perfectly. Warm, aged brass Astra Walker tapware punctuates the dreamy sanctuary.
Neutral limestone wall tiles don’t detract from the showstopping herringbone floor tiles by Design Tiles, which also incorporate Verde Alpi marble. “Natural stone has a timeless quality that elevates the overall design,” says Priscilla.
Now the house is complete, Sarah Marie and Matty can simply kick back and watch more TV. And entertain us in the process.
Bedroom
Interior design: Studio Priscilla, studiopriscilla.com
Architecture: Habitat Housing, habitathousing.com.au
Builder: EXM Projects, exmprojects.com.au
Source book
