Photography: Janie Barrett / SMH
Updating a traditional terrace-style house in Sydney’s Inner West comes with a few concerns and problems to solve. How to bring the light in? How to preserve the home’s beautiful heritage features? How to choose finishes and materials that will stand the test of time?
Afsoon Kisirwani, sales director of her family’s rug company, Unitex International, managed to tick all three boxes — and more — with the renovation of a characterful three-bedder a few years ago.
The elegant house has been the perfect place for Afsoon and her husband Waz to raise their two daughters, now aged 10 and 12. And thanks to enduring selections and a tranquil neutral palette, the home looks like it was renovated yesterday.
“We wanted the house to feel timeless, so we leaned towards natural materials and textures and muted tones,” says Afsoon. “We were conscious of making design choices that would age beautifully.”
Having been to countless open-home inspections back in 2014 when they were looking for their dream property, Afsoon and Waz knew what they wanted in a fixer-upper.
“I remember the day we found this over-100-year-old Victorian beauty in Enmore,” recalls Afsoon. “We were ready to call it quits when, one Saturday, we decided to visit ‘just one more’. As soon as we walked in, we knew it was the one.
It was the day of the auction, and we managed to outbid the other parties! The real estate agent gave us an hour to come back with a cheque. It was a whirlwind.”
The renovation
Afsoon and Waz collaborated with James Pedersen, principal of Pedersen Architecture, to give the tired two-storey, terrace-style house a modern, airy extension and to infuse it with more light — without compromising on its classic Victorian charm.
“With thoughtful touches like a wooden balcony off our bedroom and expansive windows throughout, James truly understood our vision, enhancing the original charm while adding a contemporary style,” explains Afsoon. “We also wanted to bring warmth into every corner with natural materials like Italian marble benchtops and limestone fireplaces.”
High ceilings and as much natural light as possible were top of Afsoon’s list. She also coveted functional zones that still felt connected and spaces that work just as well for daily family life as they do for entertaining.
“Retaining the original fireplaces and cornices was a must; we love the old-world craftsmanship and authenticity they bring. Plants were really important, too. One of the first things we did was put in a vertical garden that drapes the wall of the internal courtyard. It adds so much character and feels like a living artwork.”
Afsoon’s fave features
When pressed to choose her home’s highlights, Afsoon says she “absolutely loves” the marble kitchen island benchtop. “We wondered whether it would work in a family context, and luckily, we have found it to be both sculptural and practical,” she says. “The natural veining brings movement and softness to the space, and it catches the light beautifully throughout the day.”
The commanding dining table is her favourite furniture piece. Made from recycled pine wood, it’s full of character and texture. “We’ve shared so many wonderful celebrations around that table. It’s also strong enough to withstand endless craft projects and glue-gun sessions!”
Best renovation advice
Afsoon, whose family rug business celebrated 30 years this year, quotes seminal designer William Morris when sharing her best renovation advice: ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’
“It’s a simple sentiment that still defines how we live here today,” she says.
“Be realistic about how your family actually lives — design for that. There’s no point creating rooms that look perfect but can’t handle everyday life.”
Afsoon Kisirwani
Be patient and plan thoughtfully, says Afsoon. “If possible, live in the space before making major decisions. Heritage homes reveal themselves slowly. Choose materials that will age gracefully, and avoid short-term trends. Surround yourself with professionals who understand your vision and respect the home’s history.”
The Kisirwani family are moving on from their lovingly reimagined home — potentially to a new renovation project. They recently sold the house ahead of its scheduled auction for $4.31 million, well above the price guide of $3.5 million.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Afsoon and Waz have purchased another period home in the Eastern Suburbs. We can’t wait to see what they do with it.
