This creative, eco-friendly renovation celebrates light and love

Wander through the front door of this pretty yet unassuming semi in Sydney’s Queens Park, and it doesn’t take long to get a sense of the personalities of its owners. Light pours into the airy open space, illuminating clusters of artfully placed textiles, vintage collectables and artworks, and drawing attention to the lush native garden outside. The house is a welcoming three-bedroom family abode that doubles as a showcase for the couple’s much loved collectables and growing art collection

The home is full of clever eco-friendly features, from a water tank connected to the house to eco-glass windows which facilitate natural heating and cooling. Northern light fills every room. In winter the sun warms the place up and the eco-glass keeps the heat in. And in summer it’s like a natural airconditioning system. All the hot air escapes through the louvres on the second level to keep the house cool.

The centrepoint of the home’s design is a double-height void over the kitchen and the sun-filled courtyard, which allows light to flow into the airy studio upstairs.

Photo: Craig Wall

“My latest obsession is birds,” says owner, Ann, who explores the juxtaposition of wildlife and the urban environment in her most recent collection of works, Urban Stories. “I wanted to get tactile and actually sew into the canvases to create lots of layers. It was a bit like making a nest for a bird in a way.” Several pieces have a very personal history, such as a clock found in Amsterdam and carefully cradled back as hand luggage, or a framed first pair of shoes next to scales that belonged to Ann’s late parents. “I love the stuff my parents used to have in the house,” she says. “When you isolate them from the clutter, they become beautiful objects on their own.

Photo: Craig Wall

Chic white leather sofas from Sofa Studio have proven to be remarkably resilient against toddlers and the graphic prints and vibrant hues seen in the choice of cushions and a splash of colour. The floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides of the living area make this a favourite resting spot.

Photo: Craig Wall

A mirrored splashback reflects the courtyard garden and gives extra width to the walk-through kitchen. It also helps highlight the streamlined white 2-pac polyurethane joinery by Wonderful Kitchens, the CaesarStone back bench in Snow, and a marble island benchtop. The beautifully textured bench from Onsite Supply & Design creates a dramatic centrepiece in the hub of the home. The oversized bucket lights in the kitchen were inspired by a night out with girlfriends at local eatery North Bondi Italian Food.

Photo: Craig Wall

Wall tiles in basic white were chosen for he bathroom, then colour-matched with the joinery, which is also used in the kitchen and studio. The floor tiles are tumbled marble from Onsite Supply & Design.

Photo: Craig Wall

With its dark wooden floors, antique furnishings and vintage finds, the master bedroom has a calm, subdued feel. A painting by Fabio Nardo, entitled The Reader, hangs above the couple’s Ikea bed and adds a bold, earthy touch. The room is uncluttered but complete. A Lakeland Design quilt from Plane Tree Farm adds a jolt of colour to the room.

Photo: Craig Wall

Lively splashes of colour fill their son’s bedroom, from the vibrant striped light shade to the red-and-white teepee made using inexpensive materials from Spotlight As much thought was put into decorating the children’s bedrooms as the more public spaces.

Photo: Craig Wall

An open walkway connects the studio to the master bedroom, channelling light and air from the louvred windows into both spaces.

Photo: Craig Wall

The owners turned to Hugh Main at Spirit Level Designs to create a low-maintenance outdoor haven in their compact backyard.
Photo: Craig Wall

This sunlit space at the side of the house is the heart of the home and meals are often eaten outdoors here. The courtyard is afforded extra privacy by a screen of bamboo in planter boxes.

Photo: Craig Wall

The custom-made blend of black and dark walnut stains from Shire Timber Flooring Co give gravitas to the open spaces.

Photo: Craig Wall