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Renovating
An Elegant and Contemporary Refresh for a Classic Sydney Terrace
See how an interior designer imbued new life into a Victorian terrace in Sydney while honouring its past
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation or redesign each week. Here, Jillian Dinkel, interior designer and principal at Jillian Dinkel Designs, takes us through the sensitive rejuvenation of a two-bedroom, one-bathroom heritage terrace house to suit the needs of a young couple.
The new black-framed arched doors echo the arches of the home’s original Victorian era
Gained
Gained
- Refreshed interiors; we gave the home a modern update while preserving its heritage features.
- A renovated kitchen.
- A new bathroom. By including a nib wall, we were able to fit in a generous vanity, freestanding bathtub, dedicated laundry cupboard and a shower recess.
- New steel-framed doors to the courtyard.
The living room before works
What was the house like originally?
It’s a classic two-storey Victorian terrace with two bedrooms and one bathroom.
Using this time to prepare for your own renovation? Get chatting to a local interior designer on Houzz
What was the house like originally?
It’s a classic two-storey Victorian terrace with two bedrooms and one bathroom.
Using this time to prepare for your own renovation? Get chatting to a local interior designer on Houzz
What state was the house in when you came onboard?
Tired and dated. It also lacked storage and natural light.
Tired and dated. It also lacked storage and natural light.
What wasn’t working for the clients about the original house?
The space was dark and dated. A poor bathroom layout wasted precious space.
Brief
A bright and modern reimagining of a classic space. Hotel-like luxury was also important for our well-travelled clients.
The space was dark and dated. A poor bathroom layout wasted precious space.
Brief
A bright and modern reimagining of a classic space. Hotel-like luxury was also important for our well-travelled clients.
What were the clients’ must-haves?
- A cook’s kitchen with full-size appliances.
- A spa-like bathroom retreat with a freestanding bathtub.
- A larger opening to the courtyard that would draw more natural light into the living spaces.
The ground-floor plan after works
What exactly did you do?
What exactly did you do?
- Designed a new kitchen with Carrara marble to the range hood surround, splashback and benhtops, plus custom joinery.
- Included under-stair joinery with a dry bar.
- Specified new arched steel-framed French doors.
- Specified fresh paint throughout.
- Added new marble fireplace thresholds.
- Specified a dark stain to the timber floors.
- Added new furnishings and curtains.
- Added new lighting.
- Included a new minimalist steel-framed balustrade.
- Designed a new bathroom with terrazzo floors, Carrara marble vanity tops and custom joinery.
- Added new storage cabinets in the main bedroom.
The first-floor plan after works
Thinking behind the colour palette
I specialise in the delicate balance between heritage charm and contemporary furniture and spaces. The striking monochromatic furnishings and joinery create a bold look in a compact space.
Originally the terrace was awash with brown –from orange floorboards and dated timber-veneer kitchen cabinets to yellowy-cream wall paint.
I specialise in the delicate balance between heritage charm and contemporary furniture and spaces. The striking monochromatic furnishings and joinery create a bold look in a compact space.
Originally the terrace was awash with brown –from orange floorboards and dated timber-veneer kitchen cabinets to yellowy-cream wall paint.
What challenges did you face?
Access can always be an issue with heritage homes. An additional challenge was a very narrow and steep staircase that couldn’t be altered within the floor plan. The new design also had to adhere to heritage conservation area guidelines.
Access can always be an issue with heritage homes. An additional challenge was a very narrow and steep staircase that couldn’t be altered within the floor plan. The new design also had to adhere to heritage conservation area guidelines.
What do the new works add to the home?
The renovation has given this beautiful terrace in Paddington a new lease on life. Its dark and dated interior is now bright and welcoming, and the bold, monochromatic furnishings create the perfect marriage between new and old.
The renovation has given this beautiful terrace in Paddington a new lease on life. Its dark and dated interior is now bright and welcoming, and the bold, monochromatic furnishings create the perfect marriage between new and old.
Tell us about the glorious arches
These minimalist arches were all that remained of the house’s original ornate plasterwork. We decided to keep them minimal, while mimicking the shapes in the new French doors and furnishings.
These minimalist arches were all that remained of the house’s original ornate plasterwork. We decided to keep them minimal, while mimicking the shapes in the new French doors and furnishings.
Tell us about the cupboard under the stairs
This new design addition serves as a dry bar and extension of the kitchen. Storage is always an issue in a terrace house, so much time and consideration went into claiming every opportunity to incorporate storage.
The custom joinery and marble ensure a beautiful view from the dining area.
This new design addition serves as a dry bar and extension of the kitchen. Storage is always an issue in a terrace house, so much time and consideration went into claiming every opportunity to incorporate storage.
The custom joinery and marble ensure a beautiful view from the dining area.
The rejuvenated master bedroom with custom storage
Tell us about the bespoke wardrobes
The bedroom had limited space and few wardrobes. I designed matching small projection, full-height cupboards to either side of the fireplace to store shoes and folded clothing. The custom split circular timber handles and steel frame base add a sense of lightness.
The bedroom had limited space and few wardrobes. I designed matching small projection, full-height cupboards to either side of the fireplace to store shoes and folded clothing. The custom split circular timber handles and steel frame base add a sense of lightness.
Why did you add a section of ribbed glass above the mirrors?
The bathroom is blessed with good natural light via a skylight in the centre of the ceiling. I wanted to ensure the nib wall didn’t cut off this light to the shower recess. The ribbed glass ensures complete privacy while letting light pass through.
The bathroom is blessed with good natural light via a skylight in the centre of the ceiling. I wanted to ensure the nib wall didn’t cut off this light to the shower recess. The ribbed glass ensures complete privacy while letting light pass through.
Key features
- Plenty of natural light.
- Aged brass tapware in the bathroom.
- Custom joinery and terrazzo tiles in the bathroom.
- Round timber handles on the bedroom joinery.
- Custom steel and glass arched French doors to the courtyard.
The clients’ verdict
“We couldn’t be happier – our terrace is now a place of joy, comfort and hotel-worthy luxury.”
“We couldn’t be happier – our terrace is now a place of joy, comfort and hotel-worthy luxury.”
Interior materials palette
Interior fixtures and fittings
Paint colours
- Euro Marble Carrara marble to the kitchen and bathroom.
- Two-pack polyurethane custom joinery painted in Dulux Antarctic Deep in the kitchen.
- Black wenge veneer to the vanity.
- Astra Walker tapware to the bathroom.
- Surface Gallery terrazzo tiles to the floor and handmade ceramic tiles to the walls in the bathroom.
- Two-pack polyurethane custom joinery painted in Dulux Vivid White to the bedroom cupboards.
Interior fixtures and fittings
- Custom-designed mirrors with concealed recessed shaving cabinets in the bathroom.
- The Montauk Lighting Co Kelly Wearstler floor lamp in the bedroom.
Paint colours
- All walls painted in Dulux Vivid White.
- Original floorboards stained in Black Japan.
Your turn
Which feature do you find the most compelling in this rejuvenated home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more renovation ideas? Don’t miss A Characterful Family Home on a Hard Site… And How They Did It
Which feature do you find the most compelling in this rejuvenated home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more renovation ideas? Don’t miss A Characterful Family Home on a Hard Site… And How They Did It
Answers by Jillian Dinkel, principal at Jillian Dinkel Designs
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Paddington, NSW
Size: Around 115 square metres
Interior designer and stylist: Jillian Dinkel of Jillian Dinkel Designs
Builder: Renotech Building