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From Tired 100-Year-Old Beach Cottage to Lush, Private Oasis
Encircled by beautiful gardens, this renovated weatherboard cottage in Sydney is all about indoor-outdoor connection
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking new build, renovation or redesign each week. Here, Claire McCaughan, architect and director at Custom Mad, reveals how she added light and liveability to a charming but run-down cottage near Manly beach, while connecting it with its lush surrounds.
Rear of the house before works.
What was the house like originally?
It was an unrenovated, single-storey weatherboard cottage built around 1920 with three bedrooms and one bathroom.
Is this the year you plan your renovation? Chat to an architect near you on Houzz to learn what’s possible with your local council
What was the house like originally?
It was an unrenovated, single-storey weatherboard cottage built around 1920 with three bedrooms and one bathroom.
Is this the year you plan your renovation? Chat to an architect near you on Houzz to learn what’s possible with your local council
Rear of the house before works.
What were the key focuses of this renovation?
The client was eager to retain as much of the original house as possible and, in order to keep as much of the garden as they could, did not want to extend the footprint.
The renovation centred around the idea of repair so the young family could get a longer life out of the original dwelling.
There were three main focuses with this project. One, repairing the run-down nature of the cottage; two, redesigning spaces for a modern family who want to embrace Australia’s beautiful climate; and three, improving the outdoor living and garden spaces.
What were the key focuses of this renovation?
The client was eager to retain as much of the original house as possible and, in order to keep as much of the garden as they could, did not want to extend the footprint.
The renovation centred around the idea of repair so the young family could get a longer life out of the original dwelling.
There were three main focuses with this project. One, repairing the run-down nature of the cottage; two, redesigning spaces for a modern family who want to embrace Australia’s beautiful climate; and three, improving the outdoor living and garden spaces.
Rear of the house after works. Spotted-gum decking.
The beachside suburb of Manly has a strong connection to the water, so outdoor living and the way the cottage connects physically and visually to the garden were critical to making this a contemporary and sustainable home.
The beachside suburb of Manly has a strong connection to the water, so outdoor living and the way the cottage connects physically and visually to the garden were critical to making this a contemporary and sustainable home.
What wasn’t working for the client in the original home?
The cottage was falling apart and maintenance was time-consuming for the family. It also didn’t get much light.
The cottage was falling apart and maintenance was time-consuming for the family. It also didn’t get much light.
Floor plan after works.
What was the client’s brief?
The client wanted to introduce natural light and have the ability to open up the house to their much-loved garden.
They also wanted to reuse as much building material as possible and create a home with very low energy consumption.
What was the client’s brief?
The client wanted to introduce natural light and have the ability to open up the house to their much-loved garden.
They also wanted to reuse as much building material as possible and create a home with very low energy consumption.
Exterior elevations after works.
What were their must-haves?
What were their must-haves?
- Stay within the existing footprint of the house so as not to encroach on the garden.
- Reuse as many building materials as possible.
- Introduce natural light.
- Restore the beauty of the existing house, but in an updated way.
What was your scope of work?
The scope of work extended to the entire house, from the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and living spaces to the exterior design, including the gardens and new decks.
We also selected the sustainable materials.
The scope of work extended to the entire house, from the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and living spaces to the exterior design, including the gardens and new decks.
We also selected the sustainable materials.
Rustic Oak flooring with a WOCA hardwax finish: Havwoods.
Where did you focus your attention and budget?
Much of the attention was focused on revealing the history of the home, such as displaying the original sparrow-pecked finish sandstone, which was used as the home’s foundations and for the footpath. We relied on an expert stonemason to achieve this.
Where did you focus your attention and budget?
Much of the attention was focused on revealing the history of the home, such as displaying the original sparrow-pecked finish sandstone, which was used as the home’s foundations and for the footpath. We relied on an expert stonemason to achieve this.
Windows in the dining area overlooking the back garden.
What structural changes did you make?
The original rear of the house was separated into a series of small rooms including living, kitchen, bathroom and laundry. We removed some walls and rearranged the spaces to better connect them with the garden and natural light.
We also relocated the kitchen and bathroom and added a powder room.
And we extended the study into the external porch space then created a new porch on the other side of the entry.
The original rear of the house was separated into a series of small rooms including living, kitchen, bathroom and laundry. We removed some walls and rearranged the spaces to better connect them with the garden and natural light.
We also relocated the kitchen and bathroom and added a powder room.
And we extended the study into the external porch space then created a new porch on the other side of the entry.
Casa handmade tile splashback tiles: Onsite Supply + Design; Luna tapware: Caroma.
Did you restore any original features?
The home’s original decorative ceilings were restored. We designed the kitchen to make the ceiling the focus of the space by selecting natural tones for the cabinetry and including some space between the upper cabinetry and ceiling.
Did you restore any original features?
The home’s original decorative ceilings were restored. We designed the kitchen to make the ceiling the focus of the space by selecting natural tones for the cabinetry and including some space between the upper cabinetry and ceiling.
The original handmade sandstock-brick fireplace.
We also restored an original sandstock-brick fireplace in the main bedroom. These bricks can be traced to the old brick pits in North Sydney.
And we relocated sandstone foundation stones from under the cottage to the gardens and entry stairs.
We also restored an original sandstock-brick fireplace in the main bedroom. These bricks can be traced to the old brick pits in North Sydney.
And we relocated sandstone foundation stones from under the cottage to the gardens and entry stairs.
Sandstone foundation stones were also repurposed to create a shed in the garden.
What look and feel did you want to create in this home?
We wanted to introduce warmth, history and a sense of seasonality.
What look and feel did you want to create in this home?
We wanted to introduce warmth, history and a sense of seasonality.
Tell us about the design of the kitchen
The kitchen is in the centre of the home, adjoining the living and dining areas. The kitchen island is the element that ties these spaces together. For this reason, we made it neutral in tone and used low-maintenance materials.
The kitchen is in the centre of the home, adjoining the living and dining areas. The kitchen island is the element that ties these spaces together. For this reason, we made it neutral in tone and used low-maintenance materials.
The new laundry.
Tell us about the new laundry
We added a laundry next to the main bathroom. So the new house has one bathroom and one laundry. The existing house had the same, we just moved them around and made the layout more efficient.
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Tell us about the new laundry
We added a laundry next to the main bathroom. So the new house has one bathroom and one laundry. The existing house had the same, we just moved them around and made the layout more efficient.
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Aren Bianco bathroom and laundry floor tiles: Onsite Supply + Design; Popham Design Milk Baguette bathroom and laundry wall tiles: Onsite Supply + Design.
Entry before works.
What are the main materials and colours used?
Warm timber, sandstone, soft blue and shades of green.
What are the main materials and colours used?
Warm timber, sandstone, soft blue and shades of green.
Entry after works.
What challenges did you work around?
Restoring a heritage home takes time, so working within a budget and with time restraints was difficult.
What challenges did you work around?
Restoring a heritage home takes time, so working within a budget and with time restraints was difficult.
Weathergroove Smooth 150-millimetre weatherboards: Weathertex.
Tell us about the soft blue you’ve used
We wanted to showcase the history of the house by using the same blue that was here originally.
The white and warm browns used internally helped enhance light and create a feeling of softness.
Tell us about the soft blue you’ve used
We wanted to showcase the history of the house by using the same blue that was here originally.
The white and warm browns used internally helped enhance light and create a feeling of softness.
It was important to the client that we maintained the greenery in the garden. It also serves a practical purpose, creating a buffer between the house and the street.
Why does the house work so well now?
It can now be completed opened up to the outside. The shaded rear deck is a lovely spot to spend time in summer and the front porch is the perfect afternoon sun trap in winter.
It can now be completed opened up to the outside. The shaded rear deck is a lovely spot to spend time in summer and the front porch is the perfect afternoon sun trap in winter.
How long did this project take?
Six months, including the garden work. The builder was really fast!
Six months, including the garden work. The builder was really fast!
The main bedroom.
Your turn
What do you respect most about this sensitive renovation? Tell us in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see a dramatic renovation of an older home? Check out this Melbourne Houzz: A Crumbling Edwardian Gem Comes of Age
Your turn
What do you respect most about this sensitive renovation? Tell us in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see a dramatic renovation of an older home? Check out this Melbourne Houzz: A Crumbling Edwardian Gem Comes of Age
Who lives here: A couple with two children
Location: Manly, NSW
House size: 144 square metres
Bedrooms and bathrooms before works: Three bedrooms, one bathroom
Bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms, one bathroom
Architect, interior designer and landscape designer: Custom Mad
Builder: Kraken Projects