Houzz Tours
Stickybeak of the Week: Creative Rethink Welcomes a Family Home
Bespoke storage and a floor plan rejig created just the house this family needed when they swapped New York for Sydney
Having lived in a New York City apartment for the past 20 years, this Australian family was keen to return home, find a house with a backyard so they could re-establish their love for the barbecue, and put down roots with their two young children. Before coming back, they purchased a run-down period home in Sydney’s harbourside suburb, Kirribilli, with a plan to renovate it into a versatile and practical family home.
The couple discovered the work of Chris Kreis from Kreis Grennan Architecture on Houzz, asking him to oversee the project while they continued living in New York. “They were unable to visit the property or evaluate fixtures and fittings firsthand so they had to put their full trust in our judgement,” says Kreis. The result was a boon for all involved.
The couple discovered the work of Chris Kreis from Kreis Grennan Architecture on Houzz, asking him to oversee the project while they continued living in New York. “They were unable to visit the property or evaluate fixtures and fittings firsthand so they had to put their full trust in our judgement,” says Kreis. The result was a boon for all involved.
As this ‘before’ photo shows, the house had good bones. It had been renovated several times, and even had new windows and doors, but the internal layout needed work.
Although light and bright with views over the garden, the living room offered no storage or focal point.
Similarly, the kitchen was dark and poky, while the timber units made the narrow room feel oppressive.
Architect Chris Kreis merged the dark galley kitchen with the Victorian-style formal sitting room to create a larger, half-open bright kitchen area. Complete with sleek appliances, storage galore and a breakfast bar facing the buzz of the street, the space is now a family-friendly high-usage room, open enough to create a sense of space, but enclosed enough to ensure the dining and lounge areas are separate zones. “The owners entertain a lot so the semi-open kitchen, with its two bar areas, is great for connecting the guests with the cook, but the post-entertaining mess remains hidden away as guests retire to the living area,” says Kreis.
Calcutta Nuvo benchtop: Ceaserstone; flooring: blackbutt
Calcutta Nuvo benchtop: Ceaserstone; flooring: blackbutt
A clever Tardis-style utility room, which doubles as a bathroom and laundry, is hidden behind solid sliding doors. “It was important to the family to have versatile spaces, so the solid doors enable this room to become a formal powder room when guests come to stay,” says Kreis.
In the living room, a sleek storage unit has transformed a dead zone under the services bulkhead. “We designed a bespoke unit that features a fireplace, display and storage areas and concealed area for the flat-screen,” says Kreis.
Additional windows were added in various spots around the house to increase light and air flow. Some have been fitted with screens so they can be left open at all times, cooling the home when required.
Blackbutt stair treads create an architectural feature. The owners have collected artwork from their travels over the past 20 years, and it was critical that these pieces were taken into consideration when it came to planning wall heights and display spaces.
The main bedroom was reoriented 180 degrees to ensure the bed faced the tree canopy, and made use of an enclosed verandah that was rarely used. The old walk-in wardrobe was replaced with a dog-leg entrance lined with purpose-built cupboards. The bedroom is far more private, as a result.
Merging the enclosed verandah and a dark shower area allowed for the creation of this light-filled sanctuary. The decadent two-person tub is a show-stopping feature…
Elinea freestanding bath: Decina
Elinea freestanding bath: Decina
… while a large walk-in shower ensures all functional bases are covered. “The custom-built vanity unit has a rich timber veneer to tie in with the wood flooring through the rest of the house, and to connect with the natural environment for a sense of wellbeing,” says Kreis.
As an environmental consideration, gas hot water was installed so energy is only consumed when actually required.
As an environmental consideration, gas hot water was installed so energy is only consumed when actually required.
Striking timber stairs ascend to the loft, where the ceiling was raised to make way for a multi-purpose room.
A void above the staircase floods the landings with light.
The kids use the loft – which has its own bathroom – as a second living area, as do a string of guests who enjoy the privacy that comes with having their own floor.
Kreis’ signature custom joinery, with timber accents that echo those in the kitchen, makes the most of every centimetre in the loft space, providing wall-to-wall storage under the sloping eaves.
As many of the walls and floors were opened during the building phase, the owners chose to put additional insulation wherever they could.
As many of the walls and floors were opened during the building phase, the owners chose to put additional insulation wherever they could.
Storage was also a top priority in the kids’ bedrooms where bespoke wardrobes feature practical, easy-to-grab door handles.
The newly landscaped garden includes a large paved area that ensures full use of the small space, yet still manages to preserve a mature tree.
A custom-built barbecue area, with an in-situ concrete bench, turns the yard into the ultimate outdoor entertaining space.
The biggest challenge during the two-year project was keeping the lines of communication open through the different time zones. “The owners were travelling across America for two months during the final stages,” says Kreis. “Skype became a necessity.”
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The biggest challenge during the two-year project was keeping the lines of communication open through the different time zones. “The owners were travelling across America for two months during the final stages,” says Kreis. “Skype became a necessity.”
Tell us
What do you like about this house renovation? Tell us in the Comments section. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
See more Houzz stickybeaks
Who lives here: A couple and their two young daughters
Location: Kirribilli, NSW
Size: 153 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 1 flexible room (study, guest room), and 3 bathrooms. This home is one of a three-lot strata development in what was once a larger home.
Architect: Kreis Grennan Architecture
Build team: Shore Build
The Edwardian-inspired house, which dates back to the early 1900s, sits on a corner block and offers an abundance of green vistas from nearly every window, despite the urban setting. This was a major attraction for the owners, as were the untapped opportunities within that could be unlocked with some creative thinking.