Despite its own bright garden and Sydney location, this Victorian cottage felt dark and dull. As with many homes built throughout the 19th century, the back was cluttered with small rooms and low ceilings, and it had a toilet that blocked views into the garden.
After considering other layout alternatives, architect Danny Broe and homeowner Linda Carmichael gutted the back of the house and rearranged the rooms into an open and glowing configuration. Dashes of colour break up the modern addition and add personality, while first Victorian architecture in the front part of the house keeps the home’s unique character.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Linda Carmichael
Location: Enmore, West Sydney, Australia
Size: 871 square feet; two bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Remodel cost: $284,000 Australian (not including professional fees)
Photos by Karina Illovska
Danny Broe Architect
A fresh bay window in the back of the house is visible from the combination living room, dining room and kitchen. The windows at the bay fold back, eliminating any division between exterior and interior, and allowing Carmichael to rest her feet on the elevated terrace when sitting on the open window seat.
Broe established that terrace — and the garden’s paths — using brick and stone salvaged from the demolished portions of the house.
Window seat fabric: Fingers, Signature Prints; doorways, windows: Windoor
Before Photo
Danny Broe Architect
Here’s a look at the back of the house before the remodel. This door led to a small toilet, which blocked views of the back garden from the interior living spaces.
Danny Broe Architect
AFTER: The north-facing bay window (important in the Southern Hemisphere) fills the space with sun. Broe even installed a little window in counter level to catch additional light and light up the workspace. The walnut flooring included across the house has a matte finish for a light and airy texture.
The ceiling of this window bay is a lot lower compared to the ceiling in the remainder of the space, which makes the window seat feel cozier and more intimate. Translucent blinds plus a fence outside the back door provide privacy if needed.
Kitchen counter: Snow, Caesarstone; hardware: Hettich; sink: Olivieri; faucets: Sussex, Reece; blinds: Rolletna
Before Photo
Danny Broe Architect
The previous kitchen had updated appliances and stuff, but it felt cramped as a result of deficiency of light and space.
Danny Broe Architect
AFTER: The new open floor plan affords plenty of space. Four different colors split the kitchen into zones, reducing the visual bulk of this efficient, single-wall layout. The various colors also make the cabinetry look more like freestanding furniture compared to built-ins.
Cooktop, oven: Smeg; stove hood: Ilve; fridge: Fisher & Paykel
Danny Broe Architect
A door next to the pantry opens to reveal a sudden pink workplace. “Pink is such a powerful colour, therefore it is best revealed only sometimes,” Broe says.
A little window in the office wall lets in light and overlooks the home’s little courtyard. Broe added the courtyard so he could introduce windows into the toilet, bedroom and office, and bring light into the center of the home.
Couch, ottoman: Jazz, Oz Style; rug: Orbit, Dinosaur Designs; ceiling fan: Revolution, Hunter Pacific
Before Photo
Danny Broe Architect
The living area had little natural light. The single ceiling pendant didn’t do much to eliminate the dim, dark feeling.
Danny Broe Architect
AFTER: The brand new living room gets plenty of natural lighting. Additional pendants at the kitchen and wall sconces in the living room endeavor light in interesting ways and include warmth.
Lighting: ECC and Ikea; Tranetorp dining table,Nordmyra chairs: Ikea
Before Photo
Danny Broe Architect
Shoved into the back of the house, the home’s sole bathroom had limited square footage and could be retrieved only by walking through the living area.
Danny Broe Architect
AFTER: The toilet was transferred from the back of the house to the center, where it is now readily accessed from the public areas and the bedroom. The brand new bathroom also has another tub and a washer and dryer (not pictured).
Showerhead: Raindance, Hansgrohe; bath: Kaldiwei; sink: Alape; bathroom counter: Corian; heater: Rinnai; tiles: Bisanna
Danny Broe Architect
The facts in the ornate front hall lent themselves into an equally ornate wallpaper. Biloba wallpaper from Marimekko greets guests with a dab of bold, contrasting color.
Danny Broe Architect
Careful remodeling maintained the first Victorian character in the front hall. Broe and his team had the plaster cornices and ceiling roses mended, and mended a nose one of the plaster ladies, also.
Danny Broe Architect
Each one the front rooms, such as this informal parlor, were just restored to their former glory. The bay in the back of the house mimics the bay inside this room, connecting the first Victorian with all the modern areas in back.
Light: Yvette, Beacon Lighting
Danny Broe Architect
Even though the house is in close proximity to its neighbors — like many homes in the Sydney suburbs — the sidewalls and restricted number of side-facing windows provide the home solitude. Broe installed a brand new metal roof but kept the first contours to maintain the interior’s high ceilings.
Roofing: Lysaght; interior paints: Dulux; exterior paints: Murabond
Style team:
Architect: Danny Broe
Builder: AS & KB Constructions
Engineer: Partridge Structural
Landscaping: Mason Smith, Grandiflorum Landscapes