Page 102 - Australian House & Garden (January 2020)

H G HOUSES

hen renovating this four- and comfortable beach house,” says Deborah.
bedroom house in Sydney’s “We like light colours, but didn’t want the home
east, the owners made the to feel clinical, so asked Kate to incorporate
unusual choice to revamp stone, timber – and an element of surprise.”
Wthe interior before updating Kate completely stripped the interior,

the exterior. “That was simply so we could removing just one wall on the first floor to
live in the property while the building open up the kitchen, dining, and living spaces.
approvals were processed,” says Deborah An existing wine cellar on the ground floor
Herrigan, who lives here with her husband, was converted into a home cinema.
Mike Weale, their daughter Charlotte, 21, and Deborah wanted the home to have both open
son Max, 18. plan areas and more intimate spaces. “It’s a
The inside-out approach proved a challenge big house, but it can sometimes feel like there
for interior designer Kate Bell. “It was difficult is nowhere to escape to in open-plan layouts,”
to envisage the house as a whole, as the window she says. On the first floor, the generous
and door openings would change when the kitchen, dining and living areas are distinctly
main build began,” she says. Despite the tricky zoned for a sense of separation. There’s also

start, such is the synergy between Kate’s a bar area in the living zone and a private study
interiors and the exterior structure, by tucked behind a wall of joinery. Slatted screens,
architect David Smyth of Smyth & Smyth, that differing joinery treatments, colours and
most people think the home is a new build. finishes also help demarcate the zones.
The family already had an idyllic home in On the first floor, pale timber-veneer joinery
nearby Bondi Beach, but it lacked some creates a light, beachy feel. It’s teamed with
desirable luxuries, such as a pool and home soft-grey cabinetry and a concrete benchtop
cinema. “Mike and Charlotte considered our on the island bench. In the living room/bar
last home our forever home,” says Deborah. area, meanwhile, the joinery is a darker

“But I love the challenge of finding an old gunmetal shade, with a zinc-topped bench and
house and creating something amazing.” She a Carrara Gioia marble work surface.
recruited Max to Team Move and the pair set Decor sorted, attention turned to the outside
to work looking for the best options. of the building. “Our brief to David was to make
In 2015, the family walked into this 1980s the exterior more striking and less red-brick
home on top of a hill. It was north-facing and box,” says Deborah. Raising the window and
double-brick, with a great layout arranged over door heights proved most effective; the home
three levels, including a self-contained studio is now flooded with light. Elsewhere, white
with kitchenette on the ground floor (street render, timber and sandstone replaced the
level). “The living area opened to a huge north- red-brick cladding, and the pitched roof gave
facing terrace at the front of the home and way to flat. David also relocated the entrance

the dining space at the rear opened onto the from the side to the front of the home.
garden,” says Deborah. But there was definitely Today, even the most sceptical members of
work to be done. “The red-brick cladding was the family are smitten. “This home is a
ugly and the interior was decked out with beautiful sanctuary for us all,” she says.
shag-pile carpet, big flowery tiles and flocked “Charlotte and Mike are well and truly beyond
wallpaper,” she adds. holding onto our last home.” >
Mike wasn’t so keen, but Deborah knew Kate Bell Interior Architecture & Design,
she had an ace up her sleeve: Kate, who Paddington, NSW; katebelldesign.com.
masterminded the interiors of the family’s Smyth & Smyth, Rosebery, NSW;
previous home. “We wanted a sophisticated (02) 9662 2720 or smythandsmyth.com.au.