Page 110 - Australian House & Garden (January 2020)

LIVING Natural materials shine
in this light-filled space. The sofa
is from Angelucci 20th Century;
rattan chairs from Adairs. Blue
oil painting by Matt Smith and
Collaroy Rockpool photo by Bill
Shapter. All other artworks by
Suzy O’Rourke. Evie rug from
Collective Sol. HALL Royal Oak
floorboards in Driftwood are
used throughout the home.
Jute rug, Freedom.

eforethey’devensteppedthrough
the front door, Suzy and Nick
O’Rourke knew this home they’d
come to inspect was the one. But

Bbecause it was the first property
they viewed, they weren’t completely
confidentaboutactingontheirgutfeeling.
“We thought ‘surely it can’t be that easy?’”
says Suzy. “So we looked at other houses
for the next two months before we circled
back and bought this one.”
Situated on Sydney’s Northern Beaches,
the 1920s cottage did need some work.
But the spectacular location, offering
gorgeous views out over swaying palms to
theseabeyond,wasworthit.“Thehomewas

bathed in winter sun when we saw it, and it
had a lovely, relaxed feel,” she says.
Thatwas12yearsago,whentheirsonOllie
was just four and Suzy was pregnant with
daughterLola.Notlongaftermovingin,the
couple undertook some minor renovations
–increasingthesizeofthedeckandcourtyard
to allow for more outdoor living – but made
adecisiontoleaveabiggerrenovationuntil

the kids were older. “Then our third child,
Finn,camealongandweneededmorespace.
The answer was to add another storey.” >