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The owners of this house were quite certain what they didn't want:
"We didn't want a Tuscan villa and we didn't want a hard-edged 1990s house. We didn't want it to be too trendy or too precious, and we didn't want it to date."
After collecting magazine photographs of houses and design features they liked, they
found they could describe the house they wanted to move into.
"We wanted it to be modern and solid and Australian -the Australian part was important -and it had to be practical with two children.
They wanted to create a calm and homely atmosphere, and a design that would withstand the test of time."
To look at the house now, it's almost impossible to believe it's a remodelling of a 1920s bungalow.
However by retaining the existing structure, it was possible to have the side walls closer to the boundaries than would otherwise have been allowed by council.
Essentially, all that remains of the original house, apart from its footprint, is the main bedroom, now a study, on the street side.
Another level was added and the existing house was re-worked and extended.
The owners had certain budget restrictions, which precluded creating any architectural marvels.
It didn't seem necessary to incorporate magnificent ceilings and roofs; instead resources went into using high quality materials.
The design is basically straightforward and sensible. The generously proportioned house is on three levels: self-contained flat in the basement, opening to a loggia ("which is good for summer entertaining out of the sun", says the owner) entrance level which contains study, formal and inforrnalliving areas and kitchen, with a wall of sliding doors opening to a north-facing terrace, large enough for a dining table for eight, with steps down to the low-maintenance back garden and new pool; and top level, with four bedrooms, bathrooms, walk-in linen cupboard, large front and rear
balconies and, surprisingly, the laundry.
Entry down from the street to the main living level is via a broad set of Bundanoon sandstone steps, stepping stones over a long, narrow fishpond, and across a sandstone- paved courtyard.
"We wanted a private courtyard at the front of the house, something with presence," says the owner.
A simple palette of materials has been used consistently throughout the house: blackbutt
for flooring, panna limestone and blackbean timber in all bathrooms, half strength White
Birch on all internal walls, American oak for most joinery
The kitchen is of stainless steel softened with American oak.
Outside, a clear finish has been used on timber under the eaves, gutters are of copper, exterior render is in a muddy tone which matches the sandstone paving. These are all materials which improve with age rather than need refreshing.
To liven up the otherwise neutral tones, colour has been introduced through abstract
paintings, furniture, soft furnishings and rugs, chosen by interior decorator Lisa Stein
Interiors.
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