Fresh Air

- Chris Pearson

The home of cookbook author Stephanie Conley, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, has turned a fresh page. This was once her childhood home, but now, thanks to a smart renovation by architect Luigi Rosselli and Stephanie’s deft decorating, it has effected its own generational shift.

When her father passed away about 11 years ago, Stephanie and her sister were unsure what to do with the Arts and Crafts-style house. It wasn’t until her first son was born that she considered its potential as a family home. But the five-bedroom house was hamstrung by its past, squandering its prime position over Sydney Harbour. Large windows, added in a 70s renovation, embraced the view but didn’t connect with the garden, and the main entry was via narrow steps down the side, “like the tradesman’s entrance, not dignified”, says Luigi.

“I wanted to keep the house intact, as it was the place I grew up in, yet make it new and contemporary, more suited to family living,” says Stephanie, who hired Luigi on a friend’s recommendation. “He came up with amazing plans to give the house a new face without destroying it.”