Fresh APPROACH

A calming palette and thoughtful detailing preserves the classic beauty of this Federation house while delivering a new level of liveability to its owners.

- Judy Pascoe

Marrying contemporary living requirements with a period residence is a delicate dance that constantly challenges architects and designers. None more so than this elegant Queen Anne Federation house in Sydney’s inner west that couple Anthony and Thoa bought in 2019.

Built-in 1912 for the mayor of the locality, the handsome house in classic brick with decorative timber fretwork commands the 570-square-meter block. Drawn to the beautiful features – wooden floors, soaring pressed-metal ceilings, leadlight windows, and fireplaces – as well as its leafy setting, Anthony and Thoa sought the expertise of Leon Varley, director of Progressive Plans Building Design, to renovate and enhance the property.

The generous proportions of the two-story, four-bedroom house afforded the opportunity to create a luxurious home for the couple and their two young sons, with open-plan living areas seamlessly connecting indoors and out.

Leon initially devised three completely different concepts for the update, based on images of interiors the couple liked. This was eventually distilled into the final design that suits their lifestyle and is complementary to the home’s traditional character, rather than simply being ‘on trend’. “The aesthetic is timeless and speaks to the original home,” says Leon.