Grand Plans

Photography by Ryan Hernandez
Styling by Kirstin Randl-Katalinic

Story by Debra Banks

Take one faded late-Victorian gem, add a committed and creative owner, mix in a dedicated design team and you've got the perfect recipe for a stunning period transformation.

Welcome to the house Rebecca re-built – a stately residence in Mosman on Sydney's lower north shore. From the outside, there's no hint this elegant home was once a neglected beauty in dire need of a sympathetic eye. Luckily, Rebecca and her husband Rob had already renovated a period property nearby and could see past the sad facade to the potential underneath. "It was a little bit quirky and I loved its beautiful old bones," recalls Rebecca. "It's built on lovely sandstone blocks and had gorgeous high ceilings. We really love the character of old homes and the fact they have a bit of history."

Originally built in 1898, a series of poorly done higgledy-piggledy renovations and unsightly fibro additions had left the house bereft of style. Undeterred, Rebecca and Rob bought the home and immediately set to work, enlisting the aid of architectural firm Benn Design in North Sydney. They were determined to reinstate the traditional features, while also creating a fabulous, functional family home. The renovation took a year to complete but the results were well worth the wait. The revamped home features a first-floor addition with four bedrooms and bathrooms offering plenty of space for the couple's three teenage children. Excavation work under the house created extra rooms including a study, wine cellar and a rumpus – or "party room" as the kids like to call it.

Rebecca, a music teacher, had a hands-on role in the renovation, project managing the work and undertaking all the interior decoration herself. It was crucial the home's original period detailing was matched carefully, and she set about the task with gusto. Rebecca installed rich hardwood flooring, contrasting with Dulux Vivid White on the walls and trims. The rooms have been lovingly filled with pieces the family has collected over the years. "We have a lot of furniture in the house that was given to us by family members," she says, "so a lot of the pieces have stories behind them."

The sleek white kitchen has a streamlined look, with a stainless-steel Ilve cooker, concealed rangehood and handle-free cabinetry. "It's so easy to clean, which is important in a very active house like ours," Rebecca laughs. "With three teenagers it's all about food, sport, friends, sleepovers, more food ..." Elegant pendant lights highlight the well-used four-metre-long island bench. A living area adjoins the kitchen, and this is all about comfort, cosiness and family time. The modern lounge by King Furniture sits opposite a working gas fireplace and a flat-screen television – a must-have with teenagers in the house. The formal dining room with its striking magenta walls, grand dimensions and traditional features is another family hub.

Rebecca was determined to maintain the traditional lines of the house, so the master bedroom was carefully designed to fit into a gable which fronts the house. The result is a fabulous parents' retreat with dramatic raked ceilings, a luxurious ensuite bathroom, an adjoining private balcony with sweeping views and skylights above the bed. Rebecca and her family are enjoying living in their rebuilt family-friendly home. "We're so happy with the renovation," she enthuses. "We love having people over and this house is perfect for that. It's a great location, it's wonderful for parties and it's a terrific family space."

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