Interior designer Kathy McKinnon on how she transformed a tiny terrace into a light, bright beauty
It’s barely 50 metres square, but thanks to a clever renovation and some genius styling, this tiny terrace is a legit pocket rocket.
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Kathy McKinnon has extensive experience in the magazine industry and advertising world as a stylist and art director for numerous award-winning print campaigns, television commercials and music videos.
But her greatest personal creative triumph is her own house, an exquisitely designed two level Paddington terrace — all 54m2 of it — that feels like home as soon as you step into it.
Quaint, cute and styled with a keen eye, Kathy’s terrace features the most chic and eclectic of interiors: it is a pure delight.
Kathy has lived in her home — the one she thought she would be living in just a couple of years — for more than a quarter of a century.
“I just love, love this area as it is like an undiscovered pocket of Paddington,” says Kathy.
“It is moments from The Intersection, the Verona cinema and just so close to Oxford Street, the city, Centennial Park, Moore Park, the SCG, the arts college, the best organic bread shop, cafes and just has an extraordinarily happy, cool and community vibe to it”.
The Paddington pocket Kathy is referring to is surrounded by the South Dowling St, Oxford St, Greens Rd and Moore Park Rd.
Kathy recently expanded her work to take on interior design projects.
With a contact book developed over many years of collaborations with Sydney’s top creatives, Kathy works with a hand-picked team to access finishes, fixtures and furniture that most of us mere mortals would not have the time to find.
How would you describe your personal style? Bespoke, eclectic, organic.
How did you design this project? My aim was to transform the Paddington terrace into a light and airy retreat with clever outdoor connections. It was interesting in the challenge that a small space presents.
The solution was to create as much height and natural light as possible, anchor the room with large statement pieces and then create visual layers, triggers that tell a story and delight the eye and replenish the soul.
The existing house was all but gutted except for the Victorian facade.
A concrete slab was poured and topped with an oxidised, polished finish to achieve a seamless, organic effect. We opened up the back of the house to become one, light-filled space and ceiling-to-floor rear glass bi-fold doors were used to create a sense of scale. The minimalist structure coupled with its eclectic layering created a sophisticated inner-city retreat.
What is something you treasure in your home? This house is a treasure trove of collectibles from years of travel and from my many wonderful artist friend’s works.
What is your favourite room in the house? The open plan kitchen, dining and courtyard area.
Carefully curated artworks, themed collections of curios, and wall sculptures create a texture and richness to the space – like the timber panels from old railway carriages, a Simeon Nelson ‘Planeon’ wall sculpture made of plywood, plastic, metal, and laminate and my most favourite gift — a Venetian glass horse head from my dear late partner Richard Lucchese.
The ceiling to floor bi-fold doors allows the courtyard to become an extension of the dining room and my Saarinen table sets the scene for friends to gather around for Sunday lunches and dinners.
The streamlined, open-plan kitchen enables cooking to continue while entertaining guests.
What is your favourite way to entertain in your home? The courtyard garden, while small, provides a delightful statement. Easy to maintain, a vertical garden on both side walls frames the rear wall, with a three-metre glass water feature creating an organic ambience.
Favourite three items in my wardrobe? My 80s vintage Italian green textured wool coat. A Vivienne Westwood cropped black jacket with perfect quirky detailing and a silk chiffon hand printed scarf sourced in Puglia last year.
Is there music in your home? I love listening to music on the Bowers & Wilkins Vintage pod speakers and am currently revisiting 1980s and 1990s classics.
What books are on your bedside table? From my last holiday at Hyams Beach, Let’s Explore Diabetes and Owls by David Sedaris, waiting to be finished.
I have two tall stacks of coffee table art and design books in my bedroom, that are always an inspiration.
What has been taking up your time at the moment? My week is filled with work, art exhibitions, dinners and lunches with friends, Bondi ocean swims and my favourite horse Koko Flash.
I’m also gardening and loving my hanging baskets featuring rhipsalis, elephant bush and blossoming burgundy orchid.
Scroll down for more pics of Kathy’s gorgeous home. To learn more about her styling and interior design services click here
