Mid-century meets modern design: This home in Sydney’s inner west pulls it off
The 1880s, double-fronted Italianate home, is listed as being of heritage importance because of its original ornate features.
By Susan Redman
Metal-framed, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors and windows are a feature of the home’s brick and steel extension. The painting, titled Frog Spirit Dreaming, is by Alan Dowler Kamara.Credit: Jennifer Soo
A modern extension imbues this historic home with mid-century vibes.
The house
An 1880s, double-fronted Italianate home, listed as being of heritage importance because of its original, ornate features and slate roof, in Sydney’s inner west. It became a boarding house during the Depression and then a share-house featuring poky rear extensions. The Junor family purchased it in 2010.
Who lives here
Reverse Garbage CEO Kirsten Junor, IT manager Steve Junor, and children Henry, Pearl and Lucy.
What we did
“There were five spacious bedrooms but no communal living spaces,” says Steve. “So we knocked down the 1950s lean-to bathroom and kitchen extensions and added 100 square metres of communal living space, bathrooms and a shed.”
Favourite room
“The new kitchen dining space,” says Kirsten. “It’s light and spacious and looks out over the backyard.”
The ’hood
“We moved to Marrickville in 1996 for the vibrant mix of cultures and the high street with lots of little shops and restaurants,” says Steve.
Future plans
“We’re repurposing a couple of bedrooms to accommodate creative interests such as sewing and jewellery making,” says Kirsten.
Best advice
“Collect second-hand or recycled furniture and decorative pieces you love from markets etc, rather than buying what’s in fashion,” says Kirsten. “Looking is half the fun.”
Steve, Pearl and Kirsten in front of an iconic 1956 Airstream Overlander they imported from the US and use as an office or sleeping quarters for guests.Credit: Jennifer Soo
The kitchen island is made of blackbutt timber and features retro Framac bar chairs. Behind is a stainless steel benchtop and a large Bosch oven and stovetop.Credit: Jennifer Soo
The living room steps down to delineate it from the kitchen-dining zone. A central limestone pillar houses a Jetmaster fire that heats both areas.Credit: Jennifer Soo
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