This was published 7 months ago
Take a peek inside an architect’s 19th century art-filled home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
By Susan Redman
Step into a captivating world of contrasts in this tiny terrace house filled with an impressive collection of antiques and art.
“The house is like one large room and so works beautifully as open-plan living,” says Normyle. The oil painting is by Morten Lassen.Credit: Jennifer Soo
The home
An attached, one-bedroom worker’s cottage in Sydney’s east built in the mid to late 19th-century and featuring a modernised interior. The exterior is in its original form.
Who lives here?
John Normyle, an architect, designer and antique dealer: “My children have long since left home, so this is all I need. ”
What I did
“I bought the cottage renovated, so I simply removed some built-in cupboards and brought in some of my antique furniture to replace them,” says Normyle. “I covered the walls with my collection of art and positioned wonderful objects throughout.”
My favourite room
“I love my bedroom as it’s very quiet and dark at night,” says Normyle. “If the French doors to the sitting room are open I can see through to my green rear yard in the morning.”
The ’hood
“My home is close to Woollahra’s Queen Street, which has great food and anything you may need,” says Normyle. “My small street has a village atmosphere, where everyone meets to talk and help each other out. We’re not locked away from our neighbours, although we care about each other’s privacy.”
Future plans
“My work is interior design and architecture, so I have made the cottage comfortable and like a small art gallery.”
Best advice
“Include lots of open wall space for artwork,” says Normyle. “Home is where the hearth is, so have an open-plan living area - it’s a place to eat, cook, talk, relax. Ensure a connection to nature with indoor and outdoor space.”
A small dining area is located opposite the kitchen. An 18th-century dropside French oak table is surrounded by late 19th-century Chinese chairs.Credit: Jennifer Soo
A storage area next to the bathroom leads out to a leafy courtyard, with French antique washboards on the wall. “I picked these up in Paris,” says Normyle.Credit: Jennifer Soo
The bedroom features plantation shutters and is separated from the living room by a pair of French doors. The vertical artworks are by George Raftopoulos.Credit: Jennifer Soo
“The exterior is in original form – small but totally livable,” says Normyle. In the hall, are two paintings: a modernist oil painting on the left, and Xerxes on the right by George Raftopoulos.Credit: Jennifer Soo
In the single-wall kitchen, a late 18th century African timber head mask is on the wall, and a metal sculpture by Russell McQuilty sits on the wooden floor.Credit: Jennifer Soo
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