Get SMART

Reinstated heritage details and thoughtful new additions have transformed this Sydney terrace into a home that’s perfectly on point.

- Carli Philips

This 1880s inner-Sydney terrace had only just been renovated when the current owner bought it. While the location and floor plan were near perfect and it was entirely liveable, it just didn’t have the finesse the owner was looking for. It was also lacking character, having had its period detailing stripped out. Enter interior designer Gil Bennett of More Than Space (formerly Zavie Creative), who was briefed to create a home with high-end joinery, improved storage and contemporary furniture. It was important to honour the home’s heritage too. “The beautiful historical fireplaces in the library and study had been replaced by flat, silver box-style mantels and hearths,” says Gil. “The house definitely needed a modern makeover, but it needed to reference its rich 1880s origins.” As the owner had worked with Gil before, he felt confident giving her considerable creative leeway.

Originally, the scope of works was limited to remediating the rather flimsy cabinetry, but that job soon evolved into a full-scale project that took six years from start to finish. It was enacted in stages so the owner could remain in the house during the renovation.