A Family Affair

A reconfigured floor plan has transformed this home on Sydney's Lower North Shore into a welcoming haven.

- By Chris Pearson

For owners Leah and John, this Federation bungalow on Sydney's Lower North Shore has become like a well-loved member of the family, sharing life's ups and downs and growing with them since they bought it in 2006. Back then, the couple were yet to begin a family, but they now have three children aged between 11 and 16, showing how long and immersive their relationship with their home has been. And it has moved in step with their life phases. "We have always loved this house. It's in a great location with a large north-facing backyard. The original features especially appealed," says Leah. But some of them were a little too original when they bought it. "There was still an outdoor toilet and the laundry had a copper tub for boiling clothes," adds John.

Around 10 years ago, they extended the back with a light-filled addition, which gave them a large open-plan living area. This also upped the bedrooms from two to four, all within the fabric of the original house. But in 2020, their home was looking tired and the demands of three active youngsters led to a rethink.

"The kitchen was becoming more of a focal point, a natural gathering place at the end of work and school, but the old layout wasn't ideal for this," says Leah. "We also all needed quieter, more personal spaces to retreat to, while a home office was important, as working from home was becoming a thing (little did we know!)."