Epitome Of Barefoot Elegance

Rebuilt to take better advantage of its coastal location, this Sydney home is now the epitome of barefoot elegance.

- Stephanie Hope

While some renovations happen in a heartbeat, fast-tracked so their owners can begin living the dream as soon as possible, others are a gradual process, spanning years or decades to ensure the home meets the evolving needs of its occupants.

This house, in a sought-after suburb in Sydney’s east, had been home to television producers Sonja Armstrong and Chris Hilton and their two daughters – Claudia, 20, and Olivia, 19 – for 10 years before they decided to rebuild. Sonja says they originally moved to the area for its outdoor attractions, including a beautiful beach, family-friendly parks and a picturesque gully. She admits the single-level home’s layout was “a little higgledy-piggledy”, but it was something they could live with considering the perks of the location.

“The home’s north-facing aspect, close proximity to the beach and the fact it was freestanding were major drawcards for us,” Sonja says. “It also had three enormous bedrooms and wasn’t overlooked by any neighbours, so while the layout wasn’t ideal, it didn’t detract from the good vibes.”

Indeed, the home provided the family with many happy memories, but Chris and Sonja couldn’t shake the feeling that the site deserved a house that would make the most of all the location’s charms. They worked closely with architect Mary Ellen Hudson, who designed a twostorey extension to take advantage of the natural light. Now sprawling across three levels, the home comprises four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study and powder room, along with an open-plan kitchen and dining space and media room.