Finding GRACE

RENOVATING WITH AN ARTIST’S EYE HELPED TRANSFORM A DILAPIDATED HOUSE INTO A TRULY MAGNIFICENT HOME

- SUE WHEELER

Apalpable sense of harmony imbues the interiors of this beautiful Sydney home, and it comes as no surprise they were created with an artist’s eye. “Many of the skills I have as an artist are transferable to interiors,” says homeowner Laura, an interior designer who also project managed the renovation of the five-bedroom home she shares with husband Damian; sons Ralph, 20, Sam, 18, and Eddie, 15; and bordoodles Frankie and Bentley. “I get as much joy from renovating as I do from my art,” she says. “Colour and composition help determine how a painting makes you feel, and this is similar for interior design; get those elements right and your home can make you feel good.”

However, when the couple bought the home back in 2014 it was no oil painting, despite having “good bones”. “The floor plan didn’t function well,” recalls Laura, who admits one redeeming feature was its high ceilings. “There were too many small, narrow doors, so it was dark, dysfunctional and dying of boredom from a bland ’70s makeover.”

Its location, on the other hand, was perfect for a fun family life – just a barefoot wander through a laneway to the harbourside reserve and a huddle of kayaks awaiting their next outing.