The owners of this cottage in Sydney’s Inner West wanted to come home to a space at one with nature after years of living in bustling New York City.
Working with interior designer Erica Georgis, the returning expats’ brief called for an indoor-outdoor connection that embraced the harbour city’s year-round sun and mild climate.
Before construction began, the weatherboard home possessed a dated and segregated floor plan. “It was quite poky, and the kitchen was tucked away in the corner,” recalls Erica of the whole-home renovation. “The dark rooms didn’t do the home justice and were quite separate from the garden.”
Now, steel-framed doors and aluminium-framed windows offer lush vistas and sunshine illuminates brass accents in the kitchen with Lo & Co handles and a Zip Water ‘Celsius’ Hydro Tap.
The ‘Crown Plana Linea’ chandelier by Nemo serves as a luxe diadem atop the show-stopping room.
“The kitchen is definitely the heart of the home for this family,” says Erica. “Entertaining was a key factor. They wanted to feel part of the space while hosting guests and in everyday life, too.”
Marble features
“We created a sense of nature by using earthy colours,” says interior designer Erica Georgis.
Taj Mahal quartzite from WK Stone enlivens the splashback, benchtops and waterfall edge of the island. The natural veining plays into other textures, like the Polytec ‘Woodmatt’ cabinetry in Casentino Beech.
A modern butler’s pantry
The butler’s pantry is tucked behind French doors that seamlessly blend with the Polytec kitchen joinery.
Zellige-look porcelain tiles from Lulo Tile brighten the splashback, alongside cabinetry finished in Dulux White on White and Laminex kickboards in Brushed Titanium.
Interior design: Studio Belle, studiobelle.com.au
Builder: Dion Group Projects, diongroupprojects.com.au.
Architect: Jessica Matson Architecture, jessicamatsonarchitecture.com.
Source Book
Shop the look
Athena ripple vase
$92.50, Marmoset Found
Best for: flowers, countertop styling
With its textured rippled edge, this hand cast ceramic vase is a stylish addition to any countertop.
Sizes: 13cm x 13cm x 17cm
Colours: White
Materials: Ceramic
Key features:
- Hand cast
- Ceramic
- Rippled edge
Ruffle round platter dish
$162.50, Marmoset Found
Best for: serving-ware, countertop styling
With its irregular shape, this unique platter dish wont just impress your dinner party guests but hold its own as a statement décor piece in your kitchen.
Sizes: 32cm x 32cm x 6cm
Colours: Chalk white
Materials: Hand cast ceramic
Key features:
- Ceramic
- Hand cast
- Irregular shape
Brass candle holder
$61.99, Black Blaze
Best for: candles, statement décor
These brass candle holders feature a stackable design, making for a statement look—with or without candles.
Sizes: Two sizes available
Colours: Brass
Materials: Brass
Key features:
- Brass
- Stackable design
- Statement piece
Taft Wall Light
$390 , The Montauk Lighting Co
Best for: lighting
Featuring an aged brass base and an opal matte white glass shade, this sleek wall light gives a contemporary upgrade to classic lighting.
Sizes: 12cm x 12cm x 12cm
Colours: Brass, white
Materials: Brass, glass
Key features:
- Glass white shade
- Aged brass base
- 0.5kg
Classic Weave Bar Stool Dark
$620 , Highgate House
Best for: bar stool seating
With a solid wood frame, these woven rattan bar stools are perfect for adding a touch of warmth to a modern space.
Sizes: 52.5 x 54 x 91cm H
Colours: Brown, natural linen
Materials: Natural woven rattan
Key features:
- Indoor use
- Handwoven rattan in an eyelet weave
- Comfortable back and footrest
This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.
