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PARK VILLA 1873

This historic terrace on Moore Park Road is a grand home in true Italianate style, situated directly opposite Sydney’s Centennial and Moore Park lands. The house is surrounded by lush greenery that reference its geographic location and is a stone’s throw from the cosmopolitan life of Surry Hills and Paddington. The historic sandstone walls of Victoria Barracks are just across the road and there are neat lines of Victorian terraces all around.

This home has a rich history and is listed on the National Estate. The most recent renovation boldly marries contemporary chic with the grandeur of provincial Victorian style. The renovation grew out of a desire to open up the kitchen, rebuild the family living area and maximize the courtyard space.

The kitchen and family room at the rear of the property required an extension and entire refit. With the removal of an existing external support wall, a four-metre long kitchen island was installed to create a seamless transition to the entertaining, dining and family zones. The floor was extended and replaced, with ceiling to floor steel glazing in place of the existing windows and doors to open the home to the courtyard and garden.

With decades in hospitality, Julie references the Park Villa kitchen as a factory in the centre of the home. Originally pokey and closed off from the rest of the house, the renovation ensures the kitchen does justice to the rest of the home. With functionality key, it has been designed with purpose – an open plan space in which to prepare, cook and entertain.

Being a Victorian terrace, Julie was inspired by the movement towards old English kitchens (in the shaker style). She ran with this to create a truly unique space with the use of contemporary materials and innovative appliances. Feature points include the larder and a butler’s pantry at the end of the galley. This is a cool space used for back of house function – cocktail preparation, toast and tea, baking, glass washing and storage. Over the stovetop, the grand rangehood was created by a metal fabricator who utilised blackened brass that mirrors the warm tones throughout the home. A nod to the days designing and working in commercial kitchens, the tiles featured throughout by Mr Jason Grant for Di Lorenzo. Fibonacci Italian terrazzo tiles called Land’s End line the floors and the steel doors by All Metal Projects are painted with Dulux MIO in Bridge Grey and feature bronzed handles. Reclaimed 1920’s auto-factory pendants sourced on a trip to New York provide light to the island. A rich layering of materials is a delight, featuring custom joinery in a Porter’s hue, porcelain panels, stainless steel, blackened brass, tile and glass.

In addition to this, both the master and secondary bathrooms required renovation, making way for a contemporary interpretation of the Victorian design. The master bathroom was an ageing black and white art deco space. Keeping its integrity was essential, however traditional design elements were bypassed with the use of the contemporary. Hand-made subway tiles were sempered to create rhythm in the room and an anchor for the design.

Outside, the garden was redesigned in conjunction with Secret Garden, with new plantings including a mature olive tree.

The double garage at the rear of the property (which also contains the laundry) was also renovated, with the addition of a first-floor guest studio. Architect Luigi Rosselli gifted Julie the construction design for this part of the project. Rosselli beautifully resolves the functionality of the space and with it, he tells a story. There is always a narrative in Rosselli’s work. He makes clever reference to the castellations at the front of the main house with the waves at the back. If you view the property as a whole, the front and back are actually opposites of each other; two bookends, the back of which incorporates his signature curvaceous geometry.

Interiors: www.decorjmh.com/ Project: www.coronaprojects.com.au/ Garden: www.secretgardens.com.au/ Stainless steel : www.austmont.com.au/ Joinery: www.gelosa.com.au/ Photography: www.prueruscoe.com/ Styling: www.meganmorton.com/