Compact Sydney home: Renovator’s delight

Practicality was one of the chief considerations throughout the renovation and remained so when it came to choosing furniture. A pair of loose-covered sofas in hardy Warwick linen were chosen to link the adjacent living areas, which are subtly separated by a sideboard from Carina Sherlock. The painting above the sofa, Hotel Granada by Ilana Richardson, adds a soft hint of colour while a tripod lamp makes a bold statement.

The original fireplace was updated with a fresh coat of paint and new tiles from Aeria Country Floors. A sisal rug from The Natural Floorcovering Centre adds warmth to the spotted gum timber floors.

The neutral hues of the Boral polished concrete floor in Sandstone provide an ideal base for the expanses of white on the kitchen walls, which were repainted in Dulux Antique White USA. A textural note was introduced with a splashback of matt white tiles, while Caesarstone in Bondi was a practical choice for the benchtops. Industrial-style pendant lights from Ikea and powder-coated stools from Thonet lend an inner-city edge.

A few sumptuous accoutrements were all the room needed to make the main bedroom a dreamy, inviting space, such as the oversized Bednest bedhead upholstered in Warwick ‘Husk’ fabric, luxurious white bedlinen and flowing curtains in ‘Pahala’, also from Warwick.

With its elegant fixtures, shimmering mosaic floor tiles and antique-style framed mirror, you’d never guess this bathroom came in under the bathroom budget of $7000. The vanity was custom-made for the compact space by AN Furniture and perfectly complements the sleek basin.

A Freedom armchair was reupholstered in vibrant fuchsia fabric from No Chintz to match the custom-made blind and cushions in the play room. 

Previously a garish spot framed by crumbling blue walls, the courtyard has been utterly transformed with Merbau decking and smart pavers from Amber Tiles. A recycled timber dining table makes the area just right for outdoor entertaining in the sunshine.