Sydney Houzz: From Empty Shell to a Luxe, Layered Delight
See how a designer took a home with great bones and gave it colour, depth and long-term liveability for a young family
With abundant room to grow, play and entertain, this five-bedroom Federation home in Wollstonecraft, NSW, represented an exciting new chapter for the family of five who live here, as they had previously lived in a high-rise apartment. After they moved in, one of the first calls the owners made was to interior designer Anna McMillan of McMillan Design, who they hoped would help bring their spacious new home to life with furniture and a decorative scheme that celebrated the dwelling’s ornate, original features and reflected their personalities. Read on to learn how she did it.
The house was devoid of furniture and decoration when McMillan came onboard. This meant top-to-toe furnishing and styling of all spaces was required, from the five bedrooms and formal and informal living spaces to the outdoor entertaining area.
Rug: Armadillo; pendant: LightCo.
“The client’s brief was to create a long-term family home that was contemporary in style, but maintained the gorgeous character of their classic Federation home,” she says. “Stylish and practical storage was also a must.
“The homeowners wanted to optimise the home’s existing layout by using the different zones for the family’s varying needs. This included elegant, grown-up spaces for the adults to entertain in as well as child- and family friendly spaces,” says McMillan.
“The client’s brief was to create a long-term family home that was contemporary in style, but maintained the gorgeous character of their classic Federation home,” she says. “Stylish and practical storage was also a must.
“The homeowners wanted to optimise the home’s existing layout by using the different zones for the family’s varying needs. This included elegant, grown-up spaces for the adults to entertain in as well as child- and family friendly spaces,” says McMillan.
Custom console table designed by McMillan Design and made by Artifex Interiors.
“My vision was to create a home that was equal parts elegant, liveable and welcoming. I wanted to create beautiful spaces that fused the gorgeous, classic features of this Federation home with contemporary elements through the fixtures, furniture and furnishings,” she says.
“My vision was to create a home that was equal parts elegant, liveable and welcoming. I wanted to create beautiful spaces that fused the gorgeous, classic features of this Federation home with contemporary elements through the fixtures, furniture and furnishings,” she says.
The entry before works.
The creative magic started right at the home’s entrance. “This was a vast, empty space with a beautiful leadlight window and not much else – so a good base for me to work from,” says McMillan.
The creative magic started right at the home’s entrance. “This was a vast, empty space with a beautiful leadlight window and not much else – so a good base for me to work from,” says McMillan.
The entry after works.
“I designed a custom bench seat to go under the stairs, with a curved edge to help gently guide your eye to the hallway. It contains plenty of hidden storage for bulky objects such as school bags and sports gear, along with hooks above for hanging items.
“We added a beautiful feature pendant for impact, a textured rug for warmth and practicality in this high-traffic spot, and a custom-designed marble and timber console table,” she says.
“I designed a custom bench seat to go under the stairs, with a curved edge to help gently guide your eye to the hallway. It contains plenty of hidden storage for bulky objects such as school bags and sports gear, along with hooks above for hanging items.
“We added a beautiful feature pendant for impact, a textured rug for warmth and practicality in this high-traffic spot, and a custom-designed marble and timber console table,” she says.
The client’s must-haves for their new home design included:
- Creating a comfortable family home with elegant, luxe spaces where the adults could entertain.
- Brightening the front rooms (the entry, main bedroom and formal living area).
- Including more storage.
- Strengthening the connection between the interior and exterior. The rear patio, which opens onto the backyard, was quite contemporary in style so we looked to bring some similarly contemporary elements into the interior for cohesion.
The family room after works.
“Our lovely clients were drawn to different colour palettes, one preferring a more neutral palette and the other loving colour. So a key part of my job was to help them navigate this challenge and find a scheme that they both loved,” says McMillan. “The outcome was a gorgeous palette of blue and green tones that not only met the brief but created a stunning home they both love.”
The deep blue seen throughout the house was inspired by a colour in one of the owners’ much-loved artworks (not pictured). “I wanted blue to be the consistent thread that created a connection throughout the different spaces in the home. So I explored how to layer varying tones to create a contemporary, luxe look,” she says.
“Our lovely clients were drawn to different colour palettes, one preferring a more neutral palette and the other loving colour. So a key part of my job was to help them navigate this challenge and find a scheme that they both loved,” says McMillan. “The outcome was a gorgeous palette of blue and green tones that not only met the brief but created a stunning home they both love.”
The deep blue seen throughout the house was inspired by a colour in one of the owners’ much-loved artworks (not pictured). “I wanted blue to be the consistent thread that created a connection throughout the different spaces in the home. So I explored how to layer varying tones to create a contemporary, luxe look,” she says.
Family room before works.
McMillan looked to make the family room a relaxed and cosy space where everyone could spend time together, but a little work was required to get it to that point.
“There were lovely French doors that let in the light, but the room didn’t have a lot of character and needed warming up,” she says.
McMillan looked to make the family room a relaxed and cosy space where everyone could spend time together, but a little work was required to get it to that point.
“There were lovely French doors that let in the light, but the room didn’t have a lot of character and needed warming up,” she says.
Sofa: Burgg; coffee table: GlobeWest.
“I wanted it to feel connected to the rest of the home from a colour and style perspective and, being a family space, to ensure it felt relaxed and casual,” she says.
“I wanted it to feel connected to the rest of the home from a colour and style perspective and, being a family space, to ensure it felt relaxed and casual,” she says.
“I specified a custom sofa in a robust, easy-to-maintain fabric along with a hardwearing curved terrazzo coffee table that could withstand family use,” she says.
McMillan designed unique, bespoke pieces such as the hallway console table, the under-stair bench seat, and an entertainment unit in the family room, to provide long-term usability for the growing family. These pieces were an investment both the designer and client believed were worth making.
Dining room before works.
Open and bright, the dining room provided McMillan with a great blank canvas. “It also had an intricately detailed ceiling, which I wanted to make more of a feature in the new scheme,” she says.
Open and bright, the dining room provided McMillan with a great blank canvas. “It also had an intricately detailed ceiling, which I wanted to make more of a feature in the new scheme,” she says.
Dining table and chairs: Artisan Furniture.
“The client wanted a fresh, clean look for their dining room, with space for entertaining. They were happy to invest in quality pieces that would stand the test of time, so we selected a stunning timber dining table and chairs from Artisan Furniture. We then injected a pop of teal via a statement bar cabinet to create synergy with the colour palette used throughout the rest of the home,” she says.
New artwork and an eye-catching pendant complete the dining area.
“The client wanted a fresh, clean look for their dining room, with space for entertaining. They were happy to invest in quality pieces that would stand the test of time, so we selected a stunning timber dining table and chairs from Artisan Furniture. We then injected a pop of teal via a statement bar cabinet to create synergy with the colour palette used throughout the rest of the home,” she says.
New artwork and an eye-catching pendant complete the dining area.
Outdoor area before works.
The dining and family room open onto an expansive entertainer’s deck with an outdoor kitchen that leads to a swimming pool and a lawn fringed with mature hedges.
The dining and family room open onto an expansive entertainer’s deck with an outdoor kitchen that leads to a swimming pool and a lawn fringed with mature hedges.
Outdoor area after works. Outdoor lounge chairs and sofa: Cosh Living; coffee table: GlobeWest.
McMillan introduced a comfortable, deep-seated outdoor sofa setting along with a new outdoor dining table and chairs so the family could relax, dine and entertain alfresco in style. Soft throws and plump outdoor cushions add to the welcoming feel.
McMillan introduced a comfortable, deep-seated outdoor sofa setting along with a new outdoor dining table and chairs so the family could relax, dine and entertain alfresco in style. Soft throws and plump outdoor cushions add to the welcoming feel.
Outdoor dining table and chairs: GlobeWest.
The formal living room before works.
“The formal living room was another space in the home with gorgeous, ornate ceilings, along with beautiful timber floorboards,” says McMillan.
“The formal living room was another space in the home with gorgeous, ornate ceilings, along with beautiful timber floorboards,” says McMillan.
The formal living room before works.
“The client wanted this to be an adults-only space where they could entertain friends. It needed to feel grown up, elegant and luxe,” she says.
“The client wanted this to be an adults-only space where they could entertain friends. It needed to feel grown up, elegant and luxe,” she says.
The formal living room after works. Credenza: Trit House; rug: Armadillo.
Curvy, sculptural seating in tones of blue, along with a rug in a tonal shade, create the sophisticated and atmospheric feel the owners were after. “We then added a stunning pendant light that draws your eye up so you can appreciate that beautiful ceiling,” says McMillan.
Curvy, sculptural seating in tones of blue, along with a rug in a tonal shade, create the sophisticated and atmospheric feel the owners were after. “We then added a stunning pendant light that draws your eye up so you can appreciate that beautiful ceiling,” says McMillan.
Sofa: Crafted Furniture; coffee table and Juno lounge chairs: GlobeWest; chandelier: The Montauk Lighting Co.
Browse more images on Houzz of classic Australian living rooms
Browse more images on Houzz of classic Australian living rooms
Armchair: H&J Furniture.
Main bedroom before works.
“The main bedroom had good foundations and a beautiful bay window, it just needed finishing touches with soft furnishings to create a luxurious, warm feel,” says McMillan.
“The main bedroom had good foundations and a beautiful bay window, it just needed finishing touches with soft furnishings to create a luxurious, warm feel,” says McMillan.
Custom bedhead: Forty Winks; lamp: Emac & Lawton.
McMillan reused the client’s existing bedside tables and a chest of drawers in the new main bedroom scheme.
McMillan reused the client’s existing bedside tables and a chest of drawers in the new main bedroom scheme.
“The client sought a warm, cocooning and luxurious feel for their bedroom that integrated the blues and greens used in the rest of the home.
“We created warmth by layering blue and green tones and luxe textures, including a velvet bedhead, plush cushions and linens,” says McMillan.
“We created warmth by layering blue and green tones and luxe textures, including a velvet bedhead, plush cushions and linens,” says McMillan.
Rug: Armadillo; pendant: LightCo.
“The lush, midnight-blue rug creates cosiness underfoot while an elegant pendant draws your eye up to the decorative ceiling,” she says.
“The lush, midnight-blue rug creates cosiness underfoot while an elegant pendant draws your eye up to the decorative ceiling,” she says.
The client’s five-year-old daughter’s bedroom. Furniture: Lilly & Lolly.
“As with the rest of the home, this bedroom needed to feel warm and inviting, with colours that suited the client’s daughter’s personality,” says McMillan.
“I chose a neutral, classic palette that would grow with the room’s young occupant and good-quality furniture that would stand the test of time.”
“As with the rest of the home, this bedroom needed to feel warm and inviting, with colours that suited the client’s daughter’s personality,” says McMillan.
“I chose a neutral, classic palette that would grow with the room’s young occupant and good-quality furniture that would stand the test of time.”
A teepee in a medley of pink patterned fabrics provides a delightful spot for reading or imaginative play.
Soft pink accents in the rug, pendant light (not pictured), bedding and artwork perfectly suit the young child’s tastes now and are easy to swap out down the track.
Soft pink accents in the rug, pendant light (not pictured), bedding and artwork perfectly suit the young child’s tastes now and are easy to swap out down the track.
The client’s three-year-old son’s bedroom before works.
The couple’s young son’s room has its own distinctive scheme that can also be easily changed up as he grows.
The couple’s young son’s room has its own distinctive scheme that can also be easily changed up as he grows.
Removable wallpaper: Olive et Oriel.
“I wanted to inject some fun and whimsy into this bedroom so I used a removable, jungle-print wallpaper – it creates a playful vibe and makes for a lovely focal point,” says McMillan.
“I wanted to inject some fun and whimsy into this bedroom so I used a removable, jungle-print wallpaper – it creates a playful vibe and makes for a lovely focal point,” says McMillan.
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this forever family home as we are? Tell us your favourite feature in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Eager to see another inspiring family home? Check out this Sunshine Coast Houzz: A Dream Family Home With a Summery Spirit
Are you as charmed by this forever family home as we are? Tell us your favourite feature in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Eager to see another inspiring family home? Check out this Sunshine Coast Houzz: A Dream Family Home With a Summery Spirit
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with three young children aged five, three and a newborn
Location: Wollstonecraft, NSW
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Five bedrooms, three bathrooms
House size: Around 879 square metres
Budget: Around AU$200,000
Interior design: Anna McMillan, McMillan Design