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Writer's pictureJon Ruwolt
Oct 4, 20204 min read

Renovation in Context

Updated: Oct 5, 2020

A rather fine Federation home around Mosman has come onto the market recently, described as a "Rare Mosman landmark", ready for restoration or reinvention, (to) capitalise on the underlying Federation charm.

Check out the view from the verandahs:

In this article:

  • On the market - a largely original Federation home at 42 Iluka Road, Mosman NSW

  • Albert and Middle Park Renovations

  • A massive renovation of the Federation house at 64 Nimmo Street, Middle Park

  • What lies behind the Federation facade of 64 Harold St, Middle Park

  • A modern luxury take on heritage timber interiors of a terrace in Albert Park

 

Rare Waterfront Reserve Opportunity

Restore Grandeur with Spectacular Main Harbour Views

"Gracing the idyllic foreshore of Taylors Bay, this majestic c1915 home retains its original lofty grandeur..."

Click arrows < > to move through the slideshow

The house is in near original state and is a landmark home on the Taylors Bay Track.

  • The interiors are a showcase of Edwardian timber decoration,

  • complete with leadlight windows, timber floorboards (under the carpet) and

  • verandahs of tallow wood flooring with Art Nouveau inspired large arches that frame the harbour view perfectly.

If you feel the need to renovate...

  • Please, don't ruin the timber interiors, they are warm and comfy, definitely worth keeping!!

  • Remember, under that carpet there are original timber floorboards which can be restored.

The house is brimming with classic features such as high patterned ceilings, picture rails, leadlight windows, sandstone foundations and elegant formal dining and living rooms.

  • The house itself forms part of the iconic scenery captured along one of Mosman's prettiest harbourside walking trails.

  • Tightly held by the one family since 1937, this is an opportunity to secure a slice of Sydney Harbour access, and views.

 

MCM Timber Interior slideshow >

Interior designer Amelia Hesketh, founder of Frank Designs, recalls inspecting a mid-century house for sale in Lindfield (on Sydney’s Upper North Shore) seven years ago.

‘It was obvious that most people saw it as a knockdown and rebuild (as happens far too often with these houses), but we could only see potential,’ she said. 

  • Since purchasing the property seven years ago, Amelia has completed a thoroughly sympathetic renovation.

  • By sticking to her guns, and employing skilled craftspeople along the way, she’s created a home that captures the best of MCM (1960s Mid Century Modern) design.

  • ‘All the original MCM joinery was reused. We did not throw one piece out, which I am very proud of.’ Read more: THIS Is How You Renovate An Architect-Designed, Mid-Century Home!

 

Albert and Middle Park Renovations

A blog from 'Built Now & Then' on Heritage Renovations is worth a look:


NOW & THEN around Albert Park, Melbourne:

Suzanne writes: "I was particularly excited to take a look around Albert Park, and the adjoining suburb Middle Park, as they have been the most inspiring Contemperiod suburbs I’ve visited to date.

  • The writer goes so far as to say that these suburbs could be ‘model’ suburbs for the potential for the hybrid of old and new, expertly-blended (?) architecture."

Slideshow: See for yourself the unsympathetic additions blighting these suburbs:

YouTube Sales pitches for Federation Renovations, Middle Park Vic

  • A 'contemporary' renovation of the Federation house at 64 Nimmo Street, Middle Park

  • The video emphasises the external look of the modern extension

  • Sold for $7.3m by Private Treaty Apr 2019

The Federation style of 64 Harold St, Middle Park

  • This home had a massive internal renovation, Sold for $5,875,000 on 17 Apr 2019

  • This beautiful home has been gutted and is now crisply detailed in the modern minimalist style.

Wait until you see what lies behind the Federation facade of 64 Harold St, Middle Park(!)

From this elegance to a very modern interior design: (slideshow < >)

 

A modern take on heritage timber interiors

Finally, the the winners of the 2013 TV series 'The Block’, twin sisters Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, have "worked their magic" with a modern revamp of another Victorian style heritage home in Melbourne’s Albert Park, which was the ugly duckling of the street, but is now the most striking house on the street.

  • The Fraser twins said that The Block 'changed their lives' as the prize money allowed them to leave their jobs in the police force and launch their own design studio.

  • Working on bespoke properties and collaborating with high-profile clients, the pair has lent their design talents — a mix of minimalism and understated luxury — to a magnificent multistorey heritage home in Victoria's Albert Park.

  • It resulted in a two-year overhaul at 162 Mills St, Albert Park (Listing)

  • "I was in complete awe. You don't want to tear down history if you can restore it and bring it back to its former glory."

The renovated Victorian Italianate style terrace has a rather beautiful renovation (in my humble opinion) while keeping original design features.


Heritage factor -

  • "We kept the original features in the first section of the house, which includes the hallway and master bedroom, with decorative cornicing, skirting and ceiling roses,

  • and we opted for a more urban-contemporary style in the new section of the house," they say, "to achieve a seamless transition from old to new, we decided to use the same timber flooring throughout."

  • See the whole story with details of each job, or just watch this video:

I like the monochrome palette, and the emphasis on timber finishes, which of course are very modern, in both the kitchen and bathroom. - Slideshow below:

  • Sold for $3.353m by PRIVATE TREATY, SEP 2019

Read more:

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