Family Heritage
There is a perception that heritage houses are not family-friendly homes, that they are not easily adapted to the modern lifestyles of a young couple, their growing children and the grandparents, Family Heritage seeks to dispel that preconception. There is a place for everyone in this house, and the traditional room layout has been afforded a surprising degree of flexibility by providing the ability to open or close up rooms according to function and to the residents’ needs. The design provides ease of access to outdoor natural surroundings, and a family-friendly garden with pool, via openable glass walls and generous balconies. Light and access to the sun are not lacking in this home.
Designed and built in the late 1880s by English architect, Walter Liberty Vernon, the house exists as what was once part of a larger leasehold estate established by the Neutral Bay Land Company, formed by Vernon and his business partner Alexander MacKnight. The estate once also included Vernon’s own home (constructed in 1885 and demolished in 1968).
In 1890, Vernon was appointed Government Architect of New South Wales, an appointment that marked the beginning of an exceptionally prolific and masterly period for public architecture, resulting in numerous buildings that have stood the test of time including the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Central Station, and multiple fire stations, court houses, post offices, and other public spaces.
Vernon had reacted against Victorian-era architecture, but this house seemingly contradicts that stance by presenting a front veranda with lacework of Victorian character, however, in searching through old images and plans, Luigi Rosselli Architects and heritage consultant, John Oultram, discovered that the filigree was in fact a “faux” addition installed during the 1980s and made from cast aluminium, rather than the traditional cast iron. As there was not enough historical information available to accurately reconstruct the original veranda the lacework remains as a testament to the different approaches to heritage.
Also added during the 1980s was an extension to the rear of the property, replaced in this evolution by an open plan living/dining and kitchen area in line with contemporary standards that flows seamlessly out to the lushly planted backyard. The garden itself is an outdoor room of its own bordered by tall hedge walls and shielded from the elements by a retractable canvas awning, it houses the cool and inviting appeal of a swimming pool to while away sunny summer afternoons.
All other rooms on the ground floor of the original house have been maintained in their existing locations as more reflective and tranquil spaces: a TV room, a study, and a workstation. Steel framed glass doors separate the rooms from the hallway, and the walls provide plenty of space to display a lovingly curated art collection. The creative flair of the Alwill Interiors team has delivered an elegant interior finishes palette of neutral tones that allow elements such as striking pendant lights, the woven panels of the kitchen island, and of course the well-placed furniture and art selections to shine.
William Dangar placed ‘V’ for victory palms as a commentary to the V-shaped window beside the fireplace. Though it is somewhat of a pyrrhic victory as the chimney itself was cut down in its prime due to neighbours’ objections.
One of the architectural difficulties faced in the renovation of the house was achieving a way to disguise the addition of a new garage that North Sydney Council – of which Vernon was once an alderman – has waged a long and painful war against as they are of the view that they ruin the civil streetscape, particularly double car garages. So opposed to garages, the council had requested that only an open car stand be included in the design. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Luigi Rosselli Architects countered with a proposal to situate the garage entrance away from the front of the property and conceal it with landscaping, which was masterfully executed by Dangar Barin Smith, and we, our clients, and the Council thank them for achieving the seemingly impossible and hiding the elephant in the flowerbed.
Design Architect: Luigi Rosselli
Project Architects: Harry Pham & Simon Hassall
Heritage Consultant: John Oultram of John Outram Heritage & Design
Interior Designers: Romaine Alwill & Alice Benn for Alwill Interiors Pty Ltd
Builder: Aranac (Contracting) Pty Ltd
Rammed Earth Construction: Earth Dwellings Australia Pty Ltd
Joinery: BWO Fitout & Interiors
Landscape Architecture & Installation: Will Dangar & Dangar Barin Smith
Photography: Prue Ruscoe
© Prue Ruscoe
A late 19th century heritage residence is framed by mature trees, with an ornate two storey veranda, decorative lacework and tall sash windows defining the original façade. Stone retaining walls, a metal entry gate and layered planting shape the sloping front garden, preserving the house's historic character within an established residential setting.
© Prue Ruscoe
Seen through overhanging branches, the residence's white decorative verandas and ground floor bay window sit behind a layered garden of ornamental grasses and clipped hedges. The open gate and stone terraces reveal how the slopping site is landscaped around the historic house, while the discreet garage entrance accommodates contemporary family needs without dominating the streetscape.
© Prue Ruscoe
The upper veranda of the heritage home sits above terraced stone garden walls, with intricate white lacework contrasting against the surrounding greenery. Steps wind through dense grasses and groundcover, softening the change in levels and creating a landscaped approach to the original residence.
© Prue Ruscoe
A stone retaining wall and climbing greenery conceal the garage entrance beneath the main residence, integrating practical contemporary requirements into the sloping garden. Above, the original veranda and decorative balustrades remain prominent, allowing the historic façade to retain its visual presence.
© Prue Ruscoe
Open French doors and an arched ground floor opening connect the heritage home to a gravel garden path bordered by lush foliage and ornamental grasses. The veranda's intricate detailing is retained, while the generous openings strengthen the relationship between the original rooms and the landscaped backyard.
© Prue Ruscoe
A covered veranda frames a view across a layered garden of mature trees, sculptural succulents and feathery ornamental grasses. The decorative cast aluminium lacework and traditional columns preserve the character of the historic outdoor space, creating a sheltered threshold between the house and its greenery.
© Prue Ruscoe
A bright internal hallway combines herringbone timber flooring, arched openings and a curved white staircase, with glazed doors along one side leading towards the outdoor terrace. The restrained finishes and clear circulation retain the home's traditional proportions while supporting its adaptation for contemporary family living.
© Prue Ruscoe
Two textured ivory armchairs and a low black coffee table sit within a light filled living room, arranged around a geometric rug beneath a sculptural pendant. A curved corner window and full height curtains draw attention to the garden outside, bringing greenery and natural light into the interior.
© Prue Ruscoe
An outdoor sitting area is arranged beside a rendered exterior wall, with neutral upholstered seating overlooking palms, cycads and a tall clipped hedge. The stone paved terrace extends the home's living space into the garden, providing a sheltered setting for relaxation and family gatherings.
© Prue Ruscoe
A contemporary rear facade overlooks a turquoise swimming pool, with textured concrete walls and white louvred shutters defining the upper level. An outdoor lounge and dining area sit behind a clipped hedge, while palms and layered planting soften the transition between the architecture and garden.
© Prue Ruscoe
© Prue Ruscoe
The side of the house combines substantial concrete walls, angled glazing and white folding shutters, which provide shade and privacy to the upper level rooms. A glass balustrade borders the poolside terrace, where woven outdoor seating and fan palms bring texture to the sunlit setting.
© Prue Ruscoe
A sculpted timber island with woven panel detailing anchors the kitchen, topped with veined marble and paired with dark timber cabinetry. A curved bronze toned tap and linear pendant light add refined detail, while sheer curtains and garden views bring a softer atmosphere to the functional space.
© Prue Ruscoe
Dark timber cabinetry and a marble splashback form a strong backdrop to the kitchen island, whose intricate timber panels contrast with the smooth stone surfaces. A timber dining table and upholstered chairs sit alongside the kitchen, with full height sheer curtains filtering daylight into the open plan room.
© Prue Ruscoe
Dark timber cabinetry and a marble splashback form a strong backdrop to the kitchen island, whose intricate timber panels contrast with the smooth stone surfaces. A timber dining table and upholstered chairs sit alongside the kitchen, with full height sheer curtains filtering daylight into the open plan room.
© Prue Ruscoe
A tall run of dark stained joinery anchors the kitchen, with a long linear pendant hanging above the island and its woven timber front. The oval dining table and a curved pink sofa and living zones across one continuous floor.
© Prue Ruscoe
A curved blush sofa and two shearling armchairs face each other across a low black coffee table, all set on a rug of blue, sand and gold geometric shapes. A leaf form chandelier and a sculpted white fireplace wall give the room a soft, organic character.
© Prue Ruscoe
Seen from a lower, closer angle, the shearling chairs and lacquered side tables sit within the sweep of the plastered fireplace wall. A narrow curved window beside the curtain admits daylight, and the rug's circular and rectilinear forms read clearly across the floor.
© Prue Ruscoe
A tall, tapered window frame clipped hedging and palms, drawing the garden into the room. The sculpted plaster hood above the marble topped bench has a folded, almost fluid edge that this tighter view shows clearly.
© Prue Ruscoe
Slim white framed glazed doors beneath an arched fanlight divide the living area from the study. Through the opening, the deep blue walls and herringbone timber floor contrast with the lighter tiled floor in the foreground.
© Prue Ruscoe
Slated blue walls, ceiling and mouldings are painted in a single tone, so the cornices and arched openings read as one continuous shell. A velvet armchair, a gradient finished side table and a sculptural timber stool sit on a textured rug, with sunlight falling across the herringbone floor.
© Prue Ruscoe
An arched sash window with a deep moulded surround sits above a curved timber sideboard with glass shelving. A quilted velvet armchair and a heavy linen curtain complete the corner, while the dining area is glimpsed through the opening on the left.
© Prue Ruscoe
A built in timber desk runs beneath the study's arched windows, joined to a low credenza with glass shelves. Frosted globe pendants hang beside a leadlight panel, and the bright living room is visible through the glazed arch at left.
© Prue Ruscoe
Looking through steel framed arched doors, the view passes from the study across herringbone flooring to the dining table and hedge wall beyond. The repeated arch and fanlight motif connects one room to the next along this line of sight.
© Prue Ruscoe
A glazed arched screen frames the white staircase, whose flowing balustrade and dark timber treads are seen from a velvet armchair in the study. At right, a glimpse of the powder room shows how the circulation route links the main rooms.
© Prue Ruscoe
The curved stair wall and its sinuous handrail lead towards a doorway opening onto a powder room lined in rose toned stone. The white hallway, with its deep skirtings and architraves, makes the colour of the stone stand out.
© Prue Ruscoe
A floating pink stone valley carries a square vessel basin, with a wall mounted bronze framed mirror above. A twin tube sconce, a dark lacquered stool and plaster finished walls complete the small room, where the stone continues across the floor.
© Prue Ruscoe
In the entry hall, a round table with a glazed ceramic base and dark timber top stands on a circular grey rug over herringbone flooring. A faceted glass chandelier hangs from the ornate ceiling, and the white balustraded stair and arched openings lead on to the rest of the house.
© Prue Ruscoe
Framed by a white arched screen, the front living room has a marble fireplace with a cast iron arched grate and a decorative ceiling rose. Teal velvet swivel chairs, a low black table and a patterned rug add colour to an otherwise white, restrained room.
© Prue Ruscoe
A bedroom with a vaulted ceiling opens through glazed doors to a balcony and the hedging beyond. A grey lounge chairs, a timber side table and a deep navy chest of drawers sit on herringbone flooring, with an abstract painting above and taupe wave fold curtains at the window.
© Prue Ruscoe
White marble with dark diagonal veining lines the walk in shower, with a frameless glass panel keeping the stone continuous across walls and floor. A bronze rain shower and handheld set stand out against the marble, alongside a floating white vanity.
© Prue Ruscoe
From the foot of the bed, the navy chest of drawers and abstract painting lead the eye into a dressing area lined with dark timber wardrobes. A round mirror on a ceiling hung post, a small upholstered stool and a window with a Roman blind fill the end of the narrow space.
© Prue Ruscoe
Sandstone steps with planted joints climb between swathes of ornamental grasses and a maple to the two storey house above. Sandstone retaining walls and layered planting soften the approach, while the veranda's white lacework, a 1980s cast aluminium addition, remains visible above the garden.