Darlinghurst House

Enhancing the traditional and melding it with the new, this Victorian house has been revived with an emphasis on better spatial flow, a redefined courtyard and an inviting multi-use basement. 

Photography by Dave Wheeler

Our architecture and design team sought to re-introduce traditional features throughout the home, such as wainscotting and mouldings, and where possible existing elements like the original fireplaces were retained and restored.

Any introduced contemporary details were carefully selected to honour the Victorian features. For example, the joinery in the dining room and master bedroom were designed to feel like pieces of furniture, rather than built-ins that interrupt the cornices.

Bold moments of black steel are used to frame vistas and mark transition points between spaces, with a folded, metal balustrade grounding the staircase at the heart of the home.

Previously the courtyard was overwhelmed by an oversized pool but now our clients can enjoy an outdoor lounge area as well as a new round plunge pool.

The basement captures the old-meets-new story in a material palette of original sandstone, burnished concrete, timber panelling and black steel. Now a mixed-used space for laundry, wine cellar and general storage, it is welcoming and well-lit, and can be used as spill-over space for food prep and hosting.

View of a hallway lined with kitchen cupboard looking through to a dining room
Front view of a navy and stone top kitchen island with chevron timber floors and a glass hanging pendant
View of white joinery and a black door reveal in a formal dining room
A small powder room with a custom marble vanity, brass tapware and a brass wall sconce
View through black frame glass doors into the living room with a mustard velvet armchair
The round plunge pool with grey tiles in front of a sand stone wall with landscaping
A contemporary lounge room with cream furniture, sage green carpet and timber joinery
Lounge room corner with a mustard velvet armchair and foot rest with a window view of the plunge pool
Staircase view showing the white traditional stairs meeting the new black folder steel balustrade below
First floor landing with a slot window, traditional balustrade and sisal stair runner
Bathroom with marble top and navy joinery vanity and shower with a marble dado and white square tiles
The main bathroom with a stone topped vanity and mirrored shaving cabinet
The white master bedroom with traditional mouldings and floor to ceiling curtains
The custom white bedroom joinery featuring fluted detailing, brass pulls and timber footing
The master ensuite featuring a marble shower wall, black frame dividing glass wall and bath
The custom ensuite vanity with navy joinery and stone sink below a black frame mirror
A freestanding white bath and brass tapware below
Basement stair with a black metal balustrade, sandstone wall and burnished concrete floor
The drinks cabinet in the sandstone basement with burnished concrete floor and white timber panelled walls
An illuminated wine rack in a sandstone basement
The laundry sink in the basement with white v groove panelled walls

Ready to start your renovation journey?