Modify responded to the client’s brief with innovative solutions that enhanced functionality, storage, and natural light, while preserving the terrace's heritage charm. The client required a better-functioning kitchen, more storage, and a powder room on the ground floor. Finishes throughout needed refreshing, and untapped opportunities for natural light were waiting to be uncovered.

To address these needs, the rear was skilfully redesigned. A discreet powder room was tucked under the stairs, a walk-in laundry doubling as a butler’s pantry was introduced, and a spacious kitchen with a central island bench was created. A narrow skylight along the breezeway brought abundant light deep into the home, including the laundry.

The upstairs bathroom was slightly lengthened and reconfigured, with a full-length slot skylight washing the space in natural light. Access to the attic was improved, and the original staircase was retained to preserve heritage fabric. A new timber blade wall concealed the balustrade, while the painted treads and risers were complemented by a lovely sisal runner leading to the first-floor landing.

Full-length custom Australian-made steel sliding doors were added off the kitchen casual living area enhanced the connection to the garden. Carefully selected fabrics, natural stones, and curated lighting and furniture brought a sense of warmth and individuality to the spaces. In the bedrooms, joinery was designed as elegant, freestanding furniture pieces that appeared to float above the floor on slender timber legs. By avoiding built-in solutions, the traditional cornices, skirtings, and proportions of the rooms were left uninterrupted, celebrating the home’s heritage features.

The biggest construction challenge was retaining the first-floor rear bedroom while extending the ground-floor living space to the boundary. This required extensive propping and support of the first floor to allow beams to be installed below, with great care taken to avoid any damage to the original structure. Clever engineering solutions were key, along with meticulous, hands-on work to carefully move materials into position by hand. This approach ensured the integrity of the heritage elements was maintained while achieving the desired design outcome seamlessly.

Thoughtful updates brought the terrace to life, creating a bright, functional, and understatedly sophisticated home tailored for modern family living.