Character cottage meets respectful modern extension

Renovation and extension by Irene Coveney, Coveney Browne Design

From the designer:

Our homeowner approached us to design renovations to their heritage listed home together with a new addition to provide extra accommodation using contemporary language that would respect the character of the original weatherboard cottage.

The heritage cottage has considerable historical significance which our owner values highly.

This has been converted to a beautiful master suite with home office and sitting area.

The master bedroom opens, via a matching pair of French doors with coloured fanlight glazing, on to the restored east-facing verandah which serves as a private space for parents.

Renovations were designed to preserve and enhance the original character and structure.

Elements which had been altered over time have been restored to their original condition and a 1980s addition to the rear was demolished.

The heritage cottage was concealed behind a high front fence with brick piers which were completely unsympathetic to the original architecture.

This was replaced with a traditional white picket fence that creates a welcoming entrance and allows passers-by to appreciate the historical value of the home.

Interior alterations throughout the cottage were designed with consideration to the original room proportions and retention of internal walls.

New work was carefully considered and integrated with the original features such as sash windows, fireplaces, high ceilings, mouldings, panelling, architraves, and cornices.

A new two storey addition to the rear provides a new open plan kitchen/ dining/ living area at ground floor level with the children’s bedrooms, bathroom, and activity room at first floor level.

Two mature paperbark trees inspired the materials and colour pallet for the home.

The green of the gumleafs has been integrated in both interior and exterior colour schemes.

The creamy silver bark is reflected in the timber cladding of the new addition, with SiOO:X (a natural wood treatment) providing long life protection and a weathered silver/grey look.

The yellow tones of the original timber floorboards have been softened and lightened with a limewash finish and this flooring is repeated in the new addition at first floor level.

Juliette balconies to the first-floor bedrooms overlook the gardens below.

A north facing solar courtyard between the old and new structures provides good quality natural light and passive solar gain to the new living / dining area, acting as a sunny outdoor room in winter.

A second alfresco area to the south is protected by a motorised pergola, providing maximum flexibility for year-round enjoyment of this space.

Large, glazed sliding doors connect indoor and outdoor living areas and a glazed gallery walkway links the two buildings acting as a transition space between old and new.

Designed by: Coveney Browne Design

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Heather Robbins