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The kitchen pays homage to the rich maritime and city history, showcasing original detailing with a contemporary twist. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter Ecru White, trims and features in Resene Half Black White, cabinetry in Resene Half Ash and the striking yet modest blue green of Resene Artemis.
Resene Half Hairy Heath was chosen as a rich, clean red base to anchor the building. This was a vibrant alternative to the muddy, pale red of the past, while still meeting the Heritage requirements. Exterior trims were painted in Resene Half Canterbury Clay, soffits in Resene Chelsea Cucumber and doors and railings were colour matched to an original deep green.
Paired with the timeless sandstone in the lower level and stained timber floors, the interior colours of Resene Quarter Ecru White and Resene Half Black White are restrained and respectful of the past, while the joinery colours add another layer of colour that respond to the local context and curated furniture.
This exquisite sitting room is a unique and charming space. The shades of Resene Quarter Ecru White on walls and Resene Half Black White on trims and features allow furnishings and accessories to take centre stage. Heritage colours continue to shine through in the marble fireplace surround, curtains and charming décor.
The delightful master bedroom features a panelled headboard painted in Resene Half Ash, with Resene Quarter Ecru White on walls and Resene Half Black White on trims and detailing.
The games room features a gallery wall, painted in Resene Quarter Ecru White, showcasing photographs and mementoes that pay homage to the history of the home and city. Trims are painted in Resene Half Black White.
From 1890 to today: A home where the past meets the present in perfect harmony
Located in one of Sydney’s most iconic heritage precincts, this terrace house originally built in the 1890s has been restored and transformed into a contemporary family home with the help of skilled architect and interior designer Angelique Perak and timeless Resene colour. Sitting proudly, the design unfolds to reveal a harmonious blend of old and new, celebrating the rich tapestry of the Millers Point history.
The Vermont Terraces were an intact and rare example of a pair of early Federation Queen Anne style terrace dwellings. A State Heritage designated site can come with its own challenges, however this is where the opportunities arose for Angelique, founder of Studio Duo.
The design process began with a meeting between Angelique, the heritage architect and the client on-site for a briefing, then a deep dive into archival material about building, its original owners and the surrounding area. This provided a deeper understanding of the eclectic nature of the existing residence, a design driver for the concept.
Angelique engaged with the existing building allowing her to dwell, remember, preserve and propose translations to the client for how the terrace concept could develop.
“We worked carefully to increase the amenity of the home and incorporate modern conveniences, inside bathrooms, air-conditioning, automation with minimal effect on the heritage fabric,” Angelique says. “This required careful coordination of consultants and trades.”
“Materials were chosen for quality, fitness for purpose, respect of heritage and aesthetic criteria, and the result is a high quality, respectful and classically elegant home.”
Resene Half Hairy Heath was chosen as a rich, clean red base to anchor the building. This was a vibrant alternative to the muddy, pale red of the past, while still meeting the Heritage requirements. Exterior trims were painted in Resene Half Canterbury Clay, soffits in Resene Chelsea Cucumber and doors and railings were colour matched to an original deep green.
The external colour palette required heritage approval. Angelique used the original colours as a base then worked with Resene and her painters from Volantes Decorating to explore options to select colours that had depth and enhanced the details of the original fabric.
Internally a neutral scheme was chosen to lift the home’s interior to a new contemporary level. The wall colour was carefully selected to allow the velvet texture of the lath and plaster walls to take centre stage, with the natural daylight softly falling across the heritage detailing.
The kitchen pays homage to the rich maritime and city history, showcasing original detailing with a contemporary twist. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter Ecru White, trims and features in Resene Half Black White, cabinetry in Resene Half Ash and the striking yet modest blue green of Resene Artemis.
Paired with the timeless sandstone in the lower level and stained timber floors, the interior colours of Resene Quarter Ecru White and Resene Half Black White are restrained and respectful of the past, while the joinery colours add another layer of colour that respond to the local context and curated furniture.
Angelique’s clients have expressed that the transformation has created spaces that everyone wants to use. There are no longer dark, damp areas, which is often a rarity in terraced houses. Spaces are dry, comfortable, light and homely - a celebration of the past with the conveniences of a modern home.
This exquisite sitting room is a unique and charming space. The shades of Resene Quarter Ecru White on walls and Resene Half Black White on trims and features allow furnishings and accessories to take centre stage. Heritage colours continue to shine through in the marble fireplace surround, curtains and charming décor.
The delightful master bedroom features a panelled headboard painted in Resene Half Ash, with Resene Quarter Ecru White on walls and Resene Half Black White on trims and detailing.
“The clients’ request to incorporate a games room presented a challenge with the room sizes,” Angelique says. “A half size billiard table was investigated and discounted due to space constraints. Then, I thought about the intricately inlaid Italian games table that had been in my own grandparent’s front parlour. I set about designing a modern translation of this and found an Australian custom billiard table maker to work with to bring the idea to fruition. The result is a beautifully crafted piece that happily sits as a breakfast table, with a series of layers underneath for cards, chess or backgammon.”
The games room features a gallery wall, painted in Resene Quarter Ecru White, showcasing photographs and mementoes that pay homage to the history of the home and city. Trims are painted in Resene Half Black White.
“The gallery wall in the games room is a very special feature to me, it involved many hours of research in the photo archives of the National Library of Australia, City of Sydney Archives and the NSW State Library,” Angelique says. “I also researched the family who built the home, they were jewellers who had travelled en route from Ireland. Photos of the Flavelle Brothers Jewellers, a daughter who was one of the first women to graduate from Sydney University and Princess Alexandra visiting their Brisbane store are featured on the wall, alongside a letter from Mr Flavelle to the City Council requesting a streetlamp be erected on the corner.”
“An antique Flavelle Brothers token penny and other items that were found on site were carefully framed by an archival framer. The history of the house, its owners, the Millers point precinct and Sydney are celebrated throughout the house with a carefully curated series of photographs printed on cotton rag.”
“It was a privilege to be part of this restoration project, explore the Conservation Plan and conduct further research into the precinct. We immersed ourselves in the context of the area and the story of those who built here.”
With an unwavering commitment to preserving the past while embracing modern comforts, Angelique has expertly transformed this heritage gem into a contemporary family home. The carefully selected Resene colour palette, both inside and out, pays homage to the rich history of the Vermont Terraces, showcasing a perfect blend of old and new. This restoration project not only breathed new life into a piece of history but also created a warm, inviting and comfortable dwelling, where the conveniences of the present are seamlessly integrated into the timeless charm of the past.
View the before and after photographs in this video.
design Angelique Perak, Studio Duo with Studio 23 Design
builder Ian Westlake, Construct Central Coast
images Brigid Arnott
Top tip: If you’re looking to refresh a historic building, but want to honour the heritage and history of the space, take a look at the Resene Heritage colour chart, which allows you to recreate the authentic colours of traditional homes and builds. It is important to note that the range of colours used in the past was somewhat limited and changes between periods were gradual. Not every early homeowner may wish to recreate the exact colour shades of another era, but for those who do, this is an ideal starting point. For more advice on colour selection, visit your nearest Resene ColorShop or reseller for samples and charts, or Ask a Resene Colour Expert online today.
Published: 07 Nov 2023
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Chelsea Cucumber
Resene Chelsea Cucumber
Resene Half Canterbury Clay
Resene Half Canterbury Clay
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