This impressive home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was once two rundown dwellings

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This impressive home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was once two rundown dwellings

By Susan Redman

This story is part of the July 21 edition of Sunday Life.See all 13 stories.

This new home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs features a warm, neutral palette and meticulously crafted details.

Richard Oddie, Freya Salter and Angus and Matilda Fitzhardinge enjoy a morning espresso in the open-plan kitchen-dining room.
Painting titled ‘reality which shines under the envelope which envelopes it’ by Tomislav Nikolic.

Richard Oddie, Freya Salter and Angus and Matilda Fitzhardinge enjoy a morning espresso in the open-plan kitchen-dining room. Painting titled ‘reality which shines under the envelope which envelopes it’ by Tomislav Nikolic.Credit: Jennifer Soo

The house

A three-level, three-bedroom contemporary home centred around a courtyard and boasting distant views of Sydney Harbour.

Who lives here

Builder Richard Oddie, interior designer Freya Salter and Salter’s children, Angus and Matilda Fitzhardinge.

What we did

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“I did the architectural and interior design and Richard built the house,” says Salter. “We demolished two fibro and brick dwellings but retained their side walls and an internal courtyard. We connected two new dwellings with an internal corridor, extended the house to the street and added a third storey and a garage at the front.”

Favourite room

“The outlook from our bedroom is beautiful,” says Salter. “I love the luxurious layering through silk curtains, textured wallpaper and soft carpeting.”

The ’hood

“We love the proximity to Bondi Junction, Double Bay, and Cooper Park,” says
Salter. “I grew up in the street below, where my mother still lives.”

Future plans

“I am always buying things on our travels to remind me of the beautiful places we’ve been,” says Salter.

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Best advice

“A house should have a cohesive design that creates a tranquil atmosphere,” says Salter. “I recommend getting all samples of finishes et cetera together so you can visualise how they will feel as a whole.”

Entry from the street is via a private garden path flanked by two grasses and a pergola that will eventually be covered with silver vein creeper.

Entry from the street is via a private garden path flanked by two grasses and a pergola that will eventually be covered with silver vein creeper.Credit: JENNIFER SOO

The sitting room has views over a roof garden. It features Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance’s “Ottoman Armchair” and a luxurious rug from Beni Rugs.

The sitting room has views over a roof garden. It features Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance’s “Ottoman Armchair” and a luxurious rug from Beni Rugs.Credit: JENNIFER SOO

At the rear of the house, the open-plan entertaining zone flows from
the airy dining area to a spacious outdoor terrace.

At the rear of the house, the open-plan entertaining zone flows from the airy dining area to a spacious outdoor terrace.Credit: JENNIFER SOO

A courtyard leads to a living room with a double-height void extending to an upstairs study. Porcelain pendant light by Bocci, ottomans designed by Freya Salter.

A courtyard leads to a living room with a double-height void extending to an upstairs study. Porcelain pendant light by Bocci, ottomans designed by Freya Salter.Credit: JENNIFER SOO

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