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It was the spectacular location and lashings of light that sold this house to a Sydney couple. Now smartly reconfigured, it’s become the home of their dreams.

- Chris Pearson

It’s little wonder Alice and Ming, the owners of this 1890s home in Sydney’s east, feel a sense of joy the moment they open the door. They’re greeted by a long, wide hallway, with beautiful original plasterwork and an exciting interior featuring crisp white with bold splashes of yellow and pink. Together, the heritage features and energetic palette create a welcoming luminosity that runs throughout.

But it wasn’t always so. When the couple bought the three-bedroom house in 2021, they were drawn to its views of dense bushland, but it had a clumsy collection of rooms that made it feel surprisingly closed in.

“We were instantly attracted to the aspect and location,” says Alice. “The house is north-facing with bush on one side, full of birdlife, yet only minutes from shops. Abundant natural light and enormous potential were also big drawcards.” Adds Ming: “It is freestanding, with beautiful original features, but since it’s not heritage-listed, we had the flexibility to adapt it for modern living.”