A dated inner-city cottage

receives a healing touch

during its restoration

In the lounge room a concrete floor was laid with radiant heating in the slab, which keeps the house warm in the cooler months .

BORN again

Use sliding doors to create a separate room and create privacy.

PROJECT LUCHETTI KRELLE LUCHETTI KRELLE PROJECT

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PROJECT LUCHETTI KRELLE LUCHETTI KRELLE PROJECT

WORDS James Cleland PHOTOGRAPHY

A common problem with inner-city

renovations is the limited amount of

space to work with. The restrictions

set by neighbouring properties in

an already built-up suburb will restrict the area

you can use to expand your home. Renovators

in these circumstances need to carefully plan

the design to maximise the space they have

available and create a sense of liberty.

Designers and owners Luchetti Krelle

and builder Gerard Cook found themselves

in this very situation. They were looking to

reinvigorate a dated inner-city cottage that

had undergone a second-storey renovation in

the ’70s. It had dated interiors and was lacking

in natural light and ventilation; the home

was in dire need of a restorative touch. They

needed to breathe new life into the structure

and create a space suitable for a modern

inner-city lifestyle while remaining conscious

of the limited canvas they had to work with.

Aiming to create a high-end residence

with an option to sell after the renovation, the

designers wanted to maximise the use of space

by using clever design.

“We were inspired by the industrial, urban,

inner-city, oasis style you see in a lot of cafes

around Surry Hills,” says Rachel Luchetti.

“We wanted to create a great space for

entertaining.”

Careful consideration was given to the

home’s exterior appearance. Although it

wasn’t a heritage-listed home, it was necessary

to respect the character of the surrounding

neighbourhood. Therefore, the façade and side

external walls were left intact and retouched

to keep within the aesthetic constraints of

the original. However, inside was a completely

different matter.

“We really wanted to maximise the ceiling

height of the living space but didn’t want to

see any ugly bulkheads or structural beams,”

explains Rachel. “So we figured out a way to

seamlessly integrate the steel into the structure

of the upper floor.”

before

removed as was the external laundry and

bathroom, allowing an access point where

the home.

A concrete floor with radiant heating

was laid once the ageing, warped timber

flooring was taken off. A new kitchen with all

modern amenities was installed, as well as a

new bathroom and laundry secreted away

underneath the redesigned stairs. Newly

installed sliding doors in the front living area

have created a place for a study nook, media

room or third bedroom for guests.

Expansion of the rear courtyard with the

inclusion of a large gate enabled a dual use: a

street parking for a small vehicle. Access to the

courtyard was enabled via large bi-fold doors,

giving visual access to the outside while inviting

natural light and ventilation inside.

To maximise space, the layout of the upper

walls. New linings and carpet now unify the private

Above A new roof and retouched exterior walls and fence give the house a refreshed appearance while respecting its original characther.

Above The upstairs sitting room doubles as a spare bedroom for visitors.

Right A new staircase incorporates gloss cabinetry as part of the new kitchen renovation, creatively using space to its utmost avantage.

before

The kitchen has been transformed into a slick, workable area with concrete benchtops and a white glass window doubling as a splashback, allowing light to enter.

LUCHETTI KRELLE PROJECTPROJECT LUCHETTI KRELLE

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Use white glass to provide plenty of light and double as a splashback

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PROJECT LUCHETTI KRELLE

before

before

upper storey with the lower public living area’s

stylistic improvements. The upper bathroom was

New windows were installed throughout,

including the front dormer window. A

smattering of new paint to the interior surfaces

lightens the space, bringing it into line with the

modern aesthetic of the home.

“We had to design everything down to the

millimetre to maximise space,” said Rachel.

“The custom concrete benchtop under the

splashback is actually a real window with white

glass. And we also installed a polished concrete

These changes have created an open-plan,

well-lit and spacious living area, with modern

amenities inspired by the industrial, urban,

inner-city, oasis style that is a familiar setting

within Surry Hills. It’s a great space for relaxation

and entertaining.

“You don’t see many really well-thought-out

houses in the area,” commented Rachel. “Here,

however, everything has been designed to have its

Above New timber windows in the bedroom ensure the room is light and airy.

Right The rear courtyard, used for entertaining can double as a offstreet parking for a small vehicle.

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LUCHETTI KRELLE PROJECTPROJECT LUCHETTI KRELLE

project particularsThis project was designed byLUCHETTI KRELLE56 Cooper Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010Tel 02 9699 3425Email studio@luchettikrelle.comWeb www.luchettikrelle.comDesign Team: Stuart Krelle, Claire Krelle, Rachel Luchetti, Gerard CookThis project was built by

GERARD COOKLicence number: 109569CTel: 0413 319 811

FLOORINGLiving areas: Diamond-ground coloured concreteBedroom: San Marco carpet from Godfrey Hirst Stair: Timber stairs from Stair Lock

Outdoor: Cobblestones by Bellstone Bathroom: Bluestone tiles by Bellstone

WALLSKitchen: Plasterboard with shadowlines in white

KITCHENBenchtop: Custom concreteSplashback: White glass windowCabinetry: Gloss two-pack in Dulux Grid; joinery is contemporary Furniture design: Contemporary Furniture DesignAppliances: Omega, Blanco and Fisher & Paykel from Winning Appliances

BATHROOM FITTINGSCabinetry: Contemporary Furniture DesignBasin: Renovation Boys

Tiles/walls and floor: Bluestone tiles by Bellstone (floor); wall white ribbed tiles from Glennon Tiles Sanitary fixtures: Cube toilet pan by Caroma Taps: Alisha range from Renovation BoysShower/bath: Alisha range from Renovation Boys

LIGHTINGClipsal

WINDOWS + EXTERNAL DOORSGlass: Glassforce Frames: Stegbar

OUTDOORSWalls: Courtyard walls painted in Dulux colour GridFurniture: Ke-Zu

get the

1

23

6

5

4

1. The Pattern outdoor range 2. Manila Lounge Chair

3. Artifort C683 Sofa 4. Lotus Stool 5. Smile chair

6. The Kala Rug All items from

Kezu: www.kezu.com.au

Take inspiration from Rachel

and Stuart’s interiors with

these gorgeous pieces.