{"id":4471,"date":"2026-05-04T09:24:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T09:24:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/4471\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T09:24:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T09:24:25","slug":"sydney-federation-home-with-moody-rooms-light-soaked-rear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/4471\/","title":{"rendered":"Sydney Federation Home With Moody Rooms & Light-Soaked Rear"},"content":{"rendered":"

The lucky family living in this Federation<\/a> double-brick bungalow in Sydney\u2019s Inner West enjoys a wonderful journey in time whenever they walk into their stained-glass hallway. Immersive colours in the front highlight the home\u2019s charming period features<\/a>, while the light-soaked back is uncompromisingly modern, with nods to the past.<\/p>\n

\"FederationWalls painted Dulux Natural White Half. Simon Gavina \u2018Kazuki\u2019 chair by Kazuhide Takahama, Vintage wall llights, Etsy. \u2018Hurricane\u2019 pendant, Dunlin. Rug, The Rug Establishment. E (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

\"FederationTrims painted Dulux Natural White. Render painted Dulux Antique White U.S.A. Door painted Dulux Chinchilla Chenille. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

When the owners, interior designer Caitlin Parker-Brown of Parker Studio and husband Tim, and their two children, Archer, seven, and August, four, first stepped inside in 2021, there was plenty to love about the enchanting four-bedroom home, starting with its picket fence. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe original character drew us in,\u201d says Caitlin. \u201cThe proportions of the front rooms, the ceiling heights and the period detailing gave it a special presence.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"GreenJoinery in Russet veneer, Processed Forest Products. Esmeralda quartzite benchtop, CDK Stone. Brodware \u2018Winslow\u2019 mixer, Candana. Pendant, Etsy. \u2018Paf Paf\u2019 chairs, District. Table, MCM House. Bowls, Katarina Wells Ceramics. Floor tiles in Corso \u2018Renaissance\u2019 limestone, Surface Gallery. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

\"ModernJoinery in Russet veneer, Processed Forest Products. Esmeralda quartzite benchtop, CDK Stone. Brodware \u2018Winslow\u2019 mixer, Candana. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

The home\u2019s ornate cornices, ceiling roses<\/a>, stained-glass windows<\/a> and architraves <\/a>were largely intact. But there the bouquets ended. The floorplan was fragmented, with a visual disconnect between the heritage front and a basic 1950s addition at the back. So the couple called in architects Potter&Wilson.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted a highly functional family home that would work effortlessly day to day, with clear views to our kids playing outdoors, a strong indoor-outdoor connection, generous storage and considered joinery,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd distinct zones, with a quiet sense of retreat at the front and expansive shared living at the rear.\u201d <\/p>\n

Central to the brief was to honour the original front while allowing the rear to feel \u201ccrisp and contemporary, with a refined, but relaxed, ambience\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"IndoorPendant, Etsy. \u2018Paf Paf\u2019 chairs, District. Table, MCM House. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

And the overall ambience? \u201cIt had to feel warm, with layered colour, natural materials and spaces that felt grounded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DomoWalls painted Porter\u2019s Paints Tiramisu. Trims painted Dulux Magnitude. De Sede \u2018Terrazza\u2019 sofa, Domo. \u2018Sammi\u2019 floor lamp, About Space. Atmospheric 13 artwork, Sibu Gallery. \u2018Owan\u2019 pendant, MCM House. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

Imogene Potter and Simon Wilson of Potter&Wilson demolished the back and replaced it with a spectacular pitched volume that introduces scale and lashings of light. The back of the house opens to the garden through svelte-framed steel glazing to create visual continuity between indoors and out. <\/p>\n

And the brick exterior with tiled roof echoes the front. \u201cThe pitched ceiling<\/a> at the rear is transformative \u2013 it elevates what could have been a standard extension into something spatially generous,\u201d says Caitlin.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the original front, we leaned into more sculptural furniture with richly coloured upholstery.\u201d<\/p>\n

CAITLIN PARKER-BROWN, INTERIOR DESIGNER & OWNER<\/p>\n

\"ColourfulArtwork by Lauren Jones, Studio Gallery. Bedcover, In Bed. ND \u2018Trisse\u2019 side table, Great Dane. Unitex rug, Rug Culture. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

\"Modern\u2018Roma\u2019 travertine wall and floor tiles, \u2018Ice Pink\u2019 border and floor tiles, and Calacatta Viola marble benchtop, all Surface Gallery. Joinery painted Dulux Hog Bristle Half. DADOquartz \u2018Liberty\u2019 bath, and Brodware \u2018Neu England\u2019 tap and shower sets, all Candana. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

At the front, she restored the cornices, ceiling roses and architraves, and, where they could not be saved, she had them replicated. Meanwhile, she pulled up carpets to reveal original hardwood floors, which she then limewashed.<\/p>\n

\"ColourChandelier, Sputniklights. Artwork near bed by Kai Hagberg, Bison Art. Lamp, Euroluce. Bedhead, McMullin. Bedcover, Cultiver. Bedside tables, Rachel Donath. Rug, The Rug Establishment. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

\u201cI embraced depth, and used colour drenching to give those heritage rooms intimacy and drama.\u201d<\/p>\n

CAITLIN PARKER-BROWN, INTERIOR DESIGNER & OWNER<\/p>\n

\"GreenWalls painted Porter\u2019s Paints Back Country. Artwork above fireplace by Samuel Condon, Studio Gallery. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

The contrast between front and back is clear and deliberate. Rich, moody wall colours, including dusty rose, gold, ochre and eucalyptus, define the original section. She then transitioned to warm neutrals at the rear. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs you walk through hallway door, you can feel the shift. The rear becomes lighter but, still warm, preventing it from feeling like a stark white box.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Squiggle\u2018Wiggle\u2019 chair, Living Edge. Wall sculpture by Kenya Peterson. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

THIS IS THE LIFE<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rear living space is the heart of the house, where we spend most of our time, cooking, doing homework and sitting together in the evenings,\u201d says Caitlin. \u201cWith the connection to the garden, we easily move between indoors and out, which was important to us.\u201d The original front, meanwhile, quieter and more intimate, is where the family retreats to for reading or working.<\/p>\n

\"BathroomWall and floor tiles, and Calacatta Viola marble, all Surface Gallery. Brodware tapware. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

Like the palette, the furnishings reflect the house\u2019s duality. \u201cIn the original front, we leaned into more sculptural furniture with richly coloured upholstery, as it pairs well with the ornate detailing. In the back, the key piece of furniture is a generous, well-upholstered sofa,\u201d says Caitlin. <\/p>\n

\"ColourfulWalls painted Dulux Rustic Wagon. Basin in Calacatta Viola marble, Surface Gallery. Vintage mirror. Wall light, Sputniklights. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

Her favourite features? \u201cThe pitched ceiling has completely changed the feel of the home. But its connection to the outdoors is probably what we appreciate most day to day, having the doors wide open and being able to see the garden and pool from the kitchen. You can feel those links, not only between inside and out, but also between old and new.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"HomeWalls painted Porter\u2019s Paints Old Moss. &Tradition \u2018Montera\u2019 table lamp and \u2018PK9\u2019 chair, both Cult. Vintage desk. Rug, The Rug Establishment. Kartell \u2018Componibili\u2019 storage cabinet, Space. \u2018Owan\u2019 pendant, MCM House. Artwork by Stanislas Piechaczek, Studio Gallery. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Corina Koch)<\/p>\n

The Design Team:<\/p>\n

Parker Studio: parkerstudiointerior.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Potter&Wilson: potterandwilson.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Build By Design: buildbydesign.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Profile\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWriter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tChris Pearson\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

After graduating as a journalist, I specialised in business press until I landed a position at a Sydney interior design and architecture magazine. I went on to take up senior editor roles on various publications in the homes area before opting to freelance as a writer, editor and content producer for magazines \u2013 including Belle, House & Garden, Inside Out, Home Beautiful and The Block \u2013 newspapers and websites, focusing on homes, design, gardens, food and travel. I have also written, edited and contributed to books specialising in these lifestyle areas. I really enjoy what I do \u2013 it combines my love of words with my passion for smart design and the built environment. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The lucky family living in this Federation double-brick bungalow in Sydney\u2019s Inner West enjoys a wonderful journey in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4472,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[5743,5744,247],"class_list":{"0":"post-4471","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sydney","8":"tag-federation","9":"tag-federation-home","10":"tag-sydney"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4471\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}