Nestled in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this 1910s sandstone cottage is a masterclass in restored heritage charm. The owners, a professional couple with two young daughters, made the move from a steep block in nearby Whale Beach to this more level, greenery-wrapped property in 2024.
While their former home boasted sweeping views, it was the connection between house and garden that drew them here. But despite the appeal, the house was dated and in need of attention.
This Northern Beaches home reflects a harmonious blend of coastal, heritage and cottage styles. Existing sandstone cladding. Front door painted Porter’s Paints Blue Spruce. Trims painted Dulux Lexicon Quarter. Interior wall painted Porter’s Paints Plaster of Paris. Wall and pendant lights, Dunlin. Furniture, The Merchants Warehouse. Paving and sandstone flooring, all Eco Outdoor. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
Enter interior designer Alexandra Mason of Studio aem, who the family brought on board to infuse the home with warmth and convenience. “The family is creative and the girls love their art and craft,” says Alexandra. “They needed a home that could allow self-expression without having to be too precious.”
Their brief was clear: preserve the soul of the home but improve its liveability. Along with more kitchen and pantry space, they were after “hardy and durable”.
A raked ceiling and sandstone walls were carefully restored, respecting the home’s heritage. An earthy palette with leather and timber is reflected in the owners’ existing furniture selection, including an Arthur G sofa and Vitra ‘Noguchi’ coffee table. Ceiling, doors and windows painted Dulux Lexicon Quarter. Artwork on mantel by Elizabeth Sullivan. Floor lamp, Bloomingdales Lighting. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
To expand the kitchen, the designer began by demolishing an adjoining poky bathroom.
“Upon removing the ceiling, we discovered the opportunity to follow the existing gabled roofline and introduce a dramatic sense of height.”
(Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
What began as a relatively modest update of the kitchen and bathrooms soon evolved into a full restoration. “Due to the age and period of the house, it became clear that a more detailed, sensitive approach was needed to honour the home’s history,” says Alexandra.
To make the home more functional, walls were reconfigured to create better flow and more storage. A dark, central part of the house was opened up with raked ceilings and a new skylight.
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Joinery painted Porter’s Paints Rubble, Destro Renovations. Benchtops in Austral Dream dolomite, CDK Stone. Joseph Giles joinery pulls, The English Tapware Company. Turner Hastings sink and Qasair rangehood, both Winnings. AGA cooker in Olivine, Cheminées Philippe. Tapware, Astra Walker. Restored original floorboards. Pendant light in dining room, Dunlin. Custom banquette and dining table, Tim Noone Furniture Design. Vintage chairs, The Merchants Warehouse. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
“Revealing all the rendered sandstone was a treat… the result was exceptional.”
ALEXANDRA MASON, INTERIOR DESIGNER
‘Amano Caja’ hand-glazed tiles from Tiles of Ezra add intricate details to the exposed shelving. Alexandra combined open and closed joinery to offer practical storage and a lived-in authenticity. Tall joinery in Briggs Veneer TrueGrain HoneySuckle; base joinery painted Porter’s Paints Rubble, Destro Renovations. Joinery pulls, Joseph Giles. Benchtops in Austral Dream dolomite, CDK Stone. Turner Hastings butler’s sink and Miele appliances, all Winnings. Tapware, Astra Walker. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)Pendant light, Dunlin. Custom banquette and dining table, Tim Noone Furniture Design. Banquette upholstery, South Pacific Fabrics. ‘Garden Fruit Platter’ by Laetitia Rouget, Jardan. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
Looking to highlight original features, Alexandra removed dated render and paint from walls to reveal and restore original stonework, enhanced timber-framed windows with deep sandstone sills and preserved floorboards. Any new materials added were in keeping with the owners’ desire for “earthy, natural tones with a slightly rustic character”.
Layering in some of that character in the kitchen, she installed timber beams to the ceiling and specified a textured microcement rangehood with decorative mouldings, an AGA olive green cooker, honed Austral Dream dolomite benchtops and aged-metal hardware.
At the end of the kitchen sits the owners’ favourite feature: an eat-in dining nook. Framed by a large picture window, it has become an inviting space for family meals with views over the tropical front garden and glimpses of Pittwater.
Walls in zellige tiles, Earp Bros. Vanity in custom stained oak, Destro Renovations. Benchtop in travertine, CDK Stone. Sconce, Artìcolo Studios. Tapware, Astra Walker. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
“The owners were drawn to natural materials that patina over time, valuing texture and variation.”
ALEXANDRA MASON, INTERIOR DESIGNER
Windows and trims painted Dulux Lexicon Quarter. Furniture, stylist’s own. Sandstone flooring, True Stone Design. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
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Four bedrooms, an ensuite, laundry and storeroom complete the floorplan – but the standout is the generous family bathroom. Once a compact ensuite, it now offers all the ambience of a wellness retreat at home. Sandstone, travertine and terracotta add layers of warmth and texture, with a copper bath a star feature.
“I am in love with all aspects of the house, but I have particularly taken to the terracotta flooring in the bathroom and the freestanding bath,” says Alexandra. Vanity in custom stained oak, Destro Renovations. Benchtop in travertine, CDK Stone. Tapware, Astra Walker. The Water Monopoly bath and Joseph Giles joinery pulls, all The English Tapware Company. ‘Antico Cotto’ floor tiles in Luce, Eco Outdoor. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)Vanity in custom stained oak, Destro Renovations. Benchtop in travertine, CDK Stone. Joinery pulls, Joseph Giles. Sconce, Artìcolo Studios. ‘Antico Cotto’ floor tiles, Eco Outdoor. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
“The owners also love the connection to the side garden, which enhances the indoor-outdoor feel,” says Alexandra.
Walls painted Porter’s Paints Rubble. Society Limonta bed linen, Ondene. Cushions, Jardan. Photograph, owners’ existing. Visual Comfort lamp, Bloomingdales Lighting. Weatherboards painted Porter’s Paints Flagstone. ‘Filetti’ baguette paving in Porphyry, Eco Outdoor. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
THIS IS THE LIFE
A connection to nature was an important theme. “The owners love how the design integrates the outdoors, particularly the side garden and the flow between interior and exterior spaces, creating a serene, harmonious environment,” says Alexandra. “These thoughtful choices and features express their vision of a peaceful, character-rich family home.”
From chiselled-in brass power outlet covers to hand-reinstated sandstone on the rebuilt front verandah, every detail of this nature-immersed family home has been considered. “This was a true labour of love,” says Alexandra.
“The owners were open, trusting and deeply appreciative of the process. They said ‘yes’ more than they questioned – and that made all the difference.”
The lush garden surrounding the cottage was a major drawcard for the family of four when they first inspected the home. Roof painted to match Dulux Duralloy Olde Pewter. Weatherboard painted Porter’s Paints Flagstone. (Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Olga Lewis)
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