A designer’s daring use of colour revives a Federation Bungalow in Sydney

Remodelling this home on Sydney’s Lower North Shore was a colour-filled journey of discovery for its owner. “My husband loves colour and was instantly inspired by our designer Brett Mickan’s previous projects,” she says. “I initially wanted a more subdued look, but Brett’s creativity and vision won me over.”

The happy results speak for themselves. As well as being a celebration of the colour spectrum, the rooms are canvases of light and composition. “I saw the house like an art collection, with punches of surprise in colour and texture. Each room has a special moment, whether it’s a rug, wallpaper or ceiling treatment,” says Brett of Brett Mickan Interior Design.

Seduced by the water views and the heritage detailing, the couple bought the Federation four-bedroom bungalow in 2016, for them and their two sons, now 20 and 19. “We instantly fell in love with its solid bones, northern aspect and generous garden. And I have always loved a traditional long hallway!” says the owner.

But it also needed some serious TLC. “Ceiling heights varied, the dining room was far from the kitchen and dark, while the family room was little more than a passageway to the kitchen.”

“That window seat is my happy place.”

THE OWNER

The kitchen, bathrooms and laundry were all tired and the plain garden lacked sitting areas. “Our sons regularly come and go,” she says. “And as we are a blended family with three older adult children, we wanted a home big enough to flex up for them to stay, have big family meals inside and out and lots of parties, but to also feel comfortable when it’s just two of us.”

“Lots of quirky details delight us.”

THE OWNER

A top priority was a new light-filled open-plan living area at the rear, while the front north-facing sitting room with its water views was to remain her quiet space. “That window seat is my happy place,” she says.

Brett replaced the rear addition with an open plan that connects seamlessly with the backyard through ultra-slimline Vitrocsa sliders and a picture window framing the garden. He also opened up the dining room and front spaces to create a more balanced flow.

Brett drew his bold palettes from the original stained-glass windows and the owner’s art collection. “Colour directs the eye and creates cohesion,” he says. The smoky blue of the hallway reappears in joinery in the rear open plan, while a bathroom in smoky foundation pink and a Calacatta Viola marble kitchen echo pinks and browns seen throughout.

“There are no primaries, just warm grey-tinged hues for softness,” says Brett. “It envelops and cuddles you.”

“I saw the house like an art collection. Each room has a special moment.”

BRETT MICKAN, INTERIOR DESIGNER

The home balances heritage charm with creative modern energy. From a visual jumble, Brett has created calm and harmony — and paradoxically, vibrancy too. “Lots of quirky details delight us,” says the owner. “The bar we didn’t know we wanted makes entertaining so much fun. Brett brought a sense of confidence to the entire project.”

THIS IS THE LIFE

“Having multiple living areas means that we can comfortably share our home with our blended family,” says the owner. While the focus of family life and frequent entertaining is in the open plan, for quiet time alone she retreats to the sunshine-yellow window seat at the front, with its water views. “It is so comfy and bright,” she says. “That window seat is my happy place.”

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The Design Team

Brett Mickan Interior Design: www.bmid.com.au

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