REAL HOME: Anne-Maree Bowen, Victorian terrace in Sydney’s Inner West
Anne-Maree Bowen renovated this Victorian terrace in Sydney’s Inner West with her husband, toddler, baby and Burmese cat!
“When we bought the house it needed a lot of work but we loved the beautiful heritage features,” she says. “Most of all we loved the back garden. It is north facing and the light was fantastic. The house was all closed up at the back, quite dark and pokey. But with the northern light in the back yard, we could see the potential.”
She tried to keep the property’s character while adding more modern elements. “The front rooms had fireplaces restored, new floorboards, new light fittings and were painted. We completely demolished the old kitchen and pokey laundry at the back and added a new, modern living/kitchen area, bathroom and laundry.
“With the renovation, we didn’t feel that we should pretend that the new extension was old, as the reality is that it is not. So there is a definite distinction between old and new. The two parts of the house are linked by a light well corridor, which I loved. We also added an ensuite off the main bedroom upstairs.”
Favourite parts? The light well linking the old house with the new extension and the great kitchen, perfect for entertaining.
Biggest challenge? Trying to manage a build with a small baby in tow. “I don’t think I would do that again!”
Anne-Maree co-owns Gallop Lifestyle with her sister-in-law Janet. The site is full of gorgeous, good value homewares including my particular favourites, the Hooked Design lace rugs, made in Finland from recycled materials. Giant doilies! What’s not to love? FYI, those cushions on the bed are for sale on the website too.
Photography by Felicity Jenkins