Home Tour: A Luxurious Makeover of a Victorian Terrace

Who lives here

Who lives here: Evelyn Bishop (Marketing Lead, Facebook & Instagram for Australia & New Zealand), Andy Bishop (Builder & Owner of Arthouse Projects), two children and a very spirited Labrador, Frankie.

Location

Day Street, Leichhardt.

Decor style

Relaxed, casual luxury

Design goals

To create a stylish family home with a focus on entertaining 

Favourite room

The main bathroom because it offers an incredible bath time experience; your favourite music coming through the integrated Sonos speakers and a glass of wine in hand.

When newlywedsEvelyn and Andy Bishop swung open the door to a 1900s Victorian terrace house,their reactions could not have been more polarizing. Eight years and a stunningmakeover later, they have made a home for their growing family that simplywows. 

“We purchased thehome just before our wedding in 2012 and moved in the day after we arrived homefrom our honeymoon. I was in tears when we took the keys and opened the door tothe first home we’d purchased together. It was definitely a “renovator’sdelight”. It took a lot of convincing from Andy that we had made the rightdecision,” says Evelyn.

It’s the home ofEvelyn Bishop, Marketing Lead for Facebook and Instagram in Australia and NewZealand (and their longest-serving employee), and her husband, Andy Bishop,builder and owner of Arthouse Projects. Having grown up on the South Coast ofNew South Wales, the pair took to Sydney’s Inner West, and it’s offbeatlifestyle. 

The House

Enamoured by theoriginal features of the house, Andy saw the potential of what the home couldbecome. With the goal to renovate it with a family in mind, and then sell iton, Andy didn’t waste any time getting to work. 

“I stayed with afriend for a few days, while Andy got busy ripping out old carpets and puttingnew light fittings in to make the place somewhat liveable,” explains Evelyn.“Over the next three years, we renovated the home, including a luxury atticconversion and new architectural extension to the rear of the house.” 

As their vision tookform, the duo fell in love with the four-bedroom, three-bath Victorian terrace,and decided instead to make it their family home. Spread out over three levels,Evelyn and Andy honoured the original features; ornate architraves, ornamentalfireplaces, big skirting boards and high ceilings, while adding their owncontemporary touches. 

The Style

With a calmingmonochrome palette, the home tells a story of Evelyn and Andy’s love fortravel. Traditional black and white houses and colonial interiors were aninfluence of Evelyn’s time living abroad in Singapore. And the hotels thecouple visited were a source of inspiration – The Sanchaya on Bintan Island,The Ludlow in New York City and The Ned in London.

“We have prints ofmaps of our favourite cities in the US, a trinket box from Hong Kong, printsfrom a photographer at a market in New Orleans, a brass kitchen canister setfrom Bordeaux, and a print which includes all the historic buildings of Berryon the South Coast of New South Wales, which is where we both grew up,” saysEvelyn.

Worldly pieces thatreflect their family and love for travel have a place here as well; the largeFrench sideboard that was in the house of Evelyn’s Great Grandparents in theSouth of France. And an oil painting of a Balinese woman, that Evelyn’s late unclebrought back from a surf trip to Bali in the 1970s, as a gift for her othergrandmother.

Open Plan Living

From the darkexterior, softened by white trimming and lush green plants, you step into a hallwaythat guides you past one of four bedrooms, towards a formal sitting area. Itsornamental fireplace, beckoning sofas and black rattan bar cart from Byron BayHanging Chairs is a calming oasis within the home. 

From there, youwander into a sleek open plan living space that flows into a beautifullylandscaped garden by Formed Gardens. Moody black Japanese floorboards flowthroughout, and they sit in striking contrast to the marble island benchtopthat’s lit by a skylight above in the kitchen.

“We wanted to createa stylish family home with a focus on entertaining. Restoring the Victorianfeatures in the original portion of the home, but then open up the back tocreate an open plan living space that flowed out to a landscaped outdoor area.”

Main Bathroom

Downstairs, you willalso find the main bathroom. Although the archway in this space initiallypresented a design challenge, the couple decided against removing it because ofits heritage beauty. Instead, they incorporated the archway into the design. Andycombined Carrara herringbone tiles, the black Japanese floorboards, clawfootbathtub and Calcutta marble features, and the result is nothing short ofstunning.

“The bathroom is ourfavourite room in the house. The design aesthetic was inspired by the interiorsof the Chopsuey Café in Singapore. It all makes for an incredible bath timeexperience with your favourite music coming through the integrated Sonos speakersand glass of wine in hand.”

Bedrooms

Wander upstairs, andthe bedrooms are ornately plush. Each of the three bedrooms features ornamentalfireplaces and soft carpet underfoot, while the master bedroom, which sits atthe front of the house, has plantation shutters that open onto a Victorian lacebalcony.  

“We love the classicAmerican style that you often see in the beautiful homes around San Franciscoand New York. And you can see this in our bedrooms, hallway and stairwell.”

Attic

To top it all off,Andy converted the attic into a luxurious space complete with an ensuite. Theexposed brick feature wall ties in seamlessly to the outdoor garden below,while a skylight floods the space with natural light.

“We wanted to makethe attic space a relaxing retreat that could be used as a bedroom or office,”says Evelyn.  

The Neighbourhood

Charmed byEuropean-style hospitality, the streets of Leichhardt are an enduring favouriteof Sydney’s Inner West. Beautifully restored period homes, historic pubs andboutique stores sit alongside cafes and eateries that shine a spotlight on thearea’s Italian heritage. Steaming pasta dishes and wood-fired pizzas are amainstay. At the same time, new-age restaurants and global eats add toLeichhardt’s enviable foodie scene.   

“Leichhardt stoodout to us for its proximity to the city, great public transport options andvibrant restaurant scene,” says Evelyn.  

Beautiful parklands,bayside walks and highly sought-after schools aside, Leichhardt has long been astandout for its ease and convenience. Located within arm’s reach of some ofthe Inner West’s most loved neighbourhoods – Balmain, Glebe and Newtown – anddirect access to the city via trams, buses and cycleways. And on a good day,the city is only a quick 10-minute drive. 

Evelyn & Andy's Favourite Leichhardt Hangouts

Forbreakfast and coffee: Set inside awarehouse conversion, The Carpenter is the go-tofor coffee.

Forlunch: An afternoon out on their balcony of The Royal Hotel, is an afternoonwell spent.

Fordinner: For lovers of handmade dumplings and delish Chinesecuisine, head to Fantong.

Fordrinks: The providore inspired bar, Creek & Cella Wine Bar isall about good food and wine. 

Shopat: Unique Wholefood forits extensive selection of organic treats.

Bestkept secret: Opposite the park on Norton Street is Restaurant Monte, and it has greatfood and friendly service.

5 Day Street,Leichhardt is selling through Belle Property Annandale. Contact selling agent,Simone Azzi for more information.

Photography by Josh Hill Photography, and styling by The Hired Home.