Inside a Victorian Terrace Renovation in Rozelle by Folk Studio

A Victorian terrace in Rozelle has been reimagined by Folk Studio into something far removed from the dark, tonal interiors typical of the area. Director Mariah Burton designed the home around longevity; the clients were expecting their first child during the project, layering in a French country kitchen and a hidden cocktail bar behind an unassuming corner. Heritage details like the original cornices and ceiling rose were kept and celebrated rather than stripped back. It’s a home built to grow with the family living in it.

For Mariah, these unexpected contrasts—an elegant French country kitchen that could just as easily exist in a bucolic rural landscape, or a hyper-modern cocktail corner with the feel of fashionable Bloomsbury—were the whole point. Location often shapes great design, but the most memorable homes aren’t confined by their postcode. “Hey Darling House is light-filled, open and gently washed in pinks and blues,” she notes, defying “the expectations of inner-city living.”

The Brief: A Terrace That Could Grow With the Family

“In Rozelle, where Victorian terraces typically reveal sharp lines, dark corners and restrained, tonal palettes, interiors often mirror the pace and density of their urban surroundings. Our aim was to redefine what a typical Victorian terrace feels like and, in doing so, create a fun, vibrant family home that is full of light,” Mariah continues.

Designing for longevity was equally important. With the clients planning to expand their family—and welcoming their first child during the design phase—the brief centred on a home that could evolve alongside them. The Folk Studio team focused on ensuring the design would remain practical, robust and timeless as the family’s needs changed.

Preserving the Terrace’s Original Heritage Details

As is often the case with heritage homes, balancing its history with contemporary living became one of the project’s defining challenges, with materiality ultimately providing the bridge between old and new.

“Our aim was to redefine what a typical Victorian terrace feels like and, in doing so, create a fun, vibrant family home that is full of light.” — Mariah Burton

The Sitchu Edit: Shop The Look

Shop the look with our curated edit inspired by Hey Darling.

Bisque Traders Chinelo Lazy Chair

$600 (on sale from $1294)

Ecology Element Sky Dinner Plate 26.5cm

$20.95

McMullin x Assembly Label Rice Paper Table Lamp

$249

Throughout the project, Mariah and the team celebrated the home’s original character while introducing contemporary touches. “Rather than removing or altering the home’s heritage features, we chose to celebrate and enhance them. In the library, painting the ceiling a soft pink draws the eye upward, beautifully highlighting the intricate traditional cornices and original ceiling rose,” she explains. “This thoughtful design decision allows the architectural details to become a focal point, demonstrating how contemporary colour can work in harmony with heritage elements.”

A New Approach to Colour and Materiality

Colour, rich texture and form were explored to bring a light, airy and playful aesthetic to the Victorian bones of the inner-city home. “Often you see Victorian terraces lean into a more traditional palette and style,” she shares. “We wanted to play with this and explore colour with some traditional materials, like marble and aged bronze, in a more contemporary way.”

The Sitchu Edit: Shop The Look

Shop the look with our curated edit, inspired by Hey Darling.

Sheridan Este Tea Towel Set

$34.99

Fleur Studios Franca Calacatta Viola Side Table

$969

West Elm Pierce & Ward Swivel Vanity Chair

$499

Temple & Webster Jovie Jute Fabric Pendant Light

$159

How Lighting Shapes the Mood of the House

Considered lighting, both natural and artificial, further introduced softness and interest, with “the sheer curtains providing fluid movement into an otherwise traditional masonry home.” Mariah adds, “The wall lights were seen as lit sculptures, rather than just performing a function—they create mood, and a calm atmosphere throughout. They were placed to illuminate otherwise dark corners, and to highlight details and finishes.”

Moments of Discovery Throughout the Home

Moments of surprise are thoughtfully woven throughout the home—namely, the hidden bar and pink powder room—adding an element of playfulness and discovery that unfolds as you move throughout the house. Mariah refers to them as “jewellery boxes”, with the unexpected reveal offering “a playful contrast to the surrounding spaces, transforming everyday moments into experiences of discovery”.

“The result is a home grounded in longevity, robust in its construction, timeless in its aesthetic, and flexible enough to adapt as family life evolves, offering a sense of comfort and belonging for many years to come.” — Mariah Burton

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She continues, “When occupied, these richly colour-drenched rooms evoke surprise and awe, inviting guests to pause, linger, and engage with the house in a more intimate and memorable way.”

As Mariah puts it, “The result is a home grounded in longevity, robust in its construction, timeless in its aesthetic, and flexible enough to adapt as family life evolves, offering a sense of comfort and belonging for many years to come.”

Project Credits

Interior Design and Styling: Folk Studio
Artwork: Dan Rushford
Photographer: Jacqui Turk
Builder: Construction and Renovations by SM

Loved touring this restored heritage home and looking for more inspo? Have a look at this home, designed to highlight the history of the building, as well as these bold and beautiful holiday apartments.