Orlando and Nicola Reindorf and Family

The Surry Hills home of Nicola and Orlando Reindorf of The Standard Store.  I don't often lead with a bedroom shot but this one I really loved!  The Neon heart Nicola had made for Orlando as a Christmas present.  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Bedroom looking through to ensuite.  Rachel Castle garland (which had been used in the Standard Store shop window) over the bed. Damien Hirst's diamond Skull print above the bed ('we saw the real thing in London it was amazing!' says Nicola).  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

AMAZING enormous bathroom which used to be a bedroom.  Clawfoot bath, chandelier, original fireplace, timber floorboards -you can't go wrong!  ' I loved the idea of a chandelier in the bathroom, this one is from Russia I believe'.  says Nicola.  Photograph above the fireplace by The Reindorf's dear friend Toby Burrows. Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Today's Victorian terrace in Surry Hills belongs to people you should half  know about already - the very clever and stylish Nicola and Orlando Reindorf, who run The Standard Store (one of my absolute FAVE shops in Sydney), as well as fashion agency The Flying Standard.  I have huge respect for these guys, they are such a hardworking, creative and industrious husband and wife team - and so lovely to boot!  You might recall I actually interviewed Nicola and Orlando a while ago - you can re-visit that interview here. Nicola and Orlando live here with their two boys Cosmo and Zephyr - they have been here almost four years.  Since first purchasing the home they've made a few changes - a ' tacky 80's back' was lopped off and reconfigured, whilst preserving the beautiful Victorian elements of the home.  'We put in a new kitchen and deck, and dug into the basement to create a new living area' says Nicola.  One bedroom was also converted into an ensuite bathroom upstairs, which Nicola says 'was rather decadent but totally worth it!' (I concur!  It's amazing!).  The Reindorfs are now planning on phase two of their renos, which will incorporate a rooftop garden above the garage and a plunge pool! There is quite a bit of magic going on in the Reindorfs' eclectic four level home.  It's a brilliant mix of colour, pattern and light hearted styling details, combined with a few serious design and art treasures too.  What's refreshing is the feeling of casual confidence in all decorating decisions that have been made here - from brave wallpaper choices here and there (so random and so brilliant!) to an eclectic mix of both modern and Victorian feature light fittings, to French vintage posters which sit so happily alongside contemporary Australian art.  It really is the very best kind of mish mash - nothing is over thought, and each room conveys a real sense of having taken shape over time, organically rather than in one strategic swoop. As this home perfectly demonstrates, Victorian homes actually take a bit of mad colour and contemporary styling surprisingly well!  In fact it can sometimes be easier to add a little unexpected colour or pattern to a period home than to a contemporary space, where spaces are often larger, more open plan and a little more daunting.  The hidden nooks and narrow stairwells of this home have been given such interesting, eyecatching treatments... it's such a refreshing and fun approach, and gives this grand old Victorian terrace real personality. Many of the art works in the Reindorfs' home are made by friends and family.  The neon piece in the kitchen by Dion Horstmans is a firm favourite - 'you can see it from the back lane, and it makes the house look like a house of fun – it draws you in!' says Nicola.  Furniture wise, an old armchair in the front room is a particularly treasured piece - it's been reupholstered in Ghanaian kente cloth from Orlando’s father.  Nicola also especially loves the Koskela dining table - another bright colour pop that is the perfect complement to Dion Horstman's artwork in the kitchen. As with any house (especially in Sydney!) a major drawcard of this home for the Reindorfs is also the location.  'I love Surry Hills, we walk to walk in five minutes, we have everything on our doorstep, but when we come home it's actually really quiet and private, even though we live in a built up area, we don’t have anyone looking in on us' explains Nicola. MASSIVE THANKS to Nicola and Orlando for sharing their fabulous home with us today!  Don't forget to pop in to The Standard Store when next in Sydney, and say hello from me!  

Sorry the bathroom was so good we had to get this angle too :) 'The bath is a reconditioned bath which we had sprayed in Silver' says Nicola.  Photograph above the fireplace by The Reindorf's dear friend Toby Burrows. Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The Reindorfs are not frightened of a little bold wall treatment!  This blue wallpaper in the upstairs hallway is by JC de Castlebejac, bought in Paris.  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Front room.  Skull cushion is from a label Nicola and Orlando used to sell called 'The Rise and Fall'.  Orange lamp by French brand - Jielde, Kente cloth armchair.  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Front room.  French vintage poster in hall bought in Paris.  Skull cushion is from a label Nicola and Orlando used to sell called 'The Rise and Fall'.  Orange lamp by French brand - Jielde.  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Best and bravest wallpaper EVER, leading down the stairs to the basement.  This one is another JC de Castlebejac design, paired with another a '50s French print found in Nice, France. Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining room, linking front room and kitchen.  Koskela dining table, Philippe Stark mirror, pendant light from Spence & Lyda.  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen area with built in day bed.  Dion Horstman's artwork above the daybed.  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dion Horstman's artwork above the daybed in kitchen.  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen area looking to back deck.  'Woop dee doo' is actually a framed tea towel from Third Drawer Down.  Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen details.  'We didn't want a slick and shiny kitchen so went for mat black mosaic tiles' recalls Nicola. Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Another brave colour combo - charcoal exterior and fab neon chartreuse front door!  Deer doorbell from Koskela. Photo - Jason Busch, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.