Harold David Combs and Family

Written

Lucy Feagins

Writer

Lucy Feagins

19th of November 2013

The Sydney home of Harold David Combs and family. Large scale photographs by Harold, blue Pod coffee table by Driade, paintings (top right) by Ben Barreto, Vinyl 50's Chair by Paul Kafka. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining area. Moller #26 dining table and Emeco dining chairs, Rhys Lee artworks above window. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Stainless steel kitchen from Ikea. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen details including vintage Atomic coffee maker. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

A few sweet pics of Harold and his twins (and his Mum!) on the 'fridge! Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Today's photogenic family home comes to us from sunny Sydney, and belongs to photographer Harold David Combs, who lives here with his gorgeous and seriously energetic 18 month old twin boys, Franklin and Henry. On the day we visited I think for 3 short hours I had a momentary insight into life with twins - omg, madness! Franklin and Henry were following us around all over the house and were so inquisitive... they were very interested in what we were up to, and left a trail of toys / milk wherever they went! Harold has been here two years, and in that time has undertaken a few simple but effective renovations to create a functional, open plan living space for his growing family. 'Before moving in I tore down some walls and opened up the living / dining area' he explains. The back wall was also knocked out to make way for concertina-folding glass doors across the back room, allowing natural light to flood into the living area. Carpet was removed throughout, and the floorboards beneath polished with a low sheen clear coat, leaving them as natural in tone as possible. The interior rooms were painted 'the whitest white', whilst the exterior brickwork was painted matt black. Harold replaced the old laminex kitchen with an Ikea Stainless kitchen, but was careful to retain the original architrave and cornices. 'The house was built in 1950, I want to make sure that its true to its vintage, and that it doesn't all look brand spanking new' he says. At present, Harold is having the finishing touches put on a Granny/Nanny flat out back, custom built for his twins' new nanny. He's also in the midst of having the yard landscaped with Australian native trees and plants, complete with outdoor play area for the kids, and a mural by Sydney Graffiti artists Skulk and BirdHat. (Sadly it wasn't quite ready at the time of our shoot!) 'What I love most about living here is sharing my life with my boy' says Harold of the relaxed family home he has created here. 'Even the hard times with them are blessed. I'm even becoming slightly tolerant of messes! It's great to have nice pieces, but it's great having the place full of kids and LOVE'. Indeed! Huge thanks to Harold and little Franklin and Henry for sharing their home with us today!