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The combination of arches and high ceilings in designer Madeleine Wood’s home provide a sense of grandeur reminiscent of Italian palazzos, which is somewhat ironic, as her house is only 2.7 metres wide.
What the Paddington home lacks in size it makes up for in classic period features and proximity to parks, playgrounds, cafes, and shops.
Madeleine and her husband Angus moved into the house as a couple. By the time they were pregnant with their second child, it was time to renovate to really maximise the space and introduce more personality.
Madeleine explains the design direction; ‘The space we inherited didn’t have decorative mouldings and cornices so it felt like we had an opportunity to take a different approach from the typical Victorian-style terraces you’d see in the area.
‘The outcome is quite a departure from this aesthetic, which we find refreshing.’
With minimal structural work required, Madeleine could focus on the spatial planning, joinery, and finishes.
The aim for the kitchen was to maximise light coming in from the north-facing courtyard through the selection of pale yellow glossy tiles, stainless steel drawers, and textured glass on the overhead cabinetry.
‘I gravitated towards classic and enduring materials like arabescato and verde marbles with terrazzo flooring, but wanted to combine them in a way that felt unique, says Madeleine. ‘I think this composition makes the space feel timeless, especially alongside traditional tapware and vintage lighting,’
The bathroom features a bold green wall tile pattern, complemented by more natural stone, which ties in with the kitchen.
Jewel and earthy tones across the furniture and art pick up colours in original stained glass windows and the new tiles.
The renovation by Madeleine has altogether invited a more playful and unique aesthetic into the home, while meeting all the practical requirements for a family of four and a dog, on just a 100-square-metre site.
‘It’s so rewarding to experience how pleasantly functional the design is and that every space is accounted for,’ she says, ‘down to having the perfect cupboard to fit the vacuum!’
