Classic Contemporary – Lane Cove House by Baldwin & Bagnall

A 1920s Lane Cove bungalow is given a new lease on life, with a remodel that marries modern life and its need for strong outdoor connections with the classic style of the existing home.

While rich in character, this 1920s bungalow was a maze of small, dark rooms before it was renovated by architects Place Studio and interior designers Baldwin & Bagnall. The two firms worked together to deliver on the clients’ brief of transforming the house into a place where they could host events and entertain friends and family with ease.

The refined colour palette of soft blues and greys and rich browns is anchored by dark timbers such as the stained Tasmanian oak cabinetry and solid wood flooring.

The architects completed a plan to open up the rear of the house, bringing light and flow into the living spaces. Baldwin & Bagnall were contracted to finesse the interior configurations and furniture layouts and specify materials and fittings. “The client wanted a house where they could entertain large groups of friends and family, relaxing by the pool,” explains Hayden Bagnall. “The large open-plan living adjoining the alfresco area makes it perfect for this. An oversized island facilitates a workbench, casual dining and servery when needed. The orientation of the kitchen between the outdoor kitchen and butler’s pantry allows for ideal workflow.”

Materials and finishes are minimalistic and subdued, in keeping with the existing character of the home. The refined colour palette of soft blues and greys and rich browns is anchored by dark timbers such as the stained Tasmanian oak cabinetry and solid wood flooring. Baldwin & Bagnall worked closely with Mayneline Joinery to ensure the quality and consistency of key cabinetry in the house. “Using solid timber joinery in the kitchen was a highlight,” says Hayden Bagnall. “It is a luxury being able to work with real timber. Re-configuring the master ensuite also delivered a fantastic space that now feels more like a hotel suite than a bedroom.”

The original, lofty ceiling heights can be fully appreciated with the newly opened spaces filled with daylight.

Bathrooms take on a subdued colour palette of dusky greys, with solid stone countertops and crisp porcelain and marble tiles. Brushed nickel fittings provide further shine. In the master bathroom, a subway tiling configuration lends a contemporary, yet classic look to this luxurious space. Bedrooms are given a similar treatment, sympathetic to the classic roots of the house, with splashes of soft colour provided through bed linens and artwork.

Furniture throughout the house is a mix between mid-century and contemporary, with many pieces sourced locally from Studio Pip and Hub Furniture. The original, lofty ceiling heights can be fully appreciated now that the newly opened spaces are filled with daylight. Similarly, the homeowner’s art, glassware and artisan crockery collections are illuminated and given the space to shine in these freshened rooms.

With the outdoor kitchen and barbecue area following the same axis as the kitchen bench, the two spaces flow into one another seamlessly. Just as the homeowners requested, this light-filled space with its blurred boundaries between indoors and outdoors provides an inviting venue for dinner parties and poolside gatherings, of which there are sure to be many.