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A Meeting of Past and Present – Carneal House by Habitat Housing
In Sydney’s Marrickville, Habitat Housing has completed a deeply considered restoration of an 1880s home where past and present blend beautifully to create a cohesive, highly liveable whole.
On the fringe of Sydney’s Inner West, Marrickville was named one of the world’s top 50 coolest neighbourhoods by Time Out magazine in 2022, and it’s little wonder – the suburb combines a diverse multicultural community, spectacular heritage streetscapes and a burgeoning food and drink scene, led by the likes of the wonderfully kitsch Baba’s Place and the deeply trendy Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre. Against that vibrant backdrop, and with heritage front of mind, Habitat Housing has undertaken a pitch-perfect restoration of a semi-detached 1880s residence, Carneal House.
For Habitat Housing, a high-end residential designer, it was essential that the restoration embraced the home’s heritage character while injecting contemporary spaces suited for 21st-century living. “The restoration preserves the home’s original allure, while a contemporary addition at the back introduces a modern chapter,” says Habitat Housing director Samuel Russo. “Creating meaningful interactions between architecture, its users and the environment is integral to what we do, and Carneal House embodies this approach with its purposeful design, ensuring every element contributes to a cohesive connection with Marrickville’s landscape.”
Retaining the home’s heritage facade was a paramount consideration, and thoughtful updates that blend organic and contemporary materials ensure it retains its 19th-century character, creating a harmonious and charming addition to the streetscape. The residence also draws heritage inspiration from nearby Henson Park, which was the site of a brick pit until 1918; brick-like tiles in the living and dining areas pay tribute to the park’s history and its significance to the Marrickville community.
Habitat Housing’s considered approach continues in the contemporary addition at the rear of the house and throughout the interiors. “The internal layout is thoughtfully crafted to create a seamless ergonomic flow, with skylights strategically placed to counteract the common lighting challenges in semi-detached homes,” Samuel says. “The skylights and windows fill the interiors with natural light, enriching the home’s connection to its surrounds and enhancing its vitality and ambience.” Smart home automation by robot brings the residence firmly into the 21st century.
There’s an elevated materiality throughout, with brick tiles, marble and splashes of earthy terracotta infusing the space with an organic, handmade quality. In the kitchen, Laminex joinery in Dulux’s vibrant Potter’s Pink is a playful contrast to the bold Calacatta Viola marble from CDK Stone, grounded by Amalfi’s Autumn Travertine pavers underfoot. Sarah Ellison’s Earth Dining Table and Pierre Dining Chairs – illuminated by a striking Onu Duo Pendant by Sabu Studio – bring a robust elegance to the open-plan living area.
The home is also an object lesson in how the often small scale of heritage properties can be ameliorated by clever planning and ingenious storage solutions. “Features like the integrated laundry area beneath the stairs, abundant storage throughout and a sleek kitchen that conceals ample functionality within its joinery are all savvy design choices that showcase our commitment to creating spaces that are both beautiful and supremely practical,” says Samuel.
With an exterior that strikes a delicate balance between the neighbourhood’s traditional architecture and modern sensibilities, and an interior marked by a judicious choice of materials that underscore the house’s durability and sustainability credentials, Carneal House brings together past and present in the most refined way.
