Boundary House
Set within a heritage streetscape in Paddington, Sydney, this Federation terrace has been reimagined as a warm, contemporary home for family life.
Previously stripped of much of its original character, Boundary House restores a sense of heritage through a layered material palette and considered modern interventions. Designed by Tom Mark Henry for a young family, the project balances a renewed appreciation for the home’s past with a rich interior intended to evolve alongside its owners.
The clients’ brief centred on reinstating the home’s Federation character while creating a warm interior defined by material richness. “They didn’t want anything that was white on the walls,” explains design manager Yvonne Li.
Drawing on the philosophy of boro, the traditional Japanese practice of patching textiles to extend their life, the design brings traditional Federation elements together with contemporary selections through an approach centred on restoration. “We took the whole ideology and philosophy of Japanese boro to stitch, mend and patch to repurpose things and extend their life,” Li says.
This is expressed particularly through the juxtaposition of materials throughout the home. In the primary bathroom, King Blue marble cobblestones are contrasted with Calacatta Monet marble to create an eclectic, textural space. Elsewhere, aged brass fixtures sit alongside newer, more robust fittings, with each material selected to develop its own patina over time as the family lives in the home.
At the centre of the home, veined Tempesta quartzite anchors the kitchen and informs the surrounding material palette of mixed metals, reeded glass and walnut timber. “When the light comes through, there are little flecks of golden tones that are picked up by the joinery and metals,” says Li. “It is really beautiful.”
While the home is tailored to family life, careful spatial planning allows for both connection and individual retreat. On the ground floor, an open-plan arrangement extends to the outdoor area, while the addition of a dormer on the upper level creates a new space for solitude. This distinction is reinforced through a subtle tonal shift in the palette. Steel blues, Marmorino render and Calacatta Monet marble define the primary suite, while softer blues, eggshell hues and travertine create a lighter, more playful atmosphere in the children’s spaces. “Again, it’s playing with that dichotomy, being old and new, and the contrast between those elements. It’s the idea of extending the life of this terrace so it’s suitable for a modern family.”
