Daddy Cool by Pattern Studio

With an emphasis on space, this Sydney family home offers considered areas to entertain, come together and find respite while also demonstrating the brilliance of distinctive artisan design and making a striking statement.

Set in a terrace-lined street in Paddington is Daddy Cool, a family home that mitigates the challenges of living within confined spaces. Approaching its first residential project in an unconventional manner, Pattern Studio eradicates the typical issues of terrace-style homes to create an expansive and light-filled home.

Approaching its first residential project in an unconventional manner, Pattern Studio eradicates the typical issues of terrace-style homes to create an expansive and light-filled home.

When challenged to transform this dilapidated terrace, Pattern Studio decided to go against the status quo. After spending some time with the client Peter, Lily Goodwin and Josh Cain – co-directors of the Sydney-based studio – realised “this was less about Peter designing a luxurious pad to his own exacting tastes and preferences, and more about modifying this building,” says Lily. This would allow the duo to create a home that would “sensitively weave together the lives of a family with grown-up children, offering a unique form of togetherness and a special kind of familial harmony”. Like many Paddington terraces, the home had issues of reduced natural light, minimal space and characterless interiors, however these issues allowed Pattern Studio to create a home that would open up and welcome in a wealth of sunlight as well as introduce moments of surprise.

Focused on creating a home that facilitates a joyful living experience while also giving each person their own privacy and independence, Pattern Studio approached the design as it would a hotel – with separate, private bedroom suites upstairs and shared spaces for dining and entertaining downstairs. “There was a bit of tightrope walking necessary to get this balance right – we were careful not to go too far either way,” says Lily. “We didn’t want it to feel too Zen that you’d never raise your voice louder than a whisper, and we didn’t want it to pack so much of a punch that it felt too much on a midweek morning.”

Responding to the terrace typology, an increased sense of lightness is introduced through the material responses, which includes Douglas fir timber flooring and walls and Marmorino polished plaster on the ceiling.

Responding to the terrace typology, an increased sense of lightness is introduced through the material responses, which includes Douglas fir timber flooring and walls and Marmorino polished plaster on the ceiling. “We love the subtle texture and movement that you get from a polished plaster as opposed to a flat paint that doesn’t have as much body or life in it,” says Lily. From the heritage entrance, the light blonde timber floor complements the open-plan lounge and dining area, which can be closed off with a contemporary steel-framed cavity slider to introduce privacy or left open for a full view down the length of the home.

Indicative of owner Peter’s lifestyle, the downstairs level reflects a calm yet playful manner seen with intermingling materials and bespoke stone selections. Ceppo Di Gre stone was used throughout the ground floor to frame the courtyard, and more dramatic stone was used to contrast with the serene and tranquil elements of the home, such as in the custom island bench in the kitchen. “You can be forgiven for thinking that we really went all-out everywhere with materials,” says Lily, “but the reality of the space is, when you are in it and you are moving through it, that it is more nuanced and more restrained.” Due to the client’s willingness, Pattern Studio were able to bring ideas to Peter – ones that others might be hesitant about – that he would support. “Peter could see that it was about celebrating craftsmanship and artisan, and pushing the limits where others would not see the value,” emphasises Lily.

By arranging the main living areas around this outdoor space, Pattern Studio has created an elegant and serene oasis that can be enjoyed year-round.

Designed to be a true reflection of Peter, the home’s open-plan living space and kitchen is complemented with an assortment of creations that enhance his lifestyle. Further showcasing the celebration of artisanal design is the unorthodox cooking zone, with a pantry and refrigerator housed in a cherry burl cabinet. Additionally, Pattern Studio has filled the home with artwork and designer furniture reminiscent of the 1970s, as well as a beloved record player encased in custom-designed joinery. Across from this is a stone-clad bar where Peter and his family can relax and choose a record to put on before stepping out into the courtyard. By arranging the main living areas around this outdoor space, Pattern Studio has created an elegant and serene oasis that can be enjoyed year-round. With a moveable wall of glass that slides out of view and a floor-to-ceiling door that swings open, the courtyard blurs the lines between indoor-outdoor living. Additionally, this central space becomes the main inlet of natural light for the living areas, while the carefully chosen variety of lighting adds to the home’s welcoming ambience.

Upstairs, three expansive bedroom suites have been designed to challenge traditional ideas of the bedroom-ensuite relationship. Choosing to demolish the wall between the second and third bedrooms, Pattern Studio has given each room its own ensuite. For next-level relaxation immersion, the ensuites are left open – apart from the toilets, which are granted complete privacy – to create the feeling of a boudoir to retreat to and relax in.

Tailored to fit the dynamic lifestyles of Peter and his children, the reincarnated terrace evokes a timeless aesthetic capable of continuous evolution.

Attention to detail plays out on this upper floor, too. Careful to consider pairing lighter elements with the more monolithic stone features – such as the suspension floor lamp in the second bedroom and the custom cabinetry in the main suite – Pattern Studio achieves a harmonious balance of proportions. Additionally, each room has been pushed outwards to connect with the outdoors through balconies, covered decks or skylights in the bathrooms.

While unassuming from its facade, Daddy Cool by Pattern Studio has blended the distinctions between architecture, interior design and decorating, and “when you can blur those boundaries, creating a home can be so joyful,” says Lily. Tailored to fit the dynamic lifestyles of Peter and his children, the reincarnated terrace evokes a timeless aesthetic capable of continuous evolution. “We want this to be a home that this family is really happy in for decades to come,” continues Lily, “and we want them to come home and feel excitement and joy to be in this space.” Representing harmonious familial living, Pattern Studio has successfully expressed that finding moments for connection is paramount to the feeling of home.

Interior design by Pattern Studio. Build by Sandlik. Landscape by Even Spaces. Windows by Vitrocsa.