Little cottage with a big heart.

From the street, the house presents as a classic workers’ cottage, its bullnose verandah and iron lacework carefully retained. “The beautiful front cottage façade is what we first fell in love with before we even stepped inside,” Sally says. That sense of restraint and respect for the original form carries through the renovation, where heritage cues are subtly reinterpreted rather than overtly replicated.

Inside, the plan opens into a calm, light-filled interior defined by terrazzo floors, exposed timber ceilings and a soft, neutral palette. The home’s footprint - unusually square rather than the typical narrow terrace - became a key driver of the design. “We wanted to take the opportunity to create open plan living, making the home feel spacious and enable seamless indoor and outdoor living,” Josh says. Stacking timber doors draw the living spaces outward to a north-facing private courtyard, blurring the line between inside and out.

Practicality was non-negotiable. “Every inch of the footprint needed to be functional,” Sally explains. “We spent a lot of time considering what storage was required and creating detailed plans right down to where we would store the vacuum.” Integrated joinery, custom-built furniture and an upper-level workspace ensure the home works hard without feeling busy.

Light, too, was carefully choreographed. “The site benefits from a northerly aspect, so we wanted to create opportunities to maximise light all day long across both levels,” Josh says. A skylit study overlooking the courtyard has become his daily anchor, while Sally gravitates outdoors. “I love hosting Sunday barbecues in the courtyard. The nature of the site makes it very quiet and private. It’s the perfect green space, and we love looking back inside at the beautiful interiors of the home.”

Modern comforts are woven seamlessly into the fabric of the house: ducted air-conditioning, underfloor heating, home automation and even three-phase power to charge an EV at the front of the property. “The project essentially involved rebuilding the interiors from scratch,” Josh says, “so we wanted to take the opportunity to properly modernise.”

Despite the sophistication, the mood remains grounded. “Calm, peaceful, private and functional,” Sally says. “It’s a beautiful space to wake up in each day.” That calm extends beyond the home itself, anchored by its enviable position between Five Ways Paddington and Queen Street Woollahra. “We love being able to walk and enjoy the pubs, cafes and restaurants of both neighbourhoods,” Josh says, adding that the sense of community has been just as important. “We’re very lucky to have fabulous neighbours - we’ll no doubt be back for the annual street Christmas party.”

With the family now preparing for a new chapter and the home on the market, there’s a quiet hope that its story will continue with the same care. “This has been our absolute dream home, which we poured our hearts into for years,” Sally says. “We hope the next owners appreciate and enjoy living in this home as much as we have.”

View the listing: 19 Hargrave Lane, Paddington