Permanent holiday on the peninsula.

When Stu and Jodie first encountered the house in 2009, it wasn’t part of a polished online search. It was stumbled upon. “We went to look at another property in Drummoyne and on the way to it we passed an agent just finishing showing this home,” says Stu. The owner, an old-school Italian gentleman, refused online listings altogether. “He sat in the living room, chain-smoking and watching soccer on SBS whilst prospective buyers walked around.”

Despite - or perhaps because of - this, the connection was immediate. “Immediately, we wanted to buy it. We didn’t even bother viewing the home we had originally planned to see,” Stu says. The Federation cottage was rich with original detail, anchored by a large backyard and an existing pool, but it was the garden that sealed it.“What sold us, as florists and lovers of all things botanical, was the mature frangipani tree that we knew we could make a feature in any renovation.”

That sense of instinct was affirmed by architect Vanessa Wegner, a long-time collaborator. “Vanessa simply said, ‘Don’t miss this!’” Stu recalls. Even then, the home nearly slipped away, briefly withdrawn from sale due to the owner’s emotional attachment. “In the end, we had to convince the owner and, in essence, qualify ourselves to buy the property,” he says. A handwritten letter outlining their hopes to restore the home and raise their three children there eventually won him over.

The renovation that followed was guided by a desire for warmth, generosity and ease. “We wanted to create a warm and liveable home for our family that responded to the original cottage and the rear yard,” says Jodie. Entertaining was equally central. “We were hoping for multiple areas for relaxing, socialising and entertaining… different living areas, a pavilion, a couple of decks, a pool and a grass area. We said to Vanessa, ‘Do your best!’”

Rather than competing with the original bungalow, the architecture unfolds gently. “The new addition is not easily visible from the street and the new and the old relate really well together,” says Stu. Contemporary elements bring light and openness, yet echo the richness of the original structure. Polished concrete meets timber floors, wall-to-wall glazing frames long green outlooks with glimpses of water, and underfloor heating brings comfort beneath bare feet.

Outside, the home truly reveals its soul. The re-commissioned pool, anchored by the frangipani and layered with palms and dracaena, forms the heart of the garden. “We were able to create a private oasis that flows from the house to create a lush resort feel that instantly relaxes you,” Stu says. “We just love being at home.”

Life here naturally spills outdoors. “It has meant that no-one ever has to ask ‘are you having people over?’” says Jodie. Two decks, a pavilion, lawn and pool create zones for different moods and moments, while the main living area opens seamlessly to the deck. “With the BBQ, outdoor oven and hibachi grill next to the kitchen it means we are often cooking and entertaining outside. It’s super relaxing and really easy.”

Hidden details add moments of surprise and delight throughout - a reflection of the deeply collaborative build process. “We really wanted a home that was practical but also one that we truly loved and were proud of,” Jodie says. Concealed storage, an outdoor shower, hidden ice boxes, sound throughout, a climate-controlled cellar and even a TV that swivels for poolside movie nights elevate everyday living into something playful and personal. “Friends have always loved being in the pool, relaxing with a drink and then seeing the TV swivel,” she adds.

The location itself is part of the magic. “You feel a million miles from anywhere in a wide, quiet street,” says Stu. “Yet you’re only five minutes to Balmain and Rozelle and ten minutes to the CBD.” Water is always close, as are parks, the Bay Run, village shops and local institutions. “This little pocket feels like a secret spot that isn’t really known about,” Jodie says. “We’re so happy we stumbled upon it.”

As they prepare to farewell the home, it’s the everyday rituals that linger most. “We’ll definitely miss looking out over the garden and pool. And the beautiful frangipani tree,” says Stu. “Sitting outside surrounded by palms, trees and feeling like we’re in our own private retreat.” There’s advice, too, for whoever comes next. “Enjoy the pool and outdoor areas as much as we have,” Jodie says. “And maybe make a little more use of the balcony. We always say, ‘Why don’t we use this more often?’”

A home shaped by intuition, collaboration and a love of landscape, this Drummoyne bungalow is more than a renovation. It’s a place where architecture, garden and daily life have been carefully woven into something quietly extraordinary - a sanctuary that invites you to stay, feel and breathe the holiday.

View the listing: 4 Queen Victoria Street, Drummoyne