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This lovingly preserved Sydney home fuses retro charm with vibrant tones, playful updates and personality at every turn.
“The timber panelling, tiles, textures, colours and finishes of this era felt so warm and interesting compared to other houses we’d viewed,” says Elise Honeybrook.Credit: Jennifer Soo
The house
A renovated, late ’70s/early ’80s, twostorey, two-bedroom, brown brick house in Stanmore, in Sydney’s inner west.
Who lives here
Elise Honeybrook and Scott Clark, co-owners of Valentinas cafe in Marrickville and the Grumpy Donuts bakeries, with their Brussels griffon
dogs, Abbie, Tina and Peaches.
What we did
“We wanted to preserve the home’s retro charm,” says Honeybrook, “so we kept changes minimal – just fresh paint, some carpet removed or replaced, and an upstairs bathroom renovated with the help of designer Lucia Braham.”
Favourite room
“We spend most of our time in the kitchen/living area,” says Honeybrook. “It’s so open and inviting, really spacious and comfortable.”
The ’hood
“We have everything we need practically on our doorstep: local shops, buzzing Enmore venues, and Stanmore train station is just across the road, connecting us to all of Sydney,” says Honeybrook.
Future plans
“A big dream would be extending the second storey and creating an indoor/outdoor area up there.”
Best advice
“The rule for decorating is there are no rules,” says Honeybrook. “If it feels good, do it!”
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