A pre-1900s Paddington cottage has been transformed through careful renovation rather than expansion, proving the enduring value of preserving heritage homes.
Partners Elizabeth Hall and Ruairi Roberts, co-directors of Hall + Roberts Studio, approached their own home renovation with both professional expertise and personal passion. Their goal extended beyond improving their living space—they wanted to demonstrate how smaller, older homes can be revitalised without sacrificing character or comfort.
“We hope to prove through this project that small and rundown housing stock isn’t a wasted investment,” Roberts explained in the original reporting. “These houses often get overlooked, knocked down and replaced with oversized echo chambers to the detriment of our neighbourhood’s character.”
The couple made strategic changes to maximise space without extending the home’s footprint. They removed the rear deck and low tin roof, replacing them with a large sliding door and Juliette balcony that dramatically increased natural light throughout the home.
“The natural light this immediately introduced was critical to the success of the new layout,” Hall noted.
In a thoughtful reconfiguration, they swapped the positions of the living area and kitchen, enabling better connection between the kitchen and outdoor spaces while enhancing privacy. Rather than dedicating space to a formal dining area, they installed an oversized concrete island bench that serves dual purposes as both dining table and work surface.
The renovation also included a colour refresh, replacing what was described as a “’90s palette” of pale purple, burgundy, and light blue with a more cohesive scheme featuring Dulux Whisper White, Mildura, and Black accents.
Outside, the removal of the rear deck revealed enough space for a sunken courtyard, which the couple transformed into a subtropical garden sanctuary. The front yard was also redesigned with a more open boundary to enhance connection with neighbours.
Published 8-April-2025