Chatty-Wood is a heritage California Bungalow project in Chatswood.
The house was large in scale but the layout was not ideal for our client's family. The front rooms sat dark and overly formal; the rear extension had the opposite problem, sweltering in summer, freezing in winter.
Jane had clear vision, a brighter, more efficient home, with a rear façade that felt contemporary while staying connected to the character of the original bungalow.
Cooking is central to Jane's life, and Chinese cuisine is her passion, so alongside the entertaining kitchen, we designed a dedicated wok and steaming kitchen.
Feng shui mattered just as deeply.
The transformation announces itself at the front door. The entrance, once dark and low is now a bright, high space that opens the whole ground floor: guest room, office and yoga room, and at the rear, the kitchen, dining and a sunken living area looking out to the garden.
At the heart of the plan sits the new central courtyard, pulling light and cross-ventilation deep into the middle of the house.
Beside it, concrete stairs rise to the upper level, where an additional bedroom and bathroom lead to the parents' retreat: master bedroom, private ensuite, walk-in robe, and a generous balcony wrapped in a vertical spotted gum screen, privacy from the neighbours, shelter from the summer sun.
