A nod to heritage

A flipped layout, neutral palette and raw materials worked together to breathe new life into a grand old dame in Cooks Hill.

By committing to a tasteful restoration, in keeping with the home’s heritage, MADE builder Guy Bunder and his team welcomed not only more light, but also an abundance of curb side appeal to a dilapidated terrace on Bruce Street.

Using natural stone, travertine tiles, hand-trailed venetian plastering and American walnut timber throughout, they have transformed the home in a high foot-traffic area, into an eye-catching beauty that is sure to last another 100 years.

A change from their usual coastal transformations in popular Merewether and Bar Beach, the Cooks Hill restoration was a nod to heritage, which Bunder says has received much positive community reaction.

“The feedback from the community has been amazing. It’s a really heavy foot traffic street and literally everyday someone stops and comments on how good it is.

“It’s been great to get that feedback. They’re all saying it’s been really tastefully done. We’re proud of the product and we think it adds a lot to the area.”

Aside from challenges the building industry has faced of late, Bunder adds, the home came with its own set of non-heritage extras, acquired no doubt during its century of existence.

“We can see it has had some unplanned additions throughout its time.” he says.

“The plan was always to restore parts of the façade without replicating the heritage. We’ve tried to be tasteful in the design.”

From the outset the first people Bunder engaged was the architect, town planning and a heritage guide, ensuring the restoration was in keeping with the suburb’s heritage.

“We wanted to make sure we were doing the street and the area and the building its heritage justice,” Bunder admits.

Read more like this in our Autumn Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.

Story by Rebecca Riddle, photography by Beach Road Interiors