Mid Century glamour

The renowned 1960s residence has been lovingly renovated and restored.

When Kym Cowley went to inspect the iconic Hudson House in New Lambton Heights in 2012, she had no intention of buying it. In fact, she was just about to put a deposit on a home in Hamilton South.

“I just wanted to have a sticky beak, but we came in and fell in love immediately,” she recalled.

The captivating, grand, mid century modern home was designed by renowned architects Lees and Valentine and built by Master Builder Bill Hudson in 1961 as his family home.

Bill Hudson’s eldest daughter Ann remembers it as “a loving family home that was open to everyone”. She said many charity events were hosted there throughout the years from fashion parades to Melbourne Cup parties and even synchronised swimming shows in the pool.

The spacious split-level layout of the five bedroom home flows effortlessly, seamlessly blending the indoor and outdoor spaces.

“It’s stunningly designed, the proportions are really carefully and cleverly calculated which is why it feels like a lovely comfortable family home,” homeowner Kym Cowley said.

When she moved in many of the striking, original features were still standing including the golden balustrades, irreplaceable detailed cornices and the sandstone.

With her keen eye for design, Kym knew she wanted to update parts of the home while ensuring the original integrity of the architecture was not compromised in the process.
“The architects designed such a fabulous house that it didn’t need any walls knocking out,” she said.

Kym engaged interior designer Stewart Horton of Horton & Co Design to bring the home into the 21st century while still celebrating its glamorous 1960s flair.

One of the major changes was the kitchen “a reimagining of a kitchen that might have existed” as the original kitchen was pulled out decades ago. The new kitchen pairs modern deco curves with quirky geometric patterns. The benchtops are marble and a stunning mural wallpaper hand printed in Paris contrasts against the parquetry flooring.

Read the full cover story in our Spring Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.

Story Nathalie Craig.