Bold and beautiful Federation home set to charm but ‘not for everyone’

An interior designer has transformed a lacklustre heritage house into the home of her dreams, but admits her design choices are “bold”.

When interior designer Lauren Mahoney inspected a Federation property for sale in the leafy Sydney suburb of Haberfield in 2018, she found it “in disarray and disgusting”.

“They’d butchered it. Everything was tiled, they’d ripped out the original fireplaces,” she said. “It had a late 1970s kitchen, and as you entered the ’80s renovation at the back, there was a wall that blocked the natural light and you had to turn left or right to go into rooms.”

However, Ms Mahoney and her husband Steven Zahra were captivated by the home at 144 Bland Street.

“It had a massive hallway, which is rare, original fretwork, beautiful architraves and skirtings, high ceilings and original windows — and it was on a huge block of 894 sqm and rear-north-facing.

“It ticked all the right boxes and we knew we could redesign it to have the right layout.”

Despite being interior design and heritage specialists as the duo behind Studio Trio, Ms Mahoney admits they were nervous.

“I went back to the house four times to make sure that I was ready to take on a renovation that massive.”

In 2019, the couple moved into the dining room of the extension with their baby to renovate the front, before relocating to a rental property to rip off and redo the extension.

“It was an emotional rollercoaster,” Ms Mahoney said.

Five years later, Russellville 1913 has been transformed into an elegant Federation charmer with five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The original four walls remain, while a new, kinder extension provides a spacious kitchen, dining area with banquette seating, and huge lounge room opening to a covered verandah.

Throughout the home, heritage features have been reinstated such as ceilings, marble fireplaces, leadlight windows and chimneys, while new details like hallway arches, tessellated tiles and wall panelling have been added.

Outside, an entertaining patio surveys irrigated gardens designed by Pepo Botanic Design, which feature ornamental pear trees, a vegetable garden and buxus balls.

Agent at Belle Property Simone Azzi described the property as “one of a kind”.

“From the letterbox to the back fence, everything has been curated and custom-designed for the house. There’s nothing generic in the home and no expense has been spared,” she said.

“There’s Ralph Lauren wallpaper and drapes, Gaggenau kitchen appliances and a Lacanche oven. And every single wardrobe and cupboard has been hand-painted.”

With Ms Mahoney and Mr Zahra eager for a new project and the property being too large for their family of three, they’re listing Russellville for sale.

Ms Mahoney admits the property’s “bold” design and colour choices — featuring French grey, pretty pinks, beiges and soft greens — “isn’t for everyone”.

“Large spaces with high ceilings can be boring if neutral. The colour adds a modern twist,” she said.

“We want to appeal to the high-end market and people that appreciate heritage and classic homes. It wouldn’t suit someone looking for a modern home; they just wouldn’t understand it.”

Ms Azzi thinks the property will stand out given the limited number of premium family homes at the top end of the inner west market.

“If somebody’s been sitting back waiting for that special trophy home, this is it.”

She expects the home will suit families as well as downsizers from estate-sized blocks on the North Shore or Eastern Suburbs who want to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Buyers tend to like Haberfield for the Federation and Victorian properties on big blocks, and streets lined with pretty gardens and towering trees.

Proximity to the CBD, premier private schools and the popular Bay Run add to the allure, while locals love the Italian heritage restaurants and cafes.

Downsides of Haberfield include the busy arterial roads on its edges and the aircraft noise, while those wanting a local pub or bar may be disappointed.

However, Ms Azzi sees the lack of nightlife as a positive.

“I think having no pub is a good thing to be honest. If that’s your jam, you don’t have to go too far.”

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