Paddington Residence | Contemporary Legacy
Shortlisted for the 2024 Sustainability Awards, Interior Design category
Finalist in the 2023 Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards, Emerging Design Star
Paddington Residence is situated on Gadigal Land
Architecture & Interior Design: Alena Smith Interior Design
Photography: Anson Smart
Styling: Claire Delmar
Paddington Residence is a complete renovation of a three level Victorian period terrace house.
Our client grew up in the house, so it holds many family memories. We took the approach of respecting the intergenerational stories held here, but also introducing a contemporary legacy - a space that responds to the needs of current generation and their lifestyle.
Major replanning was required to create calm and centred spaces, as well as introduce natural light to the tired, dark interior. A major design intent was to increase liveability and wellness for our clients through several sustainable values. These include introduction of acoustic glazing & insulation, installation of solar panels, removal of damp and introduction of new materials that are low in toxicity have all been addressed. Sustainable fabrics such as hemp and vegan leathers, and locally manufactured furniture add another layer of considered design in the decorative elements
Aesthetically, the interiors reflect two sides of the architecture, heritage, and contemporary styles. The original Victorian rooms retain traditional details and maintain grand proportions. The interior palette remains neutral, allowing the heritage features to shine through.
To the rear of the site, modern areas are designed with a more earthy, textured finishes reflective of our clients’ tastes and suitable for a modern family lifestyle. Together, they achieve a sense of quiet luxury that inspire generations to come.
Client Testimonial
“Alena transformed our Paddington terrace into a light filled oasis, she effortlessly combined sustainablity with modern living. We highly recommend her & would love to work with her again!
Alena was easy to communicate with & her ideas were smart & well thought out. The build was as smooth as it could be with Alena there to ask the hard questions & keep the job on track”
Builder Testimonial
“Working with Alena was a fantastic experience all round, such a talented designer!
We worked with Alena from the early stages of design to ensure a smooth building process. Being flexible in her approach made the whole process as smooth as possible resulting in a beautiful end product & great experience for everyone involved”