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Janine Zafra and James Tesoriero’s house has always been a little bit different.
When the couple purchased the Marrickville property in 2017, the classic terrace facade concealed a narrow floor plan with only an attic-sized second bedroom, and yet a generous outdoor space for Sydney’s inner west.
‘The attic could only be accessed via a wooden ladder from the main bedroom, which was very awkward to get to, but I loved how secretive it was,’ says Janine, who is the founder and creative director of accessories label Brie Leon.
As much as these idiosyncrasies gave the home charm, Janine and James needed more space as their business and family expanded.
After five years of living in the home, the couple had a clear idea of what needed to be done, starting with an upstairs bathroom, third bedroom, and new staircase.
‘Our main focus was to increase the overall scale of the terrace, while keeping the integrity of the existing building,’ says Janine.
Goodwin Scarfone Belgiorno-Nettis (GBSN Studio) designed the renovation and addition, which clearly separates the old (the original portion of the Victorian terrace) from new (the contemporary spaces within the two-storey addition clad in corrugated steel).
A central spiral staircase bridges these elements, tying together the softness of the warm interior with the somewhat harsh exterior cladding.
‘The main rear exterior reflects the foundations of rural Australian architecture, while the home’s interior design draws inspiration from the raw, tactile quality of exposed materials, embracing a functional and practical approach,’ says Janine.
The interiors in Janine and James’ home remain pared back and neutral, but with more natural light and hidden storage throughout. Each room is styled around a hero piece — rather than several focal points — such as the artworks by Riz Riz Rizz and Caroline Denervaud.
‘This could be an artwork, a unique texture, a deliberate use of colour, or something that draws attention as soon as you walk in,’ says Janine.
The kitchen and dining area is now one open space (featuring a bench seat with integrated storage) that extends to the backyard for easy entertaining.
‘Our space really lends itself to socialising and being filled with chatter and movement,’ says Janine. ‘It’s those memories that stay with us, and that’s what will always be most special to me.’
Janine describes her family as ‘minimalists on the go’ — a lifestyle that is perfectly reflected in their sleek, stylish yet supremely functional Marrickville home.
