The Francis Residence in Illawarra, a striking art deco house with symmetrical front and faded features, has undergone a meticulous restoration led by Bird Black Design. The project, executed by Lighthouse Projects under Jed Smith, aimed to revive the home's original charm without modernizing its character.
Interior designer Sarah Nolen emphasized the team's commitment to preserving the original architecture. 'We really wanted to honour the original architecture while bringing new life into it,' she said. The design focused on enhancing the art deco style rather than altering the structure.
The restoration included a careful selection of colors, using a pale yellow and green palette that echoed the original tones. 'Rather than replacing this history, we use it as a point of departure,' Nolen explained. The team avoided white paint, opting for colors that tied in with the original tiles and created a grand entrance.
Challenges arose from the building's neglect over 50 years. The front curved porticoes had to be demolished and rebuilt due to concrete cancer and water damage. 'We replaced it exactly like for like, the exact size and shape,' Nolen said, noting the difficulty of replicating the original without modernizing.
Nolen highlighted the effort involved: 'It's harder to renovate something like this than it is to just knock it down and put a spec build home on the block.' The result, she said, is stunning, with the home's symmetrical wings and sweeping staircase now restored to their former glory.
