H G houses
96 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
B
owerbirds are known for building beautiful, intricate bowers,
collecting found objects to attract a mate. A rchitect Terry Bail
was already married with a young child when he bought this
cottage in Sydney’s inner west in 2000. But his bowerbird
tendencies have transformed this dwelling into a covetable
nest for himself, his wife Mel and their daughter Anika, now 18.
Soon after purchase, the couple undertook some minor renovations
in order to make the rundown worker’s cottage more habitable. Over
the next decade, Terry collected all manner of objects and materials –
architectural hardware salvaged from projects he was working on,
furniture and lighting from kerbside collections, even plants clients
no longer wanted – while he planned stage two of the renovation.
“I’ve always loved making things,” says Terry. “I recycle and upcycle,
I stockpile timber, I move windows from one house to another. I do it
partly for the cost benefit but also to keep materials out of landfill.”
By 2011, Terry and Mel were ready to begin a full-scale renovation. The
rear of the cottage was demolished and the sloping site excavated to
accommodate a two-storey extension, connected to the existing house
by a split-level foyer. The main entrance was moved to the opposite side
of the house to accommodate a small courtyard that doubles as a lightwell.
From the entry foyer, stairs lead up to the open-plan kitchen/dining/
living area and down to Anika’s bedroom and a sitting room that opens
onto the rear courtyard. Across the courtyard is a double-height pavilion
that houses a studio, bathroom and loft bedroom. >