Wiltshire House

An early twentieth-century home in Sydney's Inner West celebrates the beauty of its original architecture while embracing contemporary family living. Ornate plaster ceilings, timber fretwork and historic detailing are preserved, while a light-filled extension introduces a fresh architectural language in a thoughtful dialogue between old and new.

(1910) Californian Bungalow

SCOPE:
Interior Design & Decoration

LOCATION:
Stanmore

COLLABORATORS:
Maryanne Taskovski Architect

White kitchen with marble waterfall island, glass pendants and timber stools at Wiltshire House by Jillian Dinkel

Wiltshire House is the sensitive renovation of a California Bungalow in Stanmore, Sydney, where beautifully preserved period architecture provides the foundation for a richly detailed contemporary interior.

The home's original interwar-era features, including ornate plaster ceilings, intricate timber fretwork and timber floorboards, were central to our design approach. Rather than allowing the contemporary extension to overwhelm these historic details, we sought to celebrate the distinction between old and new, allowing each architectural period to retain its identity.

Working alongside the architectural team, the interiors were thoughtfully planned to create greater space, natural light and connection to the garden for a young family. A custom steel-framed sliding door, with a marble threshold, marks the transition between the traditional front rooms and the contemporary rear extension.

Within the extension, a generous three-metre Arabescato marble kitchen island anchors the living spaces, complemented by hand-painted cabinetry, aged brass and muted American oak. Expansive skylights flood the interiors with natural light, while a palette of muted blues and greys introduces warmth and depth throughout.

Contemporary furnishings and bespoke joinery enhance the home's original character without resorting to period imitation.

Wiltshire House demonstrates the possibilities of a carefully executed California Bungalow home renovation, where historic craftsmanship and contemporary family living are celebrated with equal conviction.