Anson Smart
Welcome to the little house that could.
The home that Sarina and Eddie Gonano purchased in Sydney’s inner west in 2001 was actually two old worker’s semis that had been joined into one.
It was still tiny but, with its charming verandah and sash windows, the Victorian cottage looked like something out of a fairytale. “Eddie and I thought it was such a pretty house,” says Sarina.
The couple knew that to achieve what they wanted would take time, money and good planning, so they happily waited 10 years, until practical considerations intervened.
“We wanted to get a feel for the light and the whole area,” says Sarina. “But after a decade we needed the extra room, as we had two children.”
All in the family
“This house is packed with storage,” says Greg. “We have utilised every bit of space.” Both the kitchen and the library also feature generous joinery for clutter-free family living.
Sarina happens to be the sister of prominent interior designer Greg Natale, so who better to turn the poky into the palatial?
“Light, airy, comfortable, good for entertaining … and colour!” were the main points of Sarina’s brief to her brother. And she knew that he would deliver on all counts.
What was once a humble, 70m2 cottage has now blossomed into a dazzling showpiece about three times its original size, delivering breathing space and deep comfort for the couple and their children, Jonathan, 11, and William, eight.
Like brother, like sister
Happily, Greg’s dramatic decorating style, celebrating bold colour and geometric forms, is perfectly in tune with his sister’s aesthetic.
“Sarina likes layered interiors with pattern, colour with a real pop or two, and a little fun,” says Greg. “This house is decorative but still boasts architecturally clean lines. The base is neutral and I added colour and pattern in cushions and rugs.”
“I trust his taste,” says Sarina, “so it took the load off thinking and procrastinating. I’m sure I asked more from Greg than I would have if he was not my brother.”
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