The Luise Terrace by Care of Studio is a renovation of a 1890s terrace house in Annandale, Sydney, developed by studio director Jaime Bligh as both client and designer. The project retains the original room-based layout rather than converting it into an open plan, working within the existing footprint while refining circulation and function. Updates include a reconfigured kitchen, relocated laundry, and an added bathroom, allowing the house to support contemporary living without removing its historic structure.
The interiors combine restored heritage elements such as moulded ceilings, fireplaces, and timber floors with new insertions including terracotta tiles, marble surfaces, and custom joinery. A rear courtyard was raised to align with the interior floor, extending the living space outward and improving the connection between inside and outside. The materials are layered across rooms through stone, timber, and metal detailing, with vintage furniture and artwork integrated into the spaces.
Image Credit: Prue Ruscoe
What's Driving This Trend
- Adaptive Heritage Interiors
- A market for reversible, non-invasive modular systems that maintain historic floorplans while integrating contemporary amenities.
- Layered Material Palettes
- Hybrid surface programs combining terracotta, marble, timber, and metal that enable richly textured interiors bridging old and new fabric.
- Incremental Functional Retrofitting
- Phased, room-by-room service upgrades and micro-additions that allow buildings of different eras to meet modern living standards without large-scale demolition.
Who This Affects Most
- Residential Renovation
- Specialist renovation firms focused on conserving historical layouts while delivering contemporary utility and spatial flow.
- Architectural Materials
- Manufacturers of bespoke, heritage-compatible finishes and modular joinery tailored to blend with restored period features.
- Furniture and Art Curation
- Curatorial services and vintage-modern furniture makers that craft layered interior narratives by integrating reclaimed pieces with new commissions.
