SITCHU MAGAZINE Location often shapes great design, but the most memorable homes aren’t confined by their postcode. That’s certainly true of Hey Darling House, a Victorian terrace tucked into the heart of Rozelle that could just as easily exist in a bucolic rural landscape, thanks to its elegant French country kitchen, or feel at home in London’s fashionable Bloomsbury, courtesy of a hidden, hyper-modern cocktail corner (more on that later). For Mariah Burton, Director and Co-Founder of award-winning design studio Folk Studio, these unexpected contrasts—not grounded in place—were a key design focus. “Hey Darling House is light-filled, open and gently washed in pinks and blues,” she notes, defying “the expectations of inner-city living”. “In Rozelle, where Victorian terraces typically reveal sharp lines, dark corners and restrained, tonal palettes, interiors often mirror the pace and density of their urban surroundings. Our aim was to redefine what a typical Victorian terrace feels like and, in doing so, create a fun, vibrant family home that is full of light,” Mariah continues. Designing for longevity was equally important. With the clients planning to expand their family—and welcoming their first child during the design phase—the brief centred on a home that could evolve alongside them. The team focused on ensuring the design would remain practical, robust and timeless as the family’s needs changed. As is often the case with heritage homes, balancing its history with contemporary living became one of the project’s defining challenges, with materiality ultimately providing the bridge between old and new. “Our aim was to redefine what a typical Victorian terrace feels like and, in doing so, create a fun, vibrant family home that is full of light.” — Mariah Burton 03
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