Westleigh Wonder

Westleigh Wonder is a renovation on Sydney’s North Shore that focuses on improving everyday functionality, natural light, and flow through a series of modest but well-considered design moves. The brief from the client was clear: make the home feel brighter, easier to live in, and more connected both spatially and in tone.

The bathroom faced several key challenges in its original form. The layout was cramped, with the toilet placed centrally, limiting shower space and making movement awkward. Natural light was also poor, making the space feel even smaller. We reconfigured the layout by swapping the positions of the toilet and shower, which allowed us to expand the shower zone and improve circulation. A new skylight was introduced to bring natural light deep into the space, transforming it from a dark, closed-off room into one that feels light-filled and open.

Functionality was also addressed through improved storage. A larger custom vanity with built-in storage and a mirrored cabinet with internal compartments helped us meet the client’s request for more usable space without cluttering the room. Brass tapware and fittings were chosen for their warmth and ability to add subtle character, an elegant counterpoint to the soft, coastal-inspired palette of light greens, greys, and blues that runs throughout the home.

The kitchen continues this tonal approach. Graphic tiles and teal joinery introduce colour and texture, while timber handles and detailing provide warmth and link visually with the timber flooring and other natural elements. The tiled floor inset defines the working kitchen area within the open-plan space, offering a subtle transition without the need for walls or partitions.

One of the more technical challenges was resolving a level change between the internal floor and the external balcony. We addressed this by rebuilding the internal floor structure, allowing for a continuous, accessible transition from kitchen to living to outdoor terrace. This small intervention had a significant impact on how the space feels, improving both usability and cohesion.

Another constraint was the home’s low ceiling height. Rather than undertaking major structural changes, we proposed a tailored performance solution that preserved internal volumes while ensuring compliance, helping us achieve generous-feeling rooms without compromising proportion.

The study, finished with a soft teal carpet, acts as a small retreat within the home - a quiet space for work or rest, with built-in shelving and storage. Large-format windows throughout the home frame the surrounding views, including wide city vistas, and bring in consistent natural light.

The palette, light, soft, and cohesive, was intentionally selected to reinforce the home’s connection to its setting and create a calming atmosphere. Inspired by coastal tones and the lightness of the view beyond, the colour strategy links the spaces visually and emotionally, allowing one room to flow naturally into the next.

Westleigh Wonder is not a dramatic transformation, but a careful and personal one. It reflects the value of small, smart interventions, resolving functional problems, improving light and space, and creating a cohesive atmosphere that supports daily life. Every detail, from layout to material choice, was approached with a clear purpose: to make the home feel easy, calm, and connected.