Balmain Calling: A clash of contrast and coincidence.

Built prior to 1890 as part of a pair of gentleman’s residences, the house is heritage listed and locally significant. Enlisted for its revival, architect Daniel Boddam describes it as “an elaborate example of late Victorian period housing,” noting that while its original fabric was rich, a 2001 rear addition had compromised both amenity and architectural clarity. “This was an opportunity to remove this addition and reinstate a rear that provided a higher level of amenity while respecting the existing building.”

For owners Sarah and Anthony Bice, the connection to the house predated ownership. Sarah says the home had lodged itself in her imagination years earlier. “We’d been living in London and always stayed with friends in Balmain when we came home. I’d walk past this house every day and always pause on the footpath, wishing that one day I could live in a house just like it.” When a quiet off-market list landed in her inbox as they were planning their return to Sydney, she knew instantly. “I was 95% sure it was the house I’d always admired.”

They bought the home sight unseen. “I sent my dad to take a look and he gave it the thumbs up,” Sarah says. “When we landed back in Australia, I went straight from the airport to the house. Standing on the footpath in front of our new home, I was very relieved to see we had indeed bought the house I’d always admired.”

Inside, however, the reality was less romantic. “The house was cold and dark with virtually no natural light, even though it faces north-west,” Sarah explains. “The garden was heavily planted with palms that blocked out the light, the warmth and the views.” The vision became clear: bring in light, reveal the outlook, and create a contemporary family home without erasing the soul of the original Victorian.

Working with Daniel Boddam and interior designer Cameron Kimber, the renovation became an exercise in contrast. “The idea of complementing the original house by contrast was a key theme,” Daniel says. “Modern versus traditional, floating versus grounded, light versus dark.” Old and new are separated by a central courtyard, giving each breathing space and legibility. The contemporary rear addition takes cues from the traditional ‘tunnel-back’ form, its roofline peeling away to draw northern light deep into the home, moderated by adjustable timber louvres.

Internally, formal Victorian rooms at the front were carefully restored, while the rear opens into expansive living zones designed for family life and entertaining. “We preserved what still remained and reinstated what hadn’t in the formal rooms and front bedrooms,” Sarah says. “The back of the house had nothing left of architectural merit, but as a listed house we still needed to maintain evidence of the original footprint as you move through.”

One of the most meaningful restorations was the front entry. “The most important feature to reinstate was the front door and the ruby glass,” Sarah says. Referencing the neighbouring home, the couple commissioned a new door and worked with a specialist craftsman to recreate acid-etched ruby glass true to the period. “As a housewarming present, friends gave us a history of the house - its original name and build date - and our glass craftsman incorporated that into the top panel above the door.”

At the rear, a sculptural steel ‘S’ form anchors the architecture. “Preserving the small Victorian Juliet balcony was really important to us,” Sarah says. “The ‘S’ steel allowed us to keep that view and honour the balcony, while creating a very dynamic roofline.” The back deck juts out above the steel and stretches over the pool, creating a powerful connection between house, garden and water. “I was very clear about wanting the pool right up by the house, integrated with the foundations,” she adds. “I love that connection.”

Today, the home reads as both composed and generous: multiple living zones, a luxurious kitchen with butler’s pantry, landscaped gardens and poolside terraces, and elevated leafy water views that reward the site’s natural fall. Despite years spent living back in London, the house has been lovingly restored once more. “We’ve been restoring it remotely,” Sarah says. “Good Manors helped bring the garden and pool back to life, and BresicWhitney managed the internal and external redecoration while we were away.”

For Sarah and Anthony, Balmain remains central to the home’s appeal. “What I love about Balmain is the strong sense of community,” Sarah says. “It has a fantastic high street, wonderful parks everywhere and beautiful water views at every turn. And of course, the ferries - there’s no better bus than a ferry.”

What remains is a home where history and modernity coexist with confidence - a Victorian masterpiece reimagined for contemporary family life, deeply connected to its place, ready for the next chapter.

View the listing: 68 Birchgrove Road, Balmain