Living canvas: A cultural synergy in Surry Hills.

BW: What first attracted you to this unique Surry Hills laneway terrace?

ST: After selling my last home in Newtown, I had been looking to buy a property in the inner city of Sydney for almost a year, but nothing had really shone through. I had looked at over 50 properties across the areas of Newtown, Camperdown, Chippendale and Redfern, but to no avail. It was quite dispiriting. I had recently struck up a great working relationship with David Smith-Cameron from BresicWhitney and he quickly came to understand what I was looking for, introducing me to some interesting and characterful properties. One of them was 5 Wilshire Street, Surry Hills. The truth is I hadn't considered coming back to Surry Hills - I'd lived there in the early 1990s when the neighbourhood was far cheaper and grungier, and thought I'd done my time - but this house changed my mind.

What immediately drew me to it was the renovation. A combination of heritage terrace facade, modern warehouse box and rooftop terrace, accessed by an external winding staircase made this home particularly unique. I learned that the renovation was by Anthony Gill Architects, the firm behind two cutting edge restaurants in the area that I had frequented many times over the years. So, I liked the connection straight away. Its location was also important - close to public transport, Sydney's sporting precinct, lush parks, a plethora of leading cafes, bars and restaurants, all at your fingertips. To top it off, the home was nestled away in a discreet laneway behind Crown Street towards Redfern (the best end!) and extremely quiet.

BW: You commissioned artist Sonny Day to install several artworks within the home - which has added a patina to the home that is unique to you. Can you tell us your thoughts on how homes evolve with each new owner?

ST: Connection to the suburb in which I live has always been important to me. A visit to the nearby Paramount House Hotel was when I first noticed the works of local artist and illustrator, Sonny Day – his edgy, ‘hard meets soft’ drawings adorned the walls of the hotel lobby and lifts. I purchased one of Sonny’s tapestries during my stay, and it was then that my love for his work really began. I commissioned Sonny to install some works in my home – a new challenge for Sonny, but one that he embraced wholeheartedly, armed only with my simple brief of 'palm tree', 'cactus' and 'shark'. His three distinctive works now feature in the master bedroom, painted directly onto the walls and joinery. The art complements the interior vision I had for the home, and their permanence holds a sort of legacy to my time here.  

BW: Sonny, can tell us about the impact you believe art can have within the home?

SD: The beauty of art is its innate ability to transform and offer new meaning to each person that perceives it. Art also adds warmth and personality - in my opinion, nothing makes you more engaged with a room, than art. 

BW: What was the inspiration/brief behind the pieces you installed in 5 Wilshire Street? 

SD: Steve was familiar with my work – we spoke extensively about the designs before I put paint to wall. I wanted to add some depth and dimension to the room and make it come alive around these prints. Steve put a lot of trust in me, and I'll always be grateful for the opportunity. The Fighting Fish is one of my favourite pieces.

BW: What are your favourite features and spaces within the home?

ST: I love the main living area, with its generous kitchen window, and the light that hits it during the day. If it's hot, I open all the doors and side windows, top to bottom, to get this marvellous cooling breeze coming through. There's also a small but lovely exterior antechamber, where I've placed a cactus that has simply grown and grown, and now threatens to take over the house. I also love the upstairs walkway, with floor to ceiling windows, where I can peer downstairs or outside, and which I can close off with dark, billowy curtains.

BW: What have you loved most about living in the Surry Hills area?

ST: Surry Hills has a modern, thriving, eclectic community, with a fabulous, storied history. All around me is Greek, Turkish, North African, Italian, Indian, South-East Asian and modern Australian cuisine - plus some of Sydney's best bars. I love that it take less than ten minutes to get into the city via the light rail. The newly opened Wunderlich Lane precinct is around the corner, and already houses some of the best restaurants and retailers in the city. Bourke Street Bakery, Humble and Lode are so close I can smell the pies in the oven. There are bookshops, trinket stores and pubs that allow dogs inside, also endless small and tightly-held laneways that ooze character. I will miss my neighbours - and the shop owners. They’re all good mates.

It’s little wonder Surry Hills is often rated as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world. 

 BW: What do you hope for the new owners of 5 Wilshire Street?

ST: Firstly, that they love the house and do something uniquely their own to it. Secondly, that they embrace the neighbourhood and take full advantage of everything it offers. And thirdly, they throw way more parties than I do - taking advantage of the fabulous rooftop terrace!

Sonny Day is represented by China Heights Gallery located at Level 3, 16-28 Foster Street, Surry Hills – view online at www.chinaheights.com

View the listing: 5 Wilshire Street, Surry Hills