WORDS Michaela Stehr IMAGES: Clinton Weaver VIDEO via nevertoosmall.com
Stewart Smith of Smith Architects spotted an opportunity to reinvent a late 1800s workers’ cottage in Blue Mountain’s Black Heath, giving it a second lease on life.
The run-down cottage was dilapidated and in disrepair, but Smith had the idea of retaining as much of the original features in the 28sqm area as possible without the addition of extensions.
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Originally consisting of a simple structure with two bedrooms separated by a hallway and a verandah, the idea was to maximise space and cut down on one bedroom for a more comfortable distribution of space. Smith, who is both the architect and owner, decided to save as much of the existing structure as he could, recycling the original bricks and adding modest materials and hues, integrating the cabin with the surrounding landscape.
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Maximising views of nature was important, with the addition of large bay windows, opening up the living area to the surrounding mountains. The kitchen offers lots of workspace for meal prep and a deep, tiled bench. The bedroom houses storage under the bed as well as surrounding shelves which doubles as desk space, while the luxurious bathroom is a space for contemplation and escape.
A wood-burning fireplace adds to the cosiness of the lounge, perfect for a chilly weekend away in the rocky terrain.
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