With every heritage renovation, I spend a lot of time thinking about the threshold between old and new. It’s not just an opening between rooms — it’s a place where a decision has to be made.
Where does that line sit, and how do I make the crossing feel considered rather than abrupt? The connection is a moment that’s either emphasised or dissolved. A visual agreement, or a deliberate tension.
#thresholds #heritagehome #australianhomes #sydneyarchitect #kittyleearchitecture
No two stairs should look the same. The stair has to work hard — and it’s also one of those moments in a home where its own character can emerge.
Looking back across these projects, each one is shaped by its context. Timber balusters create a beautiful screen, a thickened wall becomes a plant ledge, concealed LEDs provide low-level lighting, a skylight pulls your eye up through a void, and a playful arch leads to a cubby for a very distinguished resident.
Photos: (1) @annestroudphotography and (2-5) @natspadaphotography
Builders: (1,4) @renotechbuilding (2) @baseprojects.nsw (3) @geometricconstruction (5) @wyattprojects
#stairdesign #housedesign #sydneyarchitect #australianhouses #kittyleearchitecture
Ferndale Cottage: The layout of the Ensuite was altered to allow the inclusion of a new built-in bathtub. A versatile curved bench extends from the bath hob into the shower area to define the wet areas.
Despite the predominantly monotone selection of materials, a mix of square and finger Japanese mosaic tiles creates interest with their varying shapes and subtly contrasting gloss and matt finishes. These tiles are complemented by natural limestone floors, brass tapware, a timber vanity and a custom concrete basin. The combination of the pared-back material palette, quiet details, and natural light from the skylight over the shower work together to create the feeling of a relaxing sanctuary away from the dense urban surrounding.
Builder: @capitalbuildinganddesign
Joiner: @east2eastjoinery
Photographer: @lulu_wells
Stylist: @jessicabellef
#bathroomdesign #bathroominspiration #australianhomes #sydneyarchitect #kittyleearchitecture
Ferndale Cottage: This kitchen is a playground of textures and colour that links the room to the garden beyond. In a small house on a compact site, it’s a reminder that the rooms don’t have to stop at the walls.
Spotted Gum veneer on the cabinetry ties back to the new floorboards, grounding the whole space in the same material language. The pink 3D tiles on the island are like little cushions, soft and tactile against the straight lines of the expressed timber edges. The light terrazzo benchtop and splashback with irregular pink speckles create a subtle connection without demanding attention. The thick edge of the island bench is contrasted against the thinner edge of the rear bench. The fine fluting of the triangular green 3D tiles behind the shelves adds another layer of detail. Every surface invites you to run your hand across it, each one feeling different to the last.
The success of this kitchen is the result of a client who wholeheartedly trusted the design process. What a joy it is.
Builder: @capitalbuildinganddesign
Joiner: @east2eastjoinery
Photographer: @lulu_wells
Stylist: @jessicabellef
#ferndalecottage #kitchendesign #sydneyarchitect #australianhomes #kittyleearchitecture
This past year has disappeared faster than all the others. Celebrating nine years of practice doesn’t quite feel real, but I recently started project no. 50, which makes it sink in a little more…
Nine years ago, newborn in tow, I chose to build something that would adapt with my life. This meant being selective with my projects, intentional with my time, and flexible for my family. I love being a sole practitioner, but this has never felt like a solo task - I continue to work with incredible collaborators and I’m grateful for my wonderful clients who have welcomed me into their homes and lives.
A delicious palette of toasted timber, cocoa bronze, minty marble and creamy limestone. Sugarloaf Creek House is located on a tricky, steep site in Castlecrag; ready for a complete interior transformation and new external living areas.
#materialpalette #sugarloafcreekhouse #sydneyarchitecture #kittyleearchitecture
This is House Lasswade, a heritage item in Glebe constructed between 1892-1893:
“A two-storey semi-attached terrace that dates from the Victorian period within the key period of significance, set on a wide site. The front garden is large, landscaped and provides an appropriate setting for the house. The façade presents a complex asymmetrical elevation and is constructed of rendered masonry with a scribed finish… and features classical motifs and moulded acanthus leave entablature.” - NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
After decades of memories made within these well-worn walls, the house is now ready for some careful restoration. Her grandeur and scale will be retained and unlike many of my other projects, no extension is required for this already generous family home. The freestanding stable at the rear of the site, formerly the beloved painting studio of a renowned artist will also be refurbished, and between the two buildings, a new above-ground pool and landscaping will be added.
I’m so excited to share this journey as we commence construction on this special project very soon.
Builder: @renotechbuilding
#houselasswade #heritagehouse #sydneyarchitect #architecture #kittyleearchitecture
Somehow, 2025 has disappeared in the blink of an eye. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support this year. To my clients, I’m so grateful for your unwavering trust every step of the way. To my builders, thank you for the respect you have for my designs and for bringing them to life. To my colleagues, consultants and suppliers, I continue to learn so much from you. What I do would not be possible without all these kind people I surround myself with.
I’ll be taking a short break until January 13th and I’m looking forward to sharing a couple of new projects starting construction in the new year. I wish everyone a safe and restful Christmas!
📷 @natspadaphotography
Pattern Cottage is one of my earliest completed projects. In 2019, my clients engaged me to transform a one bedroom cottage into a three bedroom home for their young family. The house is grounded by a grand 4m long solid timber dining island, salvaged from a tree that needed to be removed from a local golf course. The covered back deck provides a seamless extension of the living room and the ribbon of north-facing windows on the first floor fills the new bedrooms with natural light. Robust and fun, this house has served the family well for the past six years. The beautiful house is now for sale, ready to share its joy with the new owners.
Contact @bresicwhitney for more information or feel free to DM me for the real estate listing.
Builder: @baseprojects.nsw
Photographer and stylist: @natspadaphotography
#patterncottage #forsale #auction #architecture #innerwest #leichhardt #sydneyarchitecture #kittylee #kittyleearchitecture
A rainy day, a cup of tea, and a chat with @houseandgarden magazine. What a nervous wreck I was in front of the camera, but here’s to doing things outside my comfort zone!
There’s a framed postcard in my office of a lino print by @ilsevangarderen that I’ve had for over 20 years. The artwork is called “Careless Water” and is based on a poem of the same name by Gertrude Stein. I’ve always loved the image and when I recently read the poem again, I realised how much it relates to my practice. The celebration of mending is an inherent part of my work, embracing history and reassembling things in new and unexpected ways to add new purpose and meaning.
Every house holds a story and before stripping away its heritage, I feel responsible to work with what we have and restoring what we can before making contemporary adjustments and additions to suit modern life. Sometimes we don’t need more space, just more efficient planning. Sometimes we don’t need more rooms, just flexibility in the design. Embracing the patina of the old, valuing quality and craftsmanship, upholding environmental responsibility, all whilst meeting a client’s spatial needs and budget constraints is a balancing act with every project. The reward is when it all comes together in the end.
Production: @bethanlacobainteriors
Videography: Rolling Shutter Films
Bedroom photography: @natspadaphotography
Builder: @geometricconstruction
Artwork: @curatorialandco@mitchell_cheesman@mattcauchiart@emandersartist
What an honour to be longlisted for the international Dezeen Awards 2025 in the Bathroom Interiors category!
“From over 4,300 entries from 89 countries to Dezeen Awards this year, your project is one of the 12 bathroom interior projects that are in the running to win an award later this year in the interior categories.”
Fingers crossed!🤞🏼
@dezeenawards_
Builder: @geometricconstruction
Photography: @natspadaphotography
Styling: @tillroberts
#dezeenawards #bathroom #bathroomdesigns #bathroominterior #interiordesign #kittylee #kittyleearchitecture
Midnight Wine House: This very special home in Kingsford is now up for sale. The renovation to the original post-war red brick house was completed in 2020, with bespoke joinery added to almost every room. A palette of rich warm spotted gum timber and midnight blue kitchen joinery was introduced. Where we often see too many of this era of housing “knocked down and rebuilt”, this project serves as an example of the value of their preservation. I hope the new owners love this home as much as I enjoyed designing it!
Contact: @raywhitetoumataylor
Builder: @renotechbuilding
Photography and styling: @natspadaphotography
#midnightwinehouse #forsale #postwararchitecture #midcenturydesign #architecture #interiordesign #interiorinspo #houseinspo #joinery #sydneyarchitecture #house #design #kittyleearchitecture #kittylee
