The house

A Federation-style brick bungalow built in the early 1900s in Henley, the smallest suburb in Australia, on the Parramatta River in Sydney.

Who lives here

Anthea Azzi, a lawyer and teacher, Ron Azzi, an engineer, their daughters Zara-Claire, 19, and Mia, 17, both students, and Lou Lou the cavoodle.

What we did

The family added a new wing, comprising the kitchen and living room, to the back of the house. “We also put on a second storey you can’t see from the front,” says Anthea.

Our favourite room

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The living room, which overlooks the garden and pool, boasts an “abundance of natural light” created by floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Saving on excavation costs by elevating the space to fit the block’s slope had an unexpected bonus – a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The ’hood

Henley is home to native wildlife, including blue-tongue lizards and brush turkeys. “You feel nestled away, but at the same time there is easy access to the action of the city.”

Future plans

To improve the front access with a rustic sandstone path.