The home
One of six grand terraces dating from the 1860s in Paddington, inner Sydney.
Penny Hanan serves lunch to, from left, family friend Olivia Taylor, husband Campbell and daughter Stella. “We live outside nine months a year,” says Penny
Photo: Jennifer SooIt originally boasted eight bedrooms. The current owners bought it seven years ago.
Who lives here
Penny Hanan, owner of 1803 Artisan Deer, which makes leather goods and antler products from farmed Australian deer, her husband Campbell, daughters Pippa, 16, and Stella, 13, and rescue dog Lou.
"We love these Arne Jacobsen dining chairs, so we saved up and bought two at a time,” says Penny. Paintings, from top left, by Euan McLeod, Graeme Drendel, James Drinkwater, Annie Herron.
Photo: Jennifer SooWhat we did
"After living here for three years, we knew we had to have light," says Penny. So where the home's back wall originally stood, they created a glass-walled void to flood the space with light and fresh air. Inside, a vast antique planter filled with water and lit from within forms the link between old and new.
“That’s my nook of treasures,” says Penny of the elegant arrangement she’s created along the wall of her bedroom. “The basket is full of my old handbags.”
Photo: Jennifer SooBeyond it, a modern kitchen/living space looks out onto a garden of river birches created by landscape designer Annie Wilkes. "They give us a sense of living in the country in the city," says Penny.
In the main bedroom, a deer hide from 1803 lies across the end of the bed, while a painting by Luke Sciberras hangs above it.
Photo: Jennifer SooFavourite room
"The kitchen and living area. The natural light and ventilation make it a very calm and happy space," says Penny.
"I put the bath on our verandah, which is very private, "says Penny. "At night, if it's raining, I put music on and sit in there. I highly recommend it."
Photo: Jennifer SooThe 'hood
"It's such a supportive local community. We have social gatherings in the back lane."
Penny describes the hot tub at the end of the garden as “a really important place for us as a family. We sit in it and chat together all year ro
Photo: Jennifer SooBest advice
"Keep it simple. I've stuck to muted, soft colours and chosen classic pieces."
Morning & Afternoon Newsletter
Delivered Mon–Fri.