Take a look inside one of Sydney's most unique homes
This heritage-listed home sits alongside Sydney's oldest lighthouse on the Vaucluse clifftops.
The house
The Keepers Cottage, alongside Macquarie Lighthouse Station, on the cliffs at South Head in Sydney,
was built in 1881 by James Barnett. The sandstone house has eight working fireplaces and sits among 2600 square metres of garden, with stables and fantastic sea views.
Who lives here
ModelCo founder Shelley Sullivan, her husband Anthony, an accountant, their children from previous marriages – Lucy, 13, Emily, 11, Lilly 10, and Hugo, 8 – plus Chilli the cavoodle.
What we did
The family is leasing the home. “We’ve been here for 18 months. It’s heritage-listed, so we’re not allowed to do much,” says Shelley. “I don’t have a lot of room for shoes – I gave up cupboard space for the grounds! But living here is a great experience – it’s such a unique property.”
Favourite room
“The kitchen. It’s warm and cosy and I love to cook and to entertain. It’s where we gather.”
The ’hood
“It’s a family-oriented community and there are great coffee shops nearby. Chilli loves it – outside the gate is a dog-friendly park.”
Future plans
“More sisal rugs and coffee tables.”
Best advice
“Keep it neutral; navy, beige and white keeps it light and bright. And flowers – they bring the outside in.”
This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and Sunday Age on sale October 7.
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