The home
A semi-detached Federation house in the inner-western Sydney harbourside suburb of Balmain.
![The couple knocked out a garage to create a “ desert sanctuary” in their backyard.](/web/20170226132526im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/e/i/e/g/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gueic4.png/1487281908358.jpg)
Who lives here?
Chloe Brookman, co-founder/director of homewares brand Olli Ella, her husband Charlie Wheeler, a motion graphics designer, their children Tennyson, 7, Arlo, 5, Nell, 1, and dog Eshu.
What we did
"The house was quite dated but it had beautiful bones and lots of original features, like stained glass windows and cornicing," says Chloe. "We did most of the work ourselves, with me as the visionary and Charlie as the brawn. We painted, and ripped up carpet and lino to reveal the beautiful hardwood floors."
Charlie built the shelves in the kitchen, which also features a black wall. "Such great light comes in there all day, we could afford to put some black in," Chloe says.
Favourite room
"We converted the third bedroom into a second living room by opening a wall from the sunroom to let in light," says Chloe. "We call it 'the white room' – it's a place to hang out as a family. There's no TV, so we play board games, read and listen to music."
Eshu sits on an Atlas Beni rug from Olli Ella, the design inspired by Chloe and Charlie's honeymoon in Morocco.
The 'hood'
"Balmain is such a lovely village; you don't feel like you're in a big city when you're here," says Chloe. "There are gorgeous grocery stores and the Rozelle markets are just down the street."
Arlo (left) and Tennyson share a room. "They spend a lot of time at the 1950s school desk, colouring in and doing homework," Chloe says.
Future plans
"To open up the kitchen into the family room," says Chloe. "Then I'd love to add two or three more bedrooms in the attic."
![The Arne Norell “Safari” chair in the second living room was an eBay find. “I’m a big fan of secondhandfurniture,” Chloe says. “You get things that have a story and save them from becoming landfill.”](http://web.archive.org./web/20170226132526im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/e/i/m/q/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1487218526936.png)
The Arne Norell “Safari” chair in the second living room was an eBay find. “I’m a big fan of secondhand furniture,” Chloe says. “You get things that have a story and save them from becoming landfill.” Photo: Jacqui Turk