Welcome back to Behind the Facade, your backstage pass into the personal stories that shape the homes we love.
Standing in the remarkable kitchen of 4 Gornall Avenue, Earlwood, Aaron points to what’s now the laundry and grins: “That was the entire footprint of our original kitchen.” It’s a glimpse into the home’s remarkable journey from a modest 1930s Californian bungalow to the light-filled family sanctuary that has become the neighbourhood’s unofficial headquarters.
Aaron, his wife Steph, and their three children have called this Earlwood cul-de-sac home for over 15 years. What started as a "pokey" three-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage has evolved into a five-bedroom masterpiece where cathedral ceilings soar toward triangular clerestory windows, and polished concrete flows seamlessly from kitchen to garden.
The story begins across the river in Dulwich Hill, where the young family was apartment hunting without much luck. "We could almost throw a rock across the river and hit our old place," Aaron laughs. When they discovered this structurally sound bungalow in a quiet cul-de-sac, with wetlands nearby and the Cooks River only a short stroll away, they immediately saw potential.
The initial years were about making do. They polished the existing timber floors, installed a bathtub for their growing family, and settled in for what Aaron calls "stage one." But a serendipitous discovery set the tone for what was to come. Beneath old lino in the front room lay a 1942 newspaper front page, its headline describing Japanese submarines being pulled from Sydney Harbour. It was dated April 16, 1942 – the same date as Aaron's father's birthday.
"I just thought that was fantastic," Aaron reflects, still moved by the coincidence years later. That newspaper, carefully preserved, became a symbol of their approach: honouring the home’s past while reimagining its future.
When friends suggested demolishing and starting anew with a two-storey “McMansion,” Aaron and Steph rejected the idea entirely. The house was sound, rich with character, and deserving of thoughtful evolution rather than demolition. Their vision was clear: “Unassuming from the front, with wow factor at the back.”
That wow factor arrives the moment you step beyond the heritage cottage into the contemporary rear extension. Cathedral ceilings rise skyward, punctuated by a dramatic triangular window that frames blue skies and treetops. Natural light pours in from every angle, while seven-metre stacking doors completely dissolve the boundary between indoors and out. Polished concrete floors – “a bit of an expense at the time,” Aaron admits – now provide a durable, beautiful surface flowing from island bench to backyard deck.
This is a family-centred design. "We didn't want everyone retreating to their rooms," Aaron explains. "We wanted to keep the family here as much as possible." The open-plan space achieves exactly that, with the kitchen positioned to oversee both homework at the dining table and play in the garden beyond.
The kids' bedrooms remain in the heritage section for acoustic separation, while a loft-style retreat upstairs offers flexibility as a rumpus or guest suite. "They could get up there and make a bit of ruckus while we stayed down here," Aaron smiles – a design feature that any parent of teenagers will appreciate.
But perhaps the home's greatest success is its role as neighbourhood nexus. "It's been a meeting point for half the neighbourhood sometimes," Aaron says with obvious pride. "I wanted the kids to be comfortable bringing half a dozen friends home, even if that might drive me mental." The design delivers: the seamless flow from kitchen to garden creates a natural gathering space that is as welcoming as it is functional.
Material choices reflect a family that values both beauty and pragmatism. Polished concrete, timber accents, and a restrained neutral palette create an atmosphere that is sophisticated yet easy to live in. "People have busy lives," Aaron notes. "We don't want to come home to a ton of maintenance."
After 15 years, the family is preparing for their next chapter. Aaron’s eldest is turning 16, and the time has come to move on – though not without a touch of melancholy. “I’m going to miss everything,” he admits, glancing at the soaring ceiling and the beloved garden beyond. "What we've created is exactly what we wanted and loved because it was practical and beautiful."
In Earlwood's quietest cul-de-sac, where wetlands buffer suburban life and the river beckons just a street away, this family has crafted something rare: a home that honours its past while embracing the full complexity of contemporary family life. From that preserved 1942 newspaper to a pavilion of light and glass, every element tells a story about thoughtful evolution and the enduring power of home.
Watch the full interview here.
‘Behind The Facade’ is your backstage pass to the world of architecture and homeownership. We go beyond the status quo to bring you candid conversations with architects and homeowners, discovering the inspirations, challenges and personal stories that breathe life into these structures. It’s architecture unmasked. Raw, authentic, and deeply human.