When architect and photographer Tom Ferguson was approached to renovate this Surry Hills, heritage-listed terrace house, he was prepared for a challenge. The former boarding house had been sitting derelict for 20 years, but with four storeys and grand frontage, its beautiful bones were ripe for both restoration and modernisation.

The resulting abode has been expertly realised with refined elegance, a tempered backdrop that allows for the furniture and artworks of its residents to shine.

On the main level, the kitchen is located a few steps down from the dining room. “As it’s relatively concise, it was very important we integrated as much as possible into the joinery, to maximise space,” says Ferguson. This included appliances, with Fisher & Paykel proving the natural choice thanks to its expansive range that allows for ultimate freedom of expression.

While the Classic style Freestanding cooker is exposed to form an attractive focal point, a fully integrated Dishwasher was opted for, and a French Door integrated refrigerator behind the client’s own cabinetry. This harmonious arrangement offers a kitchen to be enjoyed, or as Ferguson puts it “a kitchen that is comfortable to hang out in and live in, rather than just a functional space.”

A thoughtful treatment indeed of a room that is so often the heart of the home.