When you enter the home of Howard Steeves and Simon Cary you might just forget you’re in Woollahra! The European ambience of this three-storey townhouse is the couple’s refuge from the bustle of Sydney. Having lived in their home of five years, Howard and Simon have transformed it into a stylish & elegant home. While they worked with Sydney interior designer Marco Meneguzzi, the two have added their own touches to make their home a reflection of themselves. I was invited in to spend some ‘down time’ in their beautiful courtyard.

What is your favourite room in your house?

The courtyard! It’s large (about 80m²), north-facing with a beautiful fountain; we also have an outdoor BBQ cooking area – and great seating and dining.

Why is it your favourite room?

We just love to entertain and the courtyard is perfect for having friends over for a meal, drinks and great conversation. It opens up from the dining and kitchen via French doors so it really is like an extension to the house. As it’s protected from the elements, we can entertain three seasons of the year.

How does your favourite room represent who you are?

We both have very chaotic work lives so it’s nice to have a quiet place to decompress after a long day. The house is very European and the courtyard has a Tuscan feel to it. We holiday in Europe once a year so the courtyard reflects our love of travel and we both love the outdoors.

What do you like most about your favourite room?

When we’re sitting out in the courtyard, it really is our little oasis. It is separated by two Oak gates, so it is very private. We can’t hear any noise from the street, no traffic. The European feel is wonderful and it is just expansive and lovely.

If you could invite anyone into your favourite room, who would it be?

Princess Diana!

What would you change about your favourite room?

Absolutely nothing. Well, maybe to have the gates open up to a beautiful view in France!

What advice would you give on how to create the perfect space?

Work to your priorities. Choose a place you can showcase the pieces that mean something to you such as your antiques, art and other collectibles. As a stylist/costumer (see Howard’s work here) I know how important it is to create the perfect look.

Approximately 6km from the CBD, Randwick is bordered by the lush expanses of Queens and Centennial parks to the north, the suburbs of Coogee and Clovelly to the east, Kingsford to the south and Kensington to the west. Its name is synonymous with racing.

Live

Dating back to 1830, the Randwick Race Course sees Sydney’s colourful racing identities rub shoulders with high society and the average punter. Other notable Randwick landmarks include the Prince of Wales Hospital, a campus of the University of New South Wales, and Randwick Boys and Girls High Schools.

Randwick is also a great suburb for families and is filled with lots of fantastic hidden parks. Head over to Alison Park or Frank Doyle Park for some great playgrounds and places for your kids to run around! The Randwick Library is another great spot for kids, with school holiday programs and story time.  Looking for more activities for the kids?  “Laugh and Learn” Toy Shop focuses on toys that teach – they also hold music lessons for all ages.

If you are looking for a hidden gem, Isabella’s Italian & Seafood Restaurant is a great low key spot offering a fantastic set of regular food fare options at an incredible price point.

Love

Randwick has a substantial retail centre extending along Belmore Road, home to the Royal Randwick Shopping Centre and a variety of inexpensive clothing stores, eateries and supermarkets.

The quaint area commonly known as ‘The Spot’ is a charming cluster of unique specialty stores, restaurants and the historic cinema known as the Randwick Ritz, a local institution where every night is ‘cheap night’. They are also licensed, so its a great ‘date night’!

Sell

As Sydney’s first suburban municipality, proclaimed in 1859, Randwick retains plenty of historically significant and heritage-listed buildings which are carefully preserved.

However major redevelopment occurred in the 1960s and ‘70s with the construction of numerous residential walk-up flats, many of which now provide affordable housing for local university students. Currently under construction, the CBD and South East Light Rail, due to be operational in 2019 from the city through the Moore Park precinct and on to Randwick, may be a pointer to future increases in value to property.

Looking to buy in Randwick? Click here for listed properties

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