Gadi & Wann Peoples of the D’harawal, Dharug, Eora, Gai-maragal, Gundungurra and Guri-Ngai Nations.
New South Wales
Brise Soleil is a thoughtful interior refresh of a Balmain home originally designed by Carter Williamson in 2009. More than fifteen years on, the owners returned to the practice to adapt a house they love in response to changing mobility needs, choosing to remain connected to their home, neighbourhood and community.
Set within an 1860s worker’s cottage, the project centres on comfort, accessibility and longevity. A discreet lift, introduced within the home’s internal courtyard, allowed the interiors to be reworked with ease and generosity, including a redesigned kitchen and more fluid circulation throughout. These changes support ageing in place while keeping the character and spirit of the original home intact.
Warm timber finishes, refined detailing and a richer material palette bring a sense of calm and tactility to the interiors. Brise Soleil shows how well-designed homes can grow with their owners, becoming more comfortable, personal and enduring over time.
“Carter Williamson designed our home more than fifteen years ago, and we’ve stayed in close contact ever since. When our needs changed, moving was never something we wanted to consider. Returning to the same architects, who knew both us and the house so well, made the process feel natural and reassuring. The updates have made everyday life easier and more comfortable, while still feeling like the home we fell in love with. It’s allowed us to stay exactly where we want to be.”
Shaun Carter, Design Architect
Julie Niass, Director of Interiors
Steven Le, Graduate of Interior Architecture
Rebal Engineering, Structural Engineer
Weir Phillips Heritage & Planning, Heritage Consultant
The Planning Studio, Town Planner
Hill & Blume, Building Surveyor
Damian O’Toole Town Planning, BASIX Consultant
Claire Delmar, Stylist