Kate Reeves’ Restored Federation Sandstone Cottage
Overview
When art director and podcaster Kate Reeves found this Federation sandstone cottage on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, it hadn’t been cared for in a long time. She bought the four-bedroom home in December 2025 and began restoring it the same day.
The cottage sits on leafy, tree-lined grounds, but over the decades it had picked up a run of modern additions made with little regard for its original character, while its heritage features were left to deteriorate.
Kate’s vision was clear from the outset: return the home to its former glory, and use colour, texture and material to bring its character back to life.
Her approach is an eclectic artist’s cottage, rooted in the past and made for contemporary comfort. Bold wallpapered murals sit alongside colour-drenched rooms and period mouldings, and unlacquered brass brings warmth throughout. Each layer honours the home’s history without turning it into a museum piece.
Years of chaotic “repairs” had left the hardware without logic or continuity. Handles, window hardware and light switches changed from room to room, with little connection to the era of the house. Bringing them back into line became the first priority.
The front door sets the tone. Painted a deep olive green, it frames stained glass panels in soft pink, dark green and pale orange, a first glimpse of the colour that runs through the home. A Federation Door Knocker, Ornate Centre Door Knob and Milton Push Plate in Polished Brass offer a warm, period-appropriate welcome, catching the glow of the glass as light moves across the entry.
Inside, period light switches follow the palette. Warm-toned rooms have Federation Switches and dimmers in Polished Brass, and cooler-toned rooms have the same design in Polished Chrome. Each is mounted on a timber Switch and Socket Wood Block in the Traditional profile and paired with Traditional Sockets in Polished Brass. The timber blocks are a detail drawn straight from the period, and they bring cohesion to every wall.
The internal French doors carry the Reims Lever on Short Backplate, its French Provincial detailing of subtle curves and refined banding well suited to the glazed doors. At the rear, the Offset Classic Pull Handle sits on the back door, which opens onto a garden shaded by established trees. Both pieces are finished in Unlacquered Polished Brass, which will develop a soft patina with everyday use, settling into the home as though they had always been there.
For Kate, the finish was what made TradCo the clear choice. “The range of unlacquered solid brass that TradCo has is hard to find elsewhere in the market,” she says. “The restoration designs are timeless, and the quality is unmatched.”
More than a century on, the cottage has its character back: bold, colourful and ready for the years ahead.
Milton Push Plate
Milton push plates. Matching Milton door levers and knobs available. Made from solid brass.
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Federation Light Switches
Federation style light switches with brass covers and toggles. Matching dimmers, fan controllers and sockets also available.
See productDouble Switch & Socket Wood Blocks - Traditional Profile
Wood blocks with traditional edge profile. Suit Tradco Period Switches and Sockets. Available in Cedar stain on MDF veneer or raw Hoop Pine.
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Offset Classic Pull Handle - H305xW42xP60mm
Offset classic pull handle. Made from solid brass.
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Reims Lever - Short Backplate
Inspired by the French Provincial style, the elegant Reims Lever draws from the ornate, yet understated detailing found within French countryside manor homes. Subtle curves and refined banding accents enhance its timeless quality. The Reims is also available within the Restorers Collection as a complete set for passage, privacy or entrance. The set contains all the installation components needed for your door to function. To find the correct code, select your finish, lock type and door set option below. The code shown will update to match your selection.
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Federation Light Switches
Federation style light switches with brass covers and toggles. Matching dimmers, fan controllers and sockets also available.
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