1950’s Farmhouse Renovation
Overview
In 2014, designer-builder couple Sarah and Tim Yarrow purchased a worn but character-filled home in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house, dating back to the 1950s, featured charming original elements like timber shutters and a weathervane on the roof. Though the property had seen better days, it had potential—and the new owners saw it clearly.
For several years, the house was rented out while the Yarrows planned their future move to the suburbs. When the time finally came to renovate, they embraced the opportunity to breathe new life into the aging home. With Sarah as an interior designer and Tim, the owner of Yarrow Build, they made the perfect team to take on a full-scale transformation.
No surface was left untouched. Sarah and Tim stripped the house back to its bones and reconfigured the layout entirely. It took four months to complete the initial phase of internal renovations—just enough to make it liveable. From there, every spare weekend and holiday became a working session. The roof was resurfaced, front and rear decks were built, doors and windows were replaced, and countless other projects filled their to-do list.
The design approach wasn’t about fitting the home into a strict style box. Instead, inspiration was drawn directly from the home’s existing architectural elements. The original shutters and weathervane helped set a tone that leaned traditional and farmhouse, with layers of colour, pattern, and texture adding subtle personality throughout.
The renovation spanned three years. Once complete, the Yarrows spent the COVID years enjoying the home they had worked so hard to create. Ready for a new challenge, they sold the property in 2023 to a family who appreciated the attention to detail and historical character of the home.
Although Sarah and Tim had a strong personal vision, they were always mindful that the home would eventually belong to someone else. Their goal was to honour the house’s history while creating something that would appeal to a wide audience—and judging by the happy new owners, they succeeded.
TradCo hardware featured throughout the renovation, playing a pivotal role in unifying the home’s aesthetic. Sarah and Tim chose TradCo for all internal and external door hardware, including handles, hinges, and locks. French doors opening onto the back deck were fitted with traditional-style Panic Bolts—a favourite feature that added both function and charm.
Inside, Federation Light Switches became a standout detail, often noted by visiting friends. All hardware was selected in Antique Brass finishes, designed to age and develop a natural patina over time. These thoughtful choices brought a sense of depth and cohesion, reinforcing the timeless feel of the home.
This renovation wasn’t just about restoring a property to it’s former charm —it was about respecting its story and enhancing it with care. With TradCo’s architectural hardware adding authenticity and polish, the result was a 1950s farmhouse that felt both rooted in history and ready for family living.
