A sneak peek inside the renovation of Simon Cohen's 'dream home'

Simon Cohen wasn't looking to buy, but when a unique property in Paddington became available, he knew he had to have it.

"I loved Potts Point and I actually didn't ever want to leave, but the house I bought was my dream home," he said.

The property in question was originally two houses the previous owner had turned into one.

"It's the biggest house in the suburb," says the leading buyer's agent and My Reno Rules judge. "It's high up on a hill, so it gets a heap of sunlight.

"It's just something that's irreplaceable in the area."

Located in a heritage area, the period home had been modernised by the previous owner in a style that Cohen describes as "new, but scary".

After selling his luxury Potts Point apartment for $7 million, Cohen has teamed up with interior architect Joss Knight to redesign the Paddington house.

House versus apartment

Knight previously worked with Cohen on the redesign of his Potts Point apartment, however this project has proved to have greater complexity and not only due to its size, but its location.

"It's in a heritage conservation area," says Knight. "So a lot of the external works, and some of the internal works, had to be approved by different consultants during the preliminary design stages."

One major positive for Cohen when renovating an apartment versus a house is the creative freedom available.

"When we did the apartment, we were restricted by strata and we really pushed it to the max," says Cohen. "But in the house we can do what we want."

With the renovation fast underway, the entire core has been taken out to make room for a lift with a four-to-five level staircase wrapped around it. The basement level has been lowered to create extra height for a home wellness retreat.

"We're able to go a little more crazy in the house, and be more creative," says Cohen.

The inspiration

In keeping with the architectural style of the home Cohen and Knight have been careful to preserve the original essence of the home, while also modernising it to suit the design brief.

"It is a character home, so we want to restore it to its former glory with a modern twist," says Cohen. "It's got a sort of Ralph Lauren European style to it.

"We bought antiques from Paris, and Spanish bricks for the informal areas and Parisian wooden floors for the formal."

Knight says in contrast to the apartment renovation, this project has been more relaxed and fun.

"We haven't been too serious with this renovation," says Knight. "With the last home it was definitely more tailored and more refined.

"With this home, the brief is a bit different, Simon wants a more relaxed home, he wants to be comfortable, and he doesn't want to be too precious with it."

Project highlights

When it comes to the project's highlights, Cohen is excited for the "extraordinary" 100-square-metre master suite.

"We've got two fireplaces within this space," says Knight. "A lounge room, walk-in robe, large ensuite with a freestanding bathtub and a steam shower.

"The master bedroom really is a self-contained unit, without a kitchen."

The wellness retreat with gym and sauna is another area that Cohen is really keen to have finished.

"The downstairs was previously storage and a makeshift bar and cellar," says Knight. "We've stripped that back, taken the bar and wine cellar out and replaced it with a health retreat.

"I feel like buyers these days are more into the health side rather than the bar and wine cellar side."

Construction began on the property around four months ago with the aim being to have Cohen in before Christmas.

"The goal is to be in and out within nine to 10 months," says Knight.

With all of this work, one wonders whether this will be Cohen's forever home.

"I hope so, but nothing's forever, so who knows."