Positioned in Lilyfield, a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, this converted home has an unassuming exterior, but don't be fooled. Step inside and you'll find a stunning residence, packed with natural light, space and quirky architectural features. Dating back to the 1920s, there's nothing old-fashioned about this inspiring home...

The property was once the warehouse of the Oh Boy Candy Company and was converted into a home in 2013 by the acclaimed architect Virginia Kerridge. The awe-inspiring three-storey home has an interesting layout, with the bedrooms on the ground floor and the main living spaces on the first floor. The building’s bones take centre stage and every room is decorated with stunning original features, including towering vaulted ceilings, exposed structural steel and brickwork.

Inside, you'll find a huge kitchen, a home office, dining room and living room, as well as an entertainment room, edible garden and a triple garage. Powered by solar, the home is eco-friendly, while there are plenty of reclaimed materials inside too, including timber from a 400-year-old ship. On the walls, the architects chose to use plywood instead of plaster since it's more sustainable. 

The master suite can be found on the second floor, offering enviable views from the private balcony. As well as characterful details and endless living spaces, the home is also kitted out with unbelievable extras. From its 500-bottle wine cellar to its internal garden and suspended, rotating fireplace, this pad is overflowing with personality.

Head to the roof and things get even better. There's a spectacular terrace, complete with an outdoor kitchen, dining space, sunbathing deck and swimming pool. Of course, such a luxurious home deserves a VIP buyer. Australian television personality Cherie Barber bought the property from comedian and radio presenter Merrick Watts, breaking the suburb's previous sales record. The house sold for AUD$6 million, which equates to around $4.3 million (£3.2m).

From the outside, it might be hard to guess what this building used to be. Well, Open Practice Architecture breathed new life into what was once a Victorian gin distillery in East London. When architect Rupert Scott and his wife Leo Wood purchased the property, it was a “rat-infested box”. The construction team got to work and gutted the inside of the building, erecting a new steel frame to support the structure

For architect Rupert, one of the key design challenges was getting enough light into the gloomy, industrial space. On the ground floor, double-glazed Crittall windows have been installed to flood the interiors with light. This window style was chosen to honour the building’s historic heritage and create a clear break between old and new sections of the building.

A rooflight has been positioned above the seating area to channel sunshine down into the space, while a woodburning stove has been installed to create a cosy focal point. The concrete panels behind the stove serve to emphasise the double-height ceilings in this part of the building and are one of Rupert and Leo’s favourite architectural details. The stylish interior scheme was developed by Leo’s company, Kinder Design.

Throughout the downstairs, polished concrete floors establish a contemporary aesthetic, warmed by underfloor heating in the winter months. The steel beams between the living area and kitchen-diner have been left exposed, dividing the open-plan layout into distinct living zones.

Throughout the property, exposed timber ceilings have been fitted to infuse a sense of warmth and character into the contemporary, industrial-style space. The bedroom features glazing on two sides, looking out onto enclosed outdoor areas that were designed to flood the interior with light.

Thanks to its grey brick exterior and saw-tooth roof, this industrial building in Sydney bears all the characteristics of a busy, working factory. However, step inside and you might just be surprised. Behind the unassuming door hides a chic and modern home, brimming with classy architectural details.

The 2,927-square-foot building was converted to residential use by SQ Projects back in 2015, with steel frame windows offering a reminder of the building's industrial history. It previously went up for auction with Bresic Whitney, with an eye-watering guide price of $2.7 million (£1.9m).

The company's innovative fusion of original details with modern design earned the firm a prestigious Master Builder’s Award for the project. In the open-plan living space, a galleried walkway looks down onto the voluminous double-height living space, which is bathed in light thanks to the broad swathes of glazing.

Even in the snug, sandblasted brick walls and exposed timber rafters have been retained and lovingly restored. Stylish leather sofas and tripod lighting add a cool contemporary twist to the interior.

Architect Pravin Muthiah of Coupdeville Architects developed the design for this stunning conversion scheme in central London. Originally a hops processing warehouse, this 1800s building has been transformed into three modern flats, with accommodation spread across 3,765 square feet. A visible part of this historic street, it was important to preserve the period charm of the Victorian structure.

Oozing character and texture, a key part of Coupdeville’s design brief was to preserve the former factory’s historic allure. In this kitchen, an exposed brick chimney breast and timber ceiling rafters are reminders of the home's past, with appliances inset into wood-clad units.

As part of the conversion, floors, windows, stairs, doors and panelling were all recycled to add warmth and rustic charm to the unique property. Reclaimed joists were removed from the warehouse and reinstated as bespoke doors, with some of the wood even used to form a new kitchen island.

Coupdeville Architects gained planning permission to extend two floors to the rear of the property and add a storey on top with a new roof terrace. Inside, the factory’s large volumes of space were retained to create an open, airy floorplan.

The rooftop terrace with stunning views across central London is perhaps one of the property’s main draws. There’s even a jacuzzi for homeowners to relax in as they soak up the magnificent urban vistas.

Situated in New York’s West Chelsea Arts District, this impressive factory-turned-residence comes with an intriguing history. It was once home to Broadway set designer John H Young, who created backdrops for the latest theatre shows in the early 20th century. With a history of housing creatives, the warehouse, which went up for auction earlier this year, was most recently the home of fashion firm Lopez Knudsen.

Featuring 34-foot-high beamed ceilings, the cavernous room at the core of the property is perhaps the residence’s most dramatic feature. Patina brick walls hark back to the building’s industrial heyday, while roof lanterns overhead draw light deep into the heart of the interiors. For a quirky, personal touch, the kitchen cabinets have been crafted from salvaged wine barrels.

The property went onto the market with Christie’s International Real Estate for $18.5 million (£13.6m) in 2019. Along with the expansive living spaces, there's also a ground floor studio with stylish concrete floors that could be let as a separate apartment or kept as a guest annexe. 

Perched atop Brussels’ Magnéto Belge electromagnetic plant, this spectacular penthouse apartment is a feast for the eyes. Originally built in 1919, the factory was redeveloped in an Art Deco style in 1942 after it was devastated by a fire. It was converted into apartments and offices in 2001. The penthouse flat underwent a dramatic overhaul in 2017 under the creative direction of Jerome Lescrenier, founder of Demo Design.

The newly re-vamped interiors offer a masterclass in merging industrial aesthetics with chic, contemporary design. Concrete trusses, exposed metal pipework and arched ceilings are just a few of the apartment’s inspiring architectural details.

Clocking in at a roomy 2,690 square foot, the penthouse went on the market with Brussels Sotheby’s International Realty in 2017 for approximately $1.5 million (£1.1m). Accommodation is spread over two levels, with the capacious open-plan living area set on the upper level. The master bedroom is also positioned on this floor of the property, with three additional bedrooms on the level below.

The vaulted open-plan living area on the upper storey of the penthouse leads out onto a private outdoor terrace. Measuring 2,153 square feet, this spacious outdoor zone features far-reaching views of the city and a nearby park.

Nestled in the suburbs of Paris, this former warehouse went up for sale in 2017 with Propriétés Parisiennes for the guide price of $2.8 million (£2.1m). Previously an artist's studio, accommodation is set across two levels and features a mezzanine floor, giving the property an airy gallery-like feel.

A stunning mezzanine guest bedroom overlooks the double-height living area in this gorgeous Parisian warehouse conversion. Featuring impressive 17-foot-high ceilings, this chic apartment is a showcase in balancing period charm with modern stylish decor.

The pared-back decor continues throughout the apartment, though the modern minimalist approach is balanced out with warm timber flooring and the rustic finish of an exposed structural beam.

Situated close to the heart of Melbourne’s trendy Nicholson Village, a stunning new home has been created within the shell of this former steel factory. Built by residential developer Neometro, the revamped building features a sun-soaked entrance courtyard tucked behind the original brick façade of the building.

To the rear of the building, metallic cladding offers a nod to the building’s former life. Bifold doors open out from the large dining area into the walled garden, which provides a quiet oasis from urban life. Extensive planting adds a tropical vibe to the outdoor zone and helps soften the harder edges of the industrial structure.

Luxurious finishes have been used in the contemporary kitchen, with sleek metallic surfaces forming a contrast to the warmer tone of the hardwood floors. The stylish breakfast bar forms the main hub of the space, accessorised with overhead pendants that provide task lighting for food prep.

Upstairs in the master bedroom, custom-made storage solutions utilise the space's unique proportions. The sculptural arched ceiling makes a dramatic statement, while swathes of windows have been incorporated to ensure the room feels bright and airy. It's hard to believe this sleek stylish home was once a steel factory!

From the outside, this former commercial building might appear small and uninspiring, but just wait until you step inside. The once redundant warehouse has been majestically transformed into a laneway house unlike any other. Located in North Melbourne, Australia, the property's once edgy interior is now a Balinese-inspired sanctuary. Let's take a look...

The property was bought in 2015 by restaurateur couple Sway Quach and Dougal Colam, who are behind two of Melbourne's trendiest restaurants, Tom Phat and Bhang. They snapped up the laneway pad when it was the "worst house on the best street", undertaking a complete overhaul to turn the former commercial space into an enchanting family home. 

Inspired by Asian architecture and interior design, the home is now overflowing with chic artwork and natural materials. Every room boasts beautiful original features, including vaulted timber ceilings, brick walls and clerestory windows. Light, airy and free-flowing, the interior benefits from an open-plan living room, dining space and kitchen. 

There are two bathrooms and three bedrooms, each with its own balcony. The home is kitted out with high-tech extras too, including a cross-flow ventilation system, which encourages natural airflow through the building. Discreet storage and a secure garage add to the home's luxurious finish. 

Many of the living spaces seamlessly flow out to the courtyard garden, where you'll find an entertaining patio. The small but stylish backyard is finished with handmade seating and plenty of greenery, creating a tranquil oasis in the heart of one of Australia's most bustling cities.

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