Amelia Hesketh, founder of Frank Designs, first saw this mid-century house for sale in Lindfield, NSW, in 2012. She and her husband, Oliver, felt it had great potential. Many people saw a knockdown, but they only saw promise. The house, designed by architect Bill Baker in 1969, had one previous owner. It was mostly untouched, with a 90s kitchen update. Amelia says, “It had all the bones and feels but needed a lot of TLC.”
Bill Baker was a Qantas pilot who later worked as an architect full-time, taking inspiration from West Coast modernism seen on the Los Angeles flight route. His designs emphasised orientation to the land, connection with nature, and practical responses to the local climate.
Amelia admired these features and wanted to keep the original essence. She also wanted a modern home for her growing family, moving from a tiny fisherman’s cottage in Rozelle, Sydney, to Lindfield for more space. “I knew I wanted to be as sympathetic to the era as possible but yet modernise it for our family to live in for years to come,” she says.
Once inside, Amelia discovered challenges. The flat roof had no pitch, allowing water to overflow and rot the walls. Termites had eaten the cedar panelling. “Every time we removed wall panelling, we opened up a can of worms,” she recalls. The frames holding the pane windows were also unsafe. One night, the primary bedroom window fell out while they were sleeping.
Despite these setbacks, the layout stayed mostly the same. Amelia removed only one wall between the kitchen and living area. All other walls were stripped to check for damage, then fitted with insulation and replaced.
Amelia’s main goal was to keep the original warmth. “I love colour and texture,” she notes. She refused to whitewash the mission brown surfaces. Instead, she embraced them. “So many people tried talking me into painting over the mission brown, but there was no going back,” she explains. Replacing damaged cedar panelling meant adding more wood in some places. She sees wood as a defining mid-century element that keeps the interior cosy.
Green carpet in the main bedroom, terrazzo tiles, and geometric mosaics all reference the mid-century era. There are no regrets about going bold. “It was always going to be green carpet,” Amelia says. She reused every bit of original joinery, preserving authentic features. “We did not throw one piece out, which I am very proud of,” she says.
Energy efficiency improved too. New insulation and double glazing now keep out the heat in summer and the cold in winter. Overhangs and clerestory windows help regulate the indoor climate. Amelia believes it is important to live in a mid-century house for all seasons before making big changes. “There is usually a reason the house has been designed a certain way,” she says.
The end result is a home that feels both period-correct and current. The inside flows easily into the backyard, and the tree canopy outlook brings a sense of calm. This simpler life suits their family perfectly.
For anyone considering a mid-century home, Amelia’s advice is clear. “Do it, they are the most beautiful homes to live in,” she says. Pause before painting over wood. Seek an interior designer’s help if you want the mid-century feel without going too retro. The style celebrates nature, orientation, and timeless design elements that stand the test of time. In Amelia’s words: “They have an inviting warmth… and there’s no going back once you paint it all white.”
