House of the week: 14 James Street, Girards Hill, NSW

Thought to be part of the original Girard family estate, this majestic home is outstanding. Full of style and charm and welcoming too. It looks and feels like a grand home, yet has the intimacy of a sanctuary.

The recent renovations are magnificent. The owners have honoured the original house-with its pared-back and simplified decorative elements by respecting the original Victorian style of architecture, and accenting those key elements in their renovations to transport the home up to the modern living standards.

Painstaking effort was put in to restoring original features such as French doors, high ceilings with pressed tin and dado-paneled walls.