A Tyburnia Studio Home in Sussex Court, interior designed by Michael Brosnan

Once an abandoned Bungalow now an Quintessential English Country Cottage with style and charm   

A 1960s bungalow, incongruously placed beside an old smuggler’s hut in a coastal farming district. Originally the homestead of a tomato nursery, it later served as the unlikely base for a biotech insecticide conglomerate. Eventually neglected, sold off, and repurposed. 

This project has been a true labor of love, unfolding slowly over four years. What began as a full gut renovation quickly became something much more personal—an opportunity to shape a home from the ground up, quite literally. We started with the landscape, knowing that privacy and a sense of calm were just as important outside as in. Trees were carefully chosen and placed to shield us from the biotech offices behind and soften the view from the busy main road out front. One of the first things we did was plant a line of trees outside the bathroom—not just for privacy, but to create a quiet, green moment that feels like a little secret.

Inside, we tore down walls to open up the living room, letting light and air move more freely. That shift changed everything—making the space feel more connected, more alive. One big window that once exposed us to the outside world offered little more than discomfort, so we made the bold choice to close it off. In its place, we added a black timber panel that completely transformed the exterior. What was once a modern, bare-faced opening now reads as a warm, rustic nod to a countryside cottage—adding character and charm while giving us the privacy we needed.

But it was the fireplace that truly set the tone. It was the first piece we installed, and somehow, it grounded the whole project. It gave us a sense of warmth and direction—a place to gather, to build around, to finally call home.

Large terracotta Pots panted with Phormiums, Cordylines and Hydrangians, are placed around the homestead. Oak and metal framed ~British cottage windows with Venetian blinds give the home its context. 

A traditional oak front door was carefully researched through local community sources and historical references found online. Authentic blacksmith-forged door accessories—even down to the nails—were sourced and crafted by local artisans, bringing a sense of integrity and craftsmanship to the entrance. The black timber-clad wall, inspired by classic farm sheds, adds a relaxed, rustic vibe that ties the home to its countryside roots.

Step into a home that feels like a gentle step back in time. Refurbished antiquated square terracotta tiles from Fired Earth warmly welcome guests in, especially during the colder months. A farmhouse-style Chinese console table and a simple black-framed mirror, both sourced from the King’s Road in London, complete the entryway with timeless charm and understated elegance.

Front entrance.

Eclectic antique finds are positioned in and around the entrance, setting a distinctive tone. A Green Man hangs above the front door, while tiny Spanish lampshades lend the home a European charm. French-style double oak doors open onto the living room. Dark taupe Venetian blinds, matching the walls, give the entrance an air of the unexpected.

Cosy and sleek, the living room became a space where every corner held a story. The rare gothic black soapstone and pinewood coffee table anchored the room. Two Spanish white cotton canvas double-seater sofas and a pair of provincial French country arm chairs lend it charm and character. Repurposed Persian camel-saddle bags, now used as cushions, are scattered throughout. A large, light-toned Persian rug grounds the room with classic elegance.

Two custom oak side tables with hidden drawers, designed by Michael Brosnan, add a sense of comfort to the room. White lampshades paired with converted indigo blue wagon wheel lamp bases bring a touch of rustic charm. A large wooden picture sculpture—an heirloom—hangs among four contemporary artist postcards from the Royal College of Art and two art pieces from London’s Affordable Art Fair. A mauve-toned Venetian landscape by an Essex artist sits to the left, while two Chinese antique chairs tucked beneath the coffee table contribute to the room’s worldly appeal.

A charming sandstone mantelpiece and stove by Bentley Fire Shop keep the home cosy. An antique Wabi Sabi farm stool and a pig bench, repurposed as a media stand, lend the space a rustic, farmer’s cottage vibe. Two large paintings by English artist French flank the chimney, hanging above a pair of black Edwardian four-column cast-iron radiators. Vintage Indian brass vases sit on the mantelpiece, framing an antique Louis Philippe mirror in walnut parquetry.

Kitchen appliances and antique butter pots sit on a mixed-wood bench top, while white distressed rustic metro tiles used as the splash-back give the kitchen its country charm. Classic SMEG stove, hot plates, dishwasher, and fridge were chosen for their simplicity.

An Essex Country Cottage with

an authentic Farm Kitchen vibe

The tomato nursery's kitchen was more like a workers bungalow where it served a purpose. Until we gave it a make over to feel like a genuine loved home.

Stage three of the renovations focused on the kitchen, followed by the utility room and back-house. The radiator was replaced with a modern white, two-column Edwardian-style model. Reclaimed Polish Lembriska farm floor tiles gave the space its authentic charm. We chose taupe country kitchen cupboards with antiqued handles and classic country-style taps. The late 17th-century French monk’s table, also a traditional farmhouse table, became the centrepiece—nestling perfectly into the space and grounding the room in history.

The central hub of the home is graced by a rare late 17th-century French Louis XIV period farmhouse table, crafted from solid beechwood and elm, originally used as a monk’s table in Lower Normandy and sourced from Lillie Road. Antique Chippendale mahogany and linen upholstered dining chairs add comfort, while restored Polish Lubelska brick terracotta floor tiles from Fired Earth lend authenticity. Two Campagna fruit bowls from Daylesford bring a touch of country essence.

White Venetian blinds were chosen for their functionality, privacy and sleek European finish, keeping out the intense evening sunsets and adjusting the mood of the environment.

Looking out over the restored Polish Lubelska terracotta brick floor tiles from Fired Earth, the view through the kitchen into the living room invites you into a realm of tranquility. In the kitchen, Chippendale claw-and-ball linen-upholstered dining chairs sit beneath the 17th-century French Louis XIV farmhouse table. Beyond, a pair of provincial French country armchairs and a Persian rug define the warmth and character of the living room.

A  Studio Office Space in Sussex Court, interior designed by Michael Brosnan

Prime Bedroom:

An Eclectic Romantic

European-Inspired Sanctuary

Components are designed specifically for that so that one can be well organised and know with clarity where each item is placed. Due to globalisation we have more choices than ever before but we have never had the chance to slow down and think about them until the Pandemic of 2020.

I have been in and out of this live/workspace for over 15 years and never had the time for myself. Relationships, personal or business can take one's heart away from their passion and soul. I never had time to organise number one, which was a huge mistake but the Pandemic came along as a blessing and it really hit home to me that I was suffering.

I had an idea if I were to push a button and move to another environment would I be comfortable and confident? The answer would have been, No! I would have been in an absolute mess. I set out to make this my project and reorganise everything in my life, and I had time to do so. 10 years of photographic work were literally shoved into boxes and folders. Plus, photographic work I did as a model with some of the world's most outstanding photographers. Financial statements were all shoved into two folders. The bookshelf was so distasteful that it felt like a heavy burden.

The following images are a beautification of my live/workspace where I am now proud to accept clients with confidence and a smile. 

A Habitat Breech Trestle Glass Office Table with a White Leather Eames Office Chair plays harmony to the monochrome colour palette of black and white with a touch of blue.

A Habitat Breech Trestle Glass Office Table with a White Leather Eames Office Chair plays harmony to the monochrome colour palette of black and white with a touch of blue.

A Habitat Breech Trestle Glass Office Table with a White Leather Eames Office Chair plays harmony to the monochrome colour palette of black and white with a touch of blue.

Mystery or Mystic? The entrance walls are coated in Fantastic Blue from Rose & Ball. Michael Brosnan's fashion & portrait prints mount the entrance's walls.

The Entrance is a quiet reflective space where I have always displayed my photographic prints that are representational of my accomplishments over the years. At the beginning of the Pandemic of 2020, I decided to paint the walls the same colour as my winter Pea Coat in a dark mystic blue called Fantastic Blue from Rose & Ball.

“My studio is my haven, tastefully simplified with sincerity”

MICHAEL BROSNAN

The walls remind me of the fantastic nights when I would celebrate my accomplishments, clubbing the world over,  from Tokyo to LA, from Paris to London,  and from Barcelona to Mykonos.

A photographic stool sits in the corner behind the door. I sit there at times to reflect, slip shoes on before I leave, and off on my return. All metal fittings were stripped back and chrome-plated or replaced. A charming Lee Broom Fulcrum Chrome Pendant Light dangles from the ceiling.

A  Studio Office Space in Sussex Court, interior designed by Michael Brosnan

The bathroom retains the original Toilet Cistern, Bathtub, Toilet Roll Holder, Towel Radiator, and Dark Yellow Tiles on the side walls. A Brabantia Stainless Steel Laundry Bin sits inconspicuously between the bath and toilet.

The bathroom retains the original Toilet Cistern, Bathtub, Toilet Roll Holder, Towel Radiator, and Dark Yellow Tiles on the side walls. A Brabantia Stainless Steel Laundry Bin sits inconspicuously between the bath and toilet.

The bathroom retains the original Toilet Cistern, Bathtub, Toilet Roll Holder, Towel Radiator, and Dark Yellow Tiles on the side walls. A Brabantia Stainless Steel Laundry Bin sits inconspicuously between the bath and toilet.

antique maple mirror, 19th century mirror

A 1930's Bathroom with a

Designer's Personal Touch. 

Too many buildings are built with soullessness. Some attempt not to, but are usually at the high-end of the market. A classic design can always be revived with a designer's touch. Discover an aspirational skincare brand that you identify with and design your bathroom around its ethos as a personal haven for self-care.

After visiting AESOP boutiques for many years and trying their samples I could only imagine owning them because my bathroom was not worthy as a home fit for their quality and ethos. When the Pandemic hit I was at the end of a relationship and for my health, I needed to discard the past. The bath taps were not fit for purpose and had to be changed. All of this sparked off a personal revival to discover who I was seeking and the bathroom didn't reflect that. I was lost in transition. I discarded the triggers of the past and Kiehl's was out. It was never a perfect match.

AESOP always danced in the back of my mind as being wholesomely Australian and pure. Each fragrance would bring back pleasant memories of the past, especially from my youth. Aesop's artistic integrity in each of their boutique experiences was right on par, like visiting a rain forest after the rain. The essence of revitalization would feel rich in their products and their shopping experience would be unique to each boutique. I was hooked. Serendipity on visiting each boutique was back on my agenda and I wanted that same experience for others when they visited my home.

The bathroom retains the original Toilet Cistern, Bathtub, Toilet Roll Holder, Towel Radiator, and Dark Yellow Tiles on the side walls. A Brabantia Stainless Steel Laundry Bin sits inconspicuously between the bath and toilet.

The bathroom retains the original Toilet Cistern, Bathtub, Toilet Roll Holder, Towel Radiator, and Dark Yellow Tiles on the side walls. A Brabantia Stainless Steel Laundry Bin sits inconspicuously between the bath and toilet.

Summer Holidays. Top Left - Valentino and Leo Llaneze, Sitges, Spain. Top right - Ian Jones & Jason Lindley - Granite Bay, Australia. Bottom left - Valentino, Sitges, Spain. Bottom right - Joel Wilfred & Michael Brosnan, Sitges, Spain.

My mother, Audrey (nee) Fechner's inspiration lives on in her paintings. A painting of the William Jolly Bridge, early 1970's before the Brisbane Riverside Expressway was built. The inspirational colours of her paintings and frames magically became the kitchen's colour palette. Frame by (my father) Carl Brosnan.

My mother, Audrey (nee) Fechner's inspiration lives on in her paintings. A painting of the William Jolly Bridge, early 1970's before the Brisbane Riverside Expressway was built. The inspirational colours of her paintings and frames magically became the kitchen's colour palette. Frame by (my father) Carl Brosnan.

My mother, Audrey (nee) Fechner's inspiration lives on in her paintings. A painting of the William Jolly Bridge, early 1970's before the Brisbane Riverside Expressway was built. The inspirational colours of her paintings and frames magically became the kitchen's colour palette. Frame by (my father) Carl Brosnan.

Once an abandoned Bungalow now an Quintessential English Country Cottage with style and charm   

A 1960s bungalow, incongruously placed beside an old smuggler’s hut in a coastal farming district. Originally the homestead of a tomato nursery, it later served as the unlikely base for a biotech insecticide conglomerate. Eventually neglected, sold off, and repurposed. 

This project has been a true labor of love, unfolding slowly over four years. What began as a full gut renovation quickly became something much more personal—an opportunity to shape a home from the ground up, quite literally. We started with the landscape, knowing that privacy and a sense of calm were just as important outside as in. Trees were carefully chosen and placed to shield us from the biotech offices behind and soften the view from the busy main road out front. One of the first things we did was plant a line of trees outside the bathroom—not just for privacy, but to create a quiet, green moment that feels like a little secret.

Inside, we tore down walls to open up the living room, letting light and air move more freely. That shift changed everything—making the space feel more connected, more alive. One big window that once exposed us to the outside world offered little more than discomfort, so we made the bold choice to close it off. In its place, we added a black timber panel that completely transformed the exterior. What was once a modern, bare-faced opening now reads as a warm, rustic nod to a countryside cottage—adding character and charm while giving us the privacy we needed.

But it was the fireplace that truly set the tone. It was the first piece we installed, and somehow, it grounded the whole project. It gave us a sense of warmth and direction—a place to gather, to build around, to finally call home.

A traditional oak front door was carefully researched through local community sources and historical references found online. Authentic blacksmith-forged door accessories—even down to the nails—were sourced and crafted by local artisans, bringing a sense of integrity and craftsmanship to the entrance. The black timber-clad wall, inspired by classic farm sheds, adds a relaxed, rustic vibe that ties the home to its countryside roots.

Step into a home that feels like a gentle step back in time. Refurbished antiquated square terracotta tiles from Fired Earth warmly welcome guests in, especially during the colder months. A farmhouse-style Chinese console table and a simple black-framed mirror, both sourced from the King’s Road in London, complete the entryway with timeless charm and understated elegance.

Front entrance.

Two custom oak side tables with hidden drawers, designed by Michael Brosnan, add a sense of comfort to the room. White lampshades paired with converted indigo blue wagon wheel lamp bases bring a touch of rustic charm. A large wooden picture sculpture—an heirloom—hangs among four contemporary artist postcards from the Royal College of Art and two art pieces from London’s Affordable Art Fair. A mauve-toned Venetian landscape by an Essex artist sits to the left, while two Chinese antique chairs tucked beneath the coffee table contribute to the room’s worldly appeal.

Components are designed specifically for that so that one can be well organised and know with clarity where each item is placed. Due to globalisation we have more choices than ever before but we have never had the chance to slow down and think about them until the Pandemic of 2020.

I have been in and out of this live/workspace for over 15 years and never had the time for myself. Relationships, personal or business can take one's heart away from their passion and soul. I never had time to organise number one, which was a huge mistake but the Pandemic came along as a blessing and it really hit home to me that I was suffering.

I had an idea if I were to push a button and move to another environment would I be comfortable and confident? The answer would have been, No! I would have been in an absolute mess. I set out to make this my project and reorganise everything in my life, and I had time to do so. 10 years of photographic work were literally shoved into boxes and folders. Plus, photographic work I did as a model with some of the world's most outstanding photographers. Financial statements were all shoved into two folders. The bookshelf was so distasteful that it felt like a heavy burden.

The following images are a beautification of my live/workspace where I am now proud to accept clients with confidence and a smile. 

Mystery or Mystic? The entrance walls are coated in Fantastic Blue from Rose & Ball. Michael Brosnan's fashion & portrait prints mount the entrance's walls.

The Entrance is a quiet reflective space where I have always displayed my photographic prints that are representational of my accomplishments over the years. At the beginning of the Pandemic of 2020, I decided to paint the walls the same colour as my winter Pea Coat in a dark mystic blue called Fantastic Blue from Rose & Ball.

“My studio is my haven tastefully simplified with sincerity”

MICHAEL BROSNAN

The walls remind me of the fantastic nights when I would celebrate my accomplishments, clubbing the world over,  from Tokyo to LA, from Paris to London,  and from Barcelona to Mykonos.

A photographic stool sits in the corner behind the door. I sit there at times to reflect, slip shoes on before I leave, and off on my return. All metal fittings were stripped back and chrome-plated or replaced. A charming Lee Broom Fulcrum Chrome Pendant Light dangles from the ceiling.

A 1930's Bathroom with a Designer's Personal Touch. 

Too many buildings are built with soullessness. Some attempt not to, but are usually at the high-end of the market. A classic design can always be revived with a designer's touch. Discover an aspirational skincare brand that you identify with and design your bathroom around its ethos as a personal haven for self-care.

After visiting AESOP boutiques for many years and trying their samples I could only imagine owning them because my bathroom was not worthy as a home fit for their quality and ethos. When the Pandemic hit I was at the end of a relationship and for my health, I needed to discard the past. The bath taps were not fit for purpose and had to be changed. All of this sparked off a personal revival to discover who I was seeking and the bathroom didn't reflect that. I was lost in transition. I discarded the triggers of the past and Kiehl's was out. It was never a perfect match.

AESOP always danced in the back of my mind as being wholesomely Australian and pure. Each fragrance would bring back pleasant memories of the past, especially from my youth. Aesop's artistic integrity in each of their boutique experiences was right on par, like visiting a rain forest after the rain. The essence of revitalization would feel rich in their products and their shopping experience would be unique to each boutique. I was hooked. Serendipity on visiting each boutique was back on my agenda and I wanted that same experience for others when they visited my home.

The bathroom retains the original Toilet Cistern, Bathtub, Toilet Roll Holder, Towel Radiator, and Dark Yellow Tiles on the side walls. A Brabantia Stainless Steel Laundry Bin sits inconspicuously between the bath and toilet.

Summer Holidays. Top Left - Dan Sulivan, Mykonos, Greece. Top right - Valentino, Sitges, Spain. Bottom left - Leo Llaneze & Valentino, Sitges, Spain. Bottom right - Leo Llaneze, Sitges, Spain.

A juxtaposition of the old and the new. I kept the original 1930s Kitchen Cupboards and changed the glass to frosted and painted the interior a dark green. The Oak Kitchen Bench and Drawers are by Ikea and White French Metro Tiles complement the space. 

Summer Holidays. Top Left - Valentino and Leo Llaneze, Sitges, Spain. Top right - Ian Jones & Jason Lindley - Granite Bay, Australia. Bottom left - Valentino, Sitges, Spain. Bottom right - Joel Wilfred & Michael Brosnan, Sitges, Spain.

My mother, Audrey (nee) Fechner's inspiration lives on in her paintings. A painting of the William Jolly Bridge, early 1970's before the Brisbane Riverside Expressway was built. The inspirational colours of her paintings and frames magically became the kitchen's colour palette. Frame by (my father) Carl Brosnan.

Two paintings by Audrey Brosnan are mounted on opposite walls above the sink. The colour palette magically comes alive within the confines of the wash area. Frames by Carl Brosnan.