Spotlight: Australian Federation Homes
Federation Homes of Sydney’s Inner West: A Love Letter to Local Architecture
Walk through almost any leafy street in Sydney’s Inner West—from Annandale to Ashfield—and you’ll spot them: red brick homes with leadlight, ornate woodwork, and charming verandahs. These are Federation homes, and they hold a special place in the hearts of locals.
What Is Federation Architecture?
Federation architecture refers to the style of homes built in Australia around the time of Federation in 1901, when the country became a unified nation. These homes were constructed from around 1890 to 1915 and reflect a blend of British Edwardian style and uniquely Australian influences—wide verandahs for shade and decorative motifs inspired by native flora and fauna.
In Sydney’s Inner West, Federation homes are often found on tree-lined streets, nestled between Victorian terraces and Californian bungalows, creating a varied heritage streetscape.
Common Features of Federation Homes
Here are some hallmarks of Federation-style homes, especially in the Inner West:
🧱 Red Brick Exteriors – Usually tuck-pointed and sometimes combined with sandstone or decorative render.
🌸 Decorative Timberwork – Look for turned timber posts, fretwork, gables, and finials.
🎨 Coloured Leadlight Windows – Intricate stained or leaded glass panels, often with floral or geometric motifs.
🦘 Australian Motifs – You might spot carvings or tiles featuring waratahs, kangaroos, or kookaburras. On gables you may spot the rising sun motif, symbol for the dawn of a new nation.
🏡 Tiled Roofs & Tall Chimneys – Marseilles-style terracotta roof tiles are common, along with prominent chimneys often detailed with patterned brickwork.
🌿 Front Gardens & Verandahs – These homes often feature iron lacework or timber balustrades, and lovingly maintained cottage-style gardens.
🪟 Bay Windows & Decorative Arches – Giving the facade more shape and visual interest, perfect for catching afternoon light.
Federation Homes in the Inner West
Suburbs like Petersham, Stanmore, Haberfield, Lewisham, and Ashfield are full of Federation gems—many lovingly restored, others modernised within their original frame.
Some streets even form Heritage Conservation Areas, meaning their character and architecture are protected. That’s one of the reasons people feel so connected to these homes—they aren’t just houses, they’re living pieces of local history.
Quokkas Corner - Watercolour House Illustration of a Federation Home in Ashfield, featuring a rising sun motif gable, leadlight windows and marseille terracotta roof tiles.
