AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 101 HOUSES H G 1 ‘Santi’ linen outdoor cushion in Off White/Nutmeg Stripe, $109, Eadie Lifestyle. 2 ‘Monni’ floor lamp, $1040, MCM House. 3 ‘Mikaela’ abstract cotton washable rug (230x160cm), $399, Miss Amara. 4 ‘Fraser’ collection of timber furniture in Australian Wormy Chestnut, Oz Design Furniture. 5 Vessels & Vases 2 artwork by Brigitte Grant, $1030, Merci Maison. 6 ‘Everest’ cone pendant light in White, $249, Beacon Lighting. 7 ‘Academy’ five-piece flatware setting in Gold, $185, Ralph Lauren Home. 8 ‘Toby’ bar stool, $468, Satara. 9 Hay check bath towel in Cappuccino (100x50cm), $57, Smallable. 10 ‘Ramba’ daybed chaise, $7499, Domayne. # 1 3 5 6 7 4 10 9 2 8 THE SOURCE Create a memorable yet calming atmosphere blending sweet patterns with shades of cream, peach and green. Produced by Andrea Healy. Pool photograph by Chris Warnes (opposite).
A couple of empty nesters have their historical family home rejuvenated with flourishes of colour, pattern and texture. STORY Judy Pascoe | STYLING Amy Spargo | PHOTOGRAPHY Lisa Cohen MANOR made 102 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN H G HOUSES
HALLWAY Walls painted Dulux White Beach Quarter. Cromwell bench seat upholstered in Jim Thompson ‘Calypso’ fabric. Roger Oates carpet runner, Milgate. EXTERIOR The stately home dates back to circa 1872 and has lived many lives, once reconfigured into a multi-dwelling block of flats before becoming a family home again. The exterior of the building has been updated with new landscaping, sympathetic to the original architecture, by Colin Hyett Design.
H G HOUSES 104 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN Dulux Pale Green Tea (sitting room walls) Porter’s Paints Tea Of China (trims) THE PALETTE Porter’s Paints Hamptons Blue (guestroom)
SITTING ROOM Walls painted Dulux Pale Green Tea. Cornices painted Porter’s Paints Double Hailstorm. Chandelier, The Montauk Lighting Co. Sofa upholstered in Colefax and Fowler ‘Eaton Check’ fabric; poufs upholstered in Lee Jofa ‘Carson Linen’ fabric in Safari; and ottoman upholstered in Brunschwig & Fils ‘La Pagode’ velvet, all Maine House Interiors. Curtains and cushions in Brunschwig & Fils ‘Le Lac’, Abundant Home. Rug, Cadrys. Other items, owners’ existing. Flowers throughout, Andrew Danckert.
t’s not often that an interior designer has to try to make a home feel smaller, but in the case of this Melbourne property, the expansive proportions necessitated a clever approach to introduce warmth and intimacy. The owners are an empty-nest couple who have visiting children and grandchildren, but primarily it is a home for two. When they bought the circa 1872 house about 20 years ago, the owners envisaged the wonderful family home it could become for future generations. With a checkered history, including being divided into six flats after World War I, it had been returned to a single dwelling in the early 1990s. Having raised their three children in the home, the owners felt it was time for a refresh a couple of years ago. They consulted Amy Spargo, director of Maine House Interiors, who had worked on two of their other properties. Amy says the beauty of repeat clients is that “trust has been built between us and there is a design language we both understand. With each project we grow our confidence to be bold and I think it really shows in the spaces we have created here.” A colourful, fun and interesting house was the brief from the owners, and Amy said she wanted to ensure that all the rooms had a purpose and were inviting to use year-round. “While we know the owners well, we needed to know how they wanted the spaces to feel, which rooms were working for them and which ones weren’t,” she explains. With five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a study, gym, games room and wine storage room, in addition to formal and casual sitting rooms, a dining area, kitchen, garage and pool, there was plenty of scope. Historic detailing, such as ornate ceilings and cornices, fireplace tiling, arches and leadlight detailing, was intact and both designer and owners were keen to enhance these features. “We drew inspiration from the [original] >
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 107 HOUSES H G STUDY This page and opposite, left Walls covered in Mulberry Home ‘Flying Ducks’ wallpaper. Trims and joinery painted Porter’s Paints Tea Of China. Chandelier, The Montauk Lighting Co, with shades and sofa cushions in Colefax and Fowler ‘Eaton Check’. Side tables and chairs from Graham Geddes, with chairs in Schumacher ‘Samar Ikat’ velvet. Sofa in Mulberry Home ‘Wilde Stripe’. Striped cushions in Nicky Haslam ‘Balcony Stripe’. Coffee table, Highgate House. Rug, Cadrys. Artwork by John Baird. HALLWAY Opposite, right Chromolithograph artworks, Tyabb Packing House Antiques. Table lamps, The Montauk Lighting Co, with shades in Lee Jofa fabric. THIS IS THE LIFE With so many beautiful areas, it’s no surprise that entertaining is a regular occurrence for these owners, from celebrating a grandchild’s birthday to seasonal festivities. Formal occasions can be accommodated in the front rooms, while more casual events fl ow from the family room to the alfresco and pool areas.
MAIN BEDROOM This page and opposite, top Walls painted Dulux White Beach Quarter and trims Porter’s Paints Dark Newport Blue. Curtains, Abundant Home. Bedhead in Manuel Canovas ‘Pavillon de Bidaine’ cotton. Pillows in Soane Britain ‘Scrolling Fern Frond’ linen. Throw, The Bedspread Shop. Ottoman in Brunschwig & Fils fabric. Pendant light and bedside lamps, both The Montauk Lighting Co. Chair in Pierre Frey ‘Mademoiselle Jouanon’ cotton velvet. Rug, Cadrys. Print behind lamp from the owners’ collection. Framed intaglio beside window sourced in the UK, Maine House Interiors. CLOAK ROOM Opposite, below Walls covered in Brunschwig & Fils ‘Lodi Garden’ wallpaper. Artwork from the owners’ collection, bought in Venice.
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 109 HOUSES H G architecture and the clients’ artwork, that includes a sweet collection of Venetian watercolours, to create a home that feels bold and full of personality,” says Amy. With carpets removed, new floorboards laid in a custom dark walnut stain, and new paint throughout, the scene was set for layering lavish fabrics, wallpapers, rugs and window treatments, which immediately had a cocooning effect, helping to make the spaces seem smaller and more intimate. Bespoke furniture was commissioned to suit the scale of the rooms, which added a warm, welcoming feeling. “The owners understand colour and pattern, and are not afraid of doing something a little out of the box,” says Amy. “We started off with a rich, jewel-toned scheme, chose our hero fabrics and wallpapers, and built from there. They love fabrics with rich patterns and depth of colour such as Brunschwig & Fils ‘Le Lac’ linen, which is a particular favourite and is a standout in the sitting room.” In the study, the ‘Flying Ducks’ wallpaper by Mulberry Home makes a strong statement with its nod to Art-Deco styling. All the bedrooms display a similar vivaciousness with contrasting and complementary patterns and colours in fabrics by Pierre Frey and Jim Thompson. The main bedroom, while not eschewing personality, has a quieter mood. “It still has a lot of interesting detail and is very layered, but it’s so serene and calming,” says Amy. “It would be such a lovely space to retire to at the end of the day.” > Maine House Interiors: mainehouseinteriors.com. “We started off with a rich, jewel-toned scheme, chose our hero fabrics and wallpapers and built from there.” AMY SPARGO, INTERIOR DESIGNER
DINING Top left Iksel wallpaper, Boyac. Lamp, Christopher Spitzmiller. GAMES ROOM Top right and bottom left Maine House Interiors ‘Colony’ wallpaper. Arthur G chaises in Schumacher ‘Les Fougeres’ fabric. Chairs, Highgate House. Lamp, The Montauk Lighting Co, with Brunschwig & Fils shade. Floors in ‘Heavy Rustic Woodland Sisal’, Floorspace. GUEST ROOM Bottom right Walls painted Porter’s Paints Hamptons Blue. Bedhead in Jim Thompson ‘Sortelegium’ fabric. Cushions in Pierre Frey ‘Madame Elisabeth’ cotton in Indigo. Lamp, Bragg & Co.
HOUSES H G 1 Este Ceramiche wicker hand-painted ceramic teacup and saucer, $330/set of four, Abask. 2 Fresh fish oil painting print, $340, East Wing Studio. 3 Ralph Lauren ‘Anette’ floor lamp in Natural Brass, $1790, The Montauk Lighting Co. 4 Maine House Interiors ‘Grande Climbing Sweet Pea’ wallpaper roll in Dark Green & Cane (1000x61.5cm), $325/two, Milton & King. 5 ‘Royal Peacock’ rug by Catherine Martin, $9360, Designer Rugs. 6 Mitzi ‘Cassie’ wall light, $440, The Montauk Lighting Co. 7 Pin boxes, from $265 each, Gramercy Home Design. 8 ‘Pauline’ custom upholstered chair, from $3180, Arthur G. 9 Maison Pichon Uzès hand-glazed ceramic braided raised bowl in Brown, $535, Abask. 10 ‘Candance’ footstool in Leopard, $589, LivingStyles. # 1 3 4 5 6 10 9 8 2 7 THE SOURCE A vivacious selection of prints, patterns and colours infuses a space with warmth and beauty. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 111 Produced by Andrea Healy.
AS TIME GOES BY Drawing on this building’s rich history, a creative design studio reinstated a charming inner-city terrace to its former glory. STORY Judy Pascoe | STYLING Tristan Qasabian | PHOTOGRAPHY Pablo Veiga
houses H G AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 113 EXTERIOR The 1883 former grocer’s shop has been painted Porter’s Paints Tiramisu (brickwork) and Alpen (trims). Inside Chair, GlobeWest. Table, Australian Design & Co. On shelves Vases, H&M. Sculpture by Emma Lindegaard, Curatorial+Co. Artwork by Tristan Qasabian. Vintage brass object. Vessel, District. ‘Kuru’ ceramic bowl, Iittala.
nce the site of a grocer’s shop, this 1883 corner terrace in Sydney’s inner east has been reinvented as a fresh contemporary home for a downsizing couple. When the pair bought the property in 2014, they planned to spend the next 20 years or more there. However, the terrace had undergone an earlier makeover described as “cold and stark, and lacking the charm of the original architecture”. Impressed by work on a nearby terrace by interior design firm Tom Mark Henry, the owners sought their advice when it came time to address their city home. Interior designer Lauren Reid says, “The terrace had a ‘shop-like’ essence as well as a European feel, particularly in the courtyard. This became the foundation for our concept, building on the original qualities of the property, such as the arched windows and striped outdoor awnings, and taking advantage of the corner location.” > DINING Vintage pendant light, Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre. Dining chairs, GlobeWest. Dining table, Australian Design & Co. Sofa, Jardan. Vase on table and fruit bowl in kitchen, both Country Road. Mattiazzi ‘Portobello’ bowl on table, District. Herringbone floorboards in Bistre, Tongue & Groove. On shelves Vases, H&M. Candle, Trudon. Vessel, District. ‘Kuru’ ceramic bowl, Iittala. KITCHEN Joinery painted Dulux Tuft, Winchester Interiors. Benchtop in Brescia Green marble, Worldstone. Perrin & Rowe ‘Orbiq’ mixer, The English Tapware Company.
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 115 houses H G
KITCHEN Joinery in Dulux Tuft and in George Fethers ‘Lignapal’ veneer in Walnut, Winchester Interiors. Glass, Gerry’s Glass. Benchtops in Brescia Green marble, Worldstone. Wall tiles, Surface Gallery. Mixer, The English Tapware Company. Sink, ABI Interiors. Appliances, Fisher & Paykel. On island Vase, Greg Natale. On back bench/shelf Sticky Glass glassware, and New Works candleholder, all District. Vase, Dinosaur Designs. CASUAL DINING Opposite, left Joinery, Winchester Interiors. Wall light, Jardan. Chair, DesignByThem. Artwork by Mim Fluhrer, and sculpture by Susan Chen, both Curatorial+Co. Vase, District. Candleholder, Maison Balzac. DINING Opposite, far right Chairs, GlobeWest. Table, Australian Design & Co. “The house exudes heritage charm, beautifully celebrating the terrace architecture but layered with a contemporary touch.” LAUREN REID, INTERIOR DESIGNER
houses H G AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 117
Dulux Tuft (kitchen island joinery) Resene Albescent White (interior walls) Porter’s Paints Tiramisu (exterior brickwork) THE PALETTE LIVING Curtains, Petre’s Curtains and Blinds. Armchair, Coco Republic. Sofa and coffee table, both Jardan. Vase, District. ‘Boule’ brass dish, Greg Natale. Cushions, Country Road. Custom rug, Tappeti. POWDER ROOM Custom vanity in Carrara marble, Di Lorenzo Tiles. Perrin & Rowe tapware in Satin Brass, The English Tapware Company. ‘Pebble’ mirror in Brass, Middle of Nowhere. Floor tiles, Surface Gallery. Vintage pendant light, Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre.
houses H G AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 119 The owners were looking for longevity and wanted the renovation to stand the test of time. While they requested open spaces, particularly in the living, dining and kitchen, they also wished to reinstate the traditional feel. The house sits in a heritage conservation area, but designer Brooke Carden Wood says the decision to celebrate the original architecture allowed any hurdles to be easily navigated. Windows were one of the first priorities – the original ones had been covered by square shutters in a previous renovation. “The decision to reinstate the arched windows was both functional, to allow for more natural light, as well as aesthetic, to restore the beautiful heritage architecture,” says Lauren. Original skirtings, architraves and floorboards on the first level were also retained. The floorplan of two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living, formal and casual dining rooms, kitchen and study, was adequate for the couple, whose two adult daughters stay over occasionally. However, some adjustments were necessary. The three-level living, dining and kitchen was problematic. “We decided to raise the lower floor to the mid-level height and connect the dining and living spaces together. This allowed the area to feel more fluid,” says Lauren. The kitchen and casual dining area are positioned a few steps up and lead to the courtyard. Upstairs, the ensuite was made grander by borrowing space from the main bedroom. For the owners, this was definitely a win. “What we most liked about the renovation was the more effective utilisation of space.” To lend personality to the home and enhance the sense of history, the designers referenced the arched windows in curved design details including through the joinery, lighting and furniture. In addition, allusions to its former life as a shop were communicated in creative ways including the use of fluted glass, a recurring theme throughout. The perceived European feel became the catalyst for a classic and timeless palette of neutral stone, walnut-toned joinery, herringbone timber floors and limestone pavers. Vintage lighting was curated to offset the ‘modern’ aspects and reference the terrace’s history. Colour was introduced via soft furnishings, with each room given its own personality. One of the owners was particularly drawn to green, which informed the palette of the main bedroom and living room. “The house exudes heritage charm, beautifully celebrating the terrace architecture, but layered with a contemporary touch. It is not shy of personality yet is incredibly functional,” says Lauren. > Tom Mark Henry: tommarkhenry.studio. Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow. Built by Salt: builtbysalt.com.au.
H G houses 120 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
THE LAYOUT GUEST ROOM Bed, Trit House. Bed linen in Chestnut, In Bed. Cushion, Country Road. Hem throw, District. ‘Artie Wave’ side table, GlobeWest. Aerin wall light, The Montauk Lighting Co. MAIN BEDROOM Opposite, top left Joinery with insets in Phillip Jeffries ‘Brushstroke Silk’ from The Textile Company, Winchester Interiors. Pulls, Hepburn Hardware. Bench in James Dunlop ‘Vienna’ in Emerald, Rematerialised. ‘Agra’ rug, Armadillo. Bottom right Blind, Petre’s Curtains and Blinds. Chair, DesignByThem. &Tradition side table, Cult. Glass, Country Road. Candle, Trudon. MAIN BATHROOM Opposite, top right and bottom left Vanity in George Fethers ‘Lignapal’ veneer, Winchester Interiors. Wall and benchtop in Arabescato Vagli marble, CDK Stone. Lighting Republic wall light, Lighterior. Whale Country artwork by Susie Dureau, Curatorial+Co. Towel rail and tapware, all The English Tapware Company. Towels and jars, Greg Natale. Bed Study Garage Courtyard Dining Dining Living Powder room Pantry Laundry Kitchen Ensuite Bath Bed Ground floor First floor Entry
THIS IS THE LIFE The owners were attracted not only to the history of this house, but also its inner-city location. “We like the area with its walking distance to the SCG and facilities (we are keen Sydney Swans fans and cricket watchers), the many restaurants and bars close by and the easy access to the city via a short bus ride or walk. It’s a house that meets all of our wants.” COURTYARD Wall painted Porter’s Paints Tiramisu. Door powdercoated Dulux Duratec Zeus in Talc. Joinery in George Fethers ‘Lignapal’ timber veneer in Walnut, Winchester Interiors. Terrazzo benchtop, Signorino. Fermob ‘Luxembourg’ chairs and ‘Bellevie’ low table, Trit House. ‘Sweet Dreams’ bowl, Greg Natale. Sticky Glass jug and glassware, District. ‘Crema Vialle’ limestone pavers, Sareen Stone.
HOUSES H G 1 New Works ‘Karl-Johan’ portable table lamp in Earth Red, $189, District. 2 Middle of Nowhere ‘Pebble’ mirror in Brass (70x55cm), $324, Norsu. 3 ‘Bubble Cup #8’ tumbler in Aurora with Yellow Bubble, $110, Sticky. 4 Hem ‘Rope’ rug in Rose Quartz (240x170cm), $1890, District. 5 Falling Into Place artwork by Mim Fluhrer, $1500, Curatorial+Co. 6 Small narrow pleat porcelain pendant light, $406*, deVol. 7 ‘Gelati’ fringe cushion in Bubblegum & Natural, $220, Jardan. 8 Kartell ‘Thierry’ XXL oval dining table in Burgundy, $9380, Space. 9 ‘Debbie’ vase in White & Gold, $350, Greg Natale. 10 Fermob ‘Oulala’ nesting tables in Black Cherry/Red Ochre/Chili, $670/set of three, Trit House. # 1 THE SOURCE Go to town and experiment with variations of rosy hues for welcoming yet playful interiors. Produced by Andrea Healy. *Price based on exchange rates at time of print. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 123 3 2 4 5 8 7 6 9 10
124 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 125 HOUSES H G A family house on Sydney’s Northern Beaches blurs the indoor-outdoor divide, becoming a tropical sanctuary. STORY Lisa Easey | STYLING Olga Lewis PHOTOGRAPHY Anson Smart HIDDEN HAVEN EXTERIOR Weatherboard cladding painted Taubmans Almond Milk. Clusters of ferns, magnolias and succulents line the front steps beside the pool, placed at the home’s front to harmonise with the landscape. ENTRY Custom steel doors by Wild Orchid Spaces draw in natural light, onto a sandstone wall from Hayda Natural Stone. ‘Retto Collection’ industrial sconce in Bronze, Lamps Plus. Jute rug, Temple & Webster. Palecek ‘Seychelles Coco’ chandelier, Horchow.
H G houses KITCHEN/LIVING/DINING Ceiling painted Dulux Natural White. Vintage Barovier&Toso pendant light (over island) and Italian Murano chandelier (in living), both eModerno. Benchtop in Blanco Zeus silestone in suede finish. Vintage bowl, Leilah. Reupholstered bar stools, Rachel Donath. Electric Heat & Glo fireplace. Rough block sandstone chimney, Hayda Natural Stone. Vintage family portrait. Black aluminium doors and windows, Award Architectural Aluminium.
“My favourite room has always been this open-plan kitchen, living, dining, as you feel connected to the pool, the landscape and nature.” SARAH PARRY-OKEDEN, INTERIOR DESIGNER AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 127 alking down the long drive of designer Sarah Parry-Okeden’s home is akin to stepping into a rainforest. A dense canopy of palms leads to a house gently immersed in the landscape. You would be forgiven for thinking you were in a tranquil sanctuary rather than in the heart of Sydney’s bustling Northern Beaches. Sarah is the founding director of Wild Orchid Spaces, specialising in the development of high-end turnkey properties, with each home a lifestyle experience drawn from Sarah’s affinity for nature. It was in 2012 that Sarah turned her creative hand to designing two weatherboard cottages set on a generous 7300sqm block, seeing their potential for her young family, which includes her husband and two children. “The main thing that drew us to that block is that it’s very private and very big for the area,” says Sarah. “It’s always about the landscape for me when I buy a place.” The two cottages were structurally sound but impractical for family life, having low ceilings, a closed-plan layout and little connection to the environment. Starting in 2012, a knockdown-rebuild took four years to complete. Sarah oversaw the process as the interior designer and created the architectural concepts with River Run Design (now retired) and Bacuss Constructions. The result is two residences, the coastal bungalow and guesthouse, ‘Little Lokahi’, and the main beach house, ‘Lokahi’, comprising three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a spacious indoor-outdoor living area. At the top of the list for Sarah for the main residence was a fluid transition to the outdoors, while drawing the environment in. This was achieved by a considered palette of natural stone, large-scale glass doors, and an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, with an extended outdoor room beside the pool. The only challenge was the established palm trees, which stood in the way of the new outdoor living zone. But Sarah came up with an ingenious solution. “The existing palms were very much incorporated into the design of the property, to the extent that I put the trunks through the roof,” says Sarah. Roof openings one metre and a half wide were reinforced with circular steel rings to accommodate the palm trees that grow in the original pool, which now sits beneath the outdoor living area and is used as a rainwater tank. The pool and outdoor room are flanked by sliding >
128 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN KITCHEN Interior designer and homeowner, Sarah, in the kitchen. Joinery painted Dulux Natural White, Palm Beach Design Co. Rangehood and walls in Champagne Onyx stone, Euro Marble. Handles in Brass, Rocky Mountain Hardware. OUTDOOR LIVING ‘Ashika’ coconut shell chandeliers, Bisque Interiors. Armchair, Bisque Interiors. Vintage teak daybed, teak table with custom marble top, vases and Indian grinder table, all Wild Orchid Spaces. “The existing palms were very much incorporated into the design of the property.” SARAH PARRY-OKEDEN
houses H G
H G houses Champagne Onyx stone (kitchen wall) Dulux Natural White (joinery and ceilings) Colorbond Monument (roof) THE PALETTE
Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 131 KITCHEN Joinery painted Dulux Natural White, Palm Beach Design Co. Sandstone wall and ‘Vogue’ honed sandstone floor tiles, both Hayda Natural Stone. Vintage Barovier&Toso pendant light, eModerno. Island benchtop in Blanco Zeus silestone in a suede finish. Vintage marble fruit bowl, Leilah. Custom bar stools, Rachel Donath. Sussex ‘Voda’ mixer in Tumbled Brass, Candana.
H G HOUSES LIVING A custom Wild Orchid Spaces and Patterson Flynn Martin rug adds warmth and texture. Sandstone wall, Hayda Natural Stone. ‘Cloud’ sofa, Restoration Hardware. Vintage round rattan armchair and tables, Wild Orchid Spaces. ‘Gautam’ marble pot, Gather Co. DINING Arteriors ‘Tilda’ chandeliers, DecorPad. Custom Camargue dining table, refurbished velvet cane chairs and vintage Indian inlay mirrors, all Wild Orchid Spaces. Vintage glass wall sconces, eModerno. Vintage Persian-style rug, Cadrys. KITCHEN Joinery painted Dulux Natural White, Palm Beach Design Co. Benchtops in Blanco Zeus silestone. ‘Voda’ mixer in Tumbled Brass, Candana. Handles, Rocky Mountain Hardware.
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 133 glass doors, which, when open to the indoor living zone where the family spends most of their time, give the space a sense of not having any walls. “What I focused on was making the kitchen, living, and dining at least half of the house because I believe they really are the heart of the home,” says Sarah. “I made our children’s bedrooms quite small because I wanted them to be [spending their time] out with us.” The original four-bedroom layout located on the opposite wing was restructured into three, including the main bedroom with an ensuite and retreat area with impressive treetop views. Although the children’s bedrooms are modest in size, no space feels confined when it has eight-metre-high, gabled ceilings and Velux electric skylights maximising the natural light. Sarah’s interior style is very much sensorial, with a material palette of sandstone balanced with soft furnishings for textural depth and charm. A rough sandstone-block wall greets visitors in the foyer, while waves of Champagne Onyx stone extend floor to ceiling in the kitchen above ‘Vogue’ honed sandstone floor tiles. High-pile rugs feel plush under foot, neatly delineating the living zones, alongside custom and vintage furniture by Wild Orchid Spaces as part of their interior collection. “I have the ability to be a one-stop shop for a client where I do the interior finishes and furniture,” says Sarah. “That’s what I love, because they’re pieces from all over the world that have been refurbished and repurposed.” The theme continues outdoors with a daybed with a vintage teak base, while the pool, complete with a Bali thatch hut, is inlaid with Sukabumi stone tiles for mineral healing. To highlight the natural materials, the colour scheme was purposefully restrained to white with a subtle warm undertone. Soaking up the tropical atmosphere is a pleasure for Sarah and her family, who love the garden-centred home. “It’s quite an extraordinary place,” she says. “It very much intertwines with nature and the energy of the land.” > Wild Orchid Spaces: wildorchidspaces.com. Bacuss Constructions: bacuss.com.au. River Run Design. Eye Candy Painting & Decorating: eyecandypainting.com.au.
EXTERIOR Green ‘Sukabumi’ tiles from Tiles by Kate were used in the pool for their mineral properties. The Colorbond roof in Monument features one-metrewide reinforced steel ring openings to allow the palm trees to grow through and sway. Velux electric skylights increase ventilation and natural light. Bali hut, Bali Thatch Hut Gazebo Manufacturer. Glass pool fence, Advanced Frameless Glass. THIS IS THE LIFE Sarah and her family love the open-plan living area, both in summer and winter. “We spend 95 per cent of our time here,” she says. “It’s very much a beautiful summer home with the pool, but winter is gorgeous. We have a back-to-back fi replace in the interior and exterior living room, and the underfl oor heating beneath the stone makes it feel warm and cosy.”
houses H G AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 135
MAIN BEDROOM Ceiling painted Dulux Natural White. Sandstone wall, Hayda Natural Stone. Vintage resin antler chandelier, ‘Cloud’ rug, Pierre Fray reupholstered bed frame, and vintage bone inlay bedside console, all Wild Orchid Spaces. Black frayed-edge cushions, Leilah. Murano clam sconces, eModerno. White aluminium bifold doors, Award Architectural Aluminium. ENSUITE Sandstone wall, and ‘Vogue’ honed sandstone floor tiles, both Hayda Natural Stone. Custom vanity and ‘Moat’ basins, Wild Orchid Spaces. ‘Vov’ freestanding bath in White, Mastella. Banana leaf pendant lights, Heaven’s Gate Home. ‘City Plus’ ceiling shower in Organic Brass, and ‘City Stik’ bath mixer in Tumbled Brass, both Brodware. GUEST BATHROOM Vintage bone-inlay mirror, ‘La Boheme’ carved Indian console, and Merwe brass basin, all Wild Orchid Spaces. Green ceramic subway tiles, Tiles by Kate. ‘Minim’ wall mixer in Rumbled Brass, Brodware. Vintage glass sconce, Anthropologie. EXTERIOR Steps from the outdoor living area lead to a basketball court, gym and soccer field. Layers of palms and towering eucalypts establish a resort-style feel, matching the home’s stately proportions.
HOUSES H G 1 ‘Halle 8’ chandelier, $1599, Schots Home Emporium. 2 ‘Coral’ outdoor recliner in White/Black, $1909, Bisque Traders. 3 ‘Sierra’ beaded chandelier in Gold and White, $2199, Attica House. 4 Elitis ‘Disco’ flatweave rug in Banana, $4750, Tigmi. 5 ‘Elysian’ floor-mounted basin/bath filler with mixer in Matte Black, $950, ABI Interiors. 6 ‘Elio’ two-seater sofa in Bone, $6620, MCM House. 7 ‘Garrafa Ancho Forest’ vase, $84, Domayne. 8 Atrium ‘Polo’ rug in Natural, $269, Choices Flooring. 9 Yiannis Ghikas Design ‘Soda’ low side table, from $2816, James Richardson Furniture. 10 ‘Yoyo’ stool, $840, Rachel Donath. # 1 THE SOURCE A tactile coastal theme with a vintage touch will give your interiors a relaxing, holiday feel. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 137 Produced by Andrea Healy. 2 3 4 5 10 9 8 6 7
138 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN Striking a happy balance between modern and earthy, this family home in Sydney is inspired by traditional Cape Dutch design. STORY Carli Philips | STYLING Kristin Rawson | PHOTOGRAPHY Tom Ferguson MIDWAY MEETING
houses H G POOL AREA ‘Malfy’ umbrella in Evergreen, MCM House. Sun beds, Bisque Traders. Pot, Watertiger. EXTERIOR Roof in ‘Curvado’ roof tiles in Lucentum and Aitana, Bristile Roofing. Exterior painted Dulux Antique White USA Half. Shutters painted Porter’s Paints Timberline. Timber doors and shutters, Acacia Joinery. Front door, NICCO. ‘The Devonport’ solid brass wall sconces, The Light House Noosa. Pots, Watertiger. Entry floor paved in ‘Arbon’ limestone pavers, and pathway in ‘Cotto’ pavers, both Eco Outdoor.
H G houses 140 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN he owners of this new house in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs initially showed their designers exterior design inspiration of traditional, Victorian-style buildings. Inside, however, they wanted something with a Mediterranean edge, with a hint of Puglia. Eventually, they arrived at a “happy medium”, say Studio AC & Co directors, Al Hamra Khan and Constance Trofimovs, of the four-bedroom home. The “halfway” happened to be a Cape Dutch aesthetic, a style of architecture prevalent in South Africa where the owners are from. “The wife liked clean lines,” says Al. “The husband was more relaxed in his approach, so we created something that’s very grounded and earthy, with really sophisticated detailing to satisfy both.” The couple had some existing floorplans by a previous architect. While the structural parameters had largely been set, Al and Constance worked from the “inside out”, to first shuffle the internal spaces and then refine the architecture with the help of builders Critharis who had worked on a number of projects in the same street. >
LIVING Walls painted Dulux Lexicon Quarter. Sofa, Coco Republic. Custom cushions in Schumacher and Christopher Farr Cloth fabrics. Coffee table, Timothy Oulton. Bowl, stylist’s own. Stool, Bisque Traders. Ceiling lined in V-joint pre-washed boards, Australian Timber Ceilings. Vintage vessels. Rug, Cadrys. Floors in ‘Arbon’ limestone pavers, Eco Outdoor.
142 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN H G houses
LIVING Curtains in Warwick Fabrics ‘Burano’ in Ivory. Coffee table, Timothy Oulton. Throw, Francalia. Striped cushions in Schumacher fabric. Green cushions, Lucy Montgomery. Banquette upholstered in Christopher Farr Cloth fabric. Rug, Cadrys. Floors throughout in ‘Arbon’ limestone pavers, Eco Outdoor. On shelf Candle holders, Olive Ateliers. Vase and plate, both Astier de Villatte. Opposite BALCONY WOLF barbecue, Winning Appliances. Furniture, Eco Outdoor. Stool, Bisque Traders. Vintage vessel. HALLWAY Artwork (left) by Dorothy Napangardi, Kate Owen Gallery. Green artwork (right) by Olivier Rasir. Sconces, Astro. DINING Pendant light, Parterre. Artwork by Esther Haywood, Kate Owen Gallery. Custom dining table. Dining chairs, MCM House. White vessels, Astier de Villatte. Vessels on bottom shelves, Shades Of Pale. THIS IS THE LIFE “We love the light and energy of the house,” says one of the owners. “The high ceilings combined with the aspect is the perfect combination, it’s both calming and vibrant. It feels spacious but cosy at the same time. There are so many opportunities to display our pot collection, French urns, olive jars and other ceramics. All the open shelving creates such warmth and visual interest.”
KITCHEN Ceiling, Australian Timber Ceilings. Island benchtop in Simba White marble, RMS Marble, installed by Granite and Marble Works. Splashback in handmade white tiles. Joinery hardware, TradCo. Stools, owners' existing. Perrin & Rowe tapware, The English Tapware Company. ILVE cooker, Winning Appliances. Fruit bowl, Provincial Home Living. Green vessels, Clo Studios. French confit pots, Shades Of Pale. Coffee machine, Profitec. Vintage copper pot. Floors in ‘Arbon’ limestone pavers, Eco Outdoor. “We created something that’s very grounded and earthy with really sophisticated detailing.” AL HAMRA KHAN, DESIGNER
houses H G Along with interior designer Kristin Rawson, Al and Constance were careful not to veer into beachy territory. While the palette is muted and some finishes coarse, it’s not too raw. “It’s imperfect without looking too organic,” says Al. This was achieved through crisp silhouettes executed in pale colours and natural materials. Think terracotta tiling, European oak, smooth plaster and limestone flooring with a bush-hammered finish. The ‘drunken’ rendered facade is an intentionally irregular application, a feature that captures the everchanging qualities of light as they shift during the day. A study and games room sit opposite one another at the entrance before a generous foyer. These spaces were intended to be defined and separate. Furnished in tangerine and apricot tones, the dedicated living room with a fireplace doubles as a social area to welcome guests and as a quiet, tech-free space for the family. “It’s like a ‘contemporary parlour’,” says Al. A 3.6-metre arched corridor leading to the living, dining and kitchen has been inserted into the body of the building. Rather than just a structural opening, it’s like a “portal that gently draws you towards the openplan rear”, says Will Critharis, managing director of Critharis. “It’s like a big reveal.” The arched motif is echoed throughout the house on in-built shelving. The kitchen opens onto a covered balcony pergola made from rafters and bamboo — a feature reminiscent of Cape Dutch design. From here, there’s a view to a serene garden by Nicholas Hosking Studio, with a pool and fire pit. Big entertainers, the owners wanted a yard that could easily accommodate outdoor parties. On the first floor, the bedrooms are “to-the-point but also warm”, explains Al. At the base of the landing are two bathrooms and three bedrooms, while the remainder of the floor is dedicated to the main bedroom, ensuite and his and her walk-in robes. The self-contained basement features a gym, rec area and kitchenette. Lighting throughout the house was designed to be soft and indirect. LEDs are tucked into display shelving to illuminate the owners’ collection of vessels, tiny wall lights sit gently near the base of the stair treads and up-lights are hidden within ceiling coffers of the smooth timber-lined ceilings. Streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows and flooding through the stairwell, natural light washes the house, too. “The idea,” says Constance, “was to create as much stillness as possible.” > Studio AC & Co: ac-co.com.au. Critharis: critharis.com. Kristin Rawson: kristinrawsoninteriordesign.com. Nicholas Hosking Studio: lily-lizard.squarespace.com. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 145
BATHROOM Walls painted Dulux Lexicon Quarter. DADOquartz ‘Julia’ bath, and Brodware tapware, both Candana. Stool, Crave Wares. BEDROOM Artwork by Olivier Rasir. Chair and stool, Timothy Oulton. Side table, Rachel Donath. Lamp, The Vault Sydney. Bed and coverlet, both Kristin Rawson Interiors. Bed linen, Cultiver. Cushions, Lucy Montgomery. ENSUITE Opposite, left Joinery in American Oak. Hardware, Castella. DADOquartz bath, and Brodware tapware, both Candana. Wall tiles, Di Lorenzo Tiles. Shower screen and mirror, Toughened Design. Towel, Saardé. POWDER ROOM Opposite, bottom right Pendants, Parterre. Mirror, Toughened Design. Basin, Bisque Traders. Tiles, Onsite Supply + Design. Vase, Atelier de Vilatte. Baskets, Honour Apparel. Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow. Dulux Antique White USA Half (walls) Porter’s Paints Timberline (external shutters) Eco Outdoor ‘Arbon’ limestone (floors) THE PALETTE
houses H G AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 147
BACKYARD Landscaping by Nicholas Hosking Studio. Spotlights, Hunza. ‘Cotto’ pavers, Eco Outdoor. POOL ‘Malfy’ umbrella in Evergreen, MCM House. Sun beds, Bisque Traders. Pot, Watertiger.
HOUSES H G 1 ‘Montreal’ long chandelier, $3945, Zaffero. 2 Palecek ‘Jordan’ side chair in Honey, $1805, Boyd Blue. 3 Plaster 1940s-style table lamp, $1700, The Vault. 4 ‘Lagos’ linen cushion in Mocha, $92, L&M Home. 5 Darren Palmer ‘Earth’ rug in Camel (330x240cm), $1599, OZ Design Furniture. 6 ‘Kingsley’ shower rail set in Chrome, $509.90, ABI Interiors. 7 Australian House & Garden Australian cotton towel range in Casuarina, from $20, Myer. 8 Sirene ‘Julia’ bath, $6139, Candana. 9 Organic gourd-shaped basket, $520, Pan After. 10 Anthea vase in Terracotta, $259, Domayne. 11 19th Century French provincial pot à confit, $391.29, 1stDibs. # 1 2 3 4 5 6 10 11 8 7 9 THE SOURCE For breezy, coastal interiors with a Mediterranean edge, look to organic textures and pared-back terracotta tones. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 149 Produced by Andrea Healy.
150 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN H G houses By purchasing two adjacent blocks the owners of this multigenerational home secured flawless waterside vistas. STORY Carli Philips | STYLING Birdblack Design | PHOTOGRAPHY Prue Ruscoe IN harmony