Image Credit : Thomas Dalhoff
Project Overview
The homeowners bought a grand Federation home in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney that was in much need of renovation. They loved the classic architecture, however, they wanted the home to feel fresh and contemporary, thus began a major restoration with meticulous care to repair and refine original details. Using a palette derived from the homes original colour, texture and materials, we added a contemporary addition. Our aim was to make the traditional materials speak with a contemporary voice. The interior fit-out continued the palette of the architecture, with an emphasise on luxury and hand crafted fixtures and fittings.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Designer: Brett Mickan
Design Assistant: Kim Nguyen
Project Administrator: Nick English
Architect: Colin Filmer
Builder: Peter Kouzoumis
Project Brief
All the hard surfaces of the home were selected because they where part of the original architecture or belonged to the colour palette. The floor boards are Brushbox, a hardwood selected for its soft cherry tone. Terracotta tiles in various sizes were selected for the bathroom floors and we used Carrera marble and hand made glazed ceramic tiles on the walls to add luxury while still reflecting the humble materials of the home’s original architecture. The joinery throughout was designed to blend seamlessly with the interior; sometimes as part of a wall, as in the case of the master closet, and sometimes as a feature, like the window seat in the family room that also provides storage and houses the tv components. Because the addition opens out the garden, we bathed the entire space, including the kitchen cabinetry, in a soft green hue. The colour works as a perfect accent to the warmer tones in the space. The entire colour scheme becomes a list of structural materials, brass, brick, terracotta and soft Carrera grey. The simple lines of the architecture became the influence for the simple lines of the interior design.
Project Innovation/Need
The design is successful in its ability to straddle traditional and contemporary. There is no doubt when you enter this home that it is clean and contemporary yet it’s sympathetic to the original architecture. The new addition feels, somehow, that it has always been there. The design has made this grand old home feel newly born. Traditional materials were used to speak a new and contemporary language. Clean lines mixed with luxurious finishes and a touch of traditional details are made to feel both classic and current. The handmade nature of this period of architecture was the guide when selecting the furniture pieces; a refined, luxurious design.
Design Challenge
We combined humble materials with opulent and luxurious materials in order to create a distinct voice that only belongs to this home. Older homes come with quirks and variations in details which talk about previous owners and renovations. Although we refined the original details, we wanted to add to the home's story. This was achieved in the design by taking reference from many of the original textures, colours and materials. While the entire home is stylistically coherent, each space has its own quirks and features. We have created a unique language for this home, at this time, with these clients.
Sustainability
Where possible we sourced materials and furniture locally. Unless in damaged condition, we tried to reuse as much of the original architectural elements as possible. Sandstone excavated from under the home was incorporated as part of the landscaping.
Interior Design - Residential
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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