Barefoot Luxury Easy elegance is the theme of this exquisitely renovated home on Sydney Harbour.

Inspired by its proximity to the sea, this Sydney home has come to life with a considered palette of dreamy aquatic tones and natural textures.

Locationiseverythingwhen it comes to real estate. And an amazing location can be a powerful catalyst for transforming a tired house into an everything-you-everdreamed-of sanctuary.

When the owners of this home purchased it eight years ago, the 1930s building was poky and damp. In fact, they “didn’t like it at all”. But the old property’s shortcomings were eclipsed by its waterfront location on glittering Sydney Harbour.

The couple moved in with grand plans for a redesign, but before they could embark on the renovation, both relocated to London for work. Knowing they’d return to Sydney in future, they decided to hire Bruce Stafford Architects and proceed with their plans while overseeing the works remotely. The house underwent a complete re-build, except for the elegant facade. It was a two-year project that involved painstaking excavation by hand through layers of rock to create a new floor, resulting in a four-bedroom,four-bathroomhomeoverthreelevels.Remarkably, given the challenges of the waterfront site and the clients’ remoteness, the job was completed on time and within budget.

The owners’ brief to the architects had been clear: they wanted to maximise views and natural light. The location was to be the hero; the home, classic and understated. What’s been achieved is exactly that, with every room paying homage to the setting, with vast windows framing picture-perfect harbour views. “My favourite thing is the house’s relationship to the water,” says the owner. “We love listening to the sound of the water at night.”

Once they returned to Sydney, the owners turned their attention to finishing and furnishing the interiors. Armed with a few favourite references, they turned to Kate Nixon of Studio Kate to create bespoke joinery and upholstery that would translate Hamptons style to an Australian setting. Among the references presented to Kate were photographs of Shutters On The Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, Southern California. “We love that coastal, comfortable, Ralph Lauren style,” says the owner.

Kate and her team set to work immediately, designing joinery, soft furnishings, attractive but not attention-grabbing window treatments, bedding and decorative elements with a focus on classic style and understated luxury. They came up with a sophisticated palette of textured neutrals and nautically inspired stripes with natural timbers and wicker, all complementing the owners’ collection of vintage carpets. The existing carpet was removed throughout and walnutstained blackbutt floorboards were laid all on levels.

A large part of Kate’s brief was to address the spatial planning on each level. On the open-plan first floor, she created clearly delineated spaces for the entry, formal sitting area, dining room and kitchen using area rugs and well-considered placement of furniture. The ground level is home to the main bedroom, along with two bathrooms, a study, laundry and garage. Here, Kate has designed elegant and tailored interiors with a focus on beautiful, custom upholstery and bespoke finishes.

Prior to the renovation, the owners had decided they needed more guest accommodation for their expanding extended family, so the lower level was reconfigured with an additional bedroom, bathroom and rumpus area. Functionality was increased without compromising flow or natural light, thanks to generous connecting corridors and opaque glass pocket doors.

Every space of the home is now light, warm and basking in barefoot comfort. “This is a really relaxed, comfortable home, not a showroom,” says the owner. “Essentially, it’s a beach house.” With some of the best views in the world.

Studio Kate, Double Bay, NSW; (02) 9363 4318 or studiokate. com.au. Bruce Stafford Architects, Double Bay, NSW; (02) 9327 7889 or brucestafford.com. ibuild, ibuild-nsw.com.au.

SITTING-ROOM SHELF Some of the owners’ objects and books are beautifully framed in this white-painted box shelving atop a slab of walnut-stained blackbutt. While they love the timber floor and furniture inside, there are no wood finishes outside because of the salt-water spray. DINING A few steps from the kitchen, the dining table is located next to a daydream-inducing picture window, giving diners the option of banquette seating. Cypress Point ‘Atwell’ dining table and ‘Point Devereaux’ chairs in Lexington fabric #5880-31, all Cromwell. Banquette cushion in matching fabric. All joinery by APR Joinery.