Peace Offering
An extensive renovation has produced a home where serenity reigns supreme.
Serene, uncomplicated and welcoming: this Sydney property has been extensively renovated to both capture the beauty of its harbour views and to better serve the family that owns it. “When the owners first engaged us to expand and update the home, we were surprised to find that it was essentially functioning the wrong way round, inefficient in its use of space and not really making the best of its amazing outlook,” says John Rose, principal and practice director of Tanner Kibble Denton Architects.
Today, it’s a very different story. Natural light streams through all three levels. Rooms smoothly and clearly transition from one space to the next. The restrained colour and materials palette ensures the spectacular views are complemented by (but never in competition with) the interiors. “It feels calm and tranquil, and makes a beautiful feature of what must surely be one of the best views in Sydney,” says Amelia Gallen, the interior designer at Tanner Kibble Denton Architects who led the fitout process for this home.
The project was an unusual one for the team. Since the owners primarily live overseas, they asked if the practice could provide what was essentially a turnkey service. “We made design decisions about every element in the house, right down to the cutlery and the inflatable dinghy,” says Amelia. “It was a fantastic opportunity to create a consistent look right through the home and it’s a huge compliment to be trusted in this way.”
While the owners were happy to allow a free hand, they still remained invested in how the home would look and feel, providing their feedback right through the design process. “The result is a nuanced design
“EVERYTHING IS DELIBERATELY VERY CALM, PA RED BACK AND RESTRAINED SO THE VIEW CAN TAKE ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AS STAR ATTRACTION .” AMELIA GALLEN, INTERIOR DESIGNER
“YOU CAN SEE RIGHT ALONG THE BAY BECAUSE THERE IS NO‘ CLUTTER’ OF A TERRACE IN THE WAY .” JOHN ROSE, ARCHITECT
that is very personal to them,” says John. One important aspect of the renovation was to enhance the home’s accessibility for a family member with mobility issues. The team’s thoughtful design solution was to build in a fluted-timber structure at the centre of the home that conceals a lift and other service areas while being simply beautiful to look at. This feature extends through all three floors of the house, creating a sense of cohesion and guiding visitors down to the public areas of the home.
Before, the home lacked a sense of arrival but that has changed: from the street, guests cross a pond via a timber-framed bridge to the entry foyer. Inside, limewashed fluted-timber walls, soft curtains and dark stained floors provide a moment of pause, intended to heighten the visual impact of the water views when they’re finally revealed.
Because it hugs a steep block of land, the home’s entrance is on the top floor. “The fluted timber conceals the entry to the main bedroom suite while an elegant, fluid staircase draws you downwards,” says John. It’s on the ground floor that the kitchen and open-plan living and dining areas are situated. The kitchen has been kept deliberately understated, says Amelia. “The owners are practical people who didn’t particularly want a flashy kitchen. They do a lot of hot-wok cooking so we opted for resilient porcelain benches and handle-free cabinetry that would deliver the clean aesthetic they love.”
A generous abaca rug delineates the living area, which deliberately has no deck beyond it. “This is so the living room has a complete connection with the view,” says John. On the lower-ground level, the family room – a space very much claimed by the family’s two young children – does open to a deck and pool. Bedrooms and bathrooms for the children adjoin the family room, while guest accommodation is covered by rooms positioned on top of the garage that have their own street access.
Sustainability has been factored into many elements of this renovation, says John .“We specified high-performance glass, energy-efficient lighting and appliances, and locally sourced, responsibly grown timbers. The house is well ventilated now and exterior shades block the summer heat. Most sustainably of all, though, this is a home that will stand the test of time. It’s built to last.”
“MATERIALS WERE SELECTED FOR THEIR SUSTAINABILITY AND THEIR CAPACITY TO CREATE A SENSE OF TRANQUILLITY .” AMELIA GALLEN
THIS IS THE LIFE
Having once rented a holiday home on this street and fallen in love with the area, the homeowners seized the opportunity to buy when this house hit the market: “We knew this was the place for us to be in Sydney. The natural setting offers privacy and protection, and the sloping site meant we were able to draw in a lot of light – this is important to us. Our view is spectacular and the water constantly changes; it’s impossible not to be mesmerised.”