Starting Afresh

A newly empty nest allowed a Sydney couple to begin again in their favourite location.

Children grow, times change and, for those who find themselves with a newly empty nest, opportunities present themselves. The owners of this home in Sydney’s inner west found themselves increasingly drawn to the idea of a fresh start. They loved the house they’d raised a family in for the past 39 years, but felt it had become quite dated and not ideally suited to the kind of lifestyle they were planning for their retirement. The solution? Build their dream home next door. “The owners bought the adjoining house in the 1990s and had been renting it out,” says Olivia Giangrasso, the interior designer engaged to design and fit out the new property. “By demolishing the old house and building from scratch on that site, they were able to maintain their connection to the family home and to stay in a street and suburb they loved.”

Top of the owners’ wish list was that their new home be “warm and welcoming, elegant but practical, and a reflection of their desire to live in an organised and uncluttered way,” says Olivia. To this end, she designed the walls in the living areas to be mostly unadorned,andtocurveandgentlydirectfootflowaroundthespace.Preciseshadowlines on the ceiling and skirtings run right through the house and the mullions are set at exactly benchtop height – a reflection of the attention to detail that’s evident in every corner of this house. “I wanted a sense of consistency to underpin my design,” says Olivia. “The layout of the house is based on Modernist principles. It’s quite minimal, but there is a nod or two to the owners’ European heritage in its art and landscaping.”

From the front door, the rooms are all set to one side of the hall, creating a striking gallery effect – there are no doors or niches to break the sightline through to the openplan living areas. A study in symmetry and balance, the kitchen has neat grey cabinetry and a square island bench topped with a slab of Brazilian granite.

“Italian marble is used elsewhere, but the owners were determined that they wanted granite for their kitchen island,” Olivia says. “It’s equal parts warm and modern, thanks to its grey undertone and strong veining.” The island bench works well for entertaining too. “Typically, you’re standing at one side of a bench, looking out. But this arrangement is more welcoming and conversational, with seating for two

on either side.” A sculptural overscale pendant light is positioned over the bench to break up the straight lines at play in the space. Good storage was a must, so an abundance of drawers was included, as well as a walk-in pantry where the fridge could be tucked away.

In the dining area, an irregularly shaped Jardan dining table has been customised to match the timber in the nearby stair treads. The curved walls lead on to the living area, where they wrap softly around the fireplace. Star of this space is a vibrant plaidlook Kvadrat rug that introduces a jolt of colour and pattern.

Upstairs, the owners are lucky enough to have what essentially functions as their own private retreat. The whole floor is given over to the main bedroom, its lounge area, and a generous walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. “One door from the bedroom leads into the dressing area, and another takes you straight into the bathing zone,” says Olivia. “I love the stone and the natural light we’ve been able to draw into this space.”

When visitors come to stay they’re accommodated in a guest bedroom with its own ensuite. These rooms have been kept simple and understated to allow the materials to shine – the vanity is sleek and handle-free, and the bedroom walls are painted a crisp white. “There’s nothing too loud or bold in the whole house,” says Olivia. “It was important that everything feel cohesive, organised and calm.”

She managed the entire rebuild process, from the initial sketches of the design through to the day the owners moved in – just 10 months after the old house was demolished. “Everything went very smoothly and I’m so pleased at how much happiness this home brings its owners. They tell me it’s just perfect for them.”

“THE OWNERS REQUESTED A CLEAN, UNCLUTTERED LOOK FOR THEIR NEW HOME. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT IT FEEL BALANCED AND

LAYERED .” OLIVIA GIANGR ASSO, INTERIOR DESIGNER

“THE OWNERS HAVE TAILORED THEIR NEW HOME TO THEIR NEEDS. THE OPPORTUNITY TO START OVER WITH A BLANK CANVAS WAS TOO GOOD FOR THEM TO REFUSE .” OLIVIA GIANGRASSO

LIVING The organic lines in the walls of the living area form a subtle yet distinctive feature of the space. Colour comes in the form of a Kvadrat ‘Multitone’ rug from Hub Furniture. Coffee table, King. Gas fire, Real Flame. Huggy armchair, Sarah Ellison. India Mahdavi stool, Studio ALM. Artwork by María José Benvenuto through .M Contemporary.

KITCHEN A striking Serge Mouille pendant light from Cult adds movement to the kitchen. Cabinetry is two-pack polyurethane in Dulux Timeless Grey. Allure Quartzite benchtops, CDK Stone. Glass splashback from Palmers Glass. Kashmir bar stools, District. Wall light from Tamsin Johnson. Roden Perla floor tiles, Earp Brothers.

LIVING A Plaza modular sofa from King stars in the living area. To the right of the fire is an orange Cassina vase from Mobilia. Small stone sculpture by Carol Crawford, .M Contemporary. KITCHEN Below The Allure Quartzite granite on the island bench is from CDK Stone. DINING Opposite Tom Sullam’s Panarea series of photos hangs in the dining area. Arte dining table, Jardan. Artek 611 dining chairs, Anibou. Roman urn sourced by Tamsin Johnson.

UPSTAIRS LIVING This cosy spot is situated just off the main bedroom. A Joe sofa from MCM House is teamed with a Mongolian sheepskin pouf from CCSS and a Fitzroy coffee table from Provincial Home Living. Rug, The Rug Collection. Artwork by Sally Stokes. SITTING ROOM Opposite, top Joe love seat, MCM House. Artwork on rear wall by Laura Jones through Olsen Gallery. Ptolomeo bookcase, Space. ENTRY Opposite, bottom left Console, MCM House. Antique mirror, The Vault Sydney. STUDY Opposite, bottom right Allure Quartzite from CDK Stone is used to create the desktop surface. Herman Miller desk chair, Living Edge. Louis Poulsen light, Cult. 125

H&G GUESTROOM This page The Andes Deco upholstered bed from West Elm is topped with a Country Road throw. Cassina LC7 chair, Mobilia. MAIN BEDROOM Opposite, top and bottom right Bun bed, Fanuli. Palais sheet set, Sheridan. Cushions, Jardan. Curtains in Copenhagen linen from Westbury Textiles. Artwork from Antique Print and Map Room. WALK-IN WARDROBE Opposite, bottom centre Arabescato Vagli marble from CDK Stone also tops the wardrobe’s island. GUEST ENSUITE Opposite, bottom left Arabescato Vagli marble from CDK Stone tops the vanity joinery, which is finished in Dulux Monument. Soap stand, Papaya. For Where to Buy, see page 192.