Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2023 i Belle

SYDNEY GOODS DELIVERY The combined efforts of eight Australian studios, including Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers and Tyrrellstudio, have won the architectural competition for remaking the Sydney Powerhouse Museum (above) as a global cultural destination. Defined by a glazed ground level with faceted columns and upper levels wrapped in brick with geometric window openings, the museum connects to The Goods Line, a park and walkway which will host outdoor programs. “The re-imagined building lives alongside the Powerhouse core, a powerful embodiment of geography and backdrop,” says design director Camilla Block. durbachblockjaggers.com PORTUGAL LIGHTNESS OF TOUCH This large-scale refurbishment of the Convento do Beato (left) in Lisbon for client Beato Lux – with its mismatch of building types and eras from the 16th century onwards – is in the process of a…

Opposites attract with often striking results, as this home in Melbourne’s Elsternwick brilliantly proves. Two creative minds with dissimilar temperaments – design dynamo Anna Spiro of Anna Spiro Design and her calm “solid rock”, Luke Warwick, managing director of fabric wholesaler Elliott Clarke – have curated a retreat that celebrates colour and pattern, in captivating contrasts. Diverse elements form a harmonious whole that could be a metaphor for their relationship. When the couple bought the four-bedroom Victorian house in late 2020, it had sat vacant for 30 years. In the 1950s, rather strangely, it had acquired a curved brick facade that jarred with the rest of the house, but the interior detailing, including archways, cornices, ceiling roses and skirtings, had been left blissfully intact. Thanks to that, the 4.2-metre stud…

Greg Natale is a maestro of layering, known for his bold use of pattern and colour, and his meticulously curated maximalist aesthetic. But being “a Modernist at heart”, as he admits in his latest book, The Layered Interior (Rizzoli, $110), Greg relished bringing his layering prowess to a more minimalist canvas with this project. His friend of nearly 30 years, Michelle, already had a few firm ideas for the Sydney waterfront house she and husband Zack envisaged for themselves and their three children. Mid-century inspiration, for one, which would dictate many of the furniture choices. Then there were the literal building blocks of concrete and black brick, which would set the scene for a robust mix of materials. They also wanted timber incorporated into the design, and Greg suggested rosewood.…

It was nature – specifically a large gum tree – that inspired the layout of this residential property in Mosman, on Sydney’s lower north shore. Using the constraint of the mature tree’s front-yard location to his advantage, architect Robert Ursino of Ursino Architects designed two intersecting wings and fashioned them into the body of the home. “[The tree] became the axis where the two forms meet,” he explains. “It was the natural location for the home’s main entrance and it allows you to really appreciate the tree as a focal point.” This was the third project Robert had worked on with his clients, a builder and his wife, so he was familiar with their aesthetic and contemporary approach to architecture. “The owners were really open-minded and gave us the freedom…

WITH ITS PALETTE of greys, honey and white, the kitchen in this cliffside family home situated in Sydney’s eastern suburbs exudes modern Italian style, reflecting the owners’ origins. “The concrete-framed building was complete with a very sad interior, acres of plasterboard painted cream and a red gloss kitchen,” says interior designer Shelby Griffiths of Alexander &CO, who worked with principal and architect Jeremy Bull to transform the space. Now unrecognisable, the kitchen’s low ceilings have been opened up and clad in timber, while a “P&O-inspired” breakfast nook affords pool views. “We wanted the kitchen to engage the garden to the rear of the property, and we wanted it to be all-seasons; doors which could be kept open regardless of the weather, rain or wind,” says Shelby. A monolithic and simply…

THE NEW OWNER of this garden apartment in a two-storey Federation building has an affinity for the classic appeal of grand country English and French homes, and interior designer Alexandra Ponting sought to create a sense of that here. “A development application enabled us to turn the existing kitchen into a second bedroom and add a new, more accessible kitchen that would sympathetically merge with the original architecture,” she says. As with the rest of the house, Alexandra’s design approach to the kitchen centred around creating an elegant, timeless and calm space. “Windows and custom French doors open out to the garden and are swathed in balloon roman blinds, which add a soft, romantic touch. Other classic features, such as the Italian cabochon tumbled marble floors and a freestanding French…

THE GENTLE INTERTWINING of soft yellows and blush pinks makes this Melbourne bathroom a distinct yet elegant space to accommodate household members of all ages. “We were looking at how family values, tactility and a relationship with art can be formed while still being empathetic to the original structure,” says its designer, David Flack of Flack Studio. Butterfly-wing marble from Artedomus contrasts the colour blocking created by the mirror and cabinetry to enhance continuity within the space. “Everything is always a response to its users, their environment and long-term usage; powder rooms and ensuites are always the jewel in our projects,” says David. “If the opportunity exists spatially, we will accommodate an ensuite for each of the children, regardless of age. The possibility of adult children living at home is…

DRAWING INSPIRATION from the pared-back classicism and modernity of Milan’s iconic home and museum Villa Necchi Campiglio, this bathroom is a celebration of materiality. Interior designer Greg Natale set the lavish scene by using slabs of Calacatta Viola marble with a pinkish gold vein for the walls and vanity benchtop and grey terrazzo floors reminiscent of the Villa Necchi. Brutalist square panelling in the vanity is another decidedly Italian touch. “A fluted timber ceiling adds a delicate detail,” he adds, “while warmth is introduced with the gleaming brass accents of the vintage Murano sconces, gold tapware and burnished metallic hardware.” What luxury items did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “The Calacatta Viola marble brings a sense of warmth and soft elegance to this bathroom, making it feel…

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORKSPACE? Our studio is a multifaceted design space, which houses a cross pollination of my furniture and homewares brand, Lucy Montgomery Collection, and the interior design arm of my business, Lucy Montgomery Interiors. The space is broken up into loose zones: a living room-like showroom with an edit of my latest pieces, an open mezzanine workspace with a materials library and a meeting table. Out the back is the collection’s engine room for storage and distribution of our pieces. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE COMPLETED SPACE AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE PIECES? My desire was to create an evolving space that feels like a home rather than an office. Fresh white walls, sisal flooring and a statement wall-to-wall curtain by Simple Studio (concealing…

I started 2023 with a flying trip to Paris for Maison&Objet – the fabulous interior design fair. I left Sydney on a 30ºC-plus day and was greeted by rain and freezing temperatures, but nothing can dampen the beauty of Paris and its many attractions. I ran around trying to fit in as much as I could, from Schiaparelli at Musée des Arts Décoratifs to Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, to Monet and Joan Mitchell at Louis Vuitton Fondation, to a kimono installation at Musée du Quai Branly. And there were so many inspiring exhibits at the Maison&Objet fair. Emerging Spanish designers were having a moment, and the interior designer of the year, Israeli-born Raphael Navot, created a moody installation in collaboration with Roche Bobois. Burnt orange, berry and forest green…

ARRANGING THINGS New York-based designer Colin King has a way with things, as this book attests. Ever the stylist, King believes in looking with fresh eyes at the pieces we already own to give them a new lease on life. Here, he offers suggestions for compositions on coffee tables, bedsides and mantelpieces, based on scale, proportion, texture and colour to enhance the look of our homes and help to enrich our daily lives. Colin King, Rizzoli, $110 HOMES FOR COLLECTORS A glimpse into the homes of 20 serious collectors around the world who boast an enviable array of iconic art and design pieces, from Robert Mapplethorpe photography and Pierre Jeanneret furniture to works by Poul Kjaerholm and Eero Saarinen. Not only does the beauty of the items delight but the…

“Large, romantic and full of possibilities” is how Mira Martinazzo, the director of Mud Office Landscape Design, describes her first impression of this tranquil, estate-like property in the Melbourne suburb of Kew. It was much the same sentiment held by Kathryn Robson and Chris Rak of Robson Rak Architecture & Interiors, with whom she worked. All three sought to enhance the house and garden, uplifting its natural beauty with new plantings and contemporary insertions that would cultivate a closer relationship between interior and exterior. The homeowners, who interviewed six architects, had lived in the house for a couple of years before engaging Robson Rak. They were passionate about its period features, but knew that it needed a renovation if it was going to suit their growing family long term. A…

Once dark, dull and sad, the saving grace for this apartment in Paris’s 16th arrondissement was its striking oversized Haussmann windows. For Léa Levy, who co-owns luxury fashion re-sale platform Personal Seller Paris, and her husband, disappointment had plagued their two-year search for an apartment, but when they saw this space, the abundance of natural light sealed the deal. “We wanted traditional features but I also wanted a ‘wow’ arrival moment,” says Léa. “When I saw the windows I knew it was the right place. We love that it’s in the centre of Paris, but we also have the Bois du Bologne park close by, which provides a feeling of calm while still having everything you need within a short walk.” Léa had already worked closely with architect and multidisciplinary…

IT’S THE CELEBRATION of textural complexities that make this kitchen a truly special place to spend time in. Interior designer Greg Natale harnessed rich materials – such as White Ice granite, which trickles down from the ceiling and across the benchtops – and contrasting metal accents to create a space that brings exuberance and interest to every corner. “The owners wanted a grand design that matched the contemporary nature of their house without being minimalist,” says Greg. “One was fond of Art Deco, the other liked late ’70s style.” Taking inspiration from the iconic Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan, the room features elements of Italian rationalism and brutalism combined with Art Deco touches. “Square timber panelling on the pantry in the brutalist style juxtaposes the subtle print of the wallpaper…

RECENT RENOVATIONS HAD LEFT this circa-1934 Leslie Wilkinson villa “feeling tired and dated”, says interior designer Tania Handelsmann of Handelsmann + Khaw, who worked on this kitchen with business partner Gillian Khaw. “It was an opportunity to restore its original charm and spirit, while creating a room that feels warm, layered and inviting,” she says. “The warm, rich palette of white, brown and terracotta references the Tuscan-inspired building facade and invigorates the senses, providing an inviting space to recharge. Countering this energy, we incorporated Moroccan mashrabiya screens, terracotta flooring and microcement, which evokes a romantic, escapist mood. The new kitchen has become a focal point for social activity in the home, its elegant design coexisting happily alongside heritage splendour.” What luxury item did you choose for this kitchen regardless of…

MY FIRST DIRECT EXPERIENCE of the work of Eva-Marie Prineas, and her team at Studio Prineas, is at a celebratory drinks party to mark the completion of Fisherman’s House in Sydney’s Birchgrove. These are rare events, as even with the most collaborative of projects client and architect are often tired of one another due to the years of intense decision-making that take in not only aesthetics but financial, emotional and practical factors. It can be exhausting. This is not the case with Studio Prineas. The clients offered up their home for sunset drinks, inviting media, other clients – past present and future – and collaborators on the project itself. It felt like a party. “I loved bringing all these people together and watching them get along with one another independent…

WHAT WERE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR SPACE, AND WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED ABOUT THE SITE? The apartment is in a sturdy 1930s block of architectural merit. We liked that it had high ceilings and quite an open floor plan, but the biggest plus was that it has only one party wall so is open to the filtered harbour views to the north and a generous spreading gum tree to the west. The block faces a little inner-city park filled with huge Moreton Bay fig trees and Sydney’s lively Potts Point is only a short walk away. It feels both private and connected – the best of both worlds. WHAT DID THE ALTERATIONS ENTAIL? The space was rather bland and neutral in a way that was designed to appeal to everyone, so…

Italianate villas, Art Deco apartments, zinc-clad buildings, 1950s flats, industrial warehouses, 19th-century terraces, and 21st-century concrete and glass structures sit side by side in Melbourne’s South Yarra. Adding to the assortment is this newly extended home, designed by architect Matt Gibson, director of Matt Gibson Architecture + Design (MA+D). Although it was necessary to retain the heritage Victorian facade and the walls of the front two rooms of the three-storey terrace, the modern renovation adds another layer to the rich architectural tapestry in the area. “It’s an eclectic neighbourhood that already had such a mix of old and new, so the council was up for us doing something interesting. They were actually very keen to promote vertical living,” explains Matt. To reduce the bulk of a flush elevation, the innovative…

“THE DESIGN APPROACH for the kitchen was informed by the curves of the home’s architecture and our client’s desire for playful colour,” says Luke Fry, director of Luke Fry Architecture & Interior Design. Nestled between the dining and living spaces, this kitchen is a bolt of colour and texture, awash with shades of green and overlayed with striking natural stone, creating both a visual and physical pause between the two zones. “Material selection is both tactile and dramatic with the green tones reflected in the landscape immediately opposite,” says Luke. What luxury items did you choose for this kitchen regardless of budget? “The Marable ‘Ice Green’ natural stone allows a rich explosion of colour that contrasts with the otherwise pared-back colour palette of the neighbouring kitchen and dining spaces.” lukefry.com.au…

THE INNOVATIVE DESIGN of this kitchen in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill saw Madeleine Blanchfield and her team working alongside joinery and stone fabricators to create a millimetre-perfect alignment of seamless panels and joints. “We always attack the kitchen first,” says Madeleine. “We are lovers of light and simplicity. Through rigorous planning and refined detailing, a space can be engendered with a sense of calm that is palpable.” The owners enjoy large gatherings and intimate meals in equal measure, and Madeleine and her team balanced this duality of public and private living with a series of aligned, sliding glass doors that allow the kitchen to connect or close off to the living and dining room without impeding the flow of light. “The exploration of light play on surfaces comes alive with the…

A SMALL SPACE wasn’t going to hinder the luxury vision of interior designer Alice Benn of Alwill Interiors when it came to designing this powder room. With blush onyx adorning the floors and joinery, the space was to be “the intricate special detail”, explains Alice, “a surprise discovery presenting a sense of luxury and sense of fun.” What luxury items did you choose for this bathroom regardless of budget? “This powder room is all luxury. From the rare pink onyx used throughout, to the Apparatus ‘Tassle’ wall light (a jewel in itself) and the India Mahdavi ‘Bishop’ stool.” alwill.com.au; luigiroselli.com…

A SHARED PASSION for Art Deco informed this bathroom scheme housed within one of three contemporary residences in a newly developed boutique apartment block in Sydney’s exclusive eastern suburbs. The builder/developer client Asan wanted to inject warmth to the interiors via traditional detailing to echo the Art Deco curves from the exterior, and called on interior designer Carla Barton, who collaborated with Thomas Hamel & Associates. “Inspired by French and European interior design, I loved the idea of a vanity that reflected the curves you would see in traditional Art-Deco interiors, pairing them with classic details,” says Carla. “Wall panelling wasn’t practical in an ensuite bathroom, so I introduced traditional moulding details to the stone skirtings and architraves. With beautiful quartzite that mimicked marble seen in grand European residences and…

DUBBED THE “JEWEL” of three sparkling whole-floor apartments, this penthouse at Thirty Anderson is the crowning glory of The Botanic Collection by Sadikay. Rob Mills of Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors was briefed to create a multi-residential address that would respond aesthetically to its premium location overlooking Melbourne’s iconic Royal Botanic Gardens. This led to careful spatial planning to present varying perspectives of the gardens from the apartments, which celebrate light, space and sculptural design. “The penthouse at Thirty Anderson delivers largescale luxury living within a tightly held and coveted urban location,” says Rob. “The design was driven by a desire to live calmly – evidenced by the design’s open, sculptural and flowing light-filled spaces to ever-present connections with the natural world beyond. As with all RMA residences, this…