Kirribilli
A home with a heart
As featured in Belle - October 2018
Once a grand family home, this cliff-side heritage property had long since lost its shine. Character features and original charm had been forgotten amidst an 80s renovation, and this once-majestic home had become tired, beige and dreary.
Working alongside the Architects, we were able to recapture the warmth and character at the heart of this property and transform it into a stylish, liveable and eminently welcoming family home in one of Sydney’s most stunning locations.
Determined to create the perfect family home, we took inspiration from the contrasting light and shade of the old, original part of the home. Using practical materials in well-resolved spaces, we designed a home perfectly suited to a family settling back into Australia after living the ex-pat life in Asia for many years.
Embracing the quirky 80s touches, we were able to breathe new life into this old home. The heritage details and proportions of the original architecture were carefully retained and restored, with small moments of magic being created in each and every room – from the dining room with its deep and dramatic teal wallpaper to the library with its rust upholstered armchairs.
It was important to the family that everyone had their own space to retreat to in the home, while also being able to come together to eat, chat and relax throughout the week. To accomplish this, a formal dining room, library/bar and living room were created at the front of the house, while the bedrooms and bathrooms were positioned on the first floor. The attic level was remodelled to include another bedroom, living room and a fabulously indulgent shoe and bag room!
A standout design feature is almost certainly the arch steel doors in the master ensuite – originally an ugly, stained-glass window between the bedroom and ensuite. By opening up this window and turning it into a new large central door made of steel, it’s become a stunning architectural feature of this dramatic master bedroom space.
It’s heartening to see this grand old home restored to its warm, welcoming best, albeit with a modern twist and the personality of its owners entwined in tiny, magical details.
Design, Decoration and Styling: SJS Interior Design
Architecture: Liskowski Architects
Lighting: LA Lounge
Photography: Tom Ferguson