House on a Hill

Client Brief: Crafting a Luxurious Forever Home

When our clients approached SJS, they were ready to transform their tired 17-year-old architectural home in Bellevue Hill into a luxurious, elevated forever home. Soon to be empty nesters, they envisioned a space that embodied timeless elegance and contemporary luxury, with a deep love for marble and a warm, layered atmosphere perfect for entertaining.

The Existing Canvas: Strengths and Shortcomings

The home had a lot going for it: large, well-proportioned rooms, high-quality construction, and beautiful recycled blackbutt timber flooring. The original layout, with large cavity doors and plenty of wall space for the client's impressive art collection, provided a strong foundation for our vision.

However, the house also had its challenges. The formal living room was cramped, and the kitchen and pantry felt disjointed. The back room, overlooking the pool, was hidden away, lacking a connection to the heart of the home. The staircase took up valuable space, and the overall interior lacked warmth and a sense of luxury.

Overcoming Challenges: Innovation and Precision

One of the key challenges was maximizing storage in the kitchen, pantry, and bar areas without compromising on style. Clever planning and collaboration with the builder, joiner, and stonemason were essential to seamlessly integrating all the elements with a level of precision that exceeded expectations.

The home’s lighting was another area of focus. The new primary suite was particularly dark, requiring adjustments during construction to incorporate two sculptural skylights that now flood the space with natural light. Engineering within the new living room also required rectification, which delayed the project but ultimately transformed the space, making the extra effort worthwhile.

Pictured: Primary Ensuite / SJS Interior Design / Joinery: ACA / Photographer: Tom Ferguson

Pictured: Walk in Robe / SJS Interior Design / Joinery: ACA / Photographer: Tom Ferguson

Design Inspiration: A Symphony of Stone and Softness

The client's love of marble was a driving force behind the interior design, with different shades of stone woven into each room. Rich aubergine in the kitchen, green in the bar, and pink in the powder room are just a few examples of the seven different types of stone we hand-selected with the client. These marbles set the tone for the colour palette, with rich, colourful tones balanced by warm neutrals in the larger furniture pieces. Curves were incorporated throughout the design to bring a softness and flow to the space, while the intricate marbles required the joinery and architectural details to be quiet and minimal, creating a subtle layering of texture and warmth.

Favorite Spaces: Where Function Meets Beauty

One of our favourite features is the entryway, inspired by wabi-sabi design. It showcases a hand-finished timber door with handmade bronze hardware. Inside, a sculptural plaster staircase, rounded marble plinth, and custom micro-cement table are framed by a timber batten wall that cleverly hides ample storage. This space beautifully blends functionality with artistry.

A Fusion of Art and Functionality

The client’s art collection was a key element retained and reimagined in new areas of the home. The client took charge of curating the artworks, adding a fresh and uncontrived feel to the final design. This personal touch allowed the home to truly reflect the client’s unique style.

Pictured: Landing / SJS Interior Design / Joinery: ACA / Photographer: Tom Ferguson

Exceeding the Vision: A Home for the Future

The final result outshines the initial vision. Through the strong involvement and commitment to excellence from the clients, builders, and artisans, the home evolved into something truly exceptional. The clients were delighted with the outcome, and their friends and family continue to be in awe of the home’s unique and calming ambiance.