Harbour View House: Luxury home design on a Sydney mansion
Featured in Belle: Special Treatment
WORDS CARLI PHILIPS | PHOTOGRAPHY ANSON SMART | STYLING CL AIRE DELMAR
Presented with an immense architectural envelope, two design studios have transformed this home’s interiors with micro details and massive statements.
It was purely just ‘Google luck’, ” says Warren Au of how he came to work on this home in Sydney’s Mosman. Warren, the director of Studio Gestalt, was surprised to receive an enquiry email from the owners. “I looked up the real estate pics and thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’ I thought someone was pulling my leg,” he says. “But I gave them a call and it was actually a real client, with a real project. I struck gold.”
Gobsmacked, Warren’s first port of call was to his friend and fellow designer Alex Mason of Studio aem. With a philosophy of two is better than one, the pair – who first met as graduates working at the same firm – embarked on the project together.
Sitting on a double block spread over 1792 square metres, the architectural envelope didn’t require any structural work. Inside, however, the house called for a whole new reinvigorated identity.
The scope, initially joinery specifications and a comprehensive furniture package, ballooned to encompass accessories, lighting, art and soft furnishings. “The original house was executed to a high standard through original selections and construction, so we were lucky in that we had a strong aesthetic foundation that was high quality – it provided us with a good base,” says Alex. “The intention was to complement what was existing and make improvements with the introduction of materials and finishes.”
In particular, all the carpeting was removed and replaced with elegant, over-scaled herringbone flooring in an effort to “add to the traditional element of the home”, says Alex. Broadly, the concept involved harmoniously blending any new additions with existing features such as the traditional fireplaces and decorative French windows with panoramic views across Sydney Harbour.
Due to the vast, expansive nature of the floor plan, Alex and Warren wanted to create visually contained spaces not necessarily closed off by doors or partitions, but distinguished by a composition of furniture and demarcated by rugs and lighting.
Experienced in hospitality design, especially big restaurant venues, Warren was familiar with this type of division and allotment. “I’m used to creating fit-for-purpose spaces, especially smaller defined pockets, which is what we have done here,” he says.
On the ground floor, the west wing has been carved into three zones: a dining table with a silk rug underfoot, a formal living area with Baxter’s ‘Chester Moon’ sofa and occasional chairs surrounding a set of coffee tables, and an arrangement of Gubi’s ‘Pacha’ chairs.
The east wing comprises a TV room and playroom with casual meals and dining. The ‘on-show’ kitchen was re-done and extended with a Super White dolomite island. Behind, there’s another full working Chinese scullery with Caesarstone bench. “It was designed to be the absolute workhorse of the house,” says Warren.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in rich chocolate Eveneer timber veneer hides fully integrated services. “From a holistic perspective, we wanted to maintain similar silhouettes and materials for the joinery throughout,” says Warren, referencing the same design, elevated with bronze detailing, that has been used in the master bathroom and boutique-like walk-in robe with a chest of drawers and extensive storage hidden behind a fluted sliding door.
A light touch was applied to all seven bathrooms, but special treatment was given to the master ensuite, which has been completely reorganised and lined in handmade tiles. Having undergone the most extensive changes, the reimagined design features curved profiles by way of round-edged double vanities, halo-style pendants and arched mirrors.
The adjacent master bedroom has been treated as a true suite, with an intimate living area complete with a fireplace, ottoman and armchairs. “Even though the house has so many large living spaces, this provides uninterrupted quiet and retreat,” explains Warren. Another four bedrooms are clustered on this level in addition to a sweeping terrace.
All three levels are linked by a wide, sculptural central staircase which unfolds into a foyer on the lower-ground floor with a glass-topped B&B Italia ‘Bolt’ entrance table by Mario Bellini. Through a floor-to-ceiling internal glass pane is a view to the palatial study, where there’s both a desk and a B&B Italia ‘Tufty-Time’ sofa by Patricia Urquiola which, in its bone and navy colour, was selected as a hero piece to cap off this fine home.
SPEED READ
When Warren Au of Studio Gestalt was engaged to work on this five-level home in Mosman, he invited fellow designer and friend Alex Mason of Studio aem to come on board. The house was only seven years old and didn’t require major architectural interventions, but the new owners wanted to contemporise the interiors with new fixtures, finishes and furniture.
» Traditional elements such as the existing French windows, some chandeliers and mouldings were left intact.
» The kitchen was reoriented and lined in Super White dolomite, while a new scullery, where most of the cooking takes place, is now tucked behind.
» The travertine tiling and limestone was retained throughout but all the carpets were replaced with herringbone flooring.
» The hard finishes are expressed in shades of oatmeal and tan with injections of subtle pattern and colour.
» The most work was done to the master ensuite and walk-in robe, both now featuring custom Eveneer joinery with bronze detailing.
First-floor Entrance Design
In the first-floor entrance, a B&B Italia ‘Eda-Mame’ sofa and ‘Elios’ side table, both from Space. Missoni Home ‘Tibet’ ottoman from Top3 by Design. Bowl from Montmartre Store. Society Limonta throw from Ondene. What Lies Beneath artwork by Theresa Hunt from Curatorial+Co. French oak flooring from Nash Timbers.
Travertine Stairs
Freehold II by Christopher Lees from Harvey Galleries and Wing Walkers Study by David O’Toole from Curatorial+Co guide those who climb the travertine stairs of this home. Poltrona Frau ‘Soffi’ pendant light from Cult. Walls in Porter’s Paints ‘French Wash’. Vessels on the landing from Studio Cavit.
Ground-floor living area styling
Views across Sydney’s lower North Shore to the Sydney Harbour Bridge are savoured from a Giorgetti ‘Skyline’ modular sofa from Space in the ground-floor living area. The Giorgetti ‘Skyline’ low table and ‘Gradient Reflex’ bamboo silk and linen rug are also from Space. &Tradition ‘Shuffle MH1’ multicoloured side table from Cult. Glass from Becker Minty and glass bowl from Top3 by Design on table. Navigating Our Way artwork by Kerrie Oliver from Curatorial+Co. Apparatus ‘Cloud 37’ pendant light from Criteria. All the internal walls are painted in half-strength Dulux ‘White Duck’.
Casual living area styling
To the other side of the casual eating area, the owner’s existing pendant light, mirror and fireplace add rustic charm. Giorgetti ‘Apsara’ outdoor modular seating system and B&B Italia ‘Fat-Fat’ outdoor tables, all from Space. Zanotta ‘Teti’ green occasional table from Cult. Vida ‘Sonoma’ outdoor rug from The Rug Establishment, made from recycled plastic bottles.
Casual dining area styling
Adjacent to the casual living, the ground-floor casual dining seats six on Porro ‘Frank’ chairs around a Porro ‘Materic’ table by Piero Lissoni, all from Space. Glass vase and glassware from Becker Minty. Aerin ice bucket from Palmer & Penn. Apparatus ‘Cloud 37’ pendant light from Criteria. Zanotta ‘Teti’ occasional table from Cult.
Kitchen and kitchen island styling
Honed Super White dolomite stone on the kitchen island and benches contrasts with the Majorca Grey marble used for the rangehood, all from WK Stone. On benchtop, sculpture by Humble Matter from Curatorial+Co. Qasair ‘Lismore’ rangehood.
Kids’ room entrance
A corner of the kitchen leads to the kids’ room. Gubi ‘Pacha’ chair from Criteria. Softline ‘POD’ footstool from Cult. Artwork by unknown artist. Christopher Boots ‘Prometheus VII’ pendant light from Est Lighting. Kristalia ‘BCN’ stools from Fanuli. White bowls from Ondene. Sculptural vase from Studio Cavit.
Formal living and dining styling
The original full-height French doors in the formal living and dining open to brilliant views. B&B Italia ‘Doyl’ chairs and Giorgetti
‘Amadeus’ table and ‘Alfred’ bar cart, all from Space. Large vessel and ceramic bowl on table from The DEA Store. Marble bowl from Greg Natale. Carafe and glasses on bar cart from Great Dane. Indian ‘Terra 2’ rug from Cadrys. Baxter
‘Chester Moon’ sofa from Criteria. Chandeliers, owner’s existing. Fleur Stevenson artworks from Curatorial+Co. On the terrace, Manutti ‘Torsa’ table from Cosh Living and Zanotta ‘Club’ armchairs from Cult. Also in the formal living, Poltrona Frau ‘Archibald’ chairs from Cult. Baxter ‘Plissè’ leather sideboard, ‘Ninfea’ small table and night table, and set of ‘Jenga’ coffee tables, all from Criteria. Marble bowl from Greg Natale, ceramic vase from The DEA Store and glasses from Great Dane. On sideboard, from left, ‘TTR’ vessel by Humble Matter from Curatorial+Co, bowl from Montmartre Store and vase from Becker Minty. Nettle and artsilk Pokhara rug from Tappeti. Small artwork by Leonie Barton from Curatorial+Co. Interior designers Warren Au of Studio Gestalt and Alex Mason of Studio aem. Baxter ‘Bauhaus’ chair from Criteria.
Lower ground-floor foyer design
The lower-ground floor foyer looks through to a study highlighted by Kerrie Oliver’s Please Get Off My Back from Curatorial+Co. B&B Italia ‘Bolt’ table and Porro ‘Frank’ chair, both from Space. Green vase from Maison et Jardin. Maison Balzac platter from Manyara Home. ‘Froth’ rug from Robyn Cosgrove. Poltrona Frau ‘Xi’ pendant light from Cult. On the study desk, stone sculpture and glass circular base from BoConcept, and metal sculpture by Camie Lyons from Spence & Lyda. Riva 1920 walnut shelving unit from Fanuli.
Connecting spaces and thoroughfares
Looking outside from the study, a B&B Italia ‘Tufty-Time’ sofa, ‘Fat-Fat’ ottoman and ‘Husk’ chair, all from Space. Yellow cushion and wineglass, both from Montmartre Store. Large vase on floor from BoConcept. Ceramic tray with cups from Becker Minty. Cordeaux & Co curtains from Boyac. Artwork by Maria Kostareva from Curatorial+Co. Step out to the master bedroom terrace and a pair of Gervasoni ‘Inout 81’ recliner sun loungers from Anibou await. In the first-floor hall, Baxter ‘Tia’ leather seat from Criteria and ‘Freeform’ wool and silk rug from Tappeti.
Master bedroom, walk-in wardrobe & ensuite styling
In the master bedroom, the Maxalto ‘Alcova’ bed from Space includes a bench seat upholstered in Dedar Milano ‘Lupo’ fabric. Society Limonta bed linen from Ondene. ‘Lune’ pendant light from Spence & Lyda. Cordeaux & Co curtains in Pearl from Boyac made by Fybre Furnishing Solutions. ‘Velvet Cocoon’ wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries. Missoni cushion in shelf from Top3 by Design and platter from Ondene. The master ensuite is flanked by a custom vanity in Eveneer in Metro from Elton Group offset in RAW by Salvatori silk georgette wall tiles from Boffi. Existing marble floor tiles and tapware. Ceramilux bath and Falper oval basins, both from Rogerseller. Baxter
‘Nepal’ chair from Criteria. ‘Prometheus I + II’ pendant lights from Est Lighting. ‘Ripley’ handles from The English Tapware Company in the walk-in robe were also used on the ensuite joinery. Island inset with Super White dolomite from WK Stone. Moooi ‘Heracleum Endless’ pendant light from Space. Vintage hat boxes from Palmer & Penn and Maison et Jardin. Leather basket and containers from Great Dane. Artwork from Montmartre Store. Sliding doors from Spectrum Art Glass. Glass vase from Greg Natale on the vanity, which has a custom mirror. In the shower area, Glas Italia ‘Koh-I-Noor Specchi’ mirror from Space and a Prada hat box from Palmer & Penn. ‘Eccentric’ shower rose from Rogerseller.
Swimming pool lounge area
Overlooking a compact but well-used swimming pool, the west-facing terrace’s Tribù ‘Tosca’ sofa and chairs from Cosh Living are a prime spot to take in the sunset. Tribù ‘Nomad Pouf’ ottoman and ‘Tao’ rectangular low table, both from Cosh Living. Glass vessel on table from BoConcept. Vida ‘Sonoma’ rug from The Rug Establishment. This home is luxury on all levels.