Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic
When it came to purchasing this property in Sydney’s Inner West, the owners appreciated the site’s original heritage dwelling, but it was the potential offered by the sprawling land size that really sealed the deal. In addition to a tennis court behind the house, there were 660 square metres of extra land to play with.
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Designers Entrance Hall initially worked on the plans, but the project changed hands midway, with CDArchitects (CDA) stepping in. MXM Design Studio, founded by interior experts Madeleine Karrys and Marie Daaboul, joined the team then, too, working on the joinery, fixtures, fittings and furniture. They gently refined a few of the spaces to suit the family of six, but Madeleine says it was the architect-interior designer collaboration that really “nailed it”.
The living room has a suite of vintage and contemporary furniture pieces. In the corner is a 1960s Italian floor lamp by Goffredo Reggiani from Vampt Vintage Design. ‘Bristol’ modular sofa from Poliform. ClassiCon glass ‘Table E 1027’ from Anibou. ‘Etcetera’ armchair, silver lamp and bronze tray from 506070. ‘Dune’ fibreglass side table for Baxter. Acerbis ‘Due Piu’ fluffy armchair by Nanda Vigo from Space. Ligne Roset ‘Pumpkin’ swivelling armchair from Domo. Custom black coffee table, armchair and silk rug by MXM Design Studio. ‘Willo’ black stool from District. White totem by Odette Ireland from Curatorial+Co. Vase by Astrid Salomon. Bowl by Michaël Verheyden from Ondene. Walls painted Dulux Snowy Mountains Quarter. Large artwork by Sara Mugnes from Hake House. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
The front part of the house, which was original, was full of character and only needed a facelift: a lick of paint, rejuvenated bathroom surfaces and some new cornices. While the rear is much more contemporary, Madeleine and Marie subtly carried over some of the traditional details, including exaggerated cornicing and skirting.
In the dining area, the limestone flooring is from Marblous Group. ClassiCon ‘Roquebrune’ dining chairs from Anibou surround a dining table by MXM Design Studio. Black bowl from 506070. Commissioned perspex artwork by Vicki Lee. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
The homeowners – a couple with young children – were seeking a monochromatic palette with muted hard finishes. “They wanted a neutral scheme and colours that would work in both the old and new parts – nothing too crazy,” says Madeleine.
The kitchen island is Calacatta Monet marble from Marblous Group while the cabinetry is Urban Recon Veneer in Bouchon from Opal Wood. Tapware from Brodware. Cooktop by Pitt Cooking. Biasol ‘Tre Mezzo’ stool from Domo. Alias ‘Seconda’ chair from District. Resin vase by Gaetano Pesce. Stone sculpture by Carol Crawford. Artwork by Graziela Guardino. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
Pavers lead to the original front door, but the idea post-renovation was for guests to enter through Vitrocsa doors in the living room. “The beauty is that, when they’re closed, you wouldn’t suspect that it’s an entry point at all,” says Madeleine. “We love that guests arrive in the central part of the home. And because the sliding system is so seamless, it opens wide, which is perfect for foot traffic in and out when the clients host. Having the open-plan living area with direct views to the backyard really sets the social tone when guests are entering. We were thinking about the end-user experience and how guests would feel when they visit.”
The study nook sports the same materials as the kitchen. Massproductions ‘Crown’ armchair from District. Articolo Studios ‘Rolo’ table lamp from Est Lighting. Bowl by David Collins. Pieces on shelves from 506070 and Fletcher Arts. Artworks by Mark Maurangi Carrol from Nasha Gallery and Michael Cusack from Olsen Gallery with a portrait from M Contemporary. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
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Other aspects of entertaining were also considered. “The butler’s pantry is central but concealed, so the owners can easily grab food and display it on the open island. In addition, the powder room down the hall from the kitchen is quite near to the feature wine display, so guests can see it every time they use the powder room.”
Custom chairs by MXM Design Studio at the dining table. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
A relaxing library at the front has a wall of joinery and a day-bed nook that invites the owners to curl up with a book. Its soft furniture palette is enlivened by pre-existing stained glass – the rare design a mix of spearmint and lilac chequerboard pieces, and a flowery pattern in ribbons of mustard yellow and baby blue. An opening connects this space to the study, where ebony-hued furniture and a brushed black Nerofino quartzite fireplace are starkly contrasted with the pale backdrop.
More limestone from Marblous Group runs through the hallway, where a palm tree is beautifully framed by the window and glass ceiling. ‘End to End’ wall sconce from Articolo Studios. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
Four bedrooms (one with an ensuite) on the ground floor take advantage of the home’s classic features, including the daughter’s room, where the mouldings, skirting and ceiling rose have been preserved.
The main bedroom is awash in soothing tones and its timber floorboards have a stylish Calacatta Monet border. ‘Plume’ inset carpet by Signature Floors. ‘Arc Well’ pendant by Allied Maker. Custom bedhead and side table by MXM Design Studio. Linen from Cultiver. Thonet ‘2001’ chair from Anibou. ‘Serena’ vase by Alexandra Kidd Atelier from Becker Minty. Artwork by Louise Olsen. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
At the juncture of old and new is a set of split-level Savannah marble steps that lead either up to the first-floor parents’ retreat or down to the limestone-lined communal area. The atrium corridor connects to the kitchen/dining/living zone, where floor-to-ceiling glazed doors unzip all the way around to the alfresco terrace and tennis court.
The original library has a glorious stained-glass window with a banquette in ‘Porto Paolo’ from Westbury Textiles. ‘Sahn’ chandelier from 101 Copenhagen. ‘Flare’ side table from Articolo Studios. ‘Nuage’ vase from Living Edge. ‘Brise’ coffee table from Anibou. Bowl by Daniel Barbera. ‘Chiara’ floor lamp from Euroluce. Gubi ‘597’ lamp from Cult. Knoll ‘Wassily’ chair from Living Edge. White bouclé chair from Vampt Vintage Design. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
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“Wherever you are, there’s greenery,” says Madeleine of the living room, which has a modular Poliform ‘Bristol’ sofa that seats up to 10 comfortably. At the rear, a rumpus room is the designated children’s domain while a handy mud room opens to a courtyard and conveniently located trampoline.
An arched opening connects library and office. Desk by MXM Design Studio. Nerofino quartzite marble from Artedomus. ‘Catilina’ armchair and ‘Lazybones’ chair from Space. ‘Nebulae’ chandelier from Ross Gardam. Objects by Up&Up and glass lamp by Toni Zuccheri from 506070. Artwork by André de Vanny from Curatorial+Co. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)An artwork by Jake Walker from Station Gallery. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
The parents’ zone spans the entire first floor and, in addition to the ensuite, there’s a generous walk-in wardrobe with display shelving. “It was a key part of the clients’ brief as they are big shoppers,” says Madeleine.
“We wanted to give them a grand suite with softness, so instead of high ceilings and linear forms, we introduced curvature to the walls as well as Calacatta Monet marble and finishes with blush-coloured undertones in the veneer to ensure the interiors didn’t feel stark.”
In the daughter’s room is a Persian tabriz rug from Cadrys on chevron timber flooring. ‘Hayes’ chandelier from West Elm. Linen from Society Limonta. Massproductions ‘Crown’ chair from District. David Design ‘Globlow’ lamp from K5 Furniture. Eames ‘Elephant’ from Living Edge. BD Barcelona ‘Monkey’ table from Living Edge. Banquette in ‘Gamechanger’ from Unique Fabrics. Trevira curtain fabric from Westbury Textiles. Artwork by Graziela Guardino. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)At the original entrance is a Baxter ‘Nepal’ armchair by Paola Navone from Space. Large artwork by Louise Olsen. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
Down on the basement level is a wellness domain, complete with a gym, massage beds and a Finnish-style sauna made from Australian cedar. Designed in collaboration with Cinemaworks Group, it’s spacious enough for two very happy owners.
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Limestone pavers from Marblous Group lead to the new side entry, mainly used by the owners when they entertain large groups. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic) Surrounding the pool are ‘Goldie’ sunloungers from Grazia & Co under ‘Casper’ patio umbrellas from Basil Bangs. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)Primed for enjoyment, the home has a new rendered exterior in Murowash textured paint (Dulux Vivid White tint) by Murobond. The fire pit is backed with a timber bench by Myles Baldwin Design. ‘Samuel’ dining chair from The Feelter. ‘Inout44’ stool from Anibou. Dining table from Concrete Design House. ‘Tropique’ chairs from Cult. Ligne Roset ‘Fifty’ armchair and Pulpo ‘Mila’ table from Domo. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)
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Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Jack Milenkovic
