Queens Park House
Located a short stroll from Queens Park, our back-to-shell renovation of this Californian bungalow also included a rear addition featuring an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, plus an upper storey primary suite. The extension elevates the century-old home’s heritage details with streamlined flair while ushering a freer sense of space within, particularly inside the kitchen where a large bench space doubles as a secondary dining table for the family of four. Set behind doors is a generous butler’s pantry and a welcoming bar – accommodating regular entertaining needs.
- SCOPE
Interior Architecture. Furniture, Object and Art
- PHOTOGRAPHY (HOUSE)
Anson Smart
- PHOTOGRAPHY (STUDIO)
Felix Mooneeram
- ARCHITECT (HOUSE)
Vitale Design
- ARCHITECT (STUDIO)
Anna Vaughn Architects
Every space has room to breathe, an effect heightened by the billowing white linen curtains gently pooling upon floors across levels, plus the vast flattened arch glass doors enhancing outdoor connections and the flow of light within. Combined with the extension’s grid ceiling moulding, they nod to the architraves and ornate ceilings in the existing structure, as does the recessed curved detail of the fireplace’s design.
An internal palette of eucalypt green and greys upon hard surfaces adds a calming nod to the home’s connection to the park. Furnishings introduce warmer tones, notably via pixelated autumn shades scattered upon the living room’s oversized rug. Accents of brass, burl timber and leather combined with the couple’s burgeoning collection of Australian art sprinkled upon the walls bolster sensory awakenings.
One of our great joys is maintaining relationships with existing clients to realise residential additions and new projects. With the young sons now teenagers, we recently completed the interiors of the home’s new rear garden companion: a split level studio. It serves as both a guest house for visiting family plus a pool house for the children given its lounge entrance flows directly off the paved deck.
Working closely with the architect during the design stage of the studio ensured key concepts aligned with the house. Double glass doors and windows feature the same flattened arch motif, while the bedroom sits partially behind a mezzanine balustrade, creating a sense of lofty openness from the lounge below.
Throughout, we enhanced the hand-crafted nature of finishes. The lounge features travertine pavers set within thick grouting inspired by Carlo Scarpa’s ‘tessera’ floors. Bound by an ornate border, it alludes to an oversized rug given the room required a practical surface to accommodate teenage gatherings (and wet feet). Beyond a set of stairs, they flow upon the kitchenette’s floor where the metallic minimalism of a brushed stainless steel counter accentuates the room’s timber joinery detailing and displayed ceramic objects.
While walls feature the house’s similar soul-soothing tones, we played with tonal injections. Shades of glossy denim blues are sprinkled throughout: tiles clad the timber stair treads, bathroom walls and kitchen splashback (via a floral motif), while a powder-coated handrail zips up the stairs and highlights the bedroom’s undulating balustrade. Within the bathroom, a zesty lemon floating basin plus complementary shower head and tapware add a sunshine burst to the partially subterranean level.
With the homeowners’ growing collection of art now scattered throughout the studio, it is fast becoming a special retreat for the entire family to escape to. ‘We wanted Arent&Pyke to work their magic, which they did! It feels young and playful – perfect for a family home. We absolutely adore the house and will be happy here for many years to come.’ Homeowners, Queens Park House
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