BALMORAL HOUSE

The project involved extensive interior alterations to an existing 1990s three-storey house in Sydney’s Lower North Shore.

The client requested a complete reconfiguration of their existing home. Our approach for the house was to retain the original external envelope and consolidate the haphazard series of rooms and staircases to improve access and circulation.

The palette of materials and finishes was strongly influenced by the collection of antique Asian furniture and artefacts that had been accumulated by the client while living abroad. Grey Ironbark timber, bright yellow cabinetry and pimento anodised aluminium were chosen to compliment their antique timber pieces. Classic modern and contemporary furniture were selected to contrast quietly with the intricate details of Chinese rosewood sideboards and graphic Ming vases.

On the upper floor the deep plan was opened up towards the perimeter to maximise light and ventilation, while at the centre a series of skylights introduce daylight to amenity rooms. The cellular configuration of rooms on the lower floors accommodate private quarters and bedrooms. A new sculptural spiral staircase with an oculus at its crown floods each floor with natural daylight.

The kitchen was detailed as a series of elements articulated by the use of contrasting materials - marble cooking and washing counter, black granite preparation bench, solid timber breakfast table and yellow pantry cabinetry.

The gardens, designed by Tropic of Sydney, allude to the former indigenous landscape of the site with plantings of native Angophora and Bottle Brush at street front, while the private rear garden is a lush tropical oasis in reference to the client’s time in China and Southeast Asia.