Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Prized Seaside Manor Reimagined for Modern Living
A grand Edwardian mansion on Sydney's Northern Beaches gets the sophisticated makeover it deserves
When the owners of this once-grand Edwardian home-turned-boarding house contacted Infinite Design Studio to refurbish their unique and prized beachside mansion, they were clear on what they wanted – a glamorous home that capitalised on the ocean views. What they didn’t want was a cliche. That meant no Hamptons, no anchors and definitely no nautical stripes. “The clients’ vision was to create a grand, luxurious beachside manor – an approach as rare as the building itself,” says lead designer Michelle Macarounas. By the time Macarounas had finished, the three-level home’s layout was reimagined and the entire house redecorated.
Infinite Design Studio’s principal and lead designer, Michelle Macarounas, worked closely with the owners on this project. The home’s harbour views inspired the flow of colours and textures in the home and its bold architectural elements. The opulent design echos the “glimmering colours of the water and gardens that embrace it”, says Macarounas.
Contemporary lighting choices and furnishings contrast with the home’s historical features.
Joe Sofa: MCM House; Smithfield’s Pendant Light: Euroluce
Joe Sofa: MCM House; Smithfield’s Pendant Light: Euroluce
The property has good Edwardian bones, with five bedrooms over three levels on a 676-square-metre block. The rooms were reconfigured to give the home a consistent schematic, and to embrace both the original grand manor feel and the lifestyle requirements of a modern family.
El Sensor Lamp: MCM House
El Sensor Lamp: MCM House
A glass balustrade on the balcony allows for unobstructed harbour views from the light-filled living area and kitchen.
Lowlife Armchair, New York Coffee Table: MCM House
Lowlife Armchair, New York Coffee Table: MCM House
The original sandstone fireplace brings warmth and character to the space.
“The entire kitchen and casual living space was redesigned to allow for an area that felt authentic in grandeur and scale and yet functional for a modern family’s requirements,” says Macarounas. The entire home is free of any mechanical cooling system, relying on cross-ventilation and shading to manage the hot summer days.
Ay Illuminate Z Pendant: Spence and Lyda
Ay Illuminate Z Pendant: Spence and Lyda
With a brief from the clients requesting a unique look for their home, Macarounas sought to combine luxury and elegance with an aesthetic that reflected the Australian landscape in an unusual way. “Avoiding cliched references to heritage design and the temptation to integrate a Hamptons beach feel, the design reaches a level of sophistication that stands proudly as an Australian home embracing its European influence and the lifestyle requirements of harbourside family living,” she says.
The clients love the beach, but they also love to entertain with a little glamour and their home needed to reflect both. The dining room is in a separate room adjoining the kitchen.
Featherston Scape Dining Chair: Grazia & Co; Skygarden Suspended Lamp: Euroluce; Lowlife Ottoman: MCM House
Featherston Scape Dining Chair: Grazia & Co; Skygarden Suspended Lamp: Euroluce; Lowlife Ottoman: MCM House
The staircase is the true focus of the home, according to Macarounas. “We wanted to use the drama of the stair and extend it further to have an extremely high impact in the space,” she says. Black and white – with a dash of blue – is the colour palette that features throughout the home.
What looks like an Alice in Wonderland hole beneath the hallway table is actually a rug, fittingly titled ‘Black Hole’. This is one of Macarounas’ favourite areas of the finished house.
Classique Round Dining Table: Globe West; Black Hole Rug: Designer Rugs; Meloc Stool: MCM House
Classique Round Dining Table: Globe West; Black Hole Rug: Designer Rugs; Meloc Stool: MCM House
Infinite Design Studio sourced much of the art displayed in the house, chosen to reflect both client experiences and the home itself. The stairs lead up to the first floor’s bedrooms and library.
Artwork: Saint Cloche
Artwork: Saint Cloche
The home’s ground floor has stairs that descend to the cellar.
This floor plan reveals what a starring role the staircase plays in the house.
The upper level is reserved for the rumpus room.
A palette of black and white and standout light fittings creates an aesthetic that’s both classic and modern.
The striking pendant that illuminates the grand staircase also complements its sculptural element.
Crown Major light in black: Mondoluce
Crown Major light in black: Mondoluce
The library features a vintage Swaffer Floren chair from Vampt Vintage Design, reupholstered in fabric from Marco. Details like these, along with architectural features, give the home both style and soul.
“Restored windows and era details that had been lost in the ‘boarding house years’ were repositioned, allowing for light, period detail and splendour,” says Macarounas. “It’s a truly Australian/Edwardian beachfront home, respectful to its past yet thoroughly authentic in its modern relevance, aesthetic and lifestyle demands.”
“Restored windows and era details that had been lost in the ‘boarding house years’ were repositioned, allowing for light, period detail and splendour,” says Macarounas. “It’s a truly Australian/Edwardian beachfront home, respectful to its past yet thoroughly authentic in its modern relevance, aesthetic and lifestyle demands.”
The elegant library serves as a peaceful retreat, and is one of the rooms created when the home’s layout was reconfigured. “The project comprised of detailed new design elements and reconfiguration of spacial logistics, including moving bathrooms and repositioning core rooms including the master bedroom, ensuite and dressing room, and creating new areas for lifestyle requirements, such as the library and cinema rooms,” says Macarounas.
Tom Dixon Side Table: Dedece
Tom Dixon Side Table: Dedece
Dramatic artwork and beautiful objects give the home a personality of its own.
New York Drink Cabinet: Grazia & Co; Iberian artwork: Diana Watson
New York Drink Cabinet: Grazia & Co; Iberian artwork: Diana Watson
A selection of sculptural and statement furniture echoes the art collection.
Gubi Grand Piano Sofa: Cult; Handloomed Rainbow rug: Hali Rugs; Jonathan Adler Alphaville Coffee Table: Coco Republic; Gubi G10 Lamp: Cult
Gubi Grand Piano Sofa: Cult; Handloomed Rainbow rug: Hali Rugs; Jonathan Adler Alphaville Coffee Table: Coco Republic; Gubi G10 Lamp: Cult
The library opens to a balcony with harbour views.
Thoughtful touches add subtle style to the artistic master bedroom. The bed has been made up in Ondene bed linen with cushions from Francalia and a Missoni throw.
Float wall sconces in capped brass and drunken emerald: Articolo; Novecento Suspension Pendant: Mondoluce; Reeno Bench: Grazia & Co
Float wall sconces in capped brass and drunken emerald: Articolo; Novecento Suspension Pendant: Mondoluce; Reeno Bench: Grazia & Co
The blue in the upholstered wall panel behind the bed that acts as a bedhead is echoed in the blue velvet chair and the rug.
Featherston E254 Suspension Chair: Grazia & Co; Gubi FA33 Mirror: Cult; Dakota Rug: Designer Rugs
Featherston E254 Suspension Chair: Grazia & Co; Gubi FA33 Mirror: Cult; Dakota Rug: Designer Rugs
The dressing room behind the bed leads to the ensuite.
Brass Lord Sconce: Catapult Design; Circus Pouffe: Curious Grace
Brass Lord Sconce: Catapult Design; Circus Pouffe: Curious Grace
Along with shiny brass fittings that reflect the home’s history, the ensuite adds another touch of class with a Victoria and Albert Mandello 114 vanity from Reece.
Missoni towel: Spence and Lyda
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Want more great design? Don’t miss last week’s Milan Houzz Tour: Italian Apartment Channels Mid-Century Master
Tell us
What do you love about this grand home? Tell us in the Comments, save the images for inspiration, like or share this story, and join the conversation.
More
Want more great design? Don’t miss last week’s Milan Houzz Tour: Italian Apartment Channels Mid-Century Master
Who lives here: A professional couple, their two young children, and their dog
Location: Fairlight, NSW
Size: 386 square metres, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, plus a study, on a 676-square metre site
Interior designer: Infinite Design Studio
The entryway opens to a fresh and sophisticated home with a seamless blending of old and new. Greenery, timber and white set the tone for much of the rest of the home, but it’s far from typical – surprises await.