Interior Design
Stickybeak of the Week: A Luxe House and a Challenging Brief
See how designers responded to a unique design brief that needed to please a family... and a potential mystery buyer
When experienced renovators Neil and Yani Tan decided to sell their Sydney house ‘turnkey’ style, they approached Max Sparrow armed with a $100,000 budget to fully furnish their house and an aim to ‘wow’ potential buyers. Being a turnkey sale, all furniture and furnishings were to be included with the purchase of the Potts Point house, and all were provided by Max Sparrow.
The brief was no small ask for the brand’s interior designers, Anthony Mitsos and Sarah Muir. Without knowing who the future owner may be, the designers were tasked with striking a balance between the Tan family’s aesthetic, and the furniture and stylistic preferences of an unknown individual. “We wanted a style that fitted the client’s design brief, but something that would also translate to potential buyers,” says Mitsos.
The brief was no small ask for the brand’s interior designers, Anthony Mitsos and Sarah Muir. Without knowing who the future owner may be, the designers were tasked with striking a balance between the Tan family’s aesthetic, and the furniture and stylistic preferences of an unknown individual. “We wanted a style that fitted the client’s design brief, but something that would also translate to potential buyers,” says Mitsos.
After a few minor adjustments to Mitsos and Muir’s initial presentation, the Tans proceeded with Max Sparrow’s concept for furnishing and styling the interior.
“The homeowners have renovated many projects before; it is a real passion for the couple,” says Muir.
This home spills over four levels, including the car park in the basement. On the lower level of the interior you find the master bedroom complete with sitting space, a walk-in robe and ensuite. The laundry is also neatly tucked away on this level, as are the two bedrooms for Neil and Yani’s children, each with a separate ensuite. This lower level leads out to the backyard and, for a touch of alfresco opulence, a plunge pool.
Mathilde Cabriole Desk and Make-up Mirror
“The homeowners have renovated many projects before; it is a real passion for the couple,” says Muir.
This home spills over four levels, including the car park in the basement. On the lower level of the interior you find the master bedroom complete with sitting space, a walk-in robe and ensuite. The laundry is also neatly tucked away on this level, as are the two bedrooms for Neil and Yani’s children, each with a separate ensuite. This lower level leads out to the backyard and, for a touch of alfresco opulence, a plunge pool.
Mathilde Cabriole Desk and Make-up Mirror
Normally the bed would be the centrepiece in the main sleeping quarters; not here though. “The master bedroom hero piece is the Jacques Round Back Arm Chair with its impressive gold bullion back detail,” says Mitsos. This pair of armchairs tempt you to sink into their depths.
As well as including hero pieces of furniture in each room, the Tans wanted to imbue their home with a high-end, luxury feel – not dissimilar to what you may find in a first-rate hotel – a strategy vital to achieving a high return and attractive sale. This approach influenced the decor decisions throughout the home, including the mirrored side tables in the master bedroom, which you can just see here.
Neil and Yani’s children’s bedrooms are located on the same level as the master bedroom, and each one embodies their own individual stylistic signature. This bedroom is infused with dark, inky tones which evoke a moodier feel.
In contrast, the decor of the second child’s bedroom conjures a light, airy quality. Here, metallic trims and the furniture’s gold framework link the space with the decor of the living areas.
Walk up one floor from the bedrooms and you will find the public spaces grouped together on a single level, including the kitchen, dining room, formal living room and family room.
“The clients are well travelled and pull inspiration from cities all over the world,” says Muir.
However, their Sydney home does not pledge allegiance to the style of one particular country or culture. Instead, it channels a classic and contemporary aesthetic and bridges the universal with subtle personal touches. This strategic approach was important to Mitsos and Muir, who were wary of putting off potential buyers by using a strong stylistic signature.
“The clients are well travelled and pull inspiration from cities all over the world,” says Muir.
However, their Sydney home does not pledge allegiance to the style of one particular country or culture. Instead, it channels a classic and contemporary aesthetic and bridges the universal with subtle personal touches. This strategic approach was important to Mitsos and Muir, who were wary of putting off potential buyers by using a strong stylistic signature.
The designers selected the Cooper Agate Buffet as the feature furniture item in the living room and, Muir explains, let the soft blue tones of the piece inform the colour palette for that space.
Flowing into the dining room, an entertainment unit takes pride of place. “We wanted to have a statement piece in each room and to make that the focal point,” Muir explains. “Everything else in the room is more textural and tonal.”
As part of their approach, Mitsos and Muir deliberately let framed artworks play second fiddle to feature pieces of furniture, so the two did not clash or compete.
“Max Sparrow has furniture [pieces] that are usable artworks in their own right – having statement pieces in each space acted as our artworks,” Mitsos explains.
“You can see this in the dining room with the Whitham Shell Entertainment Unit, which is finished with a pearlescent shell, in a basket-weave pattern with a white stone top.”
“Max Sparrow has furniture [pieces] that are usable artworks in their own right – having statement pieces in each space acted as our artworks,” Mitsos explains.
“You can see this in the dining room with the Whitham Shell Entertainment Unit, which is finished with a pearlescent shell, in a basket-weave pattern with a white stone top.”
Adjacent to the dining area lies the family’s formal living area, resplendent in black marble and regal metallic trims. “The feature that both Neil and Yani are extremely proud of is the marble fireplace in the formal living room,” says Mitsos. “When entering the space, it is a breathtaking feature of the home that leaves people in awe.”
The dark marble fireplace is tempered by light furniture that peppers the formal living space. A pair of sofas shine with their silver leaf framework, while twin ottomans with decorative nailhead stud work invite you to put your feet up and relax, providing cleverly hidden storage inside.
Carnaby Silver Leaf Sofa and Toulouse Ottomans
The dark marble fireplace is tempered by light furniture that peppers the formal living space. A pair of sofas shine with their silver leaf framework, while twin ottomans with decorative nailhead stud work invite you to put your feet up and relax, providing cleverly hidden storage inside.
Carnaby Silver Leaf Sofa and Toulouse Ottomans
The suburb of Point Piper is located on a finger of land that protrudes into Sydney Harbour. This picturesque setting is perfectly framed by a window in Neil’s top-floor study, which is accessed by a hidden door. From the moment you step into the home office, the harbour-side backdrop beckons you to come and enjoy the best views in the house.
“We selected the Manhattan Dark Oak Desk for this space to create a moody feel,” says Mitsos. “It’s a traditional desk rendered in luxe artisan metal with matt gold detail. Rich brown, suede leather lines the drawers for a luxury statement.”
The dark solidity of the desk and office chairs have a grounding effect and help counter the distracting beauty of the views beyond.
Although this property was visualised as a turnkey project, the designers also created a place that feels like home to the Tan family. “The clients are very happy with the result and are hoping to live there and enjoy the beautiful renovation and furniture a little while longer before a new buyer comes along,” says Muir.
Tell us
What’s your favourite feature in this Sydney home? Share your thoughts in the comments below and like or bookmark this story.
More
Read more Stickybeak of the Week stories
The dark solidity of the desk and office chairs have a grounding effect and help counter the distracting beauty of the views beyond.
Although this property was visualised as a turnkey project, the designers also created a place that feels like home to the Tan family. “The clients are very happy with the result and are hoping to live there and enjoy the beautiful renovation and furniture a little while longer before a new buyer comes along,” says Muir.
Tell us
What’s your favourite feature in this Sydney home? Share your thoughts in the comments below and like or bookmark this story.
More
Read more Stickybeak of the Week stories
Who lives here: Owners Neil and Yani Tan, and their two children
Location: Point Piper, NSW
Size: 446 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Furniture and styling: Interior designers Sarah Muir and Anthony Mitsos from Max Sparrow
The Tan family approached Max Sparrow – a furniture purveyor and sub-brand of Coco Republic – to furnish and style their house midway through renovations. At the time, their home was little more than a construction site. For four weeks Mitsos and Muir worked on the concept, then the installation was booked for January 2017, after the build was due to be completed.
“Neil and Yani had given us free rein on the development of the design concept and style,” says Mitsos. “The main direction that was given to us was to feature ‘wow’ pieces in each space. The clients wanted to have talking pieces in each area for when they are entertaining or showing the home.”
Milan Console Table in ‘Parchment’: Max Sparrow