Houzz Tours
Architecture
Sydney Houzz: Splashes of Theatricality Reflect Dazzling Views
Glittering water views are matched by a stunning interior and lush garden in this multi-level harbourside home
With a harbourside location this spectacular, it’s natural to want a home that rises to the occasion. And Archer Design – tasked with creating a timeless, elegant vision that showcases a curated selection of luxurious furnishings and bold Australian artwork – delivered (often by barge, occasionally by crane). But the surprise is that while this incredible home is replete with resort-like luxury, it’s also comfortable enough for relaxed family living; big enough to entertain on a grand scale yet flexible enough to provide intimate spaces for reflection.
The four-level home on an absolute waterfront is fully orientated towards the harbour and, needless to say, the location captures Sydney in all its glory. The home hugs the coastline’s sandstone cliffs and its aspect offers stunning views of (and direct access to) Sydney Harbour including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, city, North Sydney and Clark Island.
Want a home with wow factor? Find the architect right here
Want a home with wow factor? Find the architect right here
The ground-floor plan showing the waterfront pool.
At first, Archer Design was brought in for a fairly minor refurbishment of this substantial four-bedroom home.
At first, Archer Design was brought in for a fairly minor refurbishment of this substantial four-bedroom home.
The first-floor plan.
The family had been living in the 2008 four-bedroom four-storey home for a year prior to contacting Archer to fix the low-ceiled rooms, damp issues and awkward layout.
The family had been living in the 2008 four-bedroom four-storey home for a year prior to contacting Archer to fix the low-ceiled rooms, damp issues and awkward layout.
The second-floor plan.
What began as a limited fix-it job soon evolved into a glittering vision to match the incredible beauty on the home’s doorstep.
What began as a limited fix-it job soon evolved into a glittering vision to match the incredible beauty on the home’s doorstep.
The third-floor plan.
“Our client sought a home imbued with a spirit of ‘joyousness’, where elegant restraint was contrasted with splashes of theatricality,” says Archer.
“Our client sought a home imbued with a spirit of ‘joyousness’, where elegant restraint was contrasted with splashes of theatricality,” says Archer.
The ground-floor foyer. Although most artworks were selected for this project, key items from the client’s collection were integrated into the renovation, including an 18th-century chinoiserie commode in the main bedroom, a Bill Henson artwork in the study and this Papua New Guinean ceremonial mask in the foyer.
The IRain by Blackbody pendant cascades down through the central stairwell void.
To achieve this, the existing dwelling was completely stripped out, leaving nothing but a bare concrete shell. Several low-ceilinged rooms were then elevated to almost four metres in height, creating soaring volumes flooded with natural light.
To achieve this, the existing dwelling was completely stripped out, leaving nothing but a bare concrete shell. Several low-ceilinged rooms were then elevated to almost four metres in height, creating soaring volumes flooded with natural light.
Bomat Fresco Rug: Whitecliffe Imports; Judd coffee table: Meridiani; Blake Swivel armchair and footstool: Minotti; Soori Highline armchair: Poliform; artworks are Beam by Ildiko Kovacs (above sofa), Rhoda’s Nocturnal Pilgrimage by Charles Blackman (over fireplace).
The expansive ground floor encompasses a sitting area (seen here), a living area that opens onto a terrace, a bar and curved kitchen.
The home was designed to be comfortable for the small family while being able to accommodate entertaining on a large scale.
Accordingly, the sitting area is a space for conversation and, in winter, cosy nights around the fireplace, which is flanked by frameless glass walls with a direct view onto green plantings.
The expansive ground floor encompasses a sitting area (seen here), a living area that opens onto a terrace, a bar and curved kitchen.
The home was designed to be comfortable for the small family while being able to accommodate entertaining on a large scale.
Accordingly, the sitting area is a space for conversation and, in winter, cosy nights around the fireplace, which is flanked by frameless glass walls with a direct view onto green plantings.
The lush garden was almost instantaneous, with mature plants barged into the steep site via the harbour frontage to create instant impact. It’s also designed as an integral part of the sitting room, with the plant selection and night lighting a key component of the sitting room experience.
Archer Design worked closely with landscape architects Wyer & Co to ensure that the jungle-like gardens were not separate to the interiors, “but worked as another contributing textural element, visually integrated into the carefully balanced architectural environment,” says Archer.
Archer Design worked closely with landscape architects Wyer & Co to ensure that the jungle-like gardens were not separate to the interiors, “but worked as another contributing textural element, visually integrated into the carefully balanced architectural environment,” says Archer.
The adjacent living area is the fullest expression of family’s vision: “to create a space to admire the ever-changing view of Sydney Harbour throughout the day and the artwork collection throughout the space”, says Archer.
This floor, which previously had beige walls on beige tiles with beige window coverings, was opened up with a new six-metre wide opening.
“With Sydney Harbour at the doorstep, it was extremely important to have an immediate indoor-outdoor connection,” he says. “This was created with the use of large sliding doors that, when opened, extend the living space to the outdoor entertaining areas.
“The extensive (but judicious) use of mirrored panelling also invites the spectacular harbour views inwards to further blur the demarcation between inside and out.”
This floor, which previously had beige walls on beige tiles with beige window coverings, was opened up with a new six-metre wide opening.
“With Sydney Harbour at the doorstep, it was extremely important to have an immediate indoor-outdoor connection,” he says. “This was created with the use of large sliding doors that, when opened, extend the living space to the outdoor entertaining areas.
“The extensive (but judicious) use of mirrored panelling also invites the spectacular harbour views inwards to further blur the demarcation between inside and out.”
Dan Dining Table and Alexander Sofa: Minotti; custom Ferro Vitro Chandelier: Cox London; Oculaire wallpaper: Arte; Bomat Fresco Rug: Whitecliffe Imports; Bart Swivel Armchair: Moooi; Light Travertine Tile flooring: Skheme.
A palette of soft limestone, rich ebony veneer, grass-weave wall coverings and colourful artworks brings this space alive. “The wall coverings elevate the room by adding texture, acoustic warmth and a subtle tactile element that contrasts with the large expanses of glazing and polished materials,” says Archer.
He situated the dining area in a curved niche opposite the terrace. Here, mirrored panels reflect the harbour view during the day and at night the placement means the boldly coloured artworks hung over them seem to float suspended in mid-air. The panels also ensure dinner guests get to enjoy the home’s ever-changing light and movement of the harbour, even if they sit with their back to it.
A palette of soft limestone, rich ebony veneer, grass-weave wall coverings and colourful artworks brings this space alive. “The wall coverings elevate the room by adding texture, acoustic warmth and a subtle tactile element that contrasts with the large expanses of glazing and polished materials,” says Archer.
He situated the dining area in a curved niche opposite the terrace. Here, mirrored panels reflect the harbour view during the day and at night the placement means the boldly coloured artworks hung over them seem to float suspended in mid-air. The panels also ensure dinner guests get to enjoy the home’s ever-changing light and movement of the harbour, even if they sit with their back to it.
Custom-designed joinery and kitchen island design: Archer Design.
Archer Design took the kitchen from red timber veneer with a dated and distracting red mosaic mural splashback to the epitome of elegance.
Archer Design took the kitchen from red timber veneer with a dated and distracting red mosaic mural splashback to the epitome of elegance.
Kitchen joinery construction: Square Peg.
The vestibule behind the bar houses a lift shaft.
A dark and damp pantry at the far end of the ocean-facing kitchen was converted into a wine cellar. This room features one of the owners’ many collections of furniture suites from notable international design houses, in this case an original Tulip table and chairs by mid-century master Eero Saarinen.
The original pool, with old-fashioned tiling and a rope-loop fence, was stripped back, rebuilt and totally reshaped.
Browse more beautiful Australian pools
Browse more beautiful Australian pools
The pool now reflects the tones of the harbour, mere metres away. An outdoor shower is nestled into the lush waterside plantings for privacy.
“Every project is utterly unique, but the contours of the steeply sloping sandstone cliff that this home hugs had a huge influence over the layouts and the look of the home,” says Archer.
“Every project is utterly unique, but the contours of the steeply sloping sandstone cliff that this home hugs had a huge influence over the layouts and the look of the home,” says Archer.
To one side of the pool fence, the property has direct water access.
On the second-floor, a Tim Maguire artwork, Robert Kuo artefacts and a 1760 French commode provide the focal point in the main bedroom suite. Separate walk-in wardrobes are positioned behind the bedroom wall and are accessed from the left and right sides of the bed.
A voluminous ensuite sits at the end of the main bedroom suite. It features a Tulip table and Lustre Micmac by Hervé van der Straeten pendant light.
The ceiling finish is hand-applied silverleaf in Champagne, its smooth surface in contrast to the veined New York marble.
This floor also features a library, one of the more intimately scaled rooms on offer.
Your turn
What do you love about this luxurious home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more great design? Catch up with this Spain Houzz: Sustainable Materials and a Smart Layout Win the Day
Your turn
What do you love about this luxurious home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more great design? Catch up with this Spain Houzz: Sustainable Materials and a Smart Layout Win the Day
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A small family
Location: Point Piper, NSW
Project commenced: July 2018
Project completed: December 2020
Scope of work by Archer Design: A full architectural and interior design, including furnishing selections, art curation and styling of the home
Architects: Principal architect: Richard Archer; contributing architect: Vince Vella
Landscape architects: Wyer & Co
Joinery: Square Peg