Domain

Domain August 2020

Artful Aesthetic

A masterfully curated Bellevue Hill mansion, known as The Art House, provides the perfect backdrop for beautiful art and family life.

“The intention was to replace the home’s Mediterranean post-modern style and create a comfortable interior,” says designer Nina Maya, who was brought in halfway through the project by Bevan Boss Architects.

“Externally, it was very old with an outdated render,” she says. “Inside was completely gutted, so we cleaned up outside and started the home afresh.”

Tasked with decorating, furnishing, and styling the home, Maya says the project was different from others she’s worked on. “I’m usually on new builds, which I manage all aspects of. In this case, I worked closely with the owners designing and decorating each room at a relaxed pace, and from scratch. It was quite unique.”

At the entrance, vast glossy black lacquered doors open up onto marble flooring that shines its strong monochromatic scheme, adding to the home’s clean, classic and contemporary aesthetic.

On one side, a striking curved staircase leads to the family’s bedrooms, and on the other, two large bronze faceted discs cast light around the space. “It’s a minimal and beautiful foyer but the scale is grand,” Maya says.

The elevated ground floor, with its sweeping lines and crisp palette, houses a formal lounge, dining spaces, entertaining area, bar, and lounge, all of which open out onto enormous decks.

Beautiful archways provide glimpses into adjacent spaces, including a pretty pink powder room. “The client fell in love with Norwegian rose marble,” she says. “We enhanced its beauty with soft blush wallpaper, round mirror, and imported vintage lights.”

Shades of pink flow throughout.

In the formal lounge, a pair of scarlet Redondo armchairs, along with twin grey boucle lounges, sit atop a luxurious blush rug. Statement lights illuminate the space, including a rare vintage brass palm lamp and Tom Dixon table light.

“I wanted a sense of true femininity here,” Maya says. “The organic feel of the artworks, combined with the spherical cushions, ruched leather Ottoman, and circular coffee and side tables, draw the eye in and add softness to the space.”

In the dining room, a Tomislav Nikolic painting perches atop a Calacatta marble buffet. A vintage light casts a glow over a black-stained oak dining table and blue velvet chairs. A bar cart and circular candle-holders provide brass accents.

“We continued the marble through to the kitchen, combining it with high-gloss black cabinetry,” Maya says. “A vintage crystal spiked brass light hangs from an existing ceiling cut-out above the marble island bench. Because the family spend every day in this space, we added high stools with spindly brass legs, and an informal dining area with oak table, chairs, and beautiful blush leather banquet. It’s fun for the kids.”

In the garden, a crescent-shaped pool shimmers, immersed in a maturing garden of palms and ferns. Vast and curvy, it brings effortless glamour, complementing the home’s classic contemporary aesthetic.

“It’s truly a stunning property. Unrushed and collaborative, the end result is a polished, refined and truly beautiful family home,” Maya says.