Nina Maya – Ahead of the Curve
Denizen Modern Living 2020
Ahead of the Curve
An old Sydney mansion is given new life via a renovation that proves the power of texture and proportion.
Taking a sprawling ’90s mansion in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill and transforming it into an exquisite contemporary home, Nina Maya Interiors and Bevan Boss Architects worked with the solid foundations of the original structure but replaced its outdated finishes with a more modern, feminine interpretation of glamour.
The Art House — aptly named for the artwork it features but also for the way it presents as something of a piece of art itself — is defined by recurring curvature. Sinuous curves wrap the house around itself and are reflected in its structure and carefully-chosen furnishings. From the dramatic, gently-spiraling staircase that connects the entranceway with the upper level, to the 20-metre, crescent-shaped lap pool outside, it is a motif that serves to create distinct spaces while offering a necessary counterbalance to the stoic stone and bold detailing throughout.
It would have been tempting, in re-imagining this residence, to revert to the ‘open-plan’ blueprint embraced by so many contemporary renovations — the appeal of cultivating a light, airy feel causing many to shun the idea of individual rooms. Here, however, the case was made for keeping spaces separate. With a neutral palette of cool greys and whites creating a versatile base layer, each space is allowed to take on
its own character. One living room (of three) is finished with rounded chairs, sofas and tables, brass accents, sumptuous textures and warm, bluish tones that cause the aforementioned greys and whites to catch fire and come alive.
The home as a whole boasts a superior level of quality that has been achieved via collaborations with highly-skilled local artisans — natural stone cutters, metal workers, master leatherworkers and stonemasons — which has allowed for unique, custom finishes and a meticulous attention to detail. Materials like Montegro limestone, bespoke, high-gloss cabinetry, Calacatta marble and Norwegian rose marble have been used to dramatic effect, while starburst chandeliers and exquisite wall hangings offer unexpected moments of delight.
It is rare that a house this size is finished to such a premium standard. Despite its large footprint, The Art House exemplifies how careful material choices and a focus on proportion can infuse intrigue, personality and warmth into a home that becomes far more than just its scale.
