NEW tradition

Rich in colour and character, this family home in Sydney is an expression of pure joy.

- Carli Philips

Colour was the most important ingredient in this project," says interior designer Jed Murphy of Tom Mark Henry, who reimagined this 1890s home on Sydney's Lower North Shore alongside a project team of Madeleine Wood and Pia Watson. For the attention-grabbing walls, tones were tested extensively. Everything from teals and buttery yellows to sage greens and pinks were given a trial run, but the use of blue in its many guises won out. "We felt that there was a classicism to it, yet it was still bold and fresh. It formed the basis of the overall palette and worked beautifully with so many other finishes," says Jed.

As a starting point, the owners referenced their personal collection of UK House & Garden magazines and a The World of Interiors book. "We love how they showcase homes that combine traditional English style with an unapologetic, fearless use of colour and wanted something similar," they say. Brooklyn brownstones and London townhouses also served as inspiration.

When they purchased the house in late 2020, the family lived there for six months before engaging Tom Mark Henry to transform its beige and boring interiors into something that "felt more 'them' while still being sympathetic to the existing heritage of the house", explains Jed. "We wanted to lean into the fact that it's a period home, but still create a sense of imagination and whimsy," the owners add. "Just because it's historic, we didn't think it needed to be really serious. Ultimately, we wanted something cheerful and memorable for our children to grow up in."

While internal changes were necessary, the overall floor plan still worked well. "The balance of the formal rooms at the front was perfect for a more elevated adults' zone and the casual, open-plan living/kitchen at the back suited them perfectly," says Jed.