WHITER SHADE of PALE

A neutral palette promotes a calm and elegant mood in this expansive Sydney home that is furnished with a judicious selection of antiques juxtaposed against contemporary art.

- JUDY PASCOE

In a world where everything is expected to happen instantaneously it is gratifying to see a project such as this home in Sydney’s north shore that has been lovingly planned and curated for more than two and a half years – and is still not finished.

Interior architect Phoebe Nicol who has been guiding the project describes her client as “a true collector who has a passion for beautiful fabrics and furnishings”. As a customer of Phoebe’s antiques business, The Vault Sydney, the owner was well versed in the designer’s aesthetic before approaching her to revamp her family home.

Having lived there for eight years the owner was keen to finally put her personal signature on the expansive two-storey property. “The house felt dark and dated, and the shutters blocked the light and views of the garden,” she says. With minimal structural intervention Phoebe created a more workable interior floor plan, stripped and limed the floorboards, introduced a new fireplace and joinery and upgraded the kitchen. The bulk of the work then moved to the delightful process of decoration as Phoebe unleashed her abundant creative talents on the house which, with its scale, lent itself to significant, eye-catching pieces.

“My approach was to create an environment that celebrated antiques. Every room has a focal point, something that creates visual interest or sparks conversation – something French, something English, something Italian. We have mixed pieces of different styles, textures and periods but there is a balance and harmony to the overall feel,” she says.