Interiors

New York Meets Sydney In This Wonderfully Eclectic Beachside Home

When David Flack was first engaged to redesign this Sydney home, it was a Hamptons-style abode — in other words, ‘the complete antithesis of Flack Studio‘.

They gutted the interiors and started again from scratch, drawing inspiration from the owner’s hometown of New York to create a vibrant family pad that blends the city’s ‘ballsy’ attitude with the gorgeous views of Tamarama beach.

The result is an inviting mash-up of colour, texture, and art, that’s a perfect reflection of the family that lives inside.

Written
by
Christina Karras
|
Photography
by
|
Editorial styling
by

Tobi-Ishi outdoor coffee table by B&B Italia from Space Furniture. Carlotta chairs and Cassina ottoman from Mobilia. Inout side table from Anibou. Crazy paving from Eco Outdoor. Landscape design, planters and pots from Florian Wild.

The courtyard makes the most of the home’s idyllic location and waterfront views.

Bi-fold doors effortlessly allow the indoor spaces to spill outdoors.

American walnut cabinetry by Civardi Furniture. Milano Armchair by Baxter from Space Furniture. Mangarotti Stool from Castorina & Stool. Artworks on shelves by: Glenn Barkley (Sullivan+Strumpf) Nabilah Nordin (Neon Parc), Tim Sliver (Sullivan+Strumpf), Nell (Station), Darren Sylvester (Sullivan+Strump).

 

Neon sculpture by Nell (Station Gallery). Xenolith Table by Sanne Mestrom. Shearling ottoman by Stahl & Band.

Jade side table from Stahl + Band. Utrecht armchair by Cassina from Mobilia. Boalum lamp by Artemide from Stylecraft. Jindrich Halabala lounge chairs from Nicholas Alistair. BB Italia Cameleonda by Mario Bellini from Space Furniture. Akari 33 lamp from In Good Company. Artwork on wall by Stephen Ormandy (Olsen Gallery). Sculpture by Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran (Sullivan+Strumpf). Sculpture by Nabilah Nordin (Neon Parc). Vase by Gaetano Pesce (506070). Sculpture by (Nell from Station Gallery). Vase by Lynda Draper (Sullivan+Strumpf).

 

Sculpture by Tim Silver (Sullivan+Strumpf). Morrocan Kilim Rug by Halcyon Lake.

The hallway opens to the kitchen.

The dining room. Custom Flack Studio bench seat. YBU Dining Table by Chrisophe Delcourt from Ondene. Cassina Cab Chairs with Arms by Mario Bellini from Castorina and Co. Sculpture by Nabilah Nordin (Neon Parc). Artwork on right by Lynda Draper and Karen Black (both (Sullivan+Strumpf). Artwork on left by Reko Rennie (Station). Twig 5 Pendant by Apparatus from Criteria Collection.

Leucos Wall Light from Nicholas& Alistair. Stone by Artedomus. Brackenzahn Tables by E15 from Living Edge. Tiles by Earp Bros. Custom-stained American oak cabinetry by Civardi Furniture. Tapware from The English Tapware Company.

Blue artwork by Gerold Miller (1301SW).

Utrecht Armchairs by Cassina from Mobilia. Gloves by Steven Carr (Station).

Bathtub by The Water Monopoly from Old English Tapware. Kafa Stool by Odene. Reprise Wall Light (small) by Apparatus from Criteria Collection.

Artwork on right: Polly Borland (Sullivan+Strumpf). Artwork on left: Victoria Reichelt (This is No Fantasy).

On the second floor. Super table lamp by Memphis Milano from Mobilia. Ground European oak floor from Made By Storey. Artwork (on left) by Jason Phu. Artwork on right: Dale Frank (Neon Parc).

One of the other sophisticated bathrooms. Vintage Murano Light from Castorina & Co. Stone by Artedomus.

Opus Rosso marble from Artedomus. Handmade wall tiles from Viúva Lamego. Cotto Manetti Anticato floor tiles from Artedomus. Cabinetry designed by Flack Studio and produced by Civardi Furniture. Tapware from Astra Walker. Towel rails from Flack Studio. Vintage stool from 506070.

The bedroom. &Tradition armchair from Cult. Vintage Leucos floor lamp from Nicholas & Alistair. Bed base designed by Flack Studio, made by Civardi Furniture. Antique Persian Mahal rug from Cadrys. Artwork by Dane Lovett. Carpet by Halcyon Lake and Flack Studio.

Kazuhide Takama vintage wall sconce from Pamono. Brown terracotta tiles and Opus Rosso stone by Artedomus. Wall tiles by Viúva Lamego. Custom Flack Studio cupboard.

Writer
Christina Karras
Photography
Editorial styling
22nd of January 2024
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Location

Tamarama, NSW/Gadigal Country

Nestled on top of the cliffs in Tamarama, this warm and eclectic home by Flack Studio does a lot more than just hero its spectacular ocean views.

The owners (a former New Yorker and his partner, from Sydney) engaged David Flack to bring his signature style and creative energy to their three-level home, which was ‘very Hamptons and coastal, the complete antithesis of Flack Studio,’ explains Flack Studio principal David Flack.

‘One of the key design aims was to consciously move away from the typical coastal aesthetic that prioritises exterior views over interior atmosphere and instead take inspiration from the client’s hometown, with its non-stop hustle and ballsy attitude.’

They completely gutted the interiors and started again from scratch. For the new material palette, rich textures such as hard render, Venetian plaster, solid timber doors, parquetry and Palladino floors were introduced to create a robust and lasting impression.

‘Everything had to have a weight and substance to embody the client’s personality and reflect our audacious approach to materiality,’ David adds.

He describes the kitchen as a ‘mash-up of an American dinner and a Mexican cantina’, where glossy board checkerboard tiles meet luxurious stone surfaces, united by tones of red, terracotta, and burgundy.

The nearby living room is akin to a colourful and maximalist library. The timber-lined walls, joinery and ceiling are layered with velvet and leather furnishings for an intimate feel. That is until the bi-fold doors slide open to reveal an inviting external courtyard designed by Florian Wild framing the house’s sweeping waterfront views.

In tailoring the interiors to the client — who is colourblind, and has trouble registering colours beyond blue and green — David says they agreed to ‘wholly’ embraced colour across the home, but especially focused on sourcing bold artworks with blue and green hues.

‘The art and furniture curation throughout is such an important element to this home, it reflects our clients and their personalities,’ David says.

Graphic and abstract pieces by local contemporary artists like Reko Rennie, Sydney Ball and Lynda Draper (just to name a few) bring a unique edge to what’s now a chic and playful take on the original beachside house.

‘The home capitalises on the best of what might seem to be opposites,’ says David. ‘The warm glow of the Australian coastline, the avant-garde impulse of New York, and the timelessness of Italian materials.’

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