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.’
