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Every project involves a certain level of faith between client and designer to carry out their vision in a way that feels right for both parties.
For the renovation of this stately 1920s home in Manly, the need for trust was taken to the next level, with Altus Design Studio’s clients, Jennifer and Sean, living in Asia for the duration of the entire transformation.
‘Jennifer had seen the property once in person; Sean hadn’t seen it at all,’ Altus Design Studio director Josie Simpson says.
‘With the support of their parents and family in Sydney — who attended site visits, reviewed samples, and met with trades — they were able to oversee the renovation from afar.
‘The property was rented out until the work began, so moving in after completion was the first time they truly experienced the home.’
Despite this unique added pressure, Josie and the couple were unequivocally aligned on the vision. It helped that they’d first connected with the designer after staying at her own playful holiday home in the Blue Mountains, where pops of colour had wonderfully enhanced the house’s original Edwardian character.
They embraced a similar strategy to revive their own California bungalow, which Josie describes as feeling somewhat ‘generic and safe’ after a prior renovation.
‘Jennifer and Sean wanted a home that truly reflected their personality. The goal was to transform the property into a welcoming, practical, and vibrant home that could evolve with their family,’ she adds.
Colour-blocking and custom joinery were used to create strong visual layers in each room.
The front living room now serves as a library, study and lounge, cocooned in a calming terracotta beside an enchanting original bay window.
Sage green features heavily in the entry and hallway, before the proportions extend to reveal a dramatic void in the open plan living zone — complete with the kitchen’s striking blue-stained timber cabinets.
‘Jennifer was drawn to earthy, warm tones, which we layered with natural textures. Each colour choice was purposeful,’ Josie says of the confident colour palette.
‘We named the project Homecoming Queen to mark the family’s return to Australia and the beginning of a new chapter. It’s a home designed to hold memories, nurture family life, and celebrate joy — warm, inviting, and unapologetically colourful.’
