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When Studio Pulp director Benjamin Selke was asked to design Sienna House — a unique homestead at a wedding venue — he knew it marked an opportunity go big or go home.
‘A major source of inspiration was the idea of storytelling; imagining this as the setting for someone’s biggest day and creating a world they could fully step into,’ Benjamin says of the project in the Hunter Valley.
The 22-acre property itself, The Sienna, takes its cues from Siena in Tuscany, a city famous for its medieval brick architecture and terracotta-filled streetscapes.
The venue already featured a rustic terracotta-toned wedding hall, set amongst rolling hills and romantic gardens, and it’s now complete with a heritage-style four-bedroom homestead that’s bursting with personality.
‘The client’s biggest request was clear: this venue was not to resemble the surrounding properties,’ Benjamin says.
‘It needed its own identity, its own story, and a visual language that set it apart.’
Using the wedding hall’s Tuscan-style charm as a starting point for the design, Studio Pulp embraced a similar clay-colour for the main house’s exterior, contrasted by bold blue trims on the wraparound veranda.
For the interiors, the designers explored a range of European-inspired patterns that set the tone for the custom carpets, geometric rugs and decorative curtains in the bedrooms — leading to the eclectic ‘more is more’ approach.
The grand living room layers pastel walls with strong statement pieces, while the windows capture pastoral views outside.
The old marital saying ‘something old, something new, something bold, something blue’ was also front of mind. Furnishings range from elegant wooden antiques to vintage Murano wall lights, and contemporary designs, peppered with a collection of diverse artwork throughout.
‘My favourite space in the entire venue is the entry hallway of the main Sienna House. Even during our first visit, the original proportions of this space were striking,’ Benjamin adds.
‘Using custom-painted wall panelling up to a datum line and textured grasscloth wallpaper above, we transformed the corridor into a gallery-like moment.’
With four private bedrooms, a bunk room, and a series of eclectic lounges, the resulting accommodation is not just reserved for wedding parties. It’s a holiday retreat for large groups, celebrations of any kind, and guests can even book a single room to experience the one-of-a-kind place for themselves.
‘Our aim was for guests to truly leave the everyday behind and become another version of themselves for a day or two.’
