Hello Silver
Belle Magazine Australia|December - January 2021
Now a chic platinum grey, this former red-brick residence has been made over into an airy beauty with interiors to match.
Stephen Crafti
Hello Silver

This Mediterranean-style property in Castlecrag, with glimpses of Middle Harbour, could easily be in Portugal. With bougainvillea shooting on the concrete columns framing the new garden room, this relaxed residence is now home to a couple with two children. “One of the owners has ties to Portugal hence the arches and these beautiful handmade tiles,” says architect Polly Harbison of Polly Harbison Design, pointing to the blue and white tiles inset in a new wall in the dining room.

While this house, now painted a pale grey and featuring a number of steel and glass windows and doors, appears to have been simply ‘tweaked’ by Polly, the before photos reveal why the neighbours referred to it as ‘la bête rouge’. Originally a 1950s house that expanded to accommodate 10 children, there was no rationale behind each adhoc addition. When Polly and her clients visited the 1000sqm site, it was the surrounds, rather than the red-brick pile, that caused a positive reaction. “It’s safe to say that most wouldn’t have thought twice about pulling it down,” recalls Polly of the former dimly lit spaces and the various level changes required. “You had to enter the house down a side path and there was no circulation spine,” she adds.

This story is from the December - January 2021 edition of Belle Magazine Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December - January 2021 edition of Belle Magazine Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BELLE MAGAZINE AUSTRALIAView All
The wow factory
Belle Magazine Australia

The wow factory

The sisters steering Zuster furniture brand put a creative spin on their own industrial zone.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
OPEN INVITE
Belle Magazine Australia

OPEN INVITE

This handsome home in the NSW Southern Highlands welcomes within its walls both generous rural views and a steady flow of guests.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
DUAL ACCENTS
Belle Magazine Australia

DUAL ACCENTS

American heritage style meets Spanish mission design in this harbourside Sydney home.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
Grand vision
Belle Magazine Australia

Grand vision

It can be easy being green or it is for this house -that cleverly combines lavish spaces and timeless style, while also being kind to the planet.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
POWER AND GLORY
Belle Magazine Australia

POWER AND GLORY

An angular concrete structure packs a punch in a new build on an elevated site in Sydney while its interior design offers a softly layered and textured counterpoint.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
COLOUR BURST
Belle Magazine Australia

COLOUR BURST

A joyful exuberance permeates this heritage home reinvented by interior designer Andrew Parr with zesty hues, lively contemporary art and iconic furniture.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
LA VIE EN ROSE
Belle Magazine Australia

LA VIE EN ROSE

Poised above Pittwater in Sydney's north, this weekender is alluringly relaxed - and offers holiday fun for family and friends.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
COOL, CALM COLLECTIVE
Belle Magazine Australia

COOL, CALM COLLECTIVE

An ever-changing array of covetable antiques, objets d'art and unique pieces ensure the interiors of this beautiful store has a collected feel and sense of permanence.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
BOLD CHOICE
Belle Magazine Australia

BOLD CHOICE

Architect and trailblazer Piero Gesualdi's Melbourne emporium, Mondopiero, is a celebration of timeless design and craftmanship, with a sprinkling of decorative flair.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023/January 2024
HIGHER CALLING
Belle Magazine Australia

HIGHER CALLING

In a world that is typically more about me, me, me, quietly luxurious day spa Venustus keeps thriving three decades on with a true commitment to inspired client service.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2023/January 2024