Limited edition

A pared-back aesthetic and neutral colour scheme enlivened by eclectic accents create a tranquil mood in this home overlooking Sydney’s Middle Harbour.

JUDY PASCOE

The adage ‘less is more’ is definitely at play in this serene home overlooking Middle Harbour in Sydney. Deftly reinvented by interior designer Pamela Makin of Les Interieurs, the heritage home has been stripped of its fussiness and its rooms streamlined and honed, whitened and brightened to welcome a carefully edited collection of contemporary furniture, striking art and sculptures and vintage artefacts.

This is the second collaboration between Pamela and her clients, so their synergy was a given. The house was of significant size and presence, as indicated by the moniker, the ‘Pink Palace’, which was given to it by locals. The European features in its design were a plus but it was dated and needed to be cleared of unnecessary clutter to reveal its character. “It’s a unique house with European charm and influences,” says Pamela, “and the gardens and views of Middle Harbour are exceptional.”

The interior was prepared by sanding and re-finishing the existing parquetry floors to their original colour, and painting the walls throughout in Dulux ‘Natural White’. New black steel-framed doors created an elegant passage to the outdoors or between rooms. Upstairs, Bremworth ‘Tussore’ wool carpet in Sumac was laid.

“The first challenge was to design a kitchen to reflect the period details in the ornate architraves and ceiling,” says Pamela. She chose cabinetry with a traditional Shaker profile and a marble island bench – classic features “that ensure the kitchen remains timeless”. The same marble was also used for a new fireplace in the living area.