Art House
Melbourne

Photography by Lillie Thompson | Furniture, Art & Object by Simone Haag

Art House was a response to our clients cry for help. Having found herself working with a team whose vision did not match her own, she sought a designer whose style would align with hers but most importantly, someone who could provide a unique and distinctive design outcome for her familys forever home.

A series of design ideas was ultimately refined into a singular direction for the house. The design principle of hero-versus-supporting elements was established, with certain elements designated to stand out while others would recede into the background.

We selected a single (not white!) colour for every painted surface which was inspired by the homes seamless flow, the sheer volume of space and light and greenery visible from all sides of the central courtyard. We created a stunning terrazzo-like, exposed aggregate concrete floor for the living zones and a warm, donkey grey timber flooring for the more enclosed, private zones. That gave us one paint colour and one floor finish per space. Nothing more. From there, we layered each room with personalised selections, having the ability to be quite bold where we wanted to. The refined scheme also gave stylist Simone Haag a classic palette in which to weave her signature with the furniture, object and art selections.

The bathrooms were embellished with handmade Spanish tiles and clad in Calacatta Crema marble in the hero master ensuite. The powder room reinforces the texture of concrete floor with polished plaster walls, a carved solid basin and upstand all in Concordia marble. The kitchen, a space beloved by the family for its functionality, also elevates the home in its materiality and detail. It features an island bench, wrapped in black Silver Wave marble, and a long cook bench in solid 6mm thick stainless steel that cuts like a blade along the window. Cabinetry was tailored specifically to the needs of the family, including bespoke brass-accented shelving units in the sophisticated his and hers study.

The overall effect of this homes interior is undeniably classic in nature, personalised with an injection of high-impact pieces and unique experiences throughout.

The client was uncertain about the interior and the main finishes weren’t yet decided upon.  I was able to come in fresh and hone in on the base palette.  Noting the scale of the architecture, it already had a true gallery-like form.  Keeping the palette minimal was a no-brainer.” – Angela Harry

“In short, without Angela I don’t think we would ever have the outcome we do.  She is professional and passionate about her work, with impressive attention to detail.  She problem solved “complex” design elements to achieve the desired aesthetics but always kept functionality in mind. We often think of Angela when we are in certain parts of the house and appreciate her contribution to the spaces.  We have enormous respect for her and her work.” – Client