In the 18th century, south-east Asian plant hunters discovered huge, glossy-leafed flowering trees in the region. Now known as magnolias, their deciduous foliage is not only beautiful, blooming with perfume in winter and showing off with shiny green leaves in spring, but therapeutic, used in alternative medicine as a remedy to soothe and calm. In the thousands of years since their discovery, hundreds of new hybrids have been cultivated.
A pair of these stand pink and proud in the garden of this four-bedroom residence on Sydney's lower north shore that has been revived by Arent&Pyke, the Surry Hills-based interior design studio founded by principals Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke.
Bar a sole frangipani tree, it was the only flora left standing in the ?re-landscaping of the property by Secret Gardens. Throughout the duration of the refurbishment, it was known among office staff simply as the Magnolia House.
Originally engaged to help reconfigure the kitchen and bathrooms, the project scope took a turn when Arent&Pyke did a surprise sketch of a new staircase.
It was the start of an unexpected conversation that evolved over two years as the entire property underwent a renovation. A family-friendly house with light-filled living spaces and a Hamptons-style look, indecision had initially prompted the owners to make safe adjustments.
"They told us that they had made it white for neutrality, but it ended up being too neutral and they desired more texture and warmth." Yet light touches never eventuated, recalls Juliette Arent of demolition day. "When we started working on site, I think the clients were initially shocked at how little of the house was left. The volume remained the same but we stripped everything back and started again."
One of the home's biggest shortcomings was the foyer, with its overbearing timber balustrade and long, dark internal alley. Limestone floors were replaced with Tongue N Groove 'Graupa' herringbone oak in creamy undertones and a sculptural, redesigned staircase, its treads lined in a sisal runner.
"We added details to soften what was there previously and give it more architectural interest. We wanted it to have a timeless and elegant appeal, so introduced rhythm and tactility." While the outcome was hugely successful, it's unlikely the staircase will be reproduced elsewhere. "It was a real technical challenge - the manufacturer said he will never do it again!"
To the left of the entry is a new formal living and dining area regularly used by the couple for its proximity to the children's bedrooms. It was treated to a new fireplace, custom joinery and a completely new furniture fit-out.
Befitting an adults' space, a Cassina 'Rio' coffee table in rattan is ringed by a Minotti semi-round 'Seymour' sofa in petrol blue and a pair of tubular ClassiCon 'Bibendum' armchairs in coral felt. Adjacent, a nutwood dining table is paired with Gubi 'Beetle' chairs and underfoot, a rose-hued Armadillo&Co 'Agra' woollen rug.
To the right of the corridor a panel door conceals a powder room and study lined in House of Hackney's punchy peacock hues with a workspace in salmon. Although hidden behind flush joinery, the doors are often left open with the lights on, says Juliette of these "jewel boxes of joy".
A generous hallway leads to new aluminium doors and a "pause moment" on the threshold of the lower level, marking the formal and informal separation of the house. "It's all about comfort and big relaxed style," she says of the casual living zone. By way of the kitchen, colour has been introduced with "Shaker detailing in eucalypt tones", an oversized Apparatus pendant lighting up the room with glowing porcelain cups.
Upstairs is the private domain, with two children's bedrooms and a neat navy banquette on the landing perfectly suited for bedtime reading. In a home where everything was reimagined top-to-toe only the master bedhead remained, upholstered in a Christopher Farr fabric the owners had selected themselves after seeing the design in another Arent&Pyke project.
"We feel very connected to this job and these clients. I don't think they realised the drastic impact it would have on their family. They just can't believe it's theirs."
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