fabulous in Perth. State Of Grace Victorian opulence, but not as you know it

STATE OF GRACE

Yearning for something “never seen before”, the owner of this 1880s semi in Sydney put her faith in a fresh designer who was game to push the boundaries.

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Diamond wall mirror, Jardan. Guax vase, Conley & Co. Upside Down Half Drill #2 and Mallet sculptures, both by Liz Stops from Planet. Victorian figurine and antique cabinet, both from owner’s own collection. Painting by Maritsa Micos. FACADE Main colour Dulux Parisian Grey, cornerstones and dark detailing D l ulux Way yward Grey, wh hite detailing Du ulux Terrace ite, the darker grey detail ling is l lux Parisian n rey Double l Strength, w windows an nd fron nt doo or in Dulux India an Red d.

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henBeverleyBosmanwasplanningto remodelherstatelyinner-Sydneyhome in2017,shereallywantedtoloosenthe grand old lady’s corsets. Forget prim andproperforthisVictorian:Beverley wantedahomethatwasdynamicand contemporary,butrespectfulofitspast.

Whobettertobringnewlifetothosebeautiful1880sbones than spatial designer Alexandra Marrotte of Amarot, who wasthenfreshfromuniversityandbursting with novel ideas from a Millennial’s perspective? “Alexandrawasafriendofmyson Oscar’s from university,” says Beverley.“Iknewshehadstudied design, so I asked her for ideas about renovating my kitchen.” Suchwastherapportbetweenthe homeowner and the young designerthatthefriendlyadvice mushroomedintoaprofessional project embracing the entire house,includingthegarden.

Beverleyandherlatehusband boughtthesemi-detachedhouse in1983,attractedbyitsVictorian architecture. “We really loved Victorianhousesandspecifically looked for one with its original features intact. We liked the character: the high ceilings, Italianatecornices,ceilingroses and the deep, deep skirting boards.” In the ensuing years, Beverley’s husband, a French polisher and cabinetmaker, lovingly deconstructed and restoredtheperioddetailsfromarchitravestoskirtingboards. Thecouplealsoreplacedthekitchenandbathrooms,allwhile raisingOscarandhissisterEmily,whostillliveinthehome.

WhenAlexandrafirstvisited,Beverleypresentedherwitha briefthatanydesigner,letaloneonejustlaunchingtheircareer, wouldfindexcitinganddauntinginequalmeasures:“Iwant something I have never seen before”. But there was more. “I wanted to work with someone who is passionate, with fresh ideas,andwhowaswillingtopushmyboundaries,”saysBeverley. “Thatsaid,wehadpaidapremiumforaVictorianhousewith itsoriginalfeaturesintact,soIwantedtomaintainitsintegrity. Ilovethehighceilingsandthepolishedwoodwork,butIdon’t wanttoliveinatimecapsule.Iwantedthelayoutsimplifiedand adaptedformodernliving,lotsofnaturallight,betterventilation, and, because I love to cook, a bigger kitchen complete with walk-inpantry.”Storage,afeaturesorelylackingintraditional Victorianhomes,wasalsoonthewishlist.Andplentyofit.

Layout-wise, the original section of the house was little changed, with separate but connected living and dining rooms fronting onto each other and two bedrooms above them. Surprisingly, that section posed one of the trickiest elements of the renovation: reinstalling the dismantled architraves and skirtings.“Workingoutwhatwent where was like putting a jigsaw puzzletogether,”saysAlexandra. A heritage overlay meant that anyadditionshadtoremainwithin thebuilding’sexistingfootprint, buttheywereabletodemolishthe termite-damagedrearsectionto createaschmicknewkitchenon thegroundfloorandtwobedrooms above.Toekeoutevenmorespace, Alexandradesignedabalconyfor therearbedroomthatcantilevers over a small courtyard, while banksofdoorsabuttingthepatio open up the kitchen. In order to boost the brightness, Alexandra suggested installing a series of skylights.Beverleywasinitially reluctant to include them, but isnowtotallywonover.

In keeping with the home’s origins, each room had to feel individualandboastrichcolour,bothtypicaloflate19th-century homesofthiscalibre.“Ithoughtoftheroomsaschaptersina book,keepingtheoverall‘language’andtoneconsistent,”says Alexandra.Cohesioniscreated by an integrated palette aswell as the furniture choices. >

LIVING/DINING The antique light fitting was salvaged from the renovation of Sydney’s Burdekin Hotel in the 1980s. Custom dining table designed by Amarot, made by Eclipse Handcrafted Furniture. Annie Soft dining chairs, Voyager Interiors. Phoenix sofa from Arthur G covered in Warwick Fabrics ‘Entice Cerulean’. Moroso ‘Net’ coffee and side tables, Hub Furniture. Artwork and console, both Boyd Blue. Discobolus statue, Mercer & Lewis. Mallet by Liz Stops, Planet. Aries rug (foreground), Designer Rugs. Tiger Lily Blue rug, The Rug Establishment. Antique cabinet and statuette. BALCONY Don’t Leave Me side table and Palissade chair, both Hay.

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KITCHEN This page and o dopposite Homeowner Beverley Bosman with her oved beagle Baxter. Volt pendant lights, Søktas. Arne Jacobsen ‘Grand Prix’ dining chairs and Hay ‘About A Stool’, all Cult. Benchtop and splashback in Storm White granite from SNB Stone. Kitchen joinery in Evenex Persian Walnut veneer and NTM laminate in Cacao Orinoco from Fenix. Hand-painted metallic finish by Set For Art. The dining portion of the island is made from oregon. Australian cedar tongue-andgroove panels (ceiling), Cedar Sales. Chester floor tiles, Kalafrana Ceramics. City Stik kitchen mixer with pull-out spray, Brodware. Lugano double-bowl sink, Abey.

THE PALETTE

Paint colours are reproduced as accurately as printing processes allow.

“WE HAD FUN EXPLORING MATERIALITY.”

Alexandra Marotte, designer

“Idefinitelydidn’twantall-white,”saysBeverley,which toppedthelistofwhatshehad“seenbefore”.“Iwasafter something different and unique, and Victorian houses traditionally had lots of colour.” Accordingly, Alexandra choseapaletteofjewelhues,including“darkandmoody” ruby,garnetandsapphiretodeliverthedesiredrichness and glamour. In the living room, emerald satin curtains contrast with a topaz velvet sofa. “It’s luxurious, but not overthetop,”saysAlexandra.

TimberwasalsooffBeverley’swishlist–initially,atleast. “I was over woodwork, because there was so much of it already.”ButAlexandrapushedherboundariesbysuggesting it for the kitchen cupboards to add warmth and, most daringly,fortheceiling,tocontrastwiththetiledfloor.The benchesaretoppedwithhonedgranitebecauseBeverley preferrednottohaveshinysurfacesinherhouse,aprinciple thatextendstothetexturedmattwallfinishesthroughout. “We had fun exploring materiality, mixing cement tiles, stones,veneersandspecial wall washes and a timber ceiling,” saysAlexandra.

Whenitcomestofurnishings,there’snohintofthestuffy, bloatedstylessynonymouswiththeVictorianera.Everything hereisstreamlinedandcontemporary,creatingastriking contrastwiththehome’sintricatedetailingandhelpingto unify the spaces. “We opted for contemporary furniture to create juxtaposition with the ornate architectural >

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“WE RETAINED THE VICTORIAN RICHNESS YET EVERYTHING NOW FEELS FRESHER AND MORE FUNCTIONAL.”

Beverley

MAIN BEDROOM Right and opposite The Earth Is Turning, an artwork by Sydney artist Alexandra Plim, is the star of this space. Roar+Rabbit bedside table, West Elm. Narciso wall lamps, LightCo. Spaghetti vase, Becker Minty. Society bedlinen, Ondene. Cushions, Spence & Lyda. Little Petra chair, Cult. Eco+ Silken Touch II carpet in Wilpena Pound, Godfrey Hirst Carpets. SECOND BEDROOM Below right Cole & Son ‘Orchid’ wallpaper, Radford. Gubi ‘Grasshopper’ table lamp, Cult. Bennett bedside cabinet, Boyd Blue. Society bedlinen, Ondene. Cushions , Spence & Lyda. MAIN ENSUITE Lago 54 semi-recessed basin, Studio Bagno. City Stik wall mixer and City Plus hand shower, both Brodware. Duomo brass light from Anaesthetic. Cubo Piazza tiles, Greg Natale. Tadelakt wall treatment, Idea Creations. >

BEDROOM/STUDY Above left and opposite Aerin lamp, Becker Minty. Vase, Planet. Bolster, Jardan. The artworks are Big Lizzie by Alexandra Plim (opposite) and ‘Oil Droplets’ (this page) from West Elm. Gubi ‘Masculo’ desk chair, Cult. Joinery in Laminex Fox (white) and Eveneer Ristretto. Eco+ Silken Touch II carpet in Wilpena Pound, Godfrey Hirst Carpets. Maceda pendant light, Beacon Lighting. Vases from Orient House and Mercer & Lewis. Walls painted Dulux Dieskau. MAIN BATHROOM Above and left Custom vanity in Evenex Burnished Oak veneer. Pietra Verde marble benchtop, Euro Marble. Soul 2 inset basin from Studio Bagno. Tapware, all Brodware. Liano bath, Caroma. Solo heated towel rails, Avenir. Stool, Inartisan. Ignia Grigia stone slab tiles (around bath), Onsite Supply+Design. Cubo Portico floor tiles, Greg Natale. Tadelakt wall finish by Idea Creations. >

THIS IS THE LIFE

Beverley spends much of her time in the kitchen, in the adjoining courtyard, or streaming TV in her living area. “I make sure each room is used every day,” she says. Working from home has seen the study become a centre of activity, but Beverley is looking forward to hosting soirees soon. With an eat-in kitchen, grand dining room and barbecue area in the courtyard, there are plenty of options to suit the occasion and mood.

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detailing,”saysBeverley.“Butthere’snodoubtthatcomfort andpracticalityplayed a part in my decisions. This is still afamilyhome.”

Outside, Alexandra specified architectural plants such asagavesandkalanchoestoreflectthecleanstyleofthe furnishingsinside.There,too,Beverley,uncertainofwalls of glass, was persuaded to again push her boundaries, literallyandfiguratively.Kitchenandcourtyard flow into one,thankstoamassivebankofsliders.

Today, both owner and designer are delighted with the renovationthatchangedbothoftheirlives.“Thiswasmy firstprojectsincegraduating,”saysAlexandra.“Itwashuge, butitunfoldedbeautifully.Itwaschallenging,butIloved every moment.” “We retained the Victorian richness, yet everythingfeelsfresherandmorefunctional,”addsBeverley. “Thishomeisjustapleasuretospendtime in.” #

Amarot, Sydney, NSW; amarot.com.au.

COURTYARD Kennel, available from Harvey Norman. Sofa, ottoman, dining table and dining chairs, all Cosh Living. Cushions, Orient House. Palissade armchair and Bowler side table, Hay. Barbecue, BeefEater Barbecues. Busts (on step and beside barbecue) by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Floor tiles, Kalafrana Ceramics. Step in Ignia Grigio stone slab from Onsite Supply+Design. Walls painted Dulux Pelaco. JITT planter, The

Ground floor

Barbecue THE LAYOUT

Kitchen

Courtyard Dining Entry

Living

Bed

Bed/ study

First floor Bath

Bed Bed

Bath

Hand-forged poppies by sculptor Alex Scheibner emerge from swathes of groundcovers at Emaho, an ethereal garden and tree farm in the hills north of Toowoomba. Turn the page to take a tour...

Gardens