Sydney-based design studio draw on a concrete clifftop home’s “invisible charisma” to carve out a new story that reflects the family that lives there.
“Substantial in structure but devoid of spirit” is how director Jeremy Bull personifies this ’90s clifftop home in Sydney’s East. Admitting the home “wasn’t saying very much” when they first visited the site, Jeremy and his team set out to tell a story that’s both personal and genuine – an exercise that underpins Alexander & CO.’s revered residential design approach.
Recognising its structural clarity and integrity, the Alexander &CO. team proposed a materially-rich evolution for the built form and its surroundings, drawing on the homeowner’s European “Story of Origin”, the dramatic coastal environment and the ebbs and flows of family life. And with this coalescence of place and influence, Jeremy happily admits, “The building is once again breathing and quite alive.”
The “many-colours-marble” floor is reminiscent of an Italian Piazza, featuring honed Grigio Lana, Grigio Firma and Carrara marble. Bianco Carrara marble was selected for the benchtop and splashback.
Shop-sawn American oak veneer joinery by JP Finsbury is a seamless extension of the oak ceiling in the kitchen – accentuated further by Australian designer at the island bench.
The curved breakfast nook interrupts the ‘neoclassical formality’ of the interiors, designed to overlook the pool. The custom banquette is crafted using the same American oak veneer seen in the kitchen joinery produced by JP Finsbury. This space also features a custom table by CDF Studio and a Henrik dining chair by Icon by Design.
It wasn’t the first time Alexander &CO. had worked with the homeowners. Collaborating on several , the design firm could bring their understanding of the client as the foundation to the story that unfolds within.
While structurally sound, the home was not set up with a logical layout – nor did it speak to where it was – making little effort to connect with its garden and ocean outlook. Alexander &CO.’s revisions were in line with how the young family live presently, but aware the home would need to grow with them comfortably. As a result, there are now two sides to the home’s story; one that prioritises functionality and play – the kitchen, garden and pool side of the home – and a contemplative side for watching the waves roll in (with the parents in mind).
Wellness takes precedence on the home’s lower level, which features a sauna and gym (and the garage). Above, the family kitchen, breakfast nook, rumpus, living and dining room, and a guest bedroom open up to the pool and garden. And on the upper floor with roof access lies five bedrooms, including the primary with ensuite, robe, and a family bathroom.
Outside, the home now presents as a subtle taste of the Mediterranean, white and textural, with greenery draped over the top; a softer, more sculptural version of what was, while not forgetting its 90s ties. “The exterior facades of the building contain terraces, gardens, balconies and planted edges. The building is conceived to become lost in gardens,” Jeremy maintains.
“There is this beautiful sense of the floor being both important, materially valuable, and yet relaxed, worn in, lived upon. It is a thousand trips to the Duomo, worn foot fall cross the church threshold.”
– Jeremy Bull
Further accentuating the textural richness in the kitchen, the Lighting Guild custom ceiling lights and in a burnished brass feature as part of the Precision Flooring European oak ceiling.
The kitchen features a custom stained American oak cabinet produced by JP Finsbury with table in toe. Artwork sourced from Alberto Ferretti.
The living space is emblematic of the interior influences at play, with a curation of iconic European pieces, layered with Australian design, including; the , , Ke-zu LZF Lola table lamp and Sancal Remnant armchair. Artwork: Il Bambino di Legno by Alberto Ferretti.
The Pacific House stone kitchen floor feels a world away from its Sydney East location. Conceived in collaboration with the client and Alexander &CO. associate Shelby Griffiths, the marble Palladiana is reminiscent of the “found-ness” of an Italian Piazza. “There is this beautiful sense of the floor being both important, materially valuable, and yet relaxed, worn in, lived upon,” Jeremy says. “It is a thousand trips to the Duomo; worn foot fall cross the church threshold.” Echoing its European origin, the marble floor exemplifies how the home’s spirit of place expresses those that live there and yet the home’s story more broadly; old and new, found and deliberate.
Detailing is a fundamental part of Alexander &CO.’s storytelling. As with other homes in their portfolio, Pacific House’s material palette is naturally derived from the client, context, and unique site constraints. The European oak ceiling in the kitchen and dining area was one such example – a purposeful focal point in the face of ceiling height constraints. The ceiling mirrors the European oak floors seen through the living, dining, stairs and hallway.
A consistent dialogue between select materials is felt throughout – as seen in the shop-sawn American oak veneer joinery, custom banquette and cabinet in the kitchen that also makes an appearance in the arch-shaped living room alcove and custom bedhead in the primary bedroom. Polished plaster walls are a soft backdrop to each space, while downstairs, archways are lined with Grigio Firma marble – one of three marbles used for the kitchen floor.
An exploration of geometry and texture takes place in the living room – from the custom marble coffee table to the Cadrys Afghan Nomadic rug. The living room is just the place to soak up the clifftop ocean views.
An arch-shaped alcove features American oak and Carrara marble – just like the kitchen. Artwork by Peter Berner. The objects pictured reinforce the themes explored through the interiors – Australian and European, old and new.
A curation of European and Australian design furniture, lighting and art also cultivate a spirit of place. Australian design highlights include lighting by and Marz Designs, furniture by and and accessories by . These pieces are positioned alongside European icons such as and the .
Alexander&CO.’s art of storytelling through design has ensured the Pacific House rests in equilibrium – aged and contemporary, Australian and European, encasing and yet open to its coastal surroundings. But ultimately, what’s manifested is a home that speaks for and of its owners. “It is expressive and alive and specific,” Jeremy says. “It is laden with the stories of its now inhabitants, materially rich and communicative.”
Steel frame doors fold out to the garden and swimming pool. Artwork sourced from Alberto Ferretti.
The formal dining space is centred around a and playful atop a Cadrys Indian Terra 3 rug. An Edra Favela armchair by Fernando and Humberto Campana and Ichendorf Milano Alchemy adds an element of surprise in the corner of the space, coupled with a ceramic stool by Alison Frith. Artwork: I am Bird Now II (2021) by Suzanna Vangelov.
“The building has evolved to speak on behalf of its owners, and their beautiful Story of Origin.”
– Jeremy Bull
Considered interior details create an elegant transition between spaces. Archways are lined with Grigio Firma marble – one of three marbles used in the kitchen floor. The stairs balustrade is by JP Finsbury, while the stairs are crafted from Precision Flooring solid oak. A Yamagiwa Mayuhana II Oval floor lamp by Toyo Ito is also pictured by the stairs.
Shop-sawn American oak veneer continues in the bedroom with the custom bedhead.
Polished plaster walls create an enveloping warmth in the bedroom, drawing attention to the sculptural aspects of the space. French print from Montmartre.
The parent’s bedroom was designed to be a quiet, contemplative space that takes in ocean views from all angles.
Pictured: Terra O long wall light by Marz Designs and Cultiver bedlinen.
Black accents punctuate the monochrome material palette in the ensuite, such as the and Astra Walker Assemble tapware.
Honed Carrara marble in the ensuite echos the application in the kitchen. The ensuite is lined with Surface Gallery Valentino honed Italian terrazzo slabs and features Scarpa Bianco marble mosaic floor tiles. Stool by Kate Nixon.
The family bathroom
The powder room
The home faces east adjacent to other cliffside homes. Alexander &CO. have modified the exterior envelope through new doors, windows, cladding, entries, decks, facades and pergolas. Inadvertently, this has allowed for more informal living areas outside (such as the one pictured).
Jeremy describes the exterior as a softer, more approachable version of what was. Draped greenery and a textural, white facade call on a Mediterranean influence by the sea.
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