Where Architects Live | Kirsten Stanisich

Architect Kirsten Stanisich, one half of eminent design practice Richards Stanisich, offers a personal glimpse at her enduring design sensibility inside her Sydney terrace.

We first interviewed Richards Stanisich founders Kirsten Stanisich and Jonathan Richards following the establishment of their practice in 2018. Kirsten was quick to lay down the backbone of their studio – “to design with integrity” – which she said was at the core of every other design value.

It’s this resounding thread that reveals itself in Kirsten’s terrace in Sydney’s Red Fern. A sensitive intervention, Kirsten worked within the existing footprint to create a home that mediates between clean-cut and contemporary and classic heritage preservation. We caught up with Kirsten to unearth what she loves most about where she lives, where you’ll find her spending the most time in her home and why the experiences in her home matter most.

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The kitchen features Miele appliances and Zani + Zani Olympia pots.

Kirsten says that when she first moved to Red Fern, it was anything but quiet. Years on, with soft landscaping and a bike path, she says the traffic has slowed, and her street has evolved into a beautiful place to be. ”I spend quite a bit of time on foot walking to my local shops, my studio, the gym, friends’ houses, the local restaurants and cafes,” she says. “I know a few of my neighbours to chat with along the way, which makes the place feel like home.”

An exercise in subtlety, the architect’s home sees matt painted walls and limewashed flooring create a fluid and calming experience from one end to the other. Double-glazed steel-framed windows keep the courtyard close and maintain the peaceful atmosphere – through access to fresh air and greenery and muffling noise.

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Kirsten’s dining space features a YBU dining table by Christophe Delcourt, Accademia Vela dining chairs, and a Rina Medardi Shell plate. An Artek Tea trolley displays more of Kirsten’s ceramics collection while Viabizzuno architectural lighting features above.

“Stone is such an incredibly beautiful natural material. I went to visit one of the stone suppliers I work with and he showed me some off-cuts of exotic blue marble he had from previous projects which inspired my design for the circle inlays.”

– Architect Kirsten Stanisich

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While some years have passed since Kirsten first designed her kitchen, it remains a timeless exploration of the application of natural stone. It features custom inlays composed of marble and flamed finish granite, combined with soft ribbed timber cabinetry. “Stone is such an incredibly beautiful natural material,” Kirsten says. “I went to visit one of the stone suppliers I work with, and he showed me some off-cuts of exotic blue marble he had from previous projects which inspired my design for the circle inlays.”

Kirsten recently adopted a puppy called Shirley, which has meant she has enjoyed spending her mornings and evenings in her courtyard garden – “the most relaxing place to let a puppy run free when you’re in the throes of puppy training”. The dining space off the kitchen is also where Kirsten loves to spend time in her home. “Late morning and early afternoon, my dining space also gets lovely light. It also sits within my kitchen, so cooking for friends feels casual and intimate.”

The minimalist curation of lighting, furniture, art and objects reveals a deliberate leaning towards sculptural forms, bespoke textiles and grounding textures. That – and a passion for Italian design. Italian lighting luminary Viabizzuno is an obvious favourite for Kirsten, together with Italian furniture design house DePadova, handmade rug company, cc-tapis and Society Limonta linen.

When asked what pieces tell her home’s story best, Kirsten says she believes the experiences within reveal the most about her home. “There’s been a lot that’s gone on in my house over the years,” she says. “At the moment, I am loving entertaining my friends, so it’s probably the terracotta pedestal tables in my garden, the dining table and my pup’s playpen and crate.”