LAYERS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FOR A MOUNT TOMAH PROPERTY
When our clients purchased this rendered brick home in Mount Tomah, their imagination knew no bounds for the restoration. With original tile floors, separate kitchen, timber windows and standard gyprock ceilings, there are very few people out there who could have transformed the space into the open, textural, warm and awe-inspiring space it has become. When Anne Hogarth, Director of Decoration and Design at Thornton & Blake was invited to collaborate with the client on the Interior Design, she was both intrigued and inspired to be a part of this incredible vision.
The client came to Thornton & Blake with some very clear ideas of what they were looking for. With new Tasmanian oak clad cathedral ceilings and contemporary black steel windows being installed, Anne knew that the transformation would in no way reflect the original style of the house. The client had an idea to accentuate the new ceiling height, whilst adding warmth and movement with a collection of Tom Dickson Melt Lights. This style was introduced for the entry foyer, with a sequence of ‘Melt’ wall sconces, ensuring a cohesive entrance to the impressive living space.
The ‘Melt’ lights offer an anchor to the hand-crafted Janua brass basket table. This unique piece was custom designed with an American Walnut chainsaw finish tabletop, a variation from the usual tabletop in this style, adding a sense of rusticity and texture. The client purchased their own dining chairs, which add a soft surround to the textured tabletop.
The contemporary style continues with Fibonacci stone terrazzo style tile flooring, laid over hydronic underfloor heating. The subtle complexity of the terrazzo style pattern, crafted with a paring of warm tones, greys and black, bridges the contrasting elements of dark, contemporary metal windows and warm timber ceilings, with a subtle movement and texture. Choosing a white base reflects the natural light back into the space, allowing greater flexibility with darker, contrasting furnishings. Anne then warmed the dining space and multiple lounge areas with a carefully selected range of rugs to give softness underfoot whilst relaxing and entertaining. Using rugs also creates ‘rooms within a room’ informally sectioning off each area.
A blend of sofa styles in differing textiles and shapes, yet with a common tonal green, paired with leather armchairs, provide a sense of cohesion to the overall space which features two internal lounge areas.
The main ‘formal’ lounge area is warmed by the impressive Gyrofocus hanging fireplace, handcrafted in France to order by Focus Fires. This sculptural piece is cleverly positioned in the foreground of the extensive garden and escarpment views, without obscuring, rather enhancing the picturesque outlook with the unique ambience only an open fire can create.
The second lounge area is positioned to encapsulate kitchen conversation is segmented using a feature wall covered in Macau Cork Wallpaper, with a metallic copper background. This background captures the changing reflections of natural light during the day as well as during the evening beneath the Georgetti Kendama wall lights adding an unexpected shimmer and depth to the walls.
To further enclose and warm the space after sunset, or even provide a subtle filtered light during the day, James Dunlop ‘Element’ s-fold drapes were installed along the expansive windows. Hung from a recessed track in the ceiling, the s-fold style curtain offers a contemporary, yet softer style window-covering than a blind with the flexibility to feature the views in their entirety when fully open.
The expansive and complex Mount Tomah project with its modern mid-century influence is the perfect example of Thornton & Blake’s ability to collaborate with a client on a design that is reflective of their own unique personal style. From concept to creation, Designer Anne Hogarth provided an experienced reference point for cohesive and practical application of the client’s ideas, whilst delivering with the supply of unique and designer elements, resulting in coherent & luxurious layers of living areas in one open expansive space.