This is reminiscent of Cycladic architecture, a style influenced by the Greek Cycladic islands.
Taylor purchased the home in 2020 and enlisted renowned interior designer Greg Natale to transform its Hollywood regency interiors into a European minimalist abode. Natale designed the home’s interiors in 2012 for the previous owner.
“I thought who better to go back to than the person who did the house before?” Taylor said.
“He already has the footprint and knows the house inside and out.”
Natale said the project allowed him to reinvent himself as a designer.
“I’m still known for the Hollywood regency era, but this house has shown that I’ve grown and can do other things.”
Patagonia Verde Quartzite on the foyer floor contrasts with Breccia Capraia in the kitchen. The quartzite was chosen to mimic the ocean.Credit: Steven Siewert
Hollywood regency is a design style that is bold and glam, often characterised by metallic and glass accents, and lavish fabrics. Taylor wanted to keep the home’s proportions but transform it into an aesthetic that reflected her personality.
“Initially, I approached the design of my home with broad market appeal in mind, something safe, familiar and predictable. But that direction quickly began to feel creatively limiting and disconnected from my true style,” Taylor said.
Curves and skylights give the illusion of never-ending space.Credit: Steven Siewert
“The moment I surrendered that idea and fully trusted and embraced my own aesthetic and vision for the home, everything began to shift. That’s when the home began to come alive and the magic truly unfolded.
“The typical Bellevue Hill home has a French provincial feel. I wanted something fluid and seamless with curves and arches.”
Taylor’s Greek heritage was captured effortlessly in the home, Natale said.
“We made the foyer entry look like water with the Patagonia Verde Quartzite,” he said.
“The style is fluid and seamless. You can see the connection to Greece, but it’s in the feeling and detail.”
Taylor changed the footprint to allow for four full bedrooms upstairs, with their own bathroom. Credit: Steven Siewert
The fluid style is captured in the waved coffered ceiling, a design detail that adds dimension and consists of a series of sunken panels.
Most of the structural work was completed in 2012 with the previous renovation.
“Originally, the home comprised of two apartments, so we made major structural changes to join them. We put the staircase in and created a sunken lounge,” Natale said.
Taylor, a mother to two teens, changed the footprint to allow for four full bedrooms upstairs, with their own bathroom.
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“The house had more like 3.5 bedrooms. Eleni wanted the kids to have their own bathrooms, so we put in a development application to extend the upstairs area at the back of the house,” Natale said.
“Structurally, 90 per cent was already done, but the extension added a lot of value to the home.”
The home is an entertainer’s paradise, hosting Sydney’s elite for dinners and private events.
“I love to treat the people I love to something special,” Taylor said.
Taylor considered other pockets of the east when house hunting, but chose Bellevue Hill due to its proximity to private schools.Credit: Steven Siewert