{"id":614086,"date":"2026-09-28T07:16:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T07:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/614086\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T07:16:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T07:16:24","slug":"this-sydney-terrace-was-designed-around-an-art-collection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/614086\/","title":{"rendered":"This Sydney Terrace Was Designed Around an Art Collection"},"content":{"rendered":"

A bold cobalt-blue artwork dominating the hallway is the first clue that this home is different. Beyond, a hot-pink fibreglass \u2018balloon\u2019 hovering on the ceiling is the second. And then there\u2019s the blue stairway runner spilling up and down the stairs, as if a clumsy decorator has kicked over a paint pot. In this five-level terrace<\/a> in Sydney\u2019s inner east, it\u2019s pure-wool plush and each flight is gradated in shades of blue, a homage to the owner\u2019s favourite colour. Follow the carpet and the ultimate destination is the study on the top storey, with a desk in the same hue as the entry\u2019s Kerry Armstrong artwork. Alexandra Kidd, the principal of Alexandra Kidd Interior Design, has revisited a former project and, this time round, she and her new clients have really gone to town, with brilliant results.<\/p>\n

\"\"The main bedroom\u2019s walls are Bauwerk Colour Limewash in Eggshell. Fireplace in Dulux Natural White. Joinery in Eveneer ALPI Xilo Striped XL White veneer from Elton Group, by Interex Joinery. \u2018Cristol\u2019 chandelier from Laura Kincade. \u2018Ilaria\u2019 vase on mantel from Alexandra Kidd Atelier. Artwork by Michael Muir. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

On her second outing, in what Alexandra calls a \u201creorientation rather than a departure\u201d, the new art-loving owners<\/a> gave her and lead designer Emma McGlynn a daring brief, which they layered over the original, more restrained remodel. To make the home more practical, in that first iteration, Alexandra juggled the multi-level layout by moving the kitchen<\/a> from the lower ground up to the main open-plan living level and creating a main bedroom suite on the first floor. The aesthetic was \u201csubdued, tonal and autumnal, with beautiful curves in the joinery\u201d, she says. <\/p>\n

\"\"Statuario marble from Nefiko tops the benches in the kitchen. \u2018Edith\u2019 chandelier-style hoods from Elica. Sculptures by Annarie Hildebrand from Michael Reid. HOME Sydney 149 (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

When the current owners bought the home in 2024, they brought a different wishlist. \u201cAlexandra has an appreciation of colour that really resonates with us,\u201d they say. \u201cShe is a seeker and traveller, bringing a global perspective to her work, which we admire.\u201d The couple wanted to keep the layout and finely crafted joinery, but as downsizing empty-nesters, even after judicious editing of their pieces, they still needed more storage in the kitchen and an expanded walk-in wardrobe to accommodate treasures gleaned over two busy lifetimes. Their shared passion would define the overall look. <\/p>\n

\"\"Ladder from Ladder Central. Vase from Potts Point Galleries. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have an incredible art collection, which tells the story of their lives,\u201d says Alexandra. \u201cIt was about honouring that \u2013 and giving them space to display it.\u201d She had free rein to push the boundaries. \u201cThat hallway artwork, in Yves Klein blue, gave us permission to be bold. The clients were open to daring moments of saturated colour, especially blue, bookended in the art and a desk on the upper level.\u201d The layout and panelled joinery remained, with extra storage added in the kitchen and walk-in, where texturedglass fronts optimise the light. Walls were refinished in powdery limewash and polished stucco, while original balustrades were revisited in black instead of the initial white \u201cfor drama and to make a statement\u201d, says Alexandra. Some heritage items were revived; for example, cornicing and a ceiling rose, sacrificed in the earlier reshuffle, were restored to the main bedroom. <\/p>\n

\"\"Bedhead in Berkshire Celery from Garrett Leather by Improvision Design. Silk\/linen quilt cover from In The Sac. Bolster from Brand Furniture. \u2018Ego\u2019 light from Nook Collections. \u2018Stock \u2019n Roll\u2019 bedside from Mobilia. \u2018Mirabella\u2019 bud vase from Alexandra Kidd Atelier. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

In the living room, two cabinets in figured veneer \u2013 resembling freestanding furniture so as to avoid a closed-in feeling \u2013 flank the fireplace, which has been beautifully preserved but repainted in an airier white. The opening between the hallway and living area was enlarged and, together with a second leading to the dining area, highlighted in high-gloss powder blue to bounce the light around and create a sense of openness. Meanwhile, taking colour cues from the owners\u2019 existing artworks and the Sydney skyline at sunset, Alexandra introduced a sculptural installation by Dutch artist Samuel Dejong to a living room wall, again celebrating gradated hues but this time gliding from luscious blues into ruby reds. <\/p>\n

\"\"The kitchen joinery is Eveneer ALPI Sottsass Grey veneer from Elton Group, and Resene Sea Fog double, by Interex Custom Joinery. Stainless-steel island in Champagne from Rimex Metals. \u2018Kelly\u2019 armchair from Jardan. Baxter \u2018Inga\u2019 stool and Gaetano Pesce vase from Space. \u2018Agatha\u2019 coffee table from Bonham Gallery. Rug from Robyn Cosgrove. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a wonderful tension between the period aspects and the contemporary, a considered play between the heritage architecture and fun, bold pieces,\u201d adds Alexandra, who honoured the home\u2019s past, but not slavishly so, by introducing modern flamboyant flourishes. \u201cWe love so many things about this place,\u201d say the owners, \u201cincluding the magnificent custom carpet that spills down the staircase and the soft curves of the beautiful joinery. I don\u2019t think we built one item without a rounded edge.\u201d <\/p>\n

The Design Team<\/p>\n

Alexandra Kidd Interior Design: alexandrakidd.com<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"\"In the dining room is a custom resin table by Saerom Yoon. \u2018Filly\u2019 chairs from Fanuli. Vessel by Ebony Russell from Martin Browne Contemporary. Shot glasses from Becker Minty ( Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

\"\"In the guest room, the walls are Bauwerk Colour Limewash in Yucca. \u2018Anton\u2019 lights by Volker Haug Studio. \u2018Louis\u2019 bedhead in M\u00e9taphores fabric by Heatherly Design. Tom Dixon \u2018Pose\u2019 task light from Living Edge. Bolster cushion from Brand Furniture. \u2018Chateau\u2019 bedcover from In The Sac. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

\"\"The hallway walls are Dulux Angora Blue with a custom stair runner from Tappeti. Blue artwork by Kerry Armstrong. \u2018Mirror Balloon\u2019 by Jeppe Hein from Cassandra Bird. Stacked artwork by Samuel Dejong from Bonham Gallery. Mogg \u2018Shape\u2019 console from Cober Collective. Pot and vessel by Ebony Russell from Martin Browne Contemporary. Glass platter from Potts Point Galleries. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2018Anton Leopard Spot\u2019 lights from Volker Haug Studio energise the guest room. Mogg \u2018Sfoglia\u2019 shelves from Cober Collective. \u2018Ziggy Stump\u2019 table from Fenton & Fenton. \u2018Chateau\u2019 bedcover from In The Sac. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

\"\"The home\u2019s other study space has similar joinery. \u2018Paw 1\u2019 sconce from Criteria. B&B Italia \u2018Camaleonda\u2019 seat and Baxter \u2018Inga\u2019 chair, both from Space. Serax \u2018Pawn\u2019 table from Winnings. Rug from Tappeti. Bricks from Canberra Glassworks. Sculpture on desk by Virginia Leonard from Martin Browne Contemporary. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

\"\"On a terrace is a Cassina \u2018Trampoline\u2019 outdoor sofa from Mobilia. (Photography: Dave Wheeler | Styling: Claire Delmar)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Profile\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWriter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tChris Pearson\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

After graduating as a journalist, I specialised in business press until I landed a position at a Sydney interior design and architecture magazine. I went on to take up senior editor roles on various publications in the homes area before opting to freelance as a writer, editor and content producer for magazines \u2013 including Belle, House & Garden, Inside Out, Home Beautiful and The Block \u2013 newspapers and websites, focusing on homes, design, gardens, food and travel. I have also written, edited and contributed to books specialising in these lifestyle areas. I really enjoy what I do \u2013 it combines my love of words with my passion for smart design and the built environment. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A bold cobalt-blue artwork dominating the hallway is the first clue that this home is different. Beyond, a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":614087,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[442,498,499,500,501,156,111,139,69],"class_list":["post-614086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-artsdesign","tag-design","tag-entertainment","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/614086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=614086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/614086\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/614087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=614086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=614086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=614086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}