Parc House is situated in the historic heart of Sydney, in Centennial Park. Designed by local design studio Alwill, the house's elaborately crafted Interiors and elevated lines are a gentle reminder of handmade and The Times. In a connection across time, references to the origins of the house and the story of its development became an important part of the redesign. Alwill infuse the home with organic soft materials that emphasize form and texture to create a meaningful home linked to the past.
In its original era, the home was a celebration of the ornate and the crafted interiors and elevated mouldings are a gentle reminder of that time and of the hand made. In the connecting across time, referencing the origins of the home becomes an important part of its current story, while delicately weaving in elements that ensure a contemporary comfort becomes the expression of its current owner and their story.
Having been restored and carefully cared for, the original home was inherited in impeccable condition, allowing Alwill Interiors to add another layer.Alwill Interiors combine elements of depth and being open through the selection of more organic and rounded pieces that ensure free movement and sit as sculptures more than furniture, within the spaces.
Like many homes of its era, the lack of natural light was an inevitable issue, however the loftiness of the internal proportions aids in the feeling of openness. Finding a balance between the keeping a sense of the original formality and structure of the home and its volumes without altering the architecture was a challenging task. Alwill Interiors combine elements of depth and being open through the selection of more organic and rounded pieces that ensure free movement and sit as sculptures more than furniture, within the spaces. A lightness is then added through the textiles and finishes used, allowing softened and dappled light to pass through full-height drapery, softly illuminating the interiors.
Despite the regular nature of the floor plan, the insertions add a countering balance, and through their gentleness feel like a fresh addition. A rich and deep palette is combined with textured paint and custom wallpaper to add movement as light engages with various surfaces. The blue and lilac hues offer an immersive feel amongst a generally more neutral and muted palette throughout. While the selection of furniture, artwork and lighting adds personality and allows the owner a personal expression amongst the history of the home, the details of the original remain within sight and become part of the home in its new contemporary vision.
- Interiors: Alwill Architecture
- Photos: Prue Ruscoe
- Words: Bronwyn Marshall