French, English and Italian design features converge in this collector's home designed by Sydney-based Phoebe Nicol. Out of a shared love of antiques, she worked with her clients for more than two and a half years with meticulous planning and planning. The goal was to create an interior environment that celebrates old objects in an elegant juxtaposition of old and new.

The spacious home features expansive gardens and Victorian details. However, the interior was dark, a problem Phoebe solved by removing the shutters and integrating soft interior tones. The old flooring was stripped and plastered, and new joinery and a bold stone fireplace were introduced in the living room.

Each space is designed in a series of layers: pastel colours and natural materials such as sisal or linen, followed by intriguing "heavy" pieces to maintain balance and warmth. The formal living room features brass lights and one of the owner's favorites, a 1940 glass pendant. The house is predominantly white rather than neutral.

The artwork in the living room and hallway infuses a contemporary sense of awe. The fabric works are slowly and carefully crafted using oil and wax pigments on linen, echoing the layered aesthetic of the house. Phoebe Nicol had a deep understanding of her client and transformed the Upper North Shore house into a home that essentially reflected their shared aesthetic and collecting interests.