Consider the staircase, which can be a purely utilitarian way to access different levels or can make a dramatic and glamorous statement, catching the eye and setting the scene for what lies beyond.
In the case of this newly designed and built home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs it is most definitely the latter, and interior designer Thomas Hamel goes so far as to say, “It’s all about the staircase!”
The living room walls are sheathed in ‘Chandra Silk III’ wallpaper in Antique from Scalamandré. Thomas Hamel & Associates custom sofa upholstered in Rogers & Goffigon ‘Versailles’ in Sunstone from Kneedler Fauchère, custom ottoman in Jim Thompson ‘New Khmer’ silk in Croissant from Milgate, and custom coffee table in brass with agate top from Fameed Khalique on a custom ‘Aurora’ silk rug from Lapchi. Biedermeier lamp tables with Barovier&Toso Murano glass lamps, all from 1stDibs. Seven Horses reverse glass artwork from Jean de Merry.
ON THE MARKET
This stunning trophy home in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill reportedly sold in May 2023 for $61,500,000. It was listed by Alex Lyons of Raine & Horne Double Bay, who advertised it as “Standing proud on one of Bellevue Hill’s finest streets, this magnificent estate sits on approx. 1338sqm of private gated grounds, commanding breathtaking views across the city skyline.” See more.
‘Treviso’ billiard table in Espresso from Brunswick Billiards. Artwork by Ildiko Kovacs.
The breakfast room has a custom Gregorius Pineo ‘London Iron’ dining table from Kneedler Fauchère and custom chairs upholstered in ‘Haute Cowture’ in Dune from Jerry Pair Leather and de Le Cuona ‘Berlin’ in Limewash from Boyac with La Terre Macrame Gimp trim from Samuel & Son. Curtains in Jim Thompson ‘Acacia’ in Natural from Milgate.
The owners had long admired the location of this property, both the street and the suburb, nestled within the community where they had grown up. “They used to drive past looking at it longingly and would discuss what they would do if they were ever lucky enough to buy it,” says Thomas. As luck would have it they did subsequently buy the house and lived there for a few years before deciding to redevelop the property to better suit their family and way of living.
Engaging the ‘dream team’ for the project – Thomas, plus Michael Suttor as consulting architect and Paul Bangay as landscape designer – the plan was to recreate the grand and gracious style of a home on the French Riviera while embracing the Sydney terrain.
In the ‘playroom’ on a custom striped rug from Behruz Studio is a Thomas Hamel & Associates custom modular sofa upholstered in Weitzner ‘Mezzanine’ in Elephant from South Pacific Fabrics and Innovations ‘Laredo’ from InStyle. Custom armchair in Nobilis ‘Ralph’ and cushions in Nobilis ‘Tiles’ from Redelman Fabrics. Custom vinyl and timber coffee table by Thomas Hamel & Associates. ‘Luca’ brass drinks table from Currey & Company. Cube pouf from Terrain. Gregorius Pineo ‘Belmondo’ chandelier from Kneedler Fauchère. Ceiling in timber herringbone tiles from Blackwattle Hardwood Floors.
‘Bowline’ pendant lights from Urban Electric hang above the kitchen island with custom bar stools upholstered in Scotch Grain leather from Edelman Leather. Custom rangehood by Thomas Hamel & Associates. La Cornue ‘Grand Palais 180’ stove from Andico. Herringbone parquetry flooring from Blackwattle Hardwood Floors.
As frequent entertainers the owners requested multiple areas for welcoming family and friends, whether for intimate dinners, garden parties, movie nights or pool parties, as well as comfortable and intimate spaces for family life. Special luxuries such as a cinema, golf room, sauna, gym, games room, wine cellar and cigar lounge were also on the wishlist.
The four-bedroom house has the handsome appearance of a classic Mediterranean villa with Palladian proportions in true Michael Suttor style. “The ground and first floors reflect all the classical details of a luxury home while the two lower levels have a more transitional, contemporary aesthetic,” says Thomas.
On a custom ‘Fading Rocks’ rug from Behruz Studio in the formal dining room is a custom Dessin Fournir ‘Schrader’ table from Philip Stites. Custom chairs by Thomas Hamel & Associates upholstered in Pierre Frey ‘Fabrics Georges’ in Beige from Milgate and Fortuny ‘Peruviano’ in White and Silvery Gold from Ascraft. ‘Nugget’ rock-crystal chandelier from Michael Taylor Designs. Boston’ mirror from Galerie André Hayat hangs above a ‘Chesham’ white marble fireplace and ‘Blessington’ register grate from Jamb.
Custom curtains in Décor de Paris ‘Luna Sheer’ in Coffee from Jerry Pair. ‘
In the living room, a Biedermeier table and Barovier&Toso Murano lamp, both from 1stDibs. Custom Randolph & Hein ‘Salvador’ buffet from Sloan Miyasato under a Giles Alexander artwork, Beginning to See the Light, from Olsen Gallery.
In keeping with this style of home it was important to establish a sense of grandeur so ceiling heights were pushed to the max, a detail that Thomas learned during his time at Parish Hadley in New York. “Albert Hadley always said to start with the ceiling height and everything else will follow,” says Thomas.
The master suite has a custom bed upholstered in de Le Cuona ‘Vienna Velvet’ in Cha Cha from Boyac with cushion in Jean Monro ‘Sophie’s Thistles’ linen in Steel from Tigger Hall Design. ‘Garniture’ table lamp in Prussian Blue from Christopher Spitzmiller. Gregorius Pineo ‘Richmond’ credenza, Louis XV1 armchair and ottoman, all from Kneedler Fauchère, upholstered in ‘Brumes’ from Thomas Lavin. Curtains in Schumacher ‘Padova Damask Natural’ in Ivory from Orient House. Phillip Jeffries Sateen Club ‘North Star’ wallpaper from The Textile Company. Murano glass chandelier with gold leaf from Anne Hauck. Mongolian cashmere Shibori rug from Behruz Studio. Artwork is Magnolia IV (Dawsoniana) by Jonathan Delafield Cook, sourced by Alison Renwick Art Consultancy.
The master ensuite is tiled in Carrara honed marble from Granite & Marble Works with custom penny-round mosaic floor tiles in Borealis Blue antiqued and honed from The Fine Line. Perrin & Rowe tapware from The English Tapware Company.
Vintage stool from East Wing Studio.
Soaring ceilings demanded an equally impressive staircase that Thomas says “had to sweep and had to be glamorous”. The design – in marble with a custom hammered steel and timber balustrade – is spotlit by a rock-crystal chandelier and was informed by the owner’s personal style. “We appreciated her elegant, considered approach to everything and created a home that would convey this marvellous, almost Tom Ford or Balenciaga, style.”
The master robe and dressing room is panelled in faux leather from Fameed Khalique. Shearling ‘Brick’ rug in Kashmir from Cadrys Contemporary. Custom upholstered stool in Great Plains ‘Vanity Fair’ from Holly Hunt. Custom ‘Midas’ chandelier from Fisher Weisman.
The gym powder room is lined in Montenegro honed stone from STS Stone. Custom mirror and vanity by Thomas Hamel & Associates in grey-washed solid oak with a Swiss brass detail and benchtop and splashback in Pietra Grey honed stone from Granite & Marble Works. Brodware ‘Industrica’ tapware from Candana. Visual Comfort ‘Allen’ pendant light from Laura Kincade. Custom ottoman with brass patinaed base in C&C Milano ‘Florida’ in White from South Pacific Fabrics.
The golf room has a custom sofa and ottomans upholstered in DeLany & Long ‘Poseidon’ in Teal from Kneedler Fauchère. Custom cushions in Weitzner ‘Cheetah’ and ‘Hana’ from South Pacific Fabrics, Pierre Frey ‘Lecco’ from Milgate and Décor de Paris ‘Chrysler’ from Jerry Pair. C1930 martini side tables from Restoration Hardware. Walls upholstered in Jim Thompson ‘Capone’ in Slate Grey from Milgate. Custom ‘Pearl Lustre’ carpet from RC+D. Polly Borland’s Morph 14 artwork from Sullivan+Strumpf.
Beauty, elegance and refinement reign throughout the home. Sumptuous finishes, from the custom parquetry flooring, hand-painted silk wallpapers, ceilings in herringbone timber or decorative plaster to the marble-swathed bathrooms, backdrop a luxe and meticulous rollcall of furniture.
Antique pieces sourced from around the world mingle with bespoke designs perched upon silk rugs, while lighting provides moments of sparkle and shine whether from alabaster table lamps or Murano glass pendants. Artworks by the likes of Catherine Fox, Ildiko Kovacs and Del Kathryn Barton provide a hit of youthful energy that juxtaposes with the calm restraint of the interior design.
The study has a Gregorius Pineo ‘Directoire’ desk in walnut with leather top from Kneedler Fauchère on a Moroccan rug from Behruz Studio. Cabinetry by Thomas Hamel & Associates. Artwork, clients’ collection.
“The clients appreciate artisanal craftsmanship so we were able to develop beautiful, unique details for the home, and we travelled the world together to source inspiration and pieces to reflect their personal style,” says Thomas. “They embraced the project in such a good way and were keen to be involved in all the details down to the bed linen and table settings.”
Externally the home is equally impressive. Paul Bangay’s garden architecture is the perfect complement and follows the same ethos of tailored elegance, with knife-edge hedges and buxus balls. A judiciously placed white marble sculpture at the entrance is like a “simple brooch on a classic dress”, says Thomas.
Such a harmonious collaboration always results in an outstanding outcome and Thomas credits his team with ensuring the project ran efficiently and smoothly. “Behind the scenes, it takes a village,” he explains.
‘Verano’ chair from Formations. Paul Bangay designed the garden. Poolside chairs from Restoration Hardware.
The classic lines of the home’s facade.
(Credit: Photography: Anson Smart)For the delighted owners, every part of the house is magnificent. They mention the study, the gym overlooking the garden, the master bedroom with its elegant dressing room taking in the city lights, the kitchen that commands the centre of the home and the cellar that is masculine, intimate and cosy … “We could go one and on,” they say.
“The house is filled with natural light and the layers make each room its own but blend seamlessly throughout. Together we have achieved an incredible outcome that is both beautiful and functional.”
Thomas Hamel says the staircase in the entry “had to sweep and be glamorous”. Custom design by Thomas Hamel & Associates with hammered steel spindles by Ferro Artistico and a continuous handrail in solid walnut. Bianco Bello and Tremi Grigio honed stone flooring from Worldstone. Custom ‘Cosmo’ table by Hélène Aumont from Una Malan. Dessin Fournir ‘Quatrain’ Bagues-style rock-crystal chandelier from Philip Stites.
Says Thomas, “I am always so pleased when clients move into a new build and instantly feel at home, as if they have always lived in the space. This classic and timeless background can be enriched over time as the owners continue to layer the home with their growing art collection and really put their own stamp on it.”
