Albany House by Graphio AM and Carla Barton

Inspired by the adventurous spirit of the owners, Carla Barton and Graphio AM transformed Albany House into an enduring and timeless home that pays homage to the past. The team injects vibrancy and personality through contemporary, warm insertions.

Located in Petersham, and built in the early 1900s, the original Albany House had been left to decay for decades, awaiting the right owner to take on the challenge of restoration. “Materiality on this project was mainly driven by the clients’ personalities and their budget,” says Carla Barton. “The clients are a young couple and were adventurous in their selections, which really allowed us to have a lot of fun putting the materials together.” Barton worked closely with architect Graphio AM to understand how the space would reflect its latest custodians.

“Even though the home was built in the early 1900s, through pops of colour, bold shapes, wallpapers, brass and fresh whites, we were able to inject a new breath of air into the home that feels playful but has ties to classicism to ground the design,” says Barton.

With the owners’ backgrounds being in real estate and jewellery design, there was an opportunity to balance the pragmatic and the creative. Spread over multiple levels, the three-bedroom home is opened to allow better movement and facilitate space for entertaining guests. “Even though the home was built in the early 1900s, through pops of colour, bold shapes, wallpapers, brass and fresh whites, we were able to inject a new breath of air into the home that feels playful but has ties to classicism to ground the design,” says Barton. Choosing the right mix of materials and determining which elements to keep or update was integral to the end result.

Reflecting the area and the richness of the site, details and materials bridge the present and the past. “The clients and I both had an appreciation for classical design elements, and their previous home was decorated in a fusion of both Hamptons and French provincial styles,” says Barton. “They were looking for a more elevated and contemporary version, and after meeting them and seeing their previous home, I envisioned a home that was a better reflection of their personalities. It leaned into more contemporary approaches to classical designs to develop a really fresh approach.”

Reflecting the area and the richness of the site, details and materials bridge the present and the past.

By opening spaces to allow for communal living, Albany House works more functionally and in line with a modern lifestyle. The careful and considered restoration work by both Graphio AM and Carla Barton ensures the latest iteration respectfully adds another layer of richness to the home’s narrative while reflecting the current owners.

Architecture by Graphio AM. Interior design by Carla Barton. Build by Wyatt Projects. Joinery by Intrend Joinery.