Artisan House
Coming to life within the walls of an existing Colonial Regency home, Artisan House by Unearthed Building & Design embodies its namesake through layers of incredible detail and masterful craftsmanship. One-of-a-kind furnishings curated by Swee Design and sleek additions of glass and stone create a home of timeless appeal.
“The structural integration between the existing and new wings required particular precision,” shares Jason Spear, director of Unearthed Building & Design. “The challenge was to incorporate an elevator, wine room, sauna and other modern amenities discreetly to preserve the design’s visual integrity. Achieving a sense of warmth and softness within spaces was a huge focus, especially those originally dominated by concrete and glass.”
The existing design called for a thoughtful dialogue between old and new. The vision was to preserve the historic colonial facade while introducing a contemporary wing at the rear. The site’s generous proportions opened up possibilities for fluid spatial planning, creating natural connections that drew the interior and landscape together.
Swee Lim, director of Swee Design oversaw the design and selection of the furniture and art. Understanding that the furniture would complete the home, Lim sourced each piece and ensured they sat fluidly within the interior. “Curvaceous silhouettes echo the fluid geometry of the interiors and balance the voluminous spaces,” Lim explains. “The pieces soften the strength of concrete and stone, adding warmth, texture and a sense of lightness.”
The material palette establishes a refined yet grounded aesthetic through granite, bronze and rich timber veneers. Imported Italian marble lends an air of luxury to floors, columns, cabinetry and bathrooms, while mirrored surfaces and glass corridors invite natural light and an expansive quality through the home. Cascading greenery from balconies and indoor gardens blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor living, bringing nature into the everyday.
A soothing palette of blues and teals also flows throughout, accentuating the sense of floating lightness. In the curved glass corridor, a hand-carved timber owl sculpture by Bruce Armstrong from Fletcher Arts stands guard, while an oversized ceramic vessel by Eun Ceramics introduces organic softness to the main living area’s bold foundations.
The kitchen serves as the home’s hub, centred around an expansive Arabescato Vagli stone curved island and custom ‘bell’ oak dining table, ideal for gathering and hosting. Custom scalloped profiles and bronze mesh detailing reflect artisanal craftsmanship throughout the joinery, their tactile finishes extending into the bedrooms. Here, moody furnishings, linen drapery, custom bedheads designed in collaboration with Spear and plush wool carpets transform each room into a sanctuary.
Artisan House reflects the seamless creative collaboration between Unearthed Building & Design and Swee Design, which was fuelled by a shared passion for the unique, the artisan and the bespoke. “Every finish contributes to a cohesive narrative of strength and softness, craftsmanship and innovation,” reflects Spear. “Artisan House epitomises luxury living, a home where architectural precision meets artisanal soul.”
Design and build by Unearthed Building & Design. Furniture and art curation by Swee Design.
