Impeccably Put Together – Balfour Residence by Tom Mark Henry
Balfour Residence by Tom Mark Henry is a generous family home that neatly reflects the appealing essence of its Bellevue Hill context. Wonderfully treated interiors and a distinct connection to landscape make way for a home that feels inviting and familiar yet, above all, elevated in its considered and cohesive design.
As Tom Mark Henry’s Director Cushla McFadden explains, the initial scope of work was much smaller than the finished product would suggest. Originally engaged by the clients to address the laundry, powder room, office, walk in robe and bathrooms, this capacity increased dramatically yet organically over the course of a few months. “We realised these areas considered in isolation from the main heart of the home felt very disconnected, and the brief extended to the kitchen, hallways, stair, dining room and master bedroom,” Cushla reflects. “Before long, we were discussing replacing windows and doors and changing floor levels to maximise ceiling heights and connectedness to the garden – applying for a full-scale renovation to the entire existing property.” Resultingly, the original form has been respectfully improved upon through thoughtful additions and an informed approach to materiality, which together give this home a newfound contemporary identity with classic details throughout.
The layout of this generously sized Bellevue Hill home has remained largely intact. As such, Tom Mark Henry focused on “modernising the home and creating a classic and beautifully designed atmosphere to enjoy and live in, that was as much family and kid friendly as it was a peaceful haven for the adults,” Cushla says. Emphasis was placed on creating a home that exudes ease and brightness – a reflection of the family’s daily life and the home’s desirable locale. The ground floor houses all the main living spaces, with a large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, which opens onto a covered verandah, garden and pool. The lower ground floor holds a garage and utility spaces. Upstairs, there is a master bedroom with a walk-in robe and ensuite, as well as three bedrooms – two with ensuites – and a main bathroom. Designed to contrast against the shared spaces on the ground floor and provide a retreat-like space for the adults, the master suite is intimate and cocooning. Navy blue textured wall coverings, black steel-framed elements and intricately veined stone create a richly detailed palette to “emulate old world opulence”. The effect is soft and homely yet realised with sharp attention to detail and refinement.
In contrast, the living spaces on the ground floor are bright and airy, though equally as rich, illustrating Tom Mark Henry’s aptitude for creating spaces which are layered yet cultivated. Rendered walls, honey-toned parquetry floors and a travertine fireplace bring a heightened level of tactility to the space alongside pale timber joinery, soft window furnishings and brass accents. The bold, dark-hued kitchen anchors the home with relaxed dining and lounging on the surrounds, and an abundance of natural light fills the space. Reimagined for contemporary family life, this main living space takes full advantage of the site’s most promising features, benefitting from access to light and nature and expressing the same sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding area. It perfectly illustrates Tom Mark Henry’s intuitive interpretation of the clients’ brief; it is open, inviting, and effortlessly caters to the conviviality of family life, acting as the crux of social gatherings as well as more intimate moments.
Tom Mark Henry focused on “modernising the home and creating a classic and beautifully designed atmosphere to enjoy and live in, that was as much family and kid friendly as it was a peaceful haven for the adults,” Director Cushla McFadden says.
The kitchen also demonstrates a clever response to the clients’ brief; experientially laid back but sophisticated in its execution, it feels as fitting for adults as it does for children and extended family and friends. Located along the boundary wall with an overt connection to the living room and outdoors, it is an effortless gravitational point of the home. Fisher & Paykel appliances are seamlessly integrated into the joinery, resulting in an appealingly cohesive and uncluttered aesthetic. The Column Refrigerator and Freezer are concealed behind light timber joinery with custom shelving adjacent, and the Integrated Single DishDrawer, which is also encased in joinery, enhances ease of use and ergonomics. The sleek Induction Cooktop and Integrated Insert Rangehood complement the pared-back design, allowing eye-catching features such as the joinery profile and elegant handles to guide the interiority.
Working with Fisher & Paykel represents an effortless part of the design process for Tom Mark Henry. As Cushla says, “Fisher & Paykel is front of mind for any high-end home we are designing.” She adds, “we know they will look after our clients, and we love that our clients have the ability to first see and test the appliances in the Fisher & Paykel Experience Centre in Alexandria.” This confidence in both product and people is evident in the finished design of Balfour Residence, where each design detail has been cleverly distilled into an environment that feels impeccably put together.
Tom Mark Henry’s ability to address this home through a holistic yet flexible lens ensures the project sings. Effortlessly functional and also refined, Balfour Residence is a place of warmth and ease; it is the ideal backdrop to family life in the desirable harbourside locale of Bellevue Hill.
