Belleview
Belleview largely wrote its own brief. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, the home’s strong Mediterranean character and architectural language set the tone for Lawless & Meyerson’s reimagining, in collaboration with MHNDU.
“The clients loved the existing house – the terrazzo and limestone, the arched doors and windows – and this became the foundation for the design,” says interior designer Jo Lawless, founder and creative director of Lawless & Meyerson. While MHNDU elevated the home’s structural language, Lawless & Meyerson carried it through the interiors. Inspired by the pared-back warmth of Belgian design, their work at Belleview projects a grounded sense of harmony. “Nothing is overdone, but it’s not underdone either. It’s all in balance.”
“Even as a large house, each room has a reason for being there. No space is wasted.”
Mediterranean in spirit from the outset, the approach unfolds through a landscaped courtyard and bougainvillea-framed entry. “This creates a stronger sense of arrival – a moment to pause before continuing through the house toward the tennis court beyond,” says architect Brian Meyerson, co-principal of MHNDU. Inside, what Lawless describes as “a thing of beauty” is the sculptural staircase. “It’s deliberately grand without feeling overbearing or ostentatious,” she says. To the left, steps descend to a library bathed in afternoon light; to the right, the living and family rooms extend past a double-sided, stucco-clad fireplace to the dining area, kitchen and scullery, with each space opening through arched doors to internal gardens or the pool terrace.
Upstairs, the connection to light and views continues, with each bedroom opening onto its own terrace and ensuite, while the main suite extends to a large dressing room and timber-lined study. At lower-ground level are a gym, sauna, ice bath, cinema and cellar. “Even as a large house, each room has a reason for being there. No space is wasted,” says Lawless. That also extends beyond the footprint of the home itself to the neighbouring property, acquired to make way for a tennis court.
From grand to granular, the team looked to Mediterranean houses in Los Angeles and their eclectic mix of furniture from different periods. “We really pushed the idea of texture and layering, creating a richer blend of furniture and decoration over the interior design.” This ranged from existing client pieces, including the large antique table in the communal library and reupholstered Minotti sofas, to bespoke details such as the ice bath’s mosaic-lined, terrazzo-clad tub. New additions, including Henry Timi dining chairs, helped shape the direction of the remaining furniture selections. “We were able to showcase what we are capable of in a different context; this was our happy place.”
Rather than a rebuild, Belleview is a reinvigoration of an already cherished home. Building on strong foundations, Lawless & Meyerson and MHNDU have created a house that breathes life and space into every corner, from its most expansive rooms to its quietest details.
