A Softly Muted Overhaul – Brighton Residence by Page Stewart
From a complete overhauling exercise, Brighton Residence emerges as a reworked Edwardian home ensconced in its important historical past while offering a respectful contemporary freshness. Page Stewart brings a muted and softened approach to create a glowing home that celebrates its comprising crafted features.
Set in an area dotted with heritage remnants that cover multiple eras and architectural stylings, Brighton Residence is one such period home in need of a revival to restore its wearied bones. Conceived from a comprehensive and considered methodology, the resulting works see a carving out of the existing interior elements and a replanning of the zones from base principles, all within the same shared philosophy. The new works concentrate on fusing the old and new together, celebrating the crafted details through a restoration process. Elements of the previous planning are combined with a more contemporary approach that responds to the way in which domestic living has changed. The resulting interconnection of spaces sees Page Stewart create a less formal, more open and connected home.
Built by Secon Constructions and with landscapes by Alto, Brighton Residence focuses on the area usually left unaddressed in heritage builds – the space remaining between the original building envelope and the site extents. As part of the replanning works, the experimentation of spatial relationships sees the expansion of the existing home outline to better engage with its site and a new plan that makes a more effective and efficient use of space and purposed connections became the priority. Addressing elements such as orientation, natural light and ventilation meant a more deliberate exchange between the built form and the landscape could be developed, further strengthening that spatial relationship.
Typical of the Edwardian era was the expression of the handmade and crafted elements throughout the home. While the renovation sees a reworking and expansion of the home, key heritage elements have been restored as a means to capture and celebrate the past. The intricate restoration of the stained-glass windows, brickwork, tiled roofing, plaster mouldings, fretwork and brick detailing all bring the newer and older elements together, underpinning an historical narrative. Internally, a palette of soft and muted white and grey tones creates a series of glowing spaces that through a cohesive colour, helping reinforce the details and create a natural hierarchy visually. The furniture, artwork and lighting then add elements of colour, while still also being toned down and subtle in their addition.
The restoration and expansion of Brighton Residence weaves in a contemporary appreciation of heritage, with quality and highly detailed insertions. Page Stewart has brought a timeless approach, where she has carefully celebrated the home’s past, while ensuring a solid future can unfurl.
