A Luminous Sanctuary – Burnley House by Fiona Lynch

Set just east of Melbourne’s CBD, Burnley House is the brainchild of Fitzroy-based design studio Fiona Lynch. This three-storey townhouse harnesses the beauty of natural and feature lighting to expand spatial parameters, resulting in a softly luminous sanctuary.

After admiring Fiona Lynch’s work for some time, it was a converted boot factory project in Fitzroy which inspired Burnley House. Neatly situated in Burnley, a haven of Victorian terraces and townhouses just east of Melbourne’s CBD, this three-storey townhouse places emphasis on light, texture and space. Driven by the clients’ interest in gestural elements and eclectic pieces of furniture with intriguing form, there’s no shortage of contemplative pockets that encourage introspective lounging in the 154 SQM space.

Driven by the clients’ interest in gestural elements and eclectic pieces of furniture with intriguing form, there’s no shortage of contemplative pockets that encourage introspective lounging in the 154 SQM space.

In the fortunate position of acquiring custom pieces throughout the duration of the project, the Fiona Lynch team were able to include several key commissions that progressively link the space with an opulent finish. A custom brass neon lighting sculpture by designer and jeweller Brenton Angel radiates the study, while another of Brenton’s pieces, a glacial-like fibreglass sculptural shield, bracketed by a vertical neon globe lines the rear wall of the dining area. Adorning the wall in the master bedroom’s adjoining lounge is a neon white flower by Hannah Quinlivan, discharging a constant glow that draws the eye upwards.

The clients’ love for hosting inspired elements of the home, as highlighted by the central kitchen which spills out to an abundantly leafy entertainment deck. The use of colour and texture were paramount in setting the mood for Burnley House – a bold mix of tactile and lux materials provide a plethora of textural references, from marble and solid timber to velvet and decadent bamboo silk rugs.

In the fortunate position of acquiring custom pieces throughout the duration of the project, the Fiona Lynch team were able to include several key commissions that progressively link the space with an opulent finish.

Moving about the house following the sunlight in the cooler months, the client begins his mornings on the upper deck, before retiring back indoors to the cool colours and warm textures of the space. In the warmer months, calming shades of sage and pistachio merged with the marble dining table’s oceanic blue and seafoam white hues help to reflect the intensity of summer’s heat.

Walking through to the master bedroom an instant calming effect takes hold – densely mottled fibre cement sheet walls spill into the sun-bathed adjoining courtyard, ushering a sense of utmost peace and quiet. The room provides a quaint sanctuary with a royal sapphire armchair nestled in one corner, providing the perfect location for a moments retreat.