A Barefoot Home – Collector House by Arent & Pyke

Words by Bronwyn Marshall
Photography by Anson Smart
Interior Design by Arent & Pyke
Styling by Steve Cordony

Responding to its surrounding distinctive flora and fauna, the views and materiality of Collector House speak to its unique and enviable context. Arent & Pyke bring a contrasting boldness and warmth together, emboldening each of the spaces with their own uniqueness, while being collectively focussed on an outward connection.

Enviably located with direct views out to Sydney Harbour, the positioning and outward focussed viewing portals that comprise Collector House are a key defining element of the home. While being immersed in its setting, with the gliding happenings of vessels in the harbour out front, the home itself is one of casual calm. Coined a barefoot home, the spaces all reflect a relaxed and informal tone, all flowing into one another, and connected through a playful use of colour and texture. The curated collection of furniture, artwork and lighting all add moments of interest and intrigue throughout, while also connecting and reinforcing the story of its owners. Arent & Pyke have carefully reworked the interiors to align with the grounded feeling wanted by its owners, encouraging a welcome gathering of people internally.

Coined a barefoot home, the spaces all reflect a relaxed and informal tone, all flowing into one another, and connected through a playful use of colour and texture.

Working within the existing building envelope, the new works retain the existing concrete floor and plywood ceiling features and work to listen to the home’s location and surrounding elements and bring these into the design proper. With views that make each space feel as though it is floating on the water, an ebb and flow feel was brought inward, in the selections, placement and fluid open movement between zones. The client’s existing art collection is the key focus, secondary to the views, with each piece as a representation of its acquirement and the connection felt at the time. The interesting contrast between the delicate created and curated artwork collection against a deliberately robust interior, adds another level of richness to the home, while also adding a grounded sensibility.

The resulting palette takes cues from an Australian familiarity. Muted tones are brought together with more earthy and saturated elements, and layer through texture, finish and tonality to balance one another out. Engaged early on in the project, Arent&Pyke were able to guide the overall stylistic direction and ensure a sense of purpose and identity was ingrained in the formal direction of the home as well the tactile elements that are dotted throughout. Underlining all decisions was a focus firmly planted on a local sensibility, and a deliberate effort was made to ensure as much furniture and styling elements could be sourced locally where possible.

The interesting contrast between the delicate created and curated artwork collection against a deliberately robust interior, adds another level of richness to the home, while also adding a grounded sensibility.

Collector House sees layered textures and forms add interest and depth internally, which then sits in contrast to its calm and simplified setting looking out upon the harbour. Arent&Pyke bring their signature unique eclecticism in creating a distinctive and casual home, that welcomes and embraces it permanent and temporary visitors.