Park View House by Handelsmann + Khaw

Park View House by Handelsmann + Khaw exudes opulence that transcends eras. Inspired by Milanese rationalism, the calming interior embraces an inward-facing agenda, underpinned by a blend of bold interventions and refined elegance.

On the southern edge of Bondi Junction, Queens Park is a verdant enclave of heritage dwellings, bordered by expansive parklands and open reserves. Defined by long, narrow sites with walled gardens and dual frontages, Park View House exemplifies the harmonious blending of architectural styles, with a modernist, rectilinear addition at the rear that is soft yet quietly exuberant.

“We wanted to keep the atmosphere of the original Federation frontage without the step change that a contemporary space brings,” explains Gillian Khaw.

Respectful of the new extension by Anna Vaughan Architects, Handelsmann + Khaw presents an holistic interior, rich in tactility and understated luxury – a whimsical family home imbued with scalloped motifs and brimming with personality and at every turn. “We wanted to keep the atmosphere of the original Federation frontage without the step change that a contemporary space brings,” explains Gillian Khaw, interior designer and co-founder of Handelsmann + Khaw. Defined by a dusty tonal palette and the hues of gold-veined stone, the dwelling stands as a testament to the beauty of imperfection, using unconventional materials to foster warmth.

Ascending a meandering, weathered pathway, one is greeted by the sheltered verandah of the original bungalow. A stately central corridor, adorned with ornate trims and fenestration, hints at a level of formality, flanked by the lounge, library and boardroom. Entering the new addition, the spaces relax and open outward to the pool and landscape beyond, framed by steel, glazed doors. “Given the rectilinear form, we took inspiration from Milanese rationalism,” notes Khaw, exploring a balanced approach to ornamentation within the constraints of a monolithic form. “We went heavier on the interior details and finishes to, in a way, compensate for the cleanliness in the architecture.”

Upstairs, a series of circular skylights bathe the private domain in light, simplifying the external views and reducing visual clutter.

Evoking the essence of 20th-century design, muted timber floorboards run seamlessly underfoot, linking the old with the new. In a similar vein, off-white walls and ceilings provide a subtle backdrop, allowing bolder features to come into focus. The communal area takes centrestage within the new construction, uniting cooking, dining and utility realms. Paonazzo marble surfaces wrap the home in rounded edges and deep striations, complemented by lustrous, handmade tiles and metallic accents. Timeless timber and rattan pieces weave throughout, linking one space to the next and instilling a relaxed simplicity.

Upstairs, a series of circular skylights bathe the private domain in light, simplifying the external views and reducing visual clutter. Sun-drenched bathrooms take on a warmer tone of ivory and ecru, contemporised by sleek, blackened fixtures, shaped baseboards and sculptural luminaires. “Wall and joinery colours in shades of shadowy whites cast an almost English light upon these rooms,” muses Khaw. “The use of colour is like a well-composed set design, making you feel like you’re somewhere else.”

With a calming interior inspired by Milanese rationalism, it deliberately breaks from convention to become a restorative family abode marked by bold interventions.

Park View House exudes timeless opulence. With a calming interior inspired by Milanese rationalism, it deliberately breaks from convention to become a restorative family abode marked by bold interventions – thoughtfully composed and unapologetically distinct.

Architecture by Anna Vaughan Architects. Interior design by Handelsmann + Khaw. Build by Tandem Projects. Landscape by Grounded Landscape and Design.