Muted and Enlivened Calm – Redfern Terrace by Richards Stanisich

As a transformative and contemporary enlivening, Redfern Terrace sees elements of its past and present brought together to inject personality and retain charm. Through a layered approach, Richards Stanisich proposes a refreshing and character-rich home for its urban milieu, conjuring a sense of calm.

The story of each of our homes and a connection to them as sanctuaries is formed from a deeply personal approach. From the historical architectural styling references of differing periods, trends and movements to the embedded craft and the touch of the handmade, the surrounding bones of a home comprise only part of the narrative. The residents and the makers, along with their own stories, approaches, vocations and relationships with space, then add multiple other layers. Fusing elements of time and character, while preserving and expressing both, requires a certain empathy. Home to its designer, Kirsten Stanisich, Redfern Terrace sees the shared appreciation of time brought together with the personal to create a unique celebration of space. Richards Stanisich combines both simplified and restrained elements with saturated colours and, in the process, proposes the unexpected.

Furniture, artwork and custom lighting are then dotted throughout, curated to form places to gather, nurture and reflect.

Located in Sydney’s Redfern, the same-named home sits comfortably as a reminder of the past of the area, celebrating the history and continuing its legacy. A focus on texture and elevated detailing transforms the existing heritage residence into a contemporary and considered series of spaces. The initial creation of a blank and calming white and light timber palette provides the foundations upon which the other elements are layered, adding depth and richness. Furniture, artwork and custom lighting are then dotted throughout, curated to form places to gather, nurture and reflect. The newly crafted kitchen becomes its own artful destination, playfully using marble and timber in a restrained way, while playing with form.

Instead of expanding or attempting to manipulate the existing bounding walls, the revised sits within the pre-existing and becomes an exploration of the potential of the home. The insertion of custom joinery, with its ribbed timber detailing, in part adds a sense of subtle movement, while also retaining an appropriate scale and sense of proportion. A palette of blue and grey is used throughout in variable saturations, and an overall lightness both increases a sense of scale while also encasing the home in its intended feeling as a place to retreat and recharge.

The newly crafted kitchen becomes its own artful destination, playfully using marble and timber in a restrained way, while playing with form.

Through an ingrained spatial flexibility and flow of movement, Redfern Terrace beautifully combines an elevated luxury together with a respectful contextual approach. Richards Stanisich has prioritised comfort and resultingly have created a cocooning embrace of its visitors and current custodian.