This Sydney Harbor home epitomizes contemporary waterside style

When the owners of a harborside family home in Chiswick, inner west Sydney, engaged an Australian designer to revive the house design of their five-bedroom property, the brief was for a short-term refresh before knocking it down and starting from scratch.

However, spotting the property’s potential, the designer Tamsin Johnson proposed an entire change of direction. ‘It was a tired home from the 1970s or early 1980s, but it had been largely untouched. Most importantly, the architectural bones were great so I convinced the owners to do a full renovation instead of knocking it down,’ says Tamsin.

She continues, ‘The brief was open; the client was invested in my process, which was great.’ To create a space suited to a young family, Tamsin proposed a reconfiguration of the layout centered around a large, open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area.

‘The architectural plan was worth saving and exploited the aspect well. However, we did make changes such as removing walls to capture more light and open up lines of sight.’ Tamsin was keen to make the most of the property’s waterfront views.

‘We made augmentations to walls and openings, so views could be enjoyed as you move around the house. We also rebuilt the balcony to exploit the aspect.’ Certain features were replaced while others were preserved, including the pitched roof and beamed ceiling.

‘I liked the design language, it felt coastal and relevant,’ says Tamsin. ‘We removed brown anodized metal fenestrations and opted for timber windows that sit in harmony with the coastal decor ideas.'

The setting also played into Tamsin’s interior design choices, yet she was keen to ensure the spaces remained balanced, liveable, and sophisticated. ‘While it is harborside, the home can take some coastal nuances, but Sydney is cosmopolitan, too'.

Tamsin continues, 'I wanted maturity; it is a family home rather than a holiday house and it needs to offer comfort and other moods. There is a freshness that speaks of the coastal home, but the antique furniture and the dynamic of artwork add gravity over levity.’

antiqueThroughout, Venetian plaster walls provide a bright, textural backdrop for beautiful natural materials, bespoke furnishings, and curated antiques. Tamsin runs an antiques business alongside her design studio, and her passion for craftsmanship and timeless design can be traced throughout the home.

‘I used specialized local trades, including my favorite metal-workers. I have a large cache of items I can draw on which are mostly European with some North American sources', she explains.

The use of sculptural furnishings is a hallmark of Tamsin’s style and custom-made pieces punctuate every room, reaching a crescendo in the kitchen, which captivates with its fusion of veined Calacatta marble and curved organic forms.

‘I put a lot of focus on the kitchen; it creates a great hub within the home. I have used curved and molded shapes that carry through from the living space; it is a little grotto-like,’ she says. ‘The marble is wildly organic and so livid and fresh; it feels massive and permanent. I like the harmony of the shaped Venetian plasterwork and irregular stonework.’

To renovate the existing building wasn’t necessarily the easy option and inevitably there were setbacks. ‘Covid-related logistic delays slowed us down. There was substantial rebuilding with all the usual challenges presented by an older property,’ says Tamsin.

However, both she and the client are delighted with the result. ‘I feel it was less wasteful than a rebuild. It is a charming home and just a little unexpected.’

Meet the designer

Tamsin Johnson shares her style inspiration

What is your biggest indulgence when it comes to decorating?

Always marble.

What detail are you happiest with?

The fireplace – we made it off-center to speak to the slanted ceiling.

What one small change had the greatest impact?

New timber doors.

Your go-to color?

Soft tiramisu.

Describe your style in three words.

Perennial, enriched, fresh.

How do you find inspiration?

Travel inspires me.

What will be the next game-changer in design?

Recycling/repurposing.

What is so special about coastal living?

It relaxes, inspires, and provides that freshness that I lean to in Australian design.

What was the last thing you bought for your home?

Some Joe Colombo Smoke glasses for my husband who collects them.

Finish the sentence, I know I'm a creative because...

I have the urgency and agency to act.