One of the hardest parts about renovating a family home is making sure every member feels reflected in the end result.
Claudia Lambert’s latest Paddington project was especially personal for the clients.
The family of four had been living in the elegant 1800s residence since 2013, however the old building needed some remedial work and a cosmetic update to accommodate their lifestyle with two kids.
‘As a core thread to my work, I love to start with a collection of art, it helps to inform the overall vibe of the home and directs palettes and materials.’
Luckily, the owners were on board with this creative process, embracing her playful selections like the large LOVE artwork by Elliot Routledge and gradient canvas with soft hues by Amelia Axton that hangs in the main living room.
‘Some of the more challenging spaces were where the kids had a strong voice,’ Claudia says.
‘They knew what they loved and what they hated, so keeping them happy was key! I really valued working with all family members being so invested in the final visual outcome, everyone had a valid opinion and voice.’
With everyone in agreement that pink should be a hero colour graduated throughout the interiors, Claudia suggested using Cosmopolitan Quartzite in the kitchen — a striking stone she’d been waiting years to feature.
‘Finding the perfect family and space to do it justice was a dream,’ she adds.
The pastel pink joinery and textural walls are contrasted with original period details, anchored by the steel-framed arched windows and ornate fireplaces.
‘I also wanted to bring in organic textures and materials in each room to ground the femininity of the pink: the Odditi coffee table, kitchen stools, and main bedroom mirror are all very brutal and masculine.’
Structurally, the renovation converted the lower level — that was previously a storage space — into a ‘subterranean living space’.
The home now radiates personality, right from the moment you step inside the pink front door.