Potts Point Residence by Flack Studio

Sweeping staircase with Waterstone Polished Plaster finish by Bishop Decor; Solid Carved timber by Continuous Gary Timber Rails; Custom Wall Light by Anna Charlesworth.

David Bradley, “politic28Rhubarb13Talky”, 2020 Cotton dye tapestry from Sullivan + Strumpf; Tanzania Leather custom seat pad in colour Lioness from Pelle Leathers; Small Pouf with Fringes by Gubi from Criteria; Hand-Knotted Wool Rug from Robyn Cosgrove.

Molteni & C f Paul Sofa from Hub Furniture, upholstered in Kvadrat Pilot 792; Lianou navy Stool  by Gubi from Criteria; Small peach Pouf with Fringes by Gubi from Criteria; Yellow striped Pillowchair by ASH NYC from Studio Alm; Pierre Jeanneret Armchair; Hand-Knotted Wool Rug from Robyn Cosgrove. French Oak Timber Flooring in colour Biscuit from Storey Timber.

Custom Caramel American Oak-stained Quarter Cut; Hand-Finished Raw brass to kitchen joinery; Arrabescato Marble from Artedomus to the kitchen island, benchtops and skirtings; Handmade Moroccan Zeillige Tiles splashback in Grey Chine from Tiento Tiles; Gaggenau Microwave & Wall Oven; ICON Sink Mixer in Aged Brass by Astra Walker from Candana; High Stool Soaped Oak and Natural Leather by Mater from Cult.

How Flacking stunning is this place? With Flack on the decks, it’s almost guaranteed the result is going to be a good one, and this project sure doesn’t disappoint.

Nestled in one of the most beautiful streets in Sydney’s Potts Point (I say this as I used to live on the same street for years, directly across from this very property, to be exact – how’s that for a fun mid-week fact?), this home in no way reveals it’s densely populated context.

Potts Point Residence is Melbourne-based Flack Studio’s first residential project in Sydney. Since their clients had already experienced their work at a more intimate level and were reassured of the design outcomes, David Flack and his team had the opportunity to really push the boundaries. Initially conceived as a love letter to Sydney, the process evolved since it began in 2016, evolving into a project that became highly personal for the team.

The four-level house was where the clients would spend their twilight years, however, during the course of the project, one of them was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. “Our design direction changed as the project became a love letter to this beautiful couple,” says David.

David Flack of Flack Studio on the stair of the Potts Point Residence. I mean, you’d have a smirk too if your project looked this good.

Left: Glenn Barkley “Deathdefying”, 2019, earthenware from Sullivan Strumpf; Right – Peter Cooley “King Parrots and Leura Tree 2”, 2011-12, from Martin Browne Contemporary.

Waterstone Polished Plaster finish by Bishop Decor; Solid Carved timber by Continuous Gary Timber Rails; White Fantasy Marble from Artedomus; Collette Chairs by Baxter from Criteria; Karen Black “Fear of falling”, 2018, Oil on Canvas, from Sullivan + Strumpf.

Gio Ponti Armchair by Molteni & C from Hub Furniture; Loren Side Table – Copper top, Black Base by Baxter from Criteria Collection; Vintage Hand Knotted Rug from Robyn Cosgrove; Moon Dining Table by Gubi and Collette Chairs by Baxter from Criteria; Forchette 12 Chandelier in Aged Brass and Porcelain from Materia Designs; Artwork by Joanna Lamb “Flowers 012018”, 2018, acrylic on board from Sullivan + Strumpf; Custom Credenza in Caramel American Oak-stained Quarter Cut veneer and Marble base by Flack Studio; On credenza – A pair of Peter Cooley “Pale Headed Rosellas”, 2017, Earthenware from Martin Browne Contemporary; Sanné Mestrom bronze bookends from Sullivan + Strumpf; India Mahdavi Lamp from Studio ALM.

Custom Full Height Shelving Unit in Powdercoated Aluminium steel with Oak shelves designed by Flack Studio; On the shelf – left to right, top to bottom: Tim Silver sculptures, Untitled (Oneirophrenia) Blue #6, 2015 and Untitled (Oneirophrenia) Blue #6, 2015 from Sullivan + Strumpf; Earthenware by Glenn Barkley from Sullivan + Strumpf; L’Objet Cenote Vase from Becker Minty; Dan Schneiger Geometric Free-Standing Sculpture from Becker Minty; Vati Cano Marble fireplace surround and mantle from Corsi & Nicolai; On the mantle – Laith McGregor “Peekaboo”, 2013, Glazed Ceramic & Found brass bottle topper from Station Gallery; Lacquered Mirror by Scarlett Splendour from Studio ALM; Pierre Jeanneret Armchair in Green velvet fabric; Georgetti Round coffee Table from Space Furniture; Gio Ponti Armchair by Molteni & C from Hub Furniture; Loren Side Table – Copper top, Black Base by Baxter from Criteria Collection; Vintage Hand-Knotted Rug from Robyn Cosgrove

“We spend a lot of time with our clients to ensure our designs are a reflection of their passions and personalities, not only now, but in twenty years,” explains David. This project, however, threw a major curveball, as the team were unable to truly meet the person who would’ve had the most influence in the collaborative design process.

“It was important we infused as much of her into the design,” says David. “We were able to reference books, films and fashion to allow a connection of what the collaboration would have looked like. We had the full trust to create the perfect space with very little input.”

As a result, Flack Studio turned the four-level home into a five-level world that would provide everything this couple and their family would ever need.

Scalloped Timber Paneling Painted in Dulux “Cristobal”; Rosa Aurora Marble slab to vanity and flooring from Corsi & Nicolai; Dado Undermount Basin from Candana; Wall Mounted Spout  PIPE in Stainless Steel and PIPE Wall Mounted Mixer in Stainless Steel from Boffi Studio Sydney; Aged Brass Mirror frame; Laminated and Toughened Clear Linear Fluted Glass to glazes partition from Axess Glass.

Double Cup Wall Light in Brass by Anna Charlesworth; Aged Brass Mirror frame; Smooth Render to the wall in Dulux colour Shetland Lace; Astra Walker Wall Mounted ICON Wall Set in Aged Brass from Candana; White Fantasy Marble to vanity from Artedomus; Raw Brass clad drawer unit; Bemboka Hand Towel from Becker Minty.

Astra Walker Aged Brass Hand Shower & Diverter from Candana; Floor Mounted Aged Brass Towel Rail from Hydrotherm; White Fantasy Marble walls slabs & floor tiles from Artedomus; Rosa Aurora Marble to vanity from Corsi & Nicolai.

Inspired by the original heritage interior and committed to maintaining its essence, the scheme explores the use of contrasting stones, finishes and textures for a combination that subtly emphasises different eras of the new interior, while effortlessly transitioning between time references.

The staircase naturally becomes this portal that links the rooms throughout the residence. Its sculptural form is articulated in each level with light-finishes that reflect and bounce the natural light within the interior. The amalgamation of light and form heightens the presence of the staircase throughout the residence, becoming one of the studio’s favourite design outcomes.

As one of only a handful of single dwellings in one of Sydney’s most built-up suburbs, complete with an underground pool and a rooftop to boot, this dashing home feels like an elegantly dreamed-up self-contained world.

Read on for further insight into this incredible project via a quick chat with the man himself, David Flack.

Pierre Jeanneret Teak and Cane Bench; Small Pouf with Fringes by Gubi from Criteria; Hand-Knotted Wool Rug from Robyn Cosgrove; Custom Caramel American Oak-stained Quarter Cut to joinery; view through to Custom Free-standing joinery in Hand finished Raw Brass, designed by Flack Studio

Custom Caramel American Oak-stained Quarter Cut veneer and Solid Oak Capping on joinery; Hooks from Studio Henry Wilson; Tanzania Leather in Lioness from Pelle Leathers; Artwork by Sam Martin “The Sun Myth”, 2017 from Station Gallery; Engineered Oak Timber Flooring, colour Biscuit from Storey Timber; Vintage Moroccan Rug from Studio ALM.

Custom Hand finished Raw Brass Joinery by Flack Studio, Coloured Timber Veneer desk and Pierre Jeanneret Armchair.

Forchette Pendant in White Porcelain Shades and Aged Brass from Materia Designs; Lustre Low Dining Table by Bethan Gray from Living Edge; Feelgood Chairs by Flexform from Fanuli; On the table – Kirsten Coelho “Well”, 2019 from Sullivan + Strumpf; Verde St Devis and Vati Cano Marble floor tiles from Corsi & Nicolai.

The underground pool features high gloss walls and ceilings in Dulux colour Light Leaf and Smalto 20 Mozaic Tiles in Black & White from Bisazza Australia.

How did you become involved with this project? What was the client brief, and some of your key sources of inspiration?

The Potts Point project like majority of our projects was a referral. This allowed an instant confidence and understanding of how our studio works. Our clients brief was their forever home for themselves and their close-knit family.

What was the most challenging aspect of bringing this project to life?

As is was our first residential project in Sydney, we had to have regular site visits to ensure the smooth running of site and design.

How would you describe the completed project?

Our love letter to Sydney and our clients. Now we can’t wait to come back and do it again!

What aspect of this project are you most proud of?

The curation of materials, art and furniture. As a studio, our focus is spatial planning, however with this project I had so much fun in the final stages of curation. It was a joy to learn more about the Sydney design scene and the wonderful makers, artists and suppliers that made this project a dream.

Would you have done anything differently?

Set up a studio in Sydney – the weather and beaches make me question my unwavering love of Melbourne.

Are there any additional interesting facts you could share with us?

I don’t think anyone would ever pinpoint this home for the most populous area in Australia.
Also, we now know every restaurant in Potts Point and are officially Sydney obsessed.