This Architectural Gem in Sydney’s Paddington Transforms the Street.

Styling notes: Stainless Steel Sculpture by Korban & Flaubert, via Dedece. HTLT901 Vase by Henry Timi, via VBO Australia. Amber bowl by Tom Fereday. Custom Cream Vessel via Walter Auer. Bronze Challice via The DEA Store. Painting by Guido Maestri. Editorial styling by Claire Delmar. Photography by Tom Ferguson.

Lasvit Yakisugi Limited Edition Glass, via Living Edge. Cyan Serax Vases, via Spence & Lyda. Painting by Jo Nolan.

Cast aluminium chair and Amber bowl, both by Tom Fereday.

Clerici Lounge Chair in Red via District. Mutina Rombini Vase by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, via Anibou. Hisque Lemon Butter Stool via Australian Design Centre. Studio Dokola, Mezza Forma Cups, via Craft Victoria. Lasvit Yakisugi Limited Edition Glass, via Living Edge. Painting by Guido Maestri.

E15 ST04 Backenzahn Sidde Table, via Living Edge. Umver hand towel by Købn, via Oliver Thom. Mutina Rombini Vase by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, via Anibou.

There is a painterly quality to the inner Sydney suburb of Paddington. For long years the haunt of makers, thinkers, and artists, it has settled into the sort of unselfconscious beauty that comes with establishment; Victorian-era terrace houses, crooked warehouses, galleries and restaurants are layered in an artful jumble across the hills, interspersing themselves between plane trees and jacarandas.

In this beautiful corner of the city, a new house has been built. It introduces itself to the street directly and thoughtfully. Designed by Phillip Arnold from Plus Minus Design, in collaboration with Sonia van de Haar of Lymesmith and Sue Barnsley of Sue Barnsley Design, the house is not a bit like its neighbours but feels like it’s always been there. It’s the sort of object that looks so effortlessly at home, you just know countless hours and a lot of expertise has gone into it.

Can Living with Less Result in More: Adam Haddow's Home in Sydney’s Surry Hills.

Buried amongst the urban chaos sits a unique home neatly packaged on a tiny 29sqm site. This new home was an exercise in how to do more with less...

Styling notes: Bronze Chalice via The DEA Store, USM Haller Tray, via Anibou, Custom Vase via Walter Auer. Editorial styling by Claire Delmar. Photography by Tom Ferguson.

Triangle stool by Karakter, via Cult. Studio Dokola Mezza Forma Cup, via Craft Victoria. Lasvit Yakisugi Limited Edition Glass, via Living Edge. Painting by Guido Maestri.

Artwork by Miachel Berkhmer from Galerie Albert Dumont. HTLT901 Vase by Henry Timi, via VBO Australia. Custom vase by Walter Auer. Bowl by Tom Fereday. Triangle stool by Karakter, via Cult Design. Juniper Tall Glass via Simple Beautiful Things. Lasvit Yakisugi Limited Edition Glass, via Living Edge. Cyan Serax Vases, via Spence & Lyda.

Painting by Jo Nolan.

There’s an ease to the house that masks its economy. Single gestures generate multiple outcomes, nothing is wasted, and much is achieved with little. The accommodation is generous—far more so than in the traditional houses that cluster tight around it. Ground floor interior and garden spaces were designed to feel like a single entity. It’s a bit of a trope of designers to ‘bring the outdoors indoors’ but this belies the skill of doing it well. And this house does. A step down to the courtyard makes the threshold of the house a seat for gatherings outside. Glass walls at either side open to admit light, air, and leaves, and draw the eye well beyond the confines of the site.

Colour and vegetation are stitched into this space such that they are inseparable from the architecture. The landscape design provided the basis for a colour chart which in turn informs the tones of the walls and ceiling. It’s a beautiful example of connected thinking across disciplines. It could be cloying, but in the hands of this team it’s sublime. To sit in the space and look out on the world is made special by such artistry.

Taking cues from a nearby sawtooth warehouse, the roof partakes in the layered wonkiness of its surroundings. It is also pragmatic: facing northwards, the roof form lets in light at high level without impacts to privacy. Louvre windows flush hot air from the house and establish natural air currents to cool the interiors.

Small Design Moves, Monumental Impact: Parkville House in Melbourne.

This Melbourne terrace is a masterclass in how small design moves can result in monumental shifts—not just for a single family but for the architectural fabric of a community...

Styling notes: Vitra Cork Stool via Living Edge. Comfort, Cast Concrete Stack by Samantha Arnukk via Saint Cloche.Editorial styling by Claire Delmar. Photography by Tom Ferguson.

Duke Rectangle Cushion via Jardan. Chenille Cushion by Maison de Vacancies, via Polite Society. T Lamp by Frama, via Finnish Design Shop. Brass Dish via The Provider Store.

Wooden Accessory by Henry Timi, via VBO Australia. Juniper Glasses via Simple Beautiful Things. Craighill Venn Puzzle via Hub General Store. Painting by Jo Nolan.

Vitra Cork Stool via Living Edge. Vintage Lamp via Fine Works. Koloman Highball Glass, via Craft Victoria. Carafe via Space Furniture. Artwork by Michael Berkhmer, via Galerie Albert Dumont. Established & Sons Bloc L640, via Living Edge. Wooden Accessory by Henry Timi, via VBO Australia.

Painting (L) by Jo Nolan. King Linen Cushion by Maison de Vacances, via Montmartre Store. Black and white custom cusion by Clare Delmar. Metal Sculpture via Space Furniture. Juniper tall glass via Simple Beautiful Things.

Radice Stool in red, via District. Custom Vessel via Walter Auer. Jasper Hand Towel by Købn, via Oliver Thom Store.

Ceramic Stack by Brett Stone, via Utopia Art. Toothpaste, toothbrush and copper scourer via Hub General Store.

Three spacious bedrooms and a bathroom are located upstairs, each carefully designed with consideration of comfort and privacy. The stairs up are discreetly tucked against the south wall, so that they do not intrude on the ground floor space. It’s a simple trick that makes the space feel more generous, and the upstairs more secluded. The bright cottage green window frames of the upper floor are a doffed cap to traditional heritage colour schemes in the area.

Amidst such urban density, amidst such a riot of colour, it is a surprise upon entering to encounter these still points of tranquillity.

And yet, this intensely private house also gives back to its surrounds. As one neighbour remarked to the owners—“you’ve renovated the whole street!”

A Touch of Wabi Sabi: Multi-generational Brooklyn Townhouse by TBo Architecture.

A concrete frame offers a generous extension to the narrow red brick Federal-style building, while an excavated basement studio neatly connects to the courtyard...

This Editorial Placement has been vetted to align with Yellowtrace’s stringent selection criteria. The modest contribution we receive for these placements aids in our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional quality content. For more information or to submit your project for consideration, head to our contact page.

[Images courtesy of Plus Minus Design. Editorial Styling by Claire Delmar. Photography by Tom Ferguson.]