Polychrome House in Cronulla, Sydney by Amber Road

If there’s one way to describe the work of Sydney-based Amber Road, it would have to be fearless. I’m so happy to have these talented ladies back on our pages to kick off our 2019 editorial programme (hooray!) with yet another stellar project – a complete transformation of a 1960s house, initially designed by Payne & Hunt Architects.

Located in Sydney’s beachside suburb of Cronulla, this previously dysfunctional split storey, two-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling was transformed into an artful home, now with three bedrooms, three baths, and a generous indoor/ outdoor retreat space.

Nicknamed the Polychrome House, the once conventional brick interior has blossomed into an energetic design playground as a reflection of the owner’s commitment to joyful living. The 200-square-metre home breaks many rules, representing a fluid collaboration between Interior Architect, Artist and Client that’s resulted in a perfect marriage of architecture, art and comfort.

Related: Interview with Amber Road.

Amber Road collaborated with LYMESMITH, who devised the stunning two wall murals and all paint colours found throughout the interior. The adventurous palette responds to the artwork and furniture, with tones playing off one another in unexpected ways. As someone who’s deeply committed to the idea of colour, these exciting and unique combinations really get my heart rate going. So many rules are broken and reworked into a new visual response that celebrates colour so beautifully.

The key planning move by Amber Road saw the removal of the existing rear façade, which was realigned with the storey above. The upstairs kitchen was relocated to the ground floor, and the entire downstairs living space was extended into the beautiful established garden. A bold, crazy paving floor connects inside and outside areas. This incredibly bold design element, when coupled with all the brick walls and a multitude of brave colours, just shouldn’t work. But somehow it just does, and therein lies the Amber Road genius.

In place of the typical entertainment wall, the existing hearth was substituted with a vintage-style fireplace surrounded by one of the colourful murals. The artwork, inspired by aerial photographs of the property’s location, replaces the typical TV wall, and its angular forms perfectly complement the new paving.

A suite of ‘quiet’ colours is introduced as a base palette, working in harmony with the existing face brick tones. A secondary palette plays a more active role, as seen in the yellow tinted open-pantry joinery, blue integrated fridge cabinets and terracotta backdrop to the kitchen.

Mushroom pink carpet covered stair leads upstairs, where new white cork tiles replace shag pile floors. A third guest bedroom, loft with study and an ensuite replace the space once occupied by a kitchen.

Back downstairs, the master bedroom and ensuite are separated with colourful timber dowels, emphasising the notion of open plan living. In the living and dining space, classic furniture pieces are selected to complement the original build from the sixties.

The final result is generous, playful and welcoming ‘shelter for living’ set within the Australian landscape, which firmly rejects design based on bland notions of resale value. Hallelujah!

See more projects by Amber Road on Yellowtrace here.