The Gatehouse by Stark Design

Stark Design have been shortlisted for Interior Design Scheme – Asia Pacific Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2020. 

The design brief was to create a tranquil layered design, enveloped in beauty, inside and outside. The Gatehouse exemplifies the slow movement of interior design. The client did not want a home which was designed in a year, but rather a home which had evolved subtlety, over time. Stark Design slowly worked with vintage dealers and artisans, investing in layer upon layer of luxe design from Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe. The Gatehouse is an historic Federation period home in Mosman, Sydney with wrap around verandas leading to 3 discrete gardens. Initially driven by the need to increase the size of both the informal and formal living spaces, a bedroom was removed, and the home opened to the outside.

Stark Design

The 1900 architecture was honoured and embellished, retaining the high pressed metal ceilings and restoring the marble fireplaces, honouring the discrete room layout but implementing interconnecting French doors so that rooms and verandas could be connected for large scale entertaining. The garden became a feature of every room with distinct vistas, installation of garden mirrors and objet, accessibility via a wrap-around veranda and visibility through gauzy linen curtains.

Stark Design

The project evolved over several years with the client allowing the evolution of ideas and direction. It is also a celebration of eclecticism, the magic of acknowledging the very best of history with the very best of today’s modern accoutrements. The design is warm yet airy, sumptuous yet liveable.

A generous budget and luxurious timeline have facilitated the celebration of artists, artisans and designers from the past and present. Most importantly, it reflects the character and style of the client. Understated private elegance rings true to The Gatehouse.

Stark Design

The exterior and interior have remained true to their heritage but also have been modernised throughout. Cosy discrete living spaces can be opened up via a series of internal French doors to create large scale entertaining spaces. The garden is now an integral part of the home with green vistas from every room, celebrating a modernised plant palette.

Stark Design


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