There’s no hiding the history of this formerly run-down Darlinghurst terrace – it wears it proudly on nearly every wall. And so it should with the intervention of Tom Mark Henry, who’ve taken it into the present day with some serious je ne sais quoi.
Landing a spot in our AIDA shortlist wraps two years in a row, there really is something to say for the design work the Tom Mark Henry office are delivering. The Darlinghurst terrace was one of six residential design projects we put in the spotlight from the 2019 AIDA line up, but we couldn’t stop here – this home needed a feature entirely to itself.
In their Darlinghurst residence, Tom Mark Henry have created a unique story for how the old and new blend through the paring back of the home’s original features and introduction of exciting new elements. It’s a result fitting to its Darlinghurst locale of vintage wares and old records (not to mention some chic cocktail bars) – where the old has become infectiously edgy.
Making this three-storey terrace habitable again was no easy feat for Tom Mark Henry. It required ‘significant intervention’ to create a functional new floor plan and careful processes to retain the original character of the building. They’ve successfully pared back these authentic features such as the sandstone walls and fireplaces now polished in black, while also exposing structural aspects of the home like the steel beams and staircase railing.
Like many other terraces, this one lacked openings and was devoid of natural light. Tom Mark Henry have ensured the home’s now anything but dark, letting sunlight dance across every space; most notably through the skylight and sliding doors in the dining and kitchen area.
The now etherial kitchen and dining space have also been brought to life through custom additions, including the concrete bench and custom-made timber table by Johnathon West. They’re in the good company of some No.18 Thonet dining chairs and stone vessels by Rina Menardi.
Cassina Lc7 Swivel Chair by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina.
Tom Mark Henry kept to a consistent colour palette, of warm whites, earthy tones and various shades of grey intermitted by dramatic black accents. This refreshing mix brings the juxtaposing textures to the fore – hard and soft, matt and gloss – as ‘an exercise in restraint, and the pursuit of balance and simplicity’. It’s clear this terrace has also been blessed with the Claire Delmar touch, who worked her magic with a striking monochrome mix of curios and design objects within.
The Darlinghurst residence by Tom Mark Henry is devoid of clutter but full to the brim with character. It’s a heritage overhaul that shows no pretence, rather a passion for its distinctive old features through a chic, relaxed interior. It goes without saying, keep tabs on this one for when the AIDA Awards are announced later this month.
Cowrie Chair by Brodie Neill for Made in Ratio, artwork by Justin Dingwall.
I’m keen to learn who their builder and joiner are?
Hi Ange,
The builder is Jcorp Constructions. We recommend getting in contact with Tom Mark Henry to find out who the joiner is.
Thanks,
the est team
Thank you!