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Rebecca Vallance Store, The Strand Arcade Sydney

Crema Vialle Limestone creates a refined natural stone backdrop within the Rebecca Vallance boutique at Sydney’s historic Strand Arcade. Specified by Archer Design, the softly textured limestone was used across the store’s main signage wall, complementing polished brass detailing and the brand’s confident, contemporary fashion aesthetic.

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Project by Archer Design
Photography Daniel Hanslow
Place Strand Arcade Sydney
Project Type Commercial
Architect Archer Design
Category Retail
Installer Realm Design & Construction

A Refined Backdrop for a Bold Fashion Brand

The dynamic patterns, bold colour and confident silhouettes associated with Australian fashion designer Rebecca Vallance called for a retail interior that would allow the collection to take centre stage.

For the refurbishment of the boutique within The Strand Arcade in Sydney’s CBD, Archer Design selected a restrained and textural material palette that responds sensitively to the heritage setting while reflecting the contemporary identity of the Rebecca Vallance brand.

Crema Vialle Limestone Feature Wall

Sareen Stone’s Crema Vialle Alfresco Limestone was specified for the main signage wall. Its soft cream tones, subtle natural variation and lightly textured surface create an elegant backdrop to the polished brass signage and detailing.

The limestone introduces depth and material presence without competing with the fashion collections. Paired with dark timber flooring, black steel fixtures and warm metallic accents, it helps balance the vibrant garments while bringing a sense of permanence and quality to the retail environment.

Archer Design Insight

“Sareen Stone’s premium Crema Vialle Limestone was the ideal choice for the main signage wall. Its gentle hues and subtle textures hark back to European fashion houses and add a gentle contrast to the polished brass signage and detailing featured throughout the store.”

Natural stone within the retail experience

The result is a considered interior in which natural stone becomes part of the brand experience. Quietly sophisticated, the limestone reinforces the boutique’s sense of craftsmanship, confidence and enduring style.

Its neutral colouring allows the collections to remain the focus, while the natural texture adds warmth and character to the space.

Project Highlights

Italian Filetti Driveway in Fairlight, Sydney

Italian Porphyry Filetti defines the street-front entrance of this Fairlight residence, transforming an old, cracked concrete driveway into a distinctive natural stone surface. The client initially considered traditional cobblestones before Sareen Stone recommended Italian Filetti for the project, with installation completed by Top Deck Landscapes.

The Filetti introduces earthy grey, brown and red tones that contrast with the green edging alongside the driveway. Its narrow format and natural variation create the Italian villa-style character described in the original project story, giving the home’s entrance a distinctly different appearance from the concrete surface it replaced.

Sareen Stone supplies Italian Filetti and natural stone cobblestones for residential driveways and landscape projects across Sydney and Australia.

Products Used

Crema Vialle Limestone tiles with soft beige tones and natural veining

Crema Vialle Limestone

Other Projects

East Side Chic Bathroom

Cove House

Balmoral Residence

ALBA Apartments

Marrickville Makeover

FAQs

What natural stone was used for the Filetti in Fairlight project?

Italian Porphyry Filetti was used to create the new driveway and street-front entrance at this Fairlight residence.

Why was Italian Filetti selected instead of traditional cobblestones?

The client initially approached Sareen Stone about using traditional cobblestones. After discussing the project specifics, Italian Filetti was recommended as an alternative and ultimately selected for the driveway.

What was the driveway like before the renovation?

The driveway was previously old, cracked concrete. The new Italian Filetti surface transformed the street-front area and introduced the Italian villa-style appearance described in the project’s original story.

What colours appear in the Italian Filetti driveway?

The Fairlight installation features earthy grey, brown and red tones. These natural colour variations create a noticeable contrast against the green grass and leafy edging around the driveway.

Is Italian Filetti suitable for driveways?

Yes. Sareen Stone lists driveways as one of the applications for Italian Filetti. The product has a Natural Split finish with a current P5 slip rating, and this Fairlight project specifically demonstrates its use across a residential driveway.

Who installed the Filetti driveway in Fairlight?

The project is credited to Top Deck Landscapes. Sareen Stone’s supporting project commentary identifies Scott Pecar from Top Deck Landscapes as the installer.

TAKE US THROUGH THE INITIAL STAGES WHEN YOU WERE DESIGNING THE HOME.

We were very fortunate to work with the noted Southern Highlands Architect, Martin McGrane, on the creative design and layout of our home. Together with Martin, we created a beautiful, contemporary open plan home to enjoy with our family and friends.  This is our forever home.

Through a friend of ours, we came across an interior designer, and a beautiful outdoor material, the Cathedral Limestone, which we just fell in love with. We worked closely with Peta Daniel, Interior Designer from Daniel Baker Design, based in Sydney.  Which was wonderful, Peta just got us and what we were wanting to achieve in our home and helped us to make it a reality, in the selection of materials and finishes.

 

WERE THERE CERTAIN PEOPLE/PLACES THAT YOU TOOK INSPIRATION FROM WHEN DESIGNING/BUILDING THE HOME?

We were looking for a contemporary design, however, I didn’t want it to be too modern.  Inspired by a property in LA, that my husband came across, which we took some concepts from and added our ideas, and made it our own.

The LA contemporary look and detail leading into the house from the front door was something that we just loved.  Along with having one row of tiles that runs along the inside of the glass sliding doors leading into the living/dining room from the alfresco space was also a unique detail we wanted to include.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING PROCESS?

The build started in February 2020, and with all the delays throughout COVID, material delays, supplier issues, constant rain, mud pools, you name it, we had it!  Encountering all the possible elements, it felt like we were living in gumboots most of the time during the build.  It took 3 years to build the property, and 8 months just to get the roof on!

We had a deadline for our home to be finished by, which was our daughters’ wedding, being held in March 2023.

There were delays happening everywhere, including issues and delays with the quarry who were providing the Limestone that was to be used in all the outdoor areas surrounding the property.  We had chosen Cathedral Limestone in an alfresco finish with a lovely organic distressed finish on the edge, that we knew would complement the other natural materials we were using.  Time was of the essence, and it came to crunch time and the quarry could not provide a guaranteed time of delivery.  We thought what a disaster!

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH SAREEN STONE.. AND HOW THE TEAM HELPED TO OVERCOME THE SUPPLY ISSUE WITH THE CATHEDRAL LIMESTONE.

Working closely with Michael Mastro, from Sareen Stone, he had been in constant contact updating me as best he could.  Then an alternative solution was presented, another Limestone of the same size and finish, with similar tones, which I hoped would work and arrive in time.  Sareen Stone had been behind the scenes working closely with another quarry, to create a new product ‘Lavarosa Anticato’, just for our project, so that we had a solution and were able to finish our home in time for our daughter’s wedding.

When the material arrived, we couldn’t have been happier.  We just loved the Lavarosa Anticato, and it worked so well with our colour palette, and love it even more than our previous selection.  We were over the moon!

 

DESIGNER COMMENTS:

Working with Kate and Eugene on this project was wonderful. They were passionate about the overall design but also the finer details and the interplay of the natural materials with the surrounding landscape.

It was very important that the natural material palette was harmonious, and that each element was both complementary and warm.

I’ve worked with Michael from Sareen Stone on a number of projects and have always been impressed with his professional advice and clear communication. The magnificent home warmly wrapped with the “Lavarosa Anticato” is simply stunning.   A beautiful project!

Peta Daniel, Daniel Baker Design

 

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

Interior Designer:  Daniel Baker Design, 0414 341 778
Architecture:  Martin McGrane Architects, 0412 242 253
Photography and short film:  Bolt Media, 0426 607 040