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Project Phoenix

This home is the rebirth of a unique 1950s building into a beautiful contemporary family home befitting the spectacular site using our custom Crema Vialle Limestone and Himalayan Alfresco Sandstone.

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Project by TDDP Architects
Photography Adam Hollingworth
Place Sydney
Project Type Residential
Builder IBW Constructions
Category Residential
Interior Design Blainey North

Our Crema Vialle was custom cut to size for the cantilevered stairs and installed without any visible grout, reinforcing the look’s continuity. The staircase emphasises the flow of light, air and movement and frees the living space from constraints.

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Project Highlights

Custom Crema Vialle Limestone and Himalayan Sandstone in Sydney

Project Phoenix incorporates extensive custom natural stone throughout a four-level Sydney residence by TDDP Architects. Sareen Stone sourced 725m² of Crema Vialle Limestone in project-specific sizes, with a honed finish for the interior and an Alfresco finish for the exterior. Custom-cut limestone was also incorporated into the cantilevered staircase, courtyard risers and architectural details around the 9m × 3m descending window.

A further 84m² of Himalayan Sandstone was supplied for the interior living area. Forty-two custom panels measuring 1800 × 1000 × 30mm extend from floor level to the approximately five-metre-high ceiling, reinforcing the vertical scale of the double-height space.

The extensive custom fabrication allowed the stone to respond to the architecture at individual stairs, risers, joints and transitions rather than being limited to standard formats. Sareen Stone worked with TDDP Architects to source and fabricate the Crema Vialle Limestone and Himalayan Sandstone to the project’s specifications.

Products Used

Crema Vialle Limestone tiles with soft beige tones and natural veining

Crema Vialle Limestone

Himalayan Alfresco Sandstone

Other Projects

Northbridge Residence

Gable House in Kensington, Sydney

Tweed Heads Oasis

Stairs as the Central Piece

Jigsaw House Cronulla

FAQs

What natural stone was used in Project Phoenix?

Project Phoenix uses Crema Vialle Limestone in Honed and Alfresco finishes, together with custom Himalayan Sandstone panels in the interior living area.

How much Crema Vialle Limestone was supplied for Project Phoenix?

Sareen Stone supplied 725m² of Crema Vialle Limestone in custom sizes for the project’s interior and exterior living spaces.

How does the stone continue from inside to outside?

Crema Vialle Limestone Honed was selected for the interior, while the Alfresco finish was used on the exterior. The similar colour consistency between the two finishes allowed the same limestone palette to continue across the interior and outdoor areas.

Was the Crema Vialle Limestone custom-cut for the project?

Yes. The limestone was supplied in custom sizes according to TDDP Architects’ specifications. Interior pieces included 1000 × 500 × 20mm stone, while courtyard risers and other project-specific components were also custom-cut or fabricated.

Where was Himalayan Sandstone used in Project Phoenix?

Sareen Stone supplied 84m² of Himalayan Sandstone for the walls of the interior living area. The 42 custom panels measure 1800 × 1000 × 30mm and extend from the floor towards the approximately five-metre-high ceiling.

What is distinctive about the Project Phoenix staircase?

The cantilevered staircase was finished with Crema Vialle Limestone custom-cut to suit the design. The stone was installed without visible grout, continuing the project’s detailed approach to the limestone treatment.

 

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