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Vaucluse Residence

Within the picturesque landscape of Vaucluse, a captivating project unfolded, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean influences and the timeless grace of olive trees. The homeowners, guided by their vision, carefully curated every detail of this renovation. Their choice for the project was our Cathedral Alfresco Limestone.

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Photography Bolt Media
Place Vaucluse
Project Type Residential
Category Residential
https://sareenstone.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sareen-Stone_Cathedral-Limestone_Vaucluse-5.jpg

This exquisite stone graces every facet of the landscape, from the inviting path to the house to the elegant stairway, and throughout the courtyard and pool surrounds. The stone’s enduring charm is a testament to the home owners’ commitment to creating a Mediterranean-inspired oasis that stands the test of time.

Project Highlights

Cathedral Limestone Landscaping in Vaucluse, Sydney

Cathedral Limestone is used extensively throughout the outdoor areas of this Vaucluse residence, extending across the path to the house, the stairway, the courtyard, and the pool surrounds. Selected as part of a renovation influenced by Mediterranean design and the character of olive trees, the limestone establishes a consistent material presence across the landscape.

The stone’s sandy tones, distressed edges and lightly textured finish contribute an organic, aged character that complements the project’s Mediterranean influences. Its use across several outdoor applications allows the pathway, stairs, courtyard and pool area to share a common material palette while retaining their individual functions within the landscape.

Sareen Stone supplies Cathedral Limestone tiles, paving and pool coping for residential and commercial projects across Sydney and Australia.

Products Used

Cathedral Limestone tiles with soft neutral tones used in an elegant interior setting

Cathedral Limestone

Other Projects

Dover Heights Residence, Sydney

Coastal Whale Beach House

Filetti in Fairlight

Vaucluse Residence

North Harbour Residences

FAQs

What natural stone was used at the Vaucluse Residence?

Cathedral Alfresco Limestone was selected for the Vaucluse renovation. The limestone is characterised by sandy tones, distressed edges and a lightly textured surface that gives it an organic, aged appearance.

Where was Cathedral Limestone used in the project?

Cathedral Limestone was used across the path leading to the house, the stairway, courtyard and pool surrounds, creating a recurring stone material throughout the outdoor areas.

What influenced the design of the Vaucluse Residence?

The renovation drew inspiration from Mediterranean influences and the timeless character of olive trees. Cathedral Limestone was selected as part of this materials-and-landscape approach.

Why does Cathedral Limestone suit the Mediterranean-inspired design?

Cathedral Limestone has sandy tones, distressed edges and a lightly textured finish. These characteristics give the stone an organic, aged appearance that complements the Mediterranean influences described in the original project story.

Can Cathedral Limestone be used around swimming pools?

Yes. Sareen Stone lists swimming pools among the applications for Cathedral Limestone, and the Vaucluse Residence specifically features the stone around its pool.

Can Cathedral Limestone be used across other outdoor areas?

Yes. Sareen Stone lists Cathedral Limestone for gardens, landscapes and outdoor living spaces as well as swimming pools. At the Vaucluse Residence, it was used across pathways, stairs, the courtyard, and pool surrounds.

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