RESIDENTIAL | By George Marks Design

Visual Diary Series: with George Marks Design

Pictured: Flow Circular Sofa in Beige Freckle, Jewel Marble Coffee Table in Slate Oak with Carrara marble and Embellish Dining Table in Mink with Silverwave marble inlay

1. Who lives here?

Ange, Fab and their black Labrador, Charlie.

2. What were the owner’s dreams when they first purchased the home?

The new owners dreamt of reviving the unchanged 1930’s Art Deco period house to create an inviting home and gathering space for their large family.

They fell in love with the existing richly decorated features of the home. However, there was a desire from the owners to breathe new life beyond the established entrance spaces by cleverly stitching a large contemporary extension, which would add further sleeping quarters and an open plan living area to the rear.

Careful to merge the two architectural styles, the design intent was to elegantly craft environments centered around the owners’ daily rituals with a homely undertone and a contemporised spin on what they formerly called home.

3. Tell us about your design journey together.

We were introduced to Ange and Fab through their builder, Tim Walker, the Director at TCON. Tim and the clients were neighbours from their last home also located in Camberwell. We had worked with TCON previously on another period renovation. Knowing TCON’s love and craftsmanship for period detailed extensions we collectively bonded over the level of intricacy and appeal to reawaken the front half of the 1930’s untouched masterpiece.

It became clear in our initial meetings that the spaces needed to retain their level of sophistication and elegance. To the formal front rooms, we expressed their bold features with a layered palette careful not to supress the original character with an overuse of built-in cabinetry. Inherent in the Art Deco style the home housed the most gorgeous archway. This became a key design moment that was readapted and re-referenced through a contemporary architectural form that defines and welcomes you into the newly built open plan living zone. The dramatic curves in the Interior Architecture paved the way to welcome the statement Zuster collection.

4. What surprised you the most throughout the journey?

During the renovation, re-adapting wall treatments and original period features to match that of the original was a feat from the builders at TCON. The immaculately detailed 1930’s build with their decorative wall treatment and featured coving was difficult to mimic and reference. Custom moulds and clever craftsmanship were used to restore and renew this style of architecture.

5. Why did you choose Zuster to be a part of your project?

The renovated home to the formal entrance rooms is richly decorative with stories dating back to the 30’s. The enhanced features with bold contrasting undertones of warm grey shades is both elegant and, at moments, attention seeking. We selected the striking furniture suite from Zuster as both the brand and the individual furniture pieces have an equally telling story. Highly detailed and refined, the Australian made and designed collection referenced our Interior Architecture with their masterfully curated curved suite of furniture.

We chose Zuster because the furniture was the perfect complement for the project. Furniture selection was a unique challenge given the two dramatic architectural styles in the home. However, we felt that the Zuster collection, with its elegant curves, would help us to blend the two architectural environments together, creating a uniform and effortless outcome for the owners.

Pictured: Cloud Armchair in Steel Magnolia Ribbon Stitch, Flow Circular Sofa in Beige Freckle, Artistry Lamp Table in Mink and Embellish Dining Table in Mink with Silverwave marble inlay

Pictured: Embellish Dining Table with Marble & Brass Inlay in Mink with Silverwave marble inlay

Pictured: Contour Console in Limed Oak

Fast Five with George Marks

As an Interior Designer, my signature design can be defined as…

My ethos as a designer is to always seek to create dynamic, meticulously crafted environments evoking warmth, timelessness, and a sense of place, be it at home, work, a dining, or retail experience.

I was first introduced to Zuster…

At my first role at the wonderful Mim Design studio. Their love for authentic Australian manufactured furniture and the contemporary art world quickly opened my young design eyes to seeing furniture elements within design as key to a design’s narrative.

My favourite furniture piece from Zuster is…

The notable Embellish Oval Dining Table with Marble Inlay. There is nothing as striking and as spectacular as this piece for me. It is masterfully crafted and so beautifully detailed that it takes a moment to fully understand how it is created with its many layers. I expected the piece when installed, to overwhelm, however, its soft curves and lovingly crafted forms brought a calmness to an open rectilinear environment.

I feel the most creative when…

I’m not stationed in front of my desk. A shift in 2020 saw us relocate our home and the GMD office to the Mornington Peninsula, which has us surrounded by nature. It is a truly stunning place. It is during moments when I am exploring our surroundings that inspires new creativity.

My greatest style tip is…

My greatest tip would be to never cap your creativity and curiosity within design. We creative operators and design lovers alike should never be stationed with a repetitious design thread. It’s important to be constantly seeking out new design inspiration. For me, finding inspiration comes through a variety of different sources; be that weekend trips to local galleries, or honing a new craft.

It’s important to remember that creative thinking and learning how to express this, be it in your work or your personal endeavours, will rarely be lineal.

Interior Architecture & Styling George Marks Design www.georgemarksdesign.com
Builder TCON Group www.tcon.com.au
Photographer Tom Blachford www.tomblachford.com