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Under the shade of a centennial Peppertree, the owners of The Oculi House and the Peppertree Villa discussed their adjacent properties, that were nestled under the tree’s canopy. It seems only appropriate then, that these two residences, connected by Peppertree limbs, have each now undergone an elegant renovation by Luigi Rosselli.
The Peppertree Villa is a 1920s property, designed following a Mediterranean classicism style that was popular in Australia in the inter-war period. Luigi Rosselli architects explain that the classicism in this Villa was expressed through ‘a grand entry loggia, portico to the side of the house, and magnificent fireplaces and well-proportioned rooms.’
The renovations aimed to retain the classical grandeur, while introducing an improved flow between the living spaces, and connecting the interiors with a new garden. The architects also created a new basement garage, attic room, and backyard swimming pool.
The re-design also incorporated a new staircase to connect two new levels to the rest of the home, and create a welcoming invitation to ‘ascend to the bedroom on the upper floors.’ The new staircase carves a swirl of movement into the home, and the architects describe the striking design as a ‘suspended sculptural ribbon, entirely detached from the walls of the stairwell.’ The illusion of lightness and suspension was so convincing that architect Luigi had to ‘jump up and down on the treads to convince both the client and builder of its strength and stability!’
The client for the Peppertree Villa is a renowned fashion designer, who was directly involved in workshopping all aspects of design with the architects and interior designer Romaine Alwill. The interiors extend the home’s Mediterranean influence, with polished plaster, brass metalwork, and bronze finishes. The connection between indoor and outdoor is also enhanced in the re-design, with new windows that look out to the new Myles Baldwin designed garden, and frame the Peppertree. It stands ‘casting a soft, dappled light across the walls and grounds of this villa reborn.’ A home with deep roots!
