Darling Point Trophy Home Finally Sells
The four-year campaign resulted in a $60-million-plus sale.
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Few homes in Sydney offer such exclusive waterfront as the Darling Point home owned by the Allen family.
However, the allure of the watery surrounds was not enough to shift the property quickly, with a four-year campaign and numerous agents attempting to reach a $60-milliion settlement.
The six-bedroom, six-bathroom residence is now sold, with the price understood to have been more than $60 million, following an exclusive campaign with Alison Coopes and her eponymous boutique agency.
The eye-watering price ranks the home among the country’s top nine house sales, and the first at that level outside of the coveted locales of Vaucluse and Point Piper.
The Allen family, of Airlie beach-based Lisa Allen and her former husband investment banker and yachtie Matt Allen, purchased the home on Lindsay Avenue for $32 million in 2013.
In 2017 the Allens undertook a major renovation that retained original features such as the floating staircase, but updated the rest of the property before listing it on the market. At the time, it is rumoured that Mr Allen saw an opportunity to test the market following the sale of Phoenix Acres in Vaucluse for $70 million — at the time the third most expensive house sale recorded in Australia.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
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There’s no shortage of design inspiration online but nothing beats the joy of spending an afternoon immersing yourself in a good interior design book. Edited, carefully curated and, above all, designed, these titles take you behind the scenes of some of the world’s most beautiful interiors in a considered way. Think of it like the difference between listening to a few tunes on Spotify versus releasing a thoughtfully crafted studio album. We’ve assembled our top six of interior design books on the market right now for your viewing and reading pleasure.
1. Interiors beyond the primary palette
Step inside the world of award-winning interior design duo Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke in this, their first compendium of their work. A ‘best of’ over more than 15 years working together, it’s a masterclass in working with colour and pattern as seen through 18 projects from around the country. With a focus on the idea of home as sanctuary, this hefty tome offers insight into the mind of the designer with points on where to find inspiration, meeting client briefs and the importance of relationships. Thames & Hudson, $120
2 House of Joy
If there was ever a book title for our times, then this is it. With a subtitle of Playful Homes and Cheerful Living, this book champions fun in interior design, with bold and bright homes from around the world to delight and inspire. While there’s a good dose of the unexpected, like a disco ball in the garden, there’s no mayhem in these spaces. Instead, they’re beautifully executed to tempt even the most colour shy. Gestalten, $105
3. Abigail Ahern Masterclass
Some design books are beautiful to look at, and that’s it. This is not one of those books. A master of colour and pattern, UK designer Ahern offers a practical foundational guide to beautiful interiors, mixing form with function in her latest book, Masterclass. Find the inspiration you need to create a gorgeous home. HarperCollins, $65
4. Interiors Now!
Looking for a visual crash course in international design trends with longevity? This is the book for you. Featuring homes across the globe, from New York to Auckland via Avignon, the biggest dilemma for readers is settling on a style. Many of the projects are owned by designers and creatives, lending a dynamic edge to this tome, now in its 40th year. Taschen, $50
5. Home by the Sea
For many Australians, the ocean holds an almost hypnotic appeal. Home by the Sea by Natalie Walton lets you imagine, for a little while at least, what it’s like living the dream in a beach shack in Byron Bay. The book tours 18 homes in and around the region and the hinterland owned by artists, designers and makers. With photography by Amelia Fullarton, it champions the good life. Hardie Grant, $60
6. The Layered Interior
Released last year, this is the third volume from award-winning interior designer Greg Natale. Different in format from his earlier books, the eight projects featured are Australian but with a slight Euro-centric focus. The writing is conversational, almost intimate, inviting the reader into the most luxurious spaces beautifully captured by photographer Anson Smart. This coffee table tome is perfect for dreamers and doers alike. Rizzoli, $110
Sydney’s prestige market is looking up, here’s three of the best on the market right now.
Alexandre de Betak and his wife are focusing on their most personal project yet.
