Interior designer Jillian Dinkel has successfully transformed a historic 1913 arts and crafts house in Sydney, Australia, into a sophisticated entertainment venue that seamlessly blends traditional architectural details with contemporary luxury finishes. The project, known as Kilmory House, is located in Point Piper, one of Sydney's most exclusive heritage neighborhoods.
The three-bedroom property is part of a larger redevelopment of an arts and crafts estate where Dinkel had previously designed the clients' main residence. The family specifically requested a second home dedicated exclusively to entertaining, allowing them to host private dinners and parties in an elegant setting tailored to their needs.
"Kilmory House reimagines Australia's arts and crafts legacy through a modern lens, transforming a historic home into a vibrant entertainer's retreat," Dinkel explained. "The design needed to capture the spirit of the original estate while accommodating quite diverse purposes, seamlessly transitioning from one use to the next."
The original estate redevelopment, completed in the early 2000s, had preserved the building's traditional exterior but resulted in a compartmentalized interior layout that felt outdated and impractical for modern living. Dinkel's team of heritage specialist designers undertook extensive research, including studying photographs of the home's original interiors, to restore the building's authentic early 20th-century proportions and architectural details.
The redesigned property now features a variety of entertainment spaces, including a commercial-grade kitchen, grand dining room, wellness area, Pilates studio, children's playroom, and art studio. Dinkel's design approach focused on balancing heritage preservation with contemporary functionality, incorporating modern luxury elements, layered materials, rich textures, and bold color choices.
The house's dramatic color palette draws inspiration from what Dinkel describes as a "modern gothic" aesthetic influenced by Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. Deep inky blue tones and cool steel finishes are combined with rich burgundy hues throughout the interior. Custom marmorino Venetian plaster was specially applied in the entryway and staircase areas to create a sophisticated atmosphere.
The dining room showcases dark timber paneling and features an oversized fireplace that evokes traditional English design elements. A standout feature is the 400-bottle wine refrigerator complete with a rolling library ladder, adding a luxurious touch that enhances the room's functionality for entertaining.
The main living space centers around a modular sofa positioned to face a wall of windows and French doors that open onto a small terrace. On the opposite side of the room, an expansive kitchen is anchored by a striking stainless steel and stone island unit that serves as both a functional workspace and social gathering point.
The project has earned recognition on the shortlist for Dezeen Awards in the bathroom category, with the home's richly decorative powder rooms embodying its whimsical yet refined character. "The bathrooms are truly where our imagination and potential were given limitless bounds," Dinkel noted, explaining how her team combined heritage elements with modern craftsmanship to create spaces with an escapist feel.
These distinctive bathrooms feature hand-painted wallpapers from luxury brand De Gournay, which add an artistic element complemented by patinated brass surfaces and richly veined marble washbasins. The heavy stone basins and decorative elements create a spa-like atmosphere that enhances the home's overall luxury experience.
The children's playroom and art studio showcase a custom wall mural created by Los Angeles artist Abel Macias for interior decor brand Schumacher. The mural was specifically chosen for its whimsical narrative quality, adding personality and creativity to the family-oriented spaces within the home.
"In today's overexposed world, the desire for privacy has become a defining element of luxury," Dinkel added. "This home challenges the idea that one must go out to experience grandeur or service, bringing a sense of escapism into the private sphere." The transformation gives the historic property a renewed sense of purpose as a private retreat where the owners can entertain guests in a setting perfectly tailored to their individual tastes and lifestyle.
Dinkel, who worked in New York City's fashion industry before founding her Sydney-based interior design business in 2016, specializes in updating heritage homes using timeless design principles. Her studio focuses on creating spaces that authentically reflect their owners' personalities while respecting the historical significance of the original architecture. The photography for the Kilmory House project was completed by Dave Wheeler, showcasing the successful integration of historic charm with contemporary luxury.
