March 23, 2026 | Inspiration

Project Series | Inner-city sanctuary blends marble beauty with Australian greenery

“This unique Paddington sanctuary combines sophistication with contemporary luxury through high-end features and a striking use of Calacatta Viola stone as a statement piece in the heart of the home."

- Luke Stambouliah, photographer and homeowner

Tucked in the inner-city suburb of Paddington in Sydney, this kitchen proves that a thoughtful combination of "bold" and "serene" can create an impressive masterpiece. By blending the intense, vibrant energy of Smartstone Calacatta Viola with the calming presence of the surrounding native Australian greenery, this home renovation illustrates that the best interiors aren't just seen, they are felt.

The kitchen is no longer just a place to prep meals; it has become a home sanctuary where the beauty of the Australian outdoors meets the refined elegance of Italian-inspired sintered stone.

Led by John Vella Design Sydney, the renovation project transformed a Victorian heritage home into a modern residence, achieving the ultimate design trifecta: drama, durability, and a deep connection to the outdoors.

The splendour of the inspired home space is captured by professional photographer and property owner Luke Stambouliah.

The undisputed hero of the space is Calacatta Viola, a consistent favourite in the Sintered Collection. Depicting the essence of marble with its creamy white base and deep burgundy veins, Calacatta Viola enhanced the earthy neutral tones from outside to produce a stunning visual.

"The centrepiece choice of Calacatta Viola brings a fusion of warm white, charcoal and rich burgundy veins of expressive movement and drama, calmed by the sway of trees, direct sunlight and reflection of water from the surrounding vista," said Luke.

The vein design of the sintered stone flows from the 40mm mitred benchtops to the full-height splashbacks, juxtaposing vividly against the trees in Trumper Park just beyond the glass windows and fostering a seamless interaction between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

To soften the crisp white cabinetry and stone, JV Design Sydney introduced natural textures, grounding the space with warm timber tones of solid oak and walnut furnishings that echo the bark of the trees. The bar stools with woven rattan seats cohesively match the bentwood dining chairs from Thonet Australia, both evoking a touch of Parisian bistro charm.

The careful curation of different elements in this Paddington sanctuary also highlights an impressive celebration of the great Australian outdoors.

Complementing the benchtops and splashback from Smartstone, the kitchen features a careful selection of Australian home brands such as Blum Australia for cabinetry, Lo and Co Interiors for handles, The English Tapware Company for taps, Tom Dixon x Living Edge for the table, and Fanuli and MCM House for furniture.

To complete the overall design vision, the home’s atmosphere is further enriched by an array of art pieces by famed Australian artists such as Del Kathryn Barton, Leila Jeffreys, Michaye Boulter, Lynne Roberts-Goodwin, and Robyn Beeche acquired from Sydney-based art galleries like Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Olsen Gallery, Arthouse Gallery, .M Contemporary, and Black Eye Gallery.