Headland House - AIDA Commendation

The Australian Interior Design Awards honour outstanding achievements in interior design through a respected, industry-led program, endorsed by the Design Institute of Australia - the official body representing designers nationwide. These awards hold both national prestige and international relevance.

Tucked into the vibrant coastal enclave of Bondi, Headland House by Richards Stanisich is a masterful exercise in restraint, reinterpretation and revival. 

From the outset, the design brief called for more than just a renovation. The client, drawn to the character and elegance of the original structure, sought a home that would honour its Art Deco provenance while also reflecting their own personality and way of life. Richards Stanisich's response is both intellectual and emotional: a design that neither fetishises heritage nor erases it, but instead builds upon it, layering in new meaning while maintaining the integrity of the old.

The building’s historical bones; graceful curves, ornate plasterwork, and robust proportions; are treated with respect, becoming the foundation upon which the new interiors are composed. Rather than replicate or restore every period detail, Richards Stanisich channels the spirit of the 1930s through a refined lens: curved walls meet rounded joinery; bronze finishes nod to the era’s glamour without ostentation; and tactile materials such as honed stone, timber and linen speak to both tradition and contemporary comfort.

Crucially, the home’s reinvention is not just architectural but emphatically personal. The interiors respond directly to the client’s expressive and layered aesthetic, resulting in spaces that feel curated yet relaxed, a dialogue between formalism and warmth. Every decision, from the gentle curve of a wall to the placement of a vintage chair, reflects an understanding that good design is not about neutrality but resonance.

While the building’s historical identity is urban and Deco in style, its new life is grounded in its location. Bondi’s coastal energy, its openness and character, inform every corner of the design. Natural light is harnessed through generous openings; views are framed to capture glimpses of blue; and the interiors feel as tactile and sensory as the environment outside. The colour palette: soft neutrals punctuated with moments of green and ochre, mirrors the surrounding landscape, while custom detailing throughout reflects a commitment to craftsmanship and place.

In typical Richards Stanisich fashion, the design prioritises permanence over trend. Joinery is bespoke and minimal, lighting is architectural, and materials are selected for their ability to age with grace. The result is a home that feels rooted - physically, historically, and emotionally.

In an era where renovations often involve erasure, Headland House demonstrates an alternative model: one of patience, precision, and poetic restraint. It is a home designed not just for now, but for time - built on the past, expressive of the present, and open to the future.

Photography: Felix Forest

About Richards Stanisich

Founded by Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich, Richards Stanisich is an interior design and architecture practice based in Sydney. They take on projects across retail, residential, hospitality and commercial sectors.

https://richardsstanisich.com.au/