< PreviousA S THE FOUNDER OF CULT SPIN S TUDIO SOULC YCLE, JULIE RICE IS ALL ABOUT THE BUZZ, but when she retreats from New York to her Montauk holiday home, she craves a more zen mood. She and her family (husband Spencer Rice and their two young daughters) have been spending much of their time here over lockdown, so the serene interiors of the spectacular modernist house have been a great source of solace. The family bought the light-fi lled, fi ve-bedroom prop- erty after SoulCycle began opening studios in The Hamp- tons, drawn to it by a number of impressive features. Sit- ting on a promontory, it has sea views in all directions but remains wonderfully secluded, and is only a walk or bike ride away from the nearest town. The house was originally designed by architect Steven Harris for a couple with no children, and required some remodelling to give it the big, open spaces the family needed. Rice enlisted her old friend Vanessa Alexander, founder of LA design fi rm Alexander Design, to rejuve- nate the layout and furnishings. “Julie loves relaxed luxu- ry and wanted to create a sense of layered comfort within this modern context, maintaining its architectural strength but adding softness to make it more liveable,” explains Alexander. “We reworked the interior, exterior and landscaping, in collaboration with New York fi rm Resolution: 4 Architecture, to create a more open fl ow that connects the rooms in a fl uid way.” Given that this is a home for vacations, Rice was also seduced by Alexander’s holistic approach to design. “We seek to create environments that are luxurious but don’t feel over-designed,” says the latter. “It’s about weaving 94 A AD_040_92-99_Arena_Montauk_11754166.indd 9425/08/2021 05:44:39 PMABOVE FROM TOP: A palette of bleached neutrals runs through the entire house, including the living room, which is dominated by a vintage Cameleonda sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, from Morentz in the Netherlands. The coff ee table is a custom piece by Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt and the textured rug is by Woven in New York; this outdoor nook with concrete fi repit, overlooking the sea, is where the family spends much of its time in summer. The seating is from RH Modern’s Maldives collection. OPPOSITE PAGE: The house is positioned on a promontory with unobstructed views of the coastline in all directions. AD_040_92-99_Arena_Montauk_11754166.indd 9525/08/2021 05:44:56 PMAD_040_92-99_Arena_Montauk_11754166.indd 9625/08/2021 05:45:11 PMThe modernist home was originally designed by Tribeca architect Steven Harris, and recently remodelled by interior designer Vanessa Alexander to make it more family friendly. The master bedroom can be seen through the huge fi rst-fl oor window, fl oating above the pool. OPPOSITE PAGE: Loungers by James Perse add a laid-back vibe to the poolside lounge, teamed with Balinese teak stools. The cushions are made from vintage fabrics. 97 AD_040_92-99_Arena_Montauk_11754166.indd 9725/08/2021 05:45:18 PMa story that unfolds seamlessly, from the moment you get home to the moment you go to bed at night.” She began by opening up the dark lower levels to let in more light, banishing banks of wallpaper installed by the previous owners and improving access to the pool and terraces, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. A new outdoor kitchen makes the living room feel double its size, while endless fl oor-to-ceiling glass walls give the sense of being at one with nature. To accentuate this impression, the décor focuses on organic fi nishes, sun-bleached neutrals and layers of tex- ture - a laid-back, bohemian look. “We started with a muted palette of materials, such as raw plaster, wood and stone, and added curated layers of vintage furniture, art and antiquities for dimension and soul,” explains Alex- ander. Modern-rustic textiles, such as linen throws and Moroccan rugs, are another keynote, as are the woven textures seen almost everywhere. Alexander left no stone unturned when sourcing perfect pieces for the project, turning up a dramatic 1970s Mario Bellini leath- er sofa for the living room in the Netherlands, and raw clay and seagrass pendant lights for the master bedroom from an Australian craft maker, Harriet Goodall (these are now Rice’s favourite possession). She also commis- sioned many bespoke items, including a monumental oak dining table and the coordinating bleached oak kitchen units alongside it, plus grey travertine sinks and minimalist mirrors for the bathrooms. Now, in this seaside paradise that opens up on every side to the elements, lazy days are spent surfi ng, hosting pool parties and enjoying sunset dinners on the sand. “Doing this for a close friend was so special and reward- ing,” says Alexander. “The family feels relaxed and com- fortable here without sacrifi cing luxury; they entertain endlessly and enjoy the water and the beach. It’s an anti- dote to their lives in the city.” alexanderdb.com ABOVE FROM LEFT: The outdoor shower area on the pool deck; in the master bedroom, a vintage wooden chair is paired with a cream rug from LA rug specialist Mehraban. AD_040_92-99_Arena_Montauk_11754166.indd 9825/08/2021 05:45:30 PM99 Warm neutrals create a luxurious feel in the guest bedroom, where a Nest rattan bed by Miami-based CEU Studio makes a bold statement. The bleached timber Stump table is by Sawkille Co and the wall lights are by Stahl + Band. AD_040_92-99_Arena_Montauk_11754166.indd 9925/08/2021 05:45:45 PM00 ROSY OUTLOOK Part design laboratory, part family home – this pink-hued Sydney live-work space is all about sustainability Words Karine Monié Photography Anson Smart AD_040_100-107_Arena_Sydney Alexander_11751353.indd 10025/08/2021 04:06:58 PMThe custom kitchen island is made from cast concrete and had to be craned in through the front door. The sculptural ceramic table lamp is by Sarah Nedovic Gaunt and the recessed backsplash is in calacatta viola marble. 101 AD_040_100-107_Arena_Sydney Alexander_11751353.indd 10125/08/2021 04:07:07 PM76 “ALEXANDER HOUSE IS A CINEMATIC, ARCHITEC TUR- AL RABBIT HOLE, FULL OF SURPRISES AND DELIGHT,” refl ects Jeremy Bull, principal and founder of Australian design studio Alexander & Co. He’s speaking of a 3,229 sq/ ft live-work space that was rebuilt over eight months during the COVID-19 pandemic. The product of passion and creativity, it’s also a place to gather, explore new ideas, and foster leadership, all under one roof. “The pandemic accelerated the hybrid concept of work- ing from home,” adds his wife, Tess Glasson, who helms the marketing department of Alexander & Co. “Alexander House embodies this new norm by challenging the way we engage with one another – and how we practice our craft.” From the get-go, the couple shared the same ambitious vision for this multi-purpose, four-storey house, which is located at Bondi Junction in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. “I have a personal interest in exploring ideas of a post-modern, post-industrial offi ce,” says Bull. “I see the challenge of being a human-focused practice, and the ten- sions this holds with traditional workplace design.” Each fl oor of the multilevel structure is dedicated to a single use. The basement contains materials samples, desktop computers, and casual meeting spaces – thereby functioning as a traditional studio for the Alexander & Co. team. Referred to as the café, the ground fl oor is a dining, A AD_040_100-107_Arena_Sydney Alexander_11751353.indd 10225/08/2021 04:07:19 PMThe leather curtains in this area were inspired by trips to cult Swiss spa hotel Therme Vals, designed by Peter Zumthor’s. OPPOSITE PAGE FROM TOP: The vintage Roche Bobois coff ee table in the living room was bought from Sydney dealer The Vault, while the Soda side tables are by Yiannis Ghikas for Miniforms; the restored heritage façade was painted in White Century from Dulux. 103 AD_040_100-107_Arena_Sydney Alexander_11751353.indd 10325/08/2021 04:07:39 PMNext >