Interior designer banned from decorating own home

17 December 2009 | by Gemma Battenbough

A Sydney interior designer has been forbidden from decorating her own home because of a built-in wardrobe council likened to a Renoir painting.

Jennie Clarke wanted to knock down an interior wall in her heritage-listed 1947 modernist house in Roseville.

However, council knocked back the request because it would involve moving a built-in wardrobe, cupboards, seat and mirror, of heritage significance.

Council voted that Clarke, an interior designer, keep the furniture arguing that it is integral to the house.

The house, known as the Hillman House, was designed by modernist architect Henry Epstein, who collaborated with furniture maker Paul Kafka.

Councilor Lynne Saville likened it to a piece of art: "If you own a Renoir, do you change the colour of a dress or paint in a boat?"

However, Clarke argued the furniture is of inferior design and quality, with water damage and cigarette burns.

"It's just heart breaking," she told North Shore Times. "I would understand if it was a beautiful piece of furniture, but it's pedestrian. It's just a cheap piece covered with veneer."

Tags: architect | building | council | heritage-listed | interior design

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Add a comment9 Comments

thisiscrazy | 8 February, 2010 at 06:31 PM
This is absolutely crazy. I am also an ex-Council Architect, and I do not believe that councils should have any right to enforce the preservation of interior finishes that are not in the public's view. If they believe that something is truly significant, then council or the state government should purchase the property or items at market value themselves. Ironically, they seem to have the right to demolish their own historic buildings, but the general public aren't allowed to do anything. Having worked in a large council, I am also very much aware of the little thought and research that goes into heritage listing a building... and how councillors ignorantly & pig-headedly take matters into their own hands. So many heritage listed buildings have been listed regardless of their condition, and this in itself is crazy unless the council or state government provides financial help to restore them.
philipi | 5 February, 2010 at 12:48 PM
As an ex Council Architect and Urban Design Advisor (Masters Qualified), I can only sympathise with Jennie. Design controls in Planning Schemes are critical in heritage and character precincts but only to the extent of the public view. Council has no right to dictate how the interior of a person's house is decorated. If Council wishes to preserve the cupboard (and if it has no external presentation affecting the streetscape) it should buy it at market value and put it in a museum. Local planning departments have better, more important things to do than worry about someone's cuboard.
kieran mcinerney | 20 January, 2010 at 09:03 AM
paul kafka is a very important figure in Sydneys design history- his achievements include furniture for the Hugh Buhrich house - which is probably sydneys best example of residential architecture- I applaud the council for preserving his work if it is a worthwhile piece (and that was obviously their judgement)- Sydney's design history could be almost completely erased as a result of complacency and ignorance (judging by the majority of the comments above)
Ivan | 19 December, 2009 at 12:12 PM
perhaps independent heritage & antiques experts should be the judges also!
Adrienne Kabos | 18 December, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Paul Kafka the designer of the built-in furniture in the Hillman House is described as "one of the most significant furniture makers to have worked in Sydney in the immediate post-war period." on the Powerhouse museum's website. So Willoughby City Council has acted responsibly in protecting this very significant heritage. I am appalled that Design & Architecture would denigrate such a highly respected designer and furniture maker of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
Axel Peeck | 18 December, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Just laughable. Another joke in a long line of jokes where Councils become the protector of the (Heritage) World. I am waiting for the day where Council imposes consent conditions where owners have to open their house to the public so that interior items or building fabrics can be viewed that Council deems of significance. If they were so significant why does Council not give financial incentives to owners to keep and or restore them take photos and publish them on the Council website. And yes if i do not like the colour of the boat or dress I change it because it is my painting and I have paid for it with my money therefore i can do with it whatever I choose.
brian mckenny | 17 December, 2009 at 08:03 PM
beauracracy gone mad again. remove the control and power from these nazis as soon as possible. in 100 years from now (a bit more than 1 lifetime), everything you see will be heritage. does that make it worthy of preservation.
christopher hewson | 17 December, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Interior Designer......right a 3 year TAFE course right? at night?? Learn a little bit about Architecture history and the Emigre Architects to be replaced by Tuscan/Corian Junk! Think Twice!
Nathan | 17 December, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Yet another reason why NSW Councils need to be stripped of their planning powers.