Contemporary Dalkeith home is a work of art

THE polished concrete floors and striking feature walls are just the beginning at the art house that is 47 Viking Road, Dalkeith.

Behind the imposing concrete façade hides the leafy garden of this tri-level family home and gallery with its striking spiral staircase and huge pool on the 1012sqm block.

Ray White Cottesloe | Mosman Park Director Jody Fewster said the generous six bedroom home office with a large art studio at the front of the floor plan was “everything you would want and more”.

“The house is functional and perfectly formed and full of natural light.

“This is the perfect home for art and for family.”

Artist Susannah Skinner and her husband Dr Ian Skinner, along with their five children have called Viking Road home for the last eight years.

“We chose architect Blane Brackenridge to design our home because we both love his work. He has huge talent for working with simple materials to create beautifully proportioned light filled spaces that are iconic and striking modernist forms. Blane and his wife are also great friends of ours,” Ms Skinner said.

“With five children we required a large family home with separation and space for entertaining.

“As an artist, the balance between light filled spaces and enough wall space to hang work was pivotal in framing the design. My studio would make a perfect home office for someone, it’s a beautiful space with north and south windows for light.

“The entry to the home acts as a gallery space, a statement that this building is all about ‘art’ and ‘aesthetics’. There’s lots of light and plenty of raw concrete which is a great material to work with.

“As an artist my work primarily forms dialogues about ‘nature’ and human manipulation of our surroundings.

“More recently I have been experimenting with satirical political statements, Trump after Baselitz being a recent example. This shift is perhaps as a response to the uncertainty and instability unleashed by COVID across the planet.

“There is a beautiful light filled studio. I love the entry gallery for the light flooding in and the commanding steel and timber spiral staircase. I also love sitting in the sun bathed sunken lounge in the main living area.”

The Skinners have raised their family in Dalkeith for close to 20 years.

Ms Skinner said the western suburbs were such a great community with wonderful local schools. “It is also close to the river. It’s a great place for dog walks - we have two dogs- and close to both the city and the beach.”

FEATURES:
Home office
Large art studio with a granite kitchenette, comprising of a sink and more
Open-plan family/dining/kitchen area
Sunken lounge
Custom basement wine cellar that holds 1000 bottles
Lift
6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 powder room (outdoor shower and toilet by the pool shed)
Huge 1,012sqm (approx.) block with ample driveway parking space