Alwill Interiors + Architecture
Romaine and Nadine Alwill are the sister duo behind Alwill Interiors + Architecture; two independent companies that collaborate with an eco-mindset.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson
Chromacolour House - Architecture, interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Photo - Chris Warnes.
Chameleon House - Architecture, interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Photo - Chris Warnes.
Pacific House - Interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Photo - Chris Warnes.
Growing up across Asia, sisters Romaine and Nadine Alwill have always appreciated simple design. In particular, a Japanese aesthetic that stems from their time living there as children. The sisters often work together in a small team of six from their Sydney bases, offering a personal service with master planning, architecture, new builds, alterations and additions, renovations, interior architecture, interior design and styling, art consultancy and project management.
Nadine was the first sister to set up the architecture wing of the business 15 years ago, after working for companies such as Tobias Partners in Australia, Aman Resorts in Singapore, and Master Plan Projects in Abu Dhabi. Five years later, Romaine set up Alwill Interiors, bringing experience from Belle Magazine as their interior design editor. Alongside working with Nadine, Romaine often collaborates with architects, like Luigi Rosselli and Tobias Partners, providing seamless flow from joinery to furniture for a holistic approach.
The sisters also embrace a unique element to their practice with a strong emphasis on eco-design. Early on, an aunt showed them how to live sustainably, and has been doing so for 50 years. “She is a horticulturist, nature-loving, birdwatching, cancer surviving legend who can fly helicopters,” Romaine explains. “She lives on a property in the Southern Highlands and has always had a light impact on this earth.”
“I truly believe that there’s a way to have a thriving way of life that balances economics and caring for the natural world,” shares Romaine Alwill. Pictured, Bay View House, interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Architecture by Fox Johnston. Photo - Chris Warnes.
“We like our products to embrace the imperfect — that get better with the passage of time, allowing you to appreciate them into their old age and pass them on to future generations.”
Peppertree House - Interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Architecture by Luigi Roselli Architects. Photo - Prue Ruscoe.
“Staying positive is so important, especially for our children and also for our own mental health — I think we need to focus on the solution, not the debate,” says Romaine, pictured with her sister Nadine Alwill. Photo - Prue Ruscoe.
Chromacolour House - Architecture, interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Photo - Chris Warnes.
Bay View House - Interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Architecture by Fox Johnston. Photo - Chris Warnes.
Her lifestyle has allowed the two designers to think about how modern design effects the earth, from energy use, water, recycling, and only buying quality things. A lack of compromise on these foundations means she lives as eco-as-possible, yet Romaine describes her home as a “charming, gorgeous place to visit.. [that] speaks of the passage of time and is nourishing to the soul.”
This attitude feeds into the sisters’ sustainable mindset; striving for a timeless style that ensures the design will never need replacing once trends and seasons finish. “We believe: buy it right, buy it once, pass it on,” Romaine adds. The whole idea centres around beautiful design, that ages gracefully, and gets better with time. And as craft-people, rather than factories, design these pieces, there is an emphasis of repair instead of replacing; such as the Japanese technique of Kintsugi.
“We can always improve… keep learning, listening and adjusting to this changing world.”
Alongside creating ecologically sustainable design homes— using solar panels, thermal massing, natural airflow, and grey water tanks — some of the sister’s favourite projects can be the challenging ones, whether the client is engaged but liberal with the designers' creative process. Of course, a reasonable budget tends to help, but it's more about creativity and connection. “If I feel there is going to be a good energy between us, it is always a good sign!” Romaine muses.
2020 will bring lots of lovely high-end residential projects, and a healthy dose of inspiration travel to Europe and Japan. “This year is all about a bit of a reset and thinking about new ways of doing things and new inspirations,” Romaine shares. “It’s a new decade, so why not!”
Bondi Barn - Interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Architecture by Clayton Orszaczky. Photo - Prue Ruscoe.
Chromacolour House - Architecture, interior design & styling by Alwill Architecture + Interiors. Photo - Chris Warnes.