Sydney, Paris, Leura
There is a distinctly Gallic flavour to the upper Blue Mountains and it’s not just because of restaurants and cafés like Le Rooster, Le Goblet and Leura’s Café Madeline. Amongst the many Sydney ‘refugees’ that find themselves heading to the hills in retreat from the bland, sprawling ‘burbs’ below, a significant number of our newcomers are also French expats.
Jazz singer and composer Penelope Sai has a foot in both of these cultural camps. Originally from Sydney, Penelope lived and worked around the world for many years as a model – she is significantly taller than my own 5 foot nothing stature! Although she met her French-Algerian husband in Australia, they soon moved back to Paris for what was intended to be just a few years. Nine years on and with two young children in tow, they finally made their way back to the southern hemisphere. It was not Sydney though that beckoned, but the gentile, pretty mountain village of Leura.
Built in 1925 on the estate originally known as Dean Park, Penelope’s home in Leura is modest, kooky and gracious in equal parts – how French! Hidden behind a high wall the quaint garden is filled with low clipped hedges, stone paths, sculptures and grottos. This is a garden that beckons both adults and children to explore and play. The Sai property is also believed to be a remnant of the estate’s original larger garden, designed by the renown Paul Sorenson. Most notably it was the Dean Park estate that inspired the wealthy Henri Van de Velde to commission Sorenson to design his most substantial project just around the corner – The Everglades House and Gardens.
Like many of the Leura houses of this era, this home was most likely built as a weekend retreat, a function that is reflected in a much more relaxed informal layout than typical Australian houses of the 1920′s. The entry to Penelope’s home is announced by a rather grand European-style flourish – a porte-cochère that appears to have been designed solely for pedestrians. Given the literal translation of porte-cochère is ‘coach gate’, it is clear this home’s designer had little regard for tradition. Much grander than your average Australian ‘porch’, this generous structure does provide very welcome shelter from the mountains frequent inclement weather, and is perfect for those inevitable long goodbyes that seem to always occur when young children are involved!
From the porte-cochère, you enter a wide enclosed sunroom; a casual yet inviting space which overlooks the front garden. There are glimpses to either side of the master and guest bedrooms, decorated with treasures and furnishings Penelope has collected from around the globe, as well as artworks by favourite local artists, Robert Malherbe and Francesca Raft.
Scattered with traditional Morroccan and Persian rugs, the generous living room has the perfect ‘nook’ overlooking the rear garden for a recently bequeathed baby grand piano. Opening out to a sunny rear verandah overgrown with Jasmine, the dining room effortlessly accommodates a substantial 1870’s dining table made for long decadent dinners.
From the rear verandah it is a short leap onto an ancient plum tree, a favourite perch for the two resident persians to catch some sun. A small conservatory overlooking the rear garden now functions as a recording studio where Penelope recorded her much anticipated second album ‘Siana’. The follow up from the well received debut album ‘Evening Falls’, ‘Siana’ is due to be released later this year.
Local rumour has it that this was the house that Henri Van de Velde’s second wife Una (having been left only a meagre inheritance by her wealthy husband) retired to after his death. Penelope testifies to glimpses of a friendly female spirit wafting around in the garden. With a home and garden filled with such a calm, joyous atmosphere, I could understand why Una Van de Velde may not be in any hurry to leave.
Penelope Sai’s first album ‘Evening Falls’ can be purchased through her website www.penelopesai.com
Words by LIBBY SULLIVAN Images by ANN NIDDRIE
A big thankyou to Scott Pollock, Guy Macarath and Judith Russell at ‘Everglades Historic House and Garden’ for their insights on the history of Dean Park and the legendary Paul Sorenson.
How beautiful and thanks for the history on the home and garden. Sophie
Absolutely beautiful and you look stunning Penelope!
Tres Chic!! And kimono girl looks stunning.I hear sweet music!
Sophie, it was a fascinating journey researching the history of this unique home! Glad you enjoyed!
GRACIOUS – home, gardens and of course Penelope!
Thanks so much Libby! And thank you Ann for the great photos!
This is a magical house and we love sharing it with friends. Indira, my 4 year old recently asked who built this place. Who ever it was is long gone and it made me realise we’re just minding it and enjoying it for while. And I think of Una when I’m pruning the huge old azaleas or the ancient wisteria that’s rooted deep under the foundations. She must have loved them too. I’ve added a weeping apple and a Mirabelle plum and hope someone will be enjoying the fruit in 100 years time.
YUM….simply exquisitely yummy! What a place blessed with love and serenity from the land to its owners. Not having seen you in so many years, this says so much about who you have become and your journey from the time i saw you and you were a young budding woman. Thank you for sharing your inner world. I am so happy to see that you have grown into a beautiful goddess and are surrounded in an isle of beauty…much love to you and your family, Ceil
love your house even though I always go there and yea. your amazing on my YouTube al my like are your music. your simply amazing Penelope. love u and family including the kitty cats
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