Megan Brown, Founder and Creative Director of Penman Brown Interiors shares her transformation journey with the reimagination of The Carlisle - a four-storey residence overlooking Tamarama Beach.

Beyond The Carlisle, Megan also offers a glimpse into her personal design philosophy and her approach to bringing depth, warmth, and authenticity to both her projects and her own personal home, Pacific House.

 

The Carlisle

Perched above Sydney’s Tamarama Beach, The Carlisle is a masterful reimagining of a once-rigid coastal home. Designed by Penman Brown Interior Design, the transformation of this early millennial four-storey residence was driven by a need for both spatial flexibility and textural richness.

For principal designer Megan Brown, the challenge was to take the home’s inflexible layout and weave in a sense of warmth, movement, and cohesion.

“Confronted with structural limitations, the solution relied entirely on superficial alterations, skillfully manipulating vertical and horizontal planes to alter perception and feeling,”

By layering furniture, art, and curated objects, the design achieves an effortless sophistication, blending beachside charm with a contemporary sensibility.

At the heart of this transformation is the home’s living space, a high-functioning, trans-seasonal retreat designed for quiet contemplation as well as entertaining. Positioned to take in breathtaking southern views of the coastline, the living area required a heating source that could deliver both warmth and ambience—making an Escea DS Series Gas Fireplace the natural choice.

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The Escea DS Series Gas Fireplace was selected for its flexible flue system - crucial in achieving a seamless hutch-style finish that maintained open sightlines and a clean, minimalist aesthetic, all without compromising on design.

A Fireplace That Complements & Elevates

The choice of fireplace for The Carlisle was influenced by both aesthetic and functional considerations. The home’s rigid envelope of glass, concrete, and steel—compounded by its position within a densely built cliffside—meant that flexible fluing was a crucial factor.

“Having worked with Escea fireplaces on multiple projects, we understood the flexibility of its flue system,” says Megan. “Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve the specific placement and overall aesthetics required.”

The DS Series’ minimal depth was equally important, ensuring the fireplace didn’t encroach on the room’s footprint while maintaining an uninterrupted connection to the view.

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The DS Series' Zero Clearance technology allowed Megan to bring her design vision to life - seamlessly integrating the sculptural fireplace surround with the rest of the home's aestehtic, while maintaining cohension and creative freedom. 

A Sculptural Approach to Fireplace Design

One of the most striking elements of The Carlisle is its hutch-style fireplace surround, a sculptural yet restrained feature that ties seamlessly into the home’s larger design narrative.

“There is an opportunity to take a sculptural approach to containing the fireplace so that it becomes a complementary element within the broader composition,”

Repeating elliptical forms, seen in the balustrade and cabinetry details, create a sense of continuity, while rough lime plaster finishes lend a tactile softness.

Ultimately, the principle of reductionism guides the fireplace’s design. “The principle of reduction is about hiding complexity—making something complex seem very simple,” Megan explains. The result is an installation that is both commanding and unobtrusive, a visual and functional anchor that enhances the home’s overall design story.

The Value of Collaboration

For the Penman Brown team, achieving this level of integration requires trusted partnerships. Collaborating with Stoke Sydney, and working closely with owner Jarrod Strauss, was instrumental in executing the design vision.

“Fireplace installation can be complicated, particularly in non-typical applications and constrained floorplans, we rely on those who are capable, responsive problem-solvers with the high executional standards that align with our studio’s and our clients’ expectations.”

Beyond The Carlisle

Beyond The Carlisle, Megan Brown’s approach to fireplaces is shaped by her broader design ethos: warm, refined, and deeply attuned to her clients’ lifestyles.

“As curators of beautiful spaces, our approach at Penman Brown is elegant and textural, intended to evoke a deeply resonating emotive response,” 

When specifying a fireplace, Megan considers several factors—style, function, heating efficiency, and installation complexity.

“A fireplace often resides in key spaces and must integrate seamlessly with other functional elements, like media units. It should either take centre stage or contribute quietly to the broader composition,” “Wherever possible, I encourage clients to consider a fireplace from the outset—it enhances lifestyle and adds warmth, both literally and figuratively, to a home.” 

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Escea’s DS Series Gas Fireplace meets the need of high standards for versatility and performance - featured in Interior Designer Megan Brown’s own home, Pacific House.

Take a look inside Megan Brown’s own home as featured in The Local Project. 

Through projects like The Carlisle and beyond, Megan Brown continues to push the boundaries of interior design, blending timeless materials, thoughtful curation, and functional beauty to create spaces that are as sophisticated as they are inviting.