The Sienna By Studio PULP
Designed by Studio PULP, The Sienna embraces colour and pattern, resulting in a series of layered spaces guided by joy and whimsy.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos JACQUI TURK Interior Design STUDIO PULP Location LUSKINTYRE, NSW/WONNARUA COUNTRY
New furniture and decorative pieces are mixed with second-hand gems.
The layered living room is anchored by a tricoloured sofa from Mood Objects.
European and Italian influences shape the interiors, balanced by warmth, and anchored by earthy tones that reflect the Hunter Valley landscape.
The incredible dining table was custom made by Unrivalled Stone.
As the palette moves through the venue, colours and details subtly repeat, connecting each space while still allowing every room to feel unique.
‘The majority of the vintage pieces were sourced through vintage stores, auction houses and Facebook Marketplace, or, in this instance, acquired with the property itself.’
“The Sienna was guided by a desire to create a playful, eclectic hospitality experience filled with character and charm.”
Throughout, atmosphere and function are carefully balanced, ensuring the spaces feel joyful, memorable and easy to move through for both guests and events.
‘We consciously balanced characterful vintage finds with contemporary elements to create contrast and spark conversation within a space,’ shares Ben Selke.
A custom designed sideboard in the grand scaled living space.
Custom carpet throughout by Fyber.
‘The moment the carpet was laid it became an instant, ‘Oh… yep, that’s it’, moment. Its pattern and colour palette went on to inform many of the subsequent design decisions, including the custom wall panelling and the broader colour scheme.’
Across the bedrooms and communal areas, each space shifts in tone while remaining connected to the rest of the homestead.
‘At Studio PULP, we enjoy pairing vintage and contemporary pieces within our projects.’
“Rather than leaning into expected rustic tones, a soft pastel base was layered with striking blues and moody reds to create impact and a sense of fun and celebration.”
‘From arrival, the experience gradually unfolds externally. Sienna House hints at playfulness through the striking blue trims, but once inside, the full, layered interior world is revealed,’ shares Ben Selke.
The garden takes its cues from Tuscan landscaping.
With its considered use of colour and material, The Sienna signals a clear departure from the Hunter Valley norm—replacing expected rustic tones with soft pastels and subtle cues from Tuscany, bringing a sense of joy and playfulness to the setting.
For Studio PULP director Ben Selke, the intent for the interiors of the homestead at The Sienna, a wedding venue, was clear from the outset. ‘The Sienna was guided by a desire to create a playful, eclectic hospitality experience filled with character and charm,’ he shares.
Rather than drawing directly from the Hunter Valley’s established material language, Studio PULP took a step sideways, designing an interior that would feel distinctive, joyful and memorable for its guests.
This sense of memorability underpinned the material palette, moving away from expected local references. ‘The material palette was developed to intentionally contrast the surrounding Hunter Valley context, introducing a higher-contrast, more expressive language than neighbouring venues,’ Ben says.
A soft pastel base was layered with striking blues and moody reds, creating a sense of joy and celebration throughout the spaces. Texture played an equally important role; with tactile materials, patterned surfaces and sheen to add depth each space as guests experience each of the rooms.
For the decorative elements throughout, vintage and contemporary pieces are woven together across furniture, lighting, styling and art, giving the interiors a lived-in quality, like they’ve been this was for years. ‘We consciously balanced characterful vintage finds with contemporary elements to create contrast and spark conversation within a space,’ Ben shares. Many of the pieces were sourced through vintage stores, auction houses and the ever-popular thrifting platform, Facebook Marketplace. A few pieces came with the property itself, allowing layers of history to be added into the scheme.
‘The resulting mix of antiques and contemporary pieces, across furniture, lighting, styling and art—leans into the venue’s Italian roots and reinforces the sense that the space has always existed; that it feels permanent and settled,’ says Ben.
One striking design decision in particular became the anchor for the entire project. ‘Hands down, the custom carpet was the defining element,’ says Ben. Once laid into the space, its pattern and colour palette informed subsequent decisions, creating a design roll on effect, influencing the custom wall panelling to supplementary colours throughout the interior. Acting as a visual and conceptual thread, the custom carpet ties the spaces together while reinforcing the sense of fun that underpins the entire project.
Across the bedrooms, bars and communal spaces, variation was guided by a clear journey for guests—colour and detail introduced at entry, while deeper, richer tones were reserved for more contained spaces. Finishes and motifs have been repeated with restraint, allowing each space to feel distinct while remaining part of a cohesive interior language.
‘With multiple bedrooms and communal spaces, variation was driven by a clear narrative developed around the guest journey. From arrival, the experience gradually unfolds externally. The Sienna hints at playfulness through the striking blue trims, but once inside the full, layered interior world is revealed,’ Ben adds.
Project: The Sienna
Interiors: Studio PULP
Build: Maywild Venues
Photography: Jacqui Turk
