The Foundation Precinct

For Harris, de Gournay’s craftsmanship was the perfect expression of the building’s quiet sophistication. “Having worked in Europe for 20 years it was always a huge delight to come across one of their collections in an historic house,” he says. “So I was delighted to commission 10 pieces with the importers of de Gournay wallpapers [antiques importers Baran de Bordeaux] for The Foundation. I selected a variety of works telling stories of the Pacific, Americas, Asia and Africa. So, there is a journey through each level, in the lift lobbies and transition points around the corridors. Each have been sized to fit specifically into the allocated spaces to ensure the proportions are true to the original drawings, and each have been hand painted by skilled artists.” That sense of journey defines The Foundation experience. Across the building’s public areas and lift lobbies, each installation tells a different story, from panoramic 19th-century views of the Pacificto classic chinoiserie scenes in soft, painterly hues. All works were sourced through Baran de Bordeaux, whose expertise with de Gournay’s collections ensured each piece was scaled and curated with precision. The result is a series of interior moments that bring warmth, artistry, and an unmistakable sense of luxury to the everyday experience of residents. “De Gournay’s most beautiful hand-crafted wallpapers embody the signature quality of The Foundation,” says Harris. “They provide a unique and timeless elegance for residents to enjoy and marvel.”