'I certainly never get tired of it': Iconic artist Ken Done on why Mosman has inspired him for 64 years

If you’ve ever wondered why iconic artist Ken Done’s work is so bright and joyful, the fact that his home is on the water’s edge at Chinamans Beach in Mosman may provide some clues.

“The first thing I did this morning was feed the rainbow lorikeets, then I threw a couple of bones to the magpies and kookaburras. I walked down through my garden to feed the bream, then swam in crystal clear water on a rising tide,” he says. “All this about 20 minutes from the centre of the city.”

Urban paradise

Done has lived in Mosman for 64 years and while he and wife Judy are constant travellers, he firmly declares he wouldn’t live anywhere else. He describes the suburb and the harbour as a constant source of inspiration.

“Whether it’s the wonderful detail of the green moss that grows on the rocks in front of our house, or the grandeur of the big view over Sydney Harbour, I certainly never get tired of it and I never take it for granted,” Done says.

Some of Done’s work is featured in Manly Art Gallery’s current Destination Sydney: Re-imagined exhibition. There are also various Mosman and harbour scenes captured in Done’s latest book, Ken Done: Paintings You Probably Haven’t Seen.

“If you’re one of the lucky few that live close to or beside the harbour, it’s one of the most joyful places in the world to live,” he says. “The great thing about Chinamans Beach is that it’s an inner harbour beach, it has still got sand dunes at the edge of the beach and it’s very secluded.”

An influx from the east

Ray White Lower North Shore agent Bernard Ryan says the current trend is for eastern suburbs’ folk to relocate to the north side of the harbour.

“We are definitely seeing an increased amount of eastern suburbs buyers coming to our marketplace,” he says. Buyers are looking to replace Paddington terraces with grander homes on larger lots and Ryan says Mosman holds more choice than most prestige suburbs.

“If you have a look at the choice that buyers get here it’s totally unique that a suburb this prestigious has so much to offer,” he says.

“From Beauty Point and Balmoral to Middle Harbour and Clifton Gardens, there are remarkable homes in all the peninsulas of Mosman.”

Ryan says the most popular listings tend to be period properties in the $3 million to $5 million price range and the “stunning contemporary” homes in the $5 million to $10 million price range.

“These are the two quintessentially Mosman products, but there’s never many of them on the market because they’re so special.”

Three homes in the area

1 Government Road

Entertainers will love this graceful residence perched on Beauty Point.

There’s a travertine terrace with water views off the formal living areas, a marble kitchen spilling out to the back garden, a designer swimming pool, and a sandstone-lined cellar and tasting room with space to host a dinner party.

Expect to pay about $6 million for the property through Bernard Ryan, of Ray White Lower North Shore.

37 Prince Albert Street

This c1908 home carries a timeless Federation charm in its high ceilings, arch windows and marble fireplaces.

Impeccably preserved and improved, the property has a contemporary kitchen with gas appliances, and in-built heating and cooling systems.

Michael Coombs of LJ Hooker Avnu is fielding enquiries.

50 Cabramatta Road

This five-bedroom residence embraces a Hamptons-style aesthetic, with a crisp neutral colour scheme, open-plan living areas and a wide deck overlooking the pool.

The property has a central location just off Military Road, but gated entry keeps the house ultra private.

Jacqui Rowland-Smith, of Di Jones Lower North Shore-Mosman, is preparing for a March 2 auction.