Claire Perini founded Composition after a self-guided architectural tour of Europe — visiting antique dealers, gallery bookstores and the built work of modernist pioneers. She came back with a specific ambition: to bring a rigorously curated design offer to an Australian market she felt was underserved. The result is a showroom at 45a Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, open Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 17:00 and on weekends from 10:00 to 16:00.
Composition is built around four areas of focus, and the way they sit together is what makes a visit feel different from a standard antique browse. The Artefact strand covers original vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces. Object sits alongside it, introducing new products with a clear design rationale. Together they give the floor a mix of the rare and the considered — things chosen because they belong, not because they fill space.
The Print section is unusually strong for a showroom this size. Curated architectural literature, rare books and lithographic art make up a genuinely distinctive offer that appeals well beyond the typical antique shopper. Design professionals, architecture students and book collectors will find it worth the trip on its own. Few places in Sydney combine this kind of printed material with the physical objects that surround it here.
Perini's sourcing spans Scandinavian and Western European mid-century classics, alongside pieces from labels based in Denmark, Italy and France. Some stock draws reference from ancient history, which gives the range depth without losing the modernist discipline at the core. Australian artisans appear throughout, and Perini maintains a commitment to local sourcing alongside the international offer. The stock evolves, and that combination of periods and origins gives collectors a genuine reason to return.
Composition has grown into something larger than a retail space. The showroom hosts events and collaborative product launches, and works regularly with stylists, architectural practices and other 20th-century specialists across Australia. Those connections have embedded it in Sydney's broader design conversation. For clients working on residential or commercial projects, Perini also offers an interior design consultancy, available by appointment — a practical extension of the same curatorial eye that shapes the showroom floor.
Avalon Beach sits roughly 50 kilometres north of Sydney's CBD, and reaching it takes some planning. The nearest bus stop, Avalon Pde at Old Barrenjoey Rd, is approximately 84 metres from the showroom and serves buses 191 and 192. Further stops on Barrenjoey Road — around 220 metres away — add routes 190X and 199. There is no rail connection to this part of the Northern Beaches, so a bus from the city or driving from nearby suburbs are the realistic approaches. The journey suits anyone making a day of the Northern Beaches rather than a quick visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is Composition located, and how do I get there without a car?
A: The showroom is at 45a Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, on Sydney's Northern Beaches — roughly 50 kilometres north of the CBD. There is no train line to this part of the Northern Beaches. The nearest bus stop on Avalon Parade is approximately 84 metres away and serves routes 191 and 192; stops on Barrenjoey Road, around 220 metres away, add routes 190X and 199. Check current timetables before travelling, as services to Avalon Beach are less frequent than inner-city routes.
Q: What kinds of things does Composition stock?
A: The showroom works across four areas: original vintage and one-of-a-kind artefacts, new design-focused objects, an interior consultancy strand, and a notably strong print offer covering curated architectural literature, rare books and lithographic art. Sourcing spans Scandinavian and Western European mid-century classics alongside pieces from Danish, Italian and French labels, work by Australian artisans, and objects with references to ancient history. Stock rotates, so return visits are worth making.
Q: Is Composition worth visiting for books and prints alone?
A: Yes. The Print section is unusually substantial for a showroom of this size and draws design professionals, architecture students and book collectors independently of the vintage objects on the floor. If curated architectural literature and lithographic art are your primary interest, it stands on its own as a destination.
Q: What are the opening hours?
A: Composition is open Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 17:00 and on weekends from 10:00 to 16:00. Confirm current hours directly with the showroom before making a dedicated trip, particularly for public holidays.
Q: Does Composition offer anything beyond browsing and buying?
A: Director Claire Perini offers an interior design consultancy for residential and commercial projects, available by appointment. The showroom also hosts events and collaborative product launches, and works with stylists and architectural practices around Australia — so it functions as a design studio as much as a retail space.
Add a review