We are fortunate in having been in the business for so many years. As clients outgrow their family homes, we have been commissioned to design several new downsized homes, as well as to work on their grown up children’s first homes.

 

A case in point is this recently completed Rose Bay apartment. Initially commissioned to gut and refurbish this tired 70s ground floor apartment with a large courtyard, we soon realised their 25-year-old furniture would have looked tired and cumbersome in their new streamlined apartment. This enabled us to adopt a holistic approach to the architecture and interior, with the commission growing to encompass most of the furniture, carpets, cushions, lighting, curtains, and objet d’art, all sourced across Australia.

 

Key to the success, and central to the design and client’s love of cooking and entertaining, was opening up the enclosed kitchen area to incorporate a casual dining space to the living /dining room. The new structural column is embellished with grey textural mosaic tiles, offset by a strong horizontal storage and display element hovering above the central island. The original glazed dining alcove has been converted into an atmospheric ‘raffles’ style sun room, complete with rattan furniture and planters, which has become our clients’ favourite space. 

 

The open island was carefully detailed to incorporate what we call a ‘modesty panel’, hiding the sink area adjacent to the entry. A new light oak timber floating floor replaced the old tiled floors, unifying and visually enlarging the space. This bright, white and open space is anchored by a linear piece of floating custom oak joinery across the entire length of the living/dining space, anchored by a charcoal and bronze flecked grass-cloth wallpapered wall. A new signature artwork, depicting leaves in blues and greys, set the colour tone for the entire space. Black accents are introduced with the lights, framed mirror and dining pendant light. Gauzy full height curtains soften the space, while creating a cosy atmosphere at night in the winter months. The refurbished laundry, previously accessed externally or via the public entry lobby, was directly connected to the unit, with a new opening from the adjacent bathroom.

 

The interior reflects a sleek Scandinavian aesthetic, curated for its simple timeless quality. Our clients were so pleased and respectful of our professional input, that, just before completion, we were given a budget to furnish the entry hall, with us installing and revealing our sight-unseen selections at the end of the project. Their great and positive energy pervades the entire home.