A FORMER CARETAKERS RESIDENCE ON POTTS POINT’S POSH SPRINGFIELD AVENUE IS NOW AN ENTERTAINER’S DREAM.
What a fun project to work on! We met our client who keeps this pocket sized pied-à-terre right in the middle of the vibrant Potts Point neighbourhood. Potts Point holds Australia’s largest collection of Art Deco architecture and is a beautiful neighbourhood to walk through and take in beautiful period architecture properties.
The apartment, perched as the penthouse atop ‘The Vanderbilt,’ an all white neo-classical Art Deco treasure, was formerly the building caretaker’s residence. With petite proportions (and some missed out spatial planning opportunities, the apartment was ready for a renaissance. We worked closely with our client and trades to transform the entirety of the apartment from the kitchen to the bathrooms and furnishings. The result is a space that delights our client and is an entertaining haven.
A BEFORE & AFTER TRANSFORMATION THAT TAKES OUR BREATH AWAY
We started our design works in the kitchen- our client was a keen cook and entertainer and the current kitchen was leaving much to be desired in terms of space, storage and a welcoming atmosphere for guests. We carved into the unused roof space to extend and wrap the kitchen bench for additional preparation space. A slim integrated fridge freezer sits opposite an appliance cupboard, allowing for the bench tops to be kept clear.
One of the biggest triumphs of this kitchen design was the reclaiming of the previously unused study nook, which now serves as a well stocked walk in pantry. How good are these labeled storage jars? I love how the curved timber shelves wrap around this space. A small upturned lip at the front of the shelves ensure the jars don’t tip over the edge.
The kitchen island was revamped in a square shape to better suit the available floorspace. An Apparatus Studio ‘Cloud’ Pendant takes centre stage alongside bold bookmatched Calcutta Oro marble that wraps the bench tops, backsplash and rangehood. The island’s base is a stained American Oak with a fluted profile- perfect for a timeless take on Art Deco.
THIS BATHROOM FEELS BRIGHT & SPACIOUS THANKS TO A ENLIGHTENED MAKEOVER
The main bathroom was next for a refresh. We kept all the plumbing in place to save on construction costs, but replaced everything within the space. Due to the need for a corner shower in the small space, we replaced the aluminium framed shower stall with a solid wall with an arched walkway trimmed in steel. A marble topped hob ledge ensures the water stays in the shower in the open shower space. A new vanity with floating marble towel shelf creates a holistic nod to the kitchen island design ensuring the overall apartment has a unique but cohesive aesthetic. I absolutely adore these Thomas O’Brien wall vanity lights. They give off the most perfect soft warm glow.
“Adding to that sense of understated luxury, Jillian created unexpected moments of delights with one-of-a-kind inclusions, whether it be the imported lighting, handmade tiles, custom steel shower door or vintage pieces.”
- Sitchu Sydney
We replaced the aluminium framed shower stall with a solid wall with an arched walkway trimmed in steel. A marble topped hob ledge ensures the water stays in the shower in the open shower space.
PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER- CARRYING THE LOOK THROUGHOUT
One of the most common questions I hear about home design is how to ensure the materials and selections made are carried through the home in a way that feels natural and holistic without feeling too matchy-matchy or basic. It’s a very fine line to strike the perfect balance, and this is a primary intention of our Concept Design process- an opportunity to define an overarching look that gets tweaked and stretched to ensure there are spaces that diverge and delight, but in a complimentary way.
Stay tuned to see how we incorporated the look and feel of these spaces into a second phase of works at this apartment- the primary bedroom and ensuite, which holds the key design aesthetic from the rest of the apartment, but also takes some risks!
THERE’S MORE TO COME. STAY TUNED FOR OUR BEDROOM AND ENSUITE REVEAL.
Photography by Pablo Veiga