For some, a sanctuary-like home may conjure up ideas of cashmere-toned minimalism. For others, it all about being able to mix different design eras to create a tableau of loved-up, lived-in bliss that spells home. In fact, that is exactly the direction the owner of this Sydney apartment wanted to take: For him, a dream abode meant a refined, yet relaxed scheme, layered with art, colour and sumptuous fabrics and finishes.
It is little wonder then, that he called upon Sydney-based interior designer Tamsin Johnson, widely recognised for her astute eye which effortlessly combines bold hues with distinctive pieces, tactility and a sense of play.
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“He works hard and wanted somewhere he can escape to at the end of the day,” explains Johnson referring to her client’s brief. “He wanted a place that is low maintenance but collects design, art and other objects so we wanted to give the apartment a calm background to house those as well.”
The apartment is located in Potts Point, a Sydney suburb known for its creative scene and buzzing nightlife. The European city-feel of the area meant that any coastal style designs would feel completely out of place and Johnson was keen to open up more spaces, such as the wall in the kitchen, to increase light throughout. “I like to create interiors that feel very natural to their surroundings, but also things that feel like they haven't been designed,” she says.
The designer, who set up her practice in 2013, managed to rework the apartment, reimagining it from a three-bed to two (with a media room-slash-study), and creating an opulent feel with a smorgasbord of complementary styles. It is an art in itself to mix furniture pieces from different eras but Johnson manages it with aplomb. On entering the apartment, the living room, which leads onto a large terrace, sits in an open-plan space accessed through the dining area.
Its eclectic furnishing includes two bespoke blue mohair velvet banquettes – with scatter cushions made from Jim Thompson silk – on either side of the striking floor-to-ceiling fireplace, clad in American oak veneer and inspired by geometric artworks. “We have been clever with storage in other rooms, so here I wanted to create more seating for it to feel like a living space,” says Johnson. A 1970s wooden-framed armchair sits opposite a mid-century modern ‘Flowers’ seat, upholstered in yellow bouclé fabric. The earthy tones of the scheme is picked up in the 1960s table which plays host to 30s glassware. A pair of 1970s Italian wall lights add a delicate note and the yellow from the silk curtains is the recurring note throughout the apartment.
Johnson frequently scours Europe for vintage design and unique pieces for her projects which explains its continental leanings. “I import three or four shipments from Europe every year. I buy at French fairs but mainly Italy, with a little bit in Belgium and Spain,” she says.
The dining area, directly off the hallway, has a wide entrance with a yellow marble architrave that echoes that of the kitchen on the opposite side. The table was custom-made while the chairs were upholstered in silk moire fabric and the large artwork was already owned by the client.
As a keen cook, the client took particular interest in the kitchen. “He had quite a firm brief and wanted to be able to hide all the messy stuff but with maximum storage,” says Johnson.
The answer to that came in the form of a wall of cabinetry to help streamline the space. “Behind it there's a fridge, freezer, a little walk-in pantry, and a coffee station.” The grooved cabinetry was originally slated to be painted a chocolate brown but Johnson is glad she had a change of heart. “I love the red - it really stands out,” she says.
Yet another example of how the the client and creative collaborated to mix different design eras is in how successfully the kitchen island integrates into the space. The island acts as a gathering point for family and friends and is given an injection of luxury thanks to the Calacatta Viola marble which covers its surface, countertops and the range hood. Above the island is a 1930s Murano chandelier. “It is stunning and quite sizable,” says Johnson, who also created wall storage for wine.
The newly created media room has a sumptuous modular sofa with a tapestry base and is upholstered in chocolate-coloured mohair velvet.
“The joinery detail is similar to the living room and the curtains obviously follow through,” says Johnson. “It has a beautiful craftsman art coffee table and the pendant, which I love, is French, from the 1950s. It's like nothing I've seen before, but I feel like it was made for this space.”
The main bedroom is an oasis of calm with an airy feel enhanced by mirrored cabinetry. Again, yellow silk curtains add a burst of playfulness, balancing the blue linen bedding and brutalist stool. Fortunately, Johnson says, she didn’t have to coax the client into experimenting with colour. “He definitely was very trusting,” she adds. “He was very open to ideas and I think he wanted to push the boundaries a little bit too.” In the adjoining ensuite bathroom, with its Water Monopoly bathtub and Perrin and Rowe taps, the striking marble floor steals the show. “The pieces are all cut from different slabs, which was quite an extravagant approach, but the client was up for it,” says Johnson. Other pieces such as the 1940s Italian onyx mirror and the 1930s Murano wall lights add calm and elegance.
The space is enhanced further with thoughtful details like the niche in the wall next to the bathtub and marble shelves – two grey pieces sandwiched with a streak of yellow – in the shower. The guest bathroom has equally dynamic flooring and echoes the primary bath. “The details are similar but they do have their own design language,” says Johnson.
The renovation was completed in nine months but the look is of one which has gradually evolved over time, thanks in large part to the clever mix of furniture and furnishings.
“It's his forever home,” says Johnson. “His sanctuary, as I said, but he just wanted somewhere that still felt interesting as well and I am so pleased we achieved that for him.”
