This gorgeous two-level Art Deco apartment in a block of eight in Sydney’s Clovelly has been fully restored with just the right mix of modern and character.
“My client Maria, a sassy single mum of twin daughters, arrived from New York with nothing apart from her quirky wardrobe collection of bright bold fashion and accessories. I also had photos of her art collection, that was en route via airfreight, to work with,” says interior designer Denby Dowling.
It’s a two-bedroom apartment with a study, which is currently a third bedroom/TV room. The brief was to totally reinvent the apartment so that the Art Deco heritage shone through.
“A construction company was engaged to renovate and restore the façade and foyer of the run-down art deco block. Whilst the exterior and foyer were done quite well, with modern Art Deco ‘shimmers’, the apartments were bland. Think red timber floors with a blend of white on the walls and grey used on the ‘Hamptons’ style kitchen cabinets. Nothing worked visually; instead it all competed against each other, making everything look out of place/context.”
Denby took great pleasure in changing just about everything apart from the stair rail, which was the only item that paid homage to Art Deco.
“We sanded back the floors, painted the walls in varying bright colours to anchor Maria’s art collection, used varying Art Deco inspired wallpapers throughout, replaced daggy light fittings with Art Deco brass and bronze ceiling, wall and floor lights from Visual Comfort Lighting & Montauk Lighting. We had two custom day beds commissioned, and the huge velvet Catherine Martin curtains were the icing on the cake!”
The biggest difference came from the creation of practical and functional zones through the clever use of furniture placement and the custom designed Art Deco inspired cabinetry and furniture pieces. “The large unit in the living room along with the kitchen island reflect each other and contribute to the result of a contemporary Art Deco scheme,” Denby adds,
The biggest bargain was made by re-upholstering Maria’s existing dining chairs that came off the boat from New York.
Denby describes the end result as a contemporary Art Deco triumph! “The living spaces are the most layered and interesting. I love to design spaces that continue to cause curiosity; playful spaces that you never get tired of, full of little jewels, much loved objects that catch your eye and make you smile. Maria’s art collection is to die for!”
She is particularly proud of what she achieved in Maria’s bedroom, taking a black and white room that felt like an office to an oasis of pink and green palms that Maria looks up to each morning, thanks to covering the ceiling in Catherine Martin wallpaper!
Suppliers and trades:
- Paint: Dulux and Porters Paints.
- Painting and papering by DNA Decorators.
- Wallpapers and fabrics from Radford Furnishings.
- Wallpapers from Annandale Paint & Paper.
- Fabrics from Verve Designer Collections.
- Custom Cabinetry by Florida Design.
- Curtains and cushions by Katkaloo Design.
- Visual Comfort Lighting from Laura Kincade.
- Additional lighting from Montauk Lighting.
- Bathroom fixtures and fittings by Sussex through Reece.
- Rugs from Designer Rugs
- Custom made couches by COLBY Furniture.
- Trades: King Build Group
Photography: Amanda Prior
