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      Australiaโ€™s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
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The fabulous QT Sydney Hotel, where you can drink, dine and sleep in serious style

By Jen Bishop โ€ข

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It’s official. I have a new favourite place in the CBD: the QT Sydney Hotel. Come to think of it, there aren’t many places I love in the city so that makes this even more exciting. The QT is my idea of the ultimate in design, atmosphere and comfort. I want to move in!

QT Sydney lobby
QT Sydney lobby

I was lucky enough to have a tour last week, but I’d already visited the bar and restaurant (Gowings) a couple of times. It’s like nowhere else I’ve ever been. I’ve stayed at a number of 4 and 5 star hotels and frankly, despite the quality and comfort, their cookie cutter beige-ness is always a bit predictable and disappointing. But this? This is something else!

The history and original features certainly help. QT, slap bang in the middle of the CBD and a stone’s throw from shopper’s paradise Westfield (and even closer to Topshop), melds together two of Sydney’s most prominent buildings: the State Theatre and the old Gowings department store. The amount of care and skill that has gone into weaving together these two buildings and preserving their historic features (some because they had to and some because they wanted to) is impressive. And this adds a whole extra layer of uniqueness that you simply couldn’t design.

Almost all the furniture is bespoke (QT Collection) but many of the decorator pieces have been brought in from around the world and even local op shops. There’s not a hint of beige, rather Yves Klein blue, magenta and citron. It’s dark in a good, cosy, dramatic way. Much of the art, curated by Amanda Love, is digital (some with its own soundtrack).

The rooms are all very different, in fact there are 12 different room styles. Those in the State Theatre side have bowler hat lamps and exclusively designed rugs and carpets. In the Gowings side, there’s a more bright and airy feel. There are dark stone bathrooms (three different styles of bath available, VERY exciting for a bath connoisseur like myself) with exclusive Uspa toiletries and super soft imported bath robes. They’re nothing like your average hotel room. Beds are often not pushed back against walls, for example, and they have so much personality you must surely be in a very stylish friend’s guest room? The Nespresso machines and ingredients for espresso martinis, iPod docking stations and free wi-fi (more hotels could learn from this) all add to the experience.

And it’s the little things that make an impact at QT. When you get in the lift, it senses how many people and adjusts the music playing accordingly, from All By Myself to Just the Two Us, for example. Love it. Then there’s the iPhone app which links guest to their own personal concierge service from the moment they book, allowing them to plan their perfect trip in advance.

Gowings Bar & Grill

But if you can’t afford to stay here (rooms start from $380 for non-members) or you live in Sydney and don’t really have an excuse to, there’s still plenty to be enjoyed as a non-resident. Gowings Bar & Grill does a mean steak. It would also be a great central spot for breakfast or coffee. And the cocktails are pretty special. I can vouch for the surprisingly excellent Ghost of Mary (jalapeno and bacon infused Eristoff Vodka, celery bitters, bacon salt and pickled veg). Upstairs is another, altogether more cosy and inviting bar called the Gilt Lounge, which is open until 2am. For something a little more casual, there’s also Parlour Lane Roasters on the ground floor, a cafe come day and a bustling aperitivo bar from late afternoon into the evening. There really is something for everyone.

The Gilt Lounge, open until 2am
The Gilt Lounge, open until 2am

The staff are uber cool and very obliging. They either look like hipsters or rockstars. Most of the women wear lipstick and most of the man wear tattoos. As a perpetual lippie-wearer, I LOVE that. I couldn’t work here, that’s for sure. I’m so not cool enough!

Then there’s the amazing SpaQ. Again, nothing cookie cutter about this hotel spa. Instead ofย deciding on your treatment when making a booking, you simply lock in the time and date and then customise your treatment when you arrive. Lovely. And there’s a Hammam-inspired steam room and ice fountain , relaxation lounge and more. For the boys there’s the much-talked-about barber shop where you can get an old school cut throat shave or a beard trim (prices start from $45).

QT is the design lover’s DREAM HOTEL. I fear it has ruined all future hotels for me because they’re just not going to match up. The good news is, you can take a piece of it home with you thanks to Qtique. Described as “a carefully curated collection that showcases hand-sourced pieces that will become talking points for designer homes and designer clad bodies,” it offers the opportunity to buy the kind of things you’d have in your home if it looked anything like QT Sydney, which it never will, because quite frankly, this place is beyond your wildest dreams, and that’s the best bit. You can recreate your average, beige, 4.5-star hotel room in your own home. It’s standard, easy on the eye, non-offensive guest room stuff. But THIS? You have no chance. So I suggest you find a reason to go along and treat yourself and soon!

QT Sydney, Market Street, Sydney 2000.

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January 24, 2013

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There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We f There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We finally knocked out our 60s brown tile back step and replaced it with a smaller grey one made from @trexcompany Island Mist decking to match our deck (that went in 4.5 years ago) and now painted brick exterior. Making the step smaller allowed us to add in an additional manhole under the back door too to allow easier access under the house at the back. And we made a cover for that too (final slide) using Trex. I say "we" but I really mean our handyman ๐Ÿ˜‰ One plank was enough for both jobs. Why we didn't do this ages ago I do not know but it's done now! ๐Ÿ˜ Installed with @trexrainescape to ensure it stays dry and lasts!

Disclosure: Plank of Trex decking was gifted. I paid for the handyman.

#backstep #doorstep #deck #decking #deckdesign #deckideas #compositedecking #trex #trexdecking #greydecking

Mat from @doormatau
Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I fir Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I first came to Australia in my 20s, it's where I headed to buy everything I needed for my first apartment at an incredible price! And I've loved watching the range get more and more impressive over the years as my knowledge of furniture has increased. I had no idea how extensive their Aussie Made sofa range was though. I'd love you to check out the options via link in bio as I think you'll be impressed! I think we have a renewed appreciation for Aussie Made and supporting local manufacturing and jobs and this is a great success story. We love a bit of high low decorating, and turns out Fantastic Furniture is a great place to find your family lounge, a special accent chair, an extra ottoman for occasional seating and so much more. 

#fantasticfurniture #aussiemade #australianfurniture #FindyourFantastic #FantasticFamily #affordablehomewares #affordablefurniture #custommadesofa #custommadelounges #australianhomes #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Please don't show my boys this room or they'll wan Please don't show my boys this room or they'll want one like it!

How gorgeous is this Brisbane kids' bedroom?! 

@brittwhitestudio worked closely with the boys (aged 7 and 9) to understand their needs with a bespoke bunk bed solution crafted by BRC Cabinets, featuring ample storage as well as an under-stair hidey-hole, a useful reading nook for books and a built-in charger for electronics. Local craftsmen Emmettโ€™s Ropes designed and hand-tied the ropework on the top bunk and the supporting pillar beneath.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see and read more!

#bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #bunkbeds #bespokebunkbeds #custommadebunkbeds #sharedbedroom #sharedbedroomforkids #boysroominspo #boysroomdecor #junglebedroom #kidsroomstyle #kidsroomstyling #childrensrooms #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #brittwhitestudio #highriseliving #apartmentlifestyle #penthouses #apartmentlivingwithkids #newsteadbrisbane 

Pix by @joebrosnan.photo
Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

#duluxcolour #duluxpaint #duluxaus #duluxcolourawards #duluxcolourawards2023 #moodykitchen #allwhitekitchen #designerkitchen #sagekitchen #boldkitchen #colourfulkitchen #colouredkitchen #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount
We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #australianwallart #australianwallpaper #wallmurals #wallpapermural #wallpapermurals #wallpapereddoor #digitalwallpaper #digitallyprintedwallpaper #customwallpaper #wallpaperaesthetic #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaustralia #grafico #graficowallcoverings #melbournebusiness #melbournesmallbusiness #openhomesaustralia #theblock #becdouros
Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed ๐Ÿฅฐ
Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before ๐Ÿ˜‚

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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Comments

  1. Avatarlynda gardener says

    January 24, 2013 at 8:56 am

    what a great space and place….next visit to sydney i think!!! x LOVE IT!

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 24, 2013 at 10:15 am

      Lyn, you will DIE! You’ll absolutely adore it! x

  2. AvatarJo says

    January 24, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Wow, wow, wow!! I didn’t know hotels like this existed. Certainly raises the bar

  3. AvatarKt says

    January 24, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    I love QT!
    We just recently held my husbands 30th in the Gilt Lounge and it was fantastic… so good to have a trendy boutique hotel like this is Sydney!

  4. AvatarCarina Vincent says

    January 24, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    I love this blog… The QT is very cool looking. I will pop by when in Sydney next week. Thanks, I wouldn’t have known otherwise.

  5. AvatarLynda @HomeleaLass says

    January 24, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    I agree with you – I’m so over beige cookie-cutter hotel rooms. And I think the hotels think we want rooms with no personality.

    Next time I’m in Sydney I’m going to be staying here, I’ve just got to see for myself! Thanks for the great review.

  6. AvatarKate Barnes says

    January 25, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    I’ve been to Gowings and enjoyed it, but was great to hear about the rooms and other super cool perks! Gonna need a reason for an overnight stay methinks! Finally, Sydney has a funky design hotel that can compete with those we lust over in New York and London and elsewhere abroad.

  7. AvatarCMH openedpackage.com says

    January 26, 2013 at 2:37 am

    Amazing! I want to stay there!

  8. Avatardecor fan says

    January 26, 2013 at 5:50 am

    Wow love the barbershop!! Uber cool

  9. AvatarEmilia says

    January 28, 2013 at 9:25 am

    I worked with John Gowing many moons ago and met his father when he was still alive and they were all such a conservative lot and i wonder what they would think of their beloved old Gowings building having been turned into this funky state of the art place!! Love the transformation, it’s just incredible.

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 28, 2013 at 11:27 am

      I reckon they would love it! ๐Ÿ™‚

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