Houzz Tour: A Relaxed Apartment Full of Warm Tones and Natural Textures
Copper, marble, wood and bare brick come together to make this city flat an effortlessly cool space
Perfectly located near Sydney’s Bondi Beach, this apartment has been designed to make living as a single person very easy-going. Daniel Defino was the interior stylist behind the two-bedroom home, and worked closely with the owner and Alex Phegan of architecture firm ess, who also did the interior design, to ensure it met expectations.
The living room opens onto a small courtyard, which is a real bonus for the homeowner. Once you pass this area and step into the home, it’s easy to see the masculine influence in the décor, with exposed brick, marble and metal teamed with dark-toned fabrics.
An open-plan living area includes the kitchen, dining and living zones. Defino and the homeowner are both fans of midcentury modern pieces mixed with industrial style, and this has been reflected in the choice of furnishings. The grey felt sofa by Jonathan Adler is referred to as the ‘relax chair’ by Defino. This, together with an original Tessa T21 Swivel – which he had reupholstered in a single piece of tan leather – and the Arco floor lamp, perfectly represents the style of the midcentury era.
The artwork above the sofa is from Aquabumps. ‘The colour palette used in the rest of the apartment is inspired by this piece, with greys, browns, greens and blues popping up around the home,’ says Defino.
Coffee table, Bludot.
The artwork above the sofa is from Aquabumps. ‘The colour palette used in the rest of the apartment is inspired by this piece, with greys, browns, greens and blues popping up around the home,’ says Defino.
Coffee table, Bludot.
Further inside, the kitchen is a simple, modern design, with American oak cabinets by ess. The repetition of Carrara marble tiles laid in a herringbone pattern, used in both the kitchen and the bathroom, helps tie all the spaces together. Black tapware adds to the sleek look in here.
Cocktail shaker, Tom Dixon.
Cocktail shaker, Tom Dixon.
One of the biggest challenges Defino faced with the styling was finding the right dining table for the homeowner. It was harder than anticipated to track down a simple marble-top design. ‘We came up with the idea of having a beautiful elliptical Carrara marble tabletop sitting on copper legs,’ he says.
He bought a 4 x 3m slab of Carrara marble, which was then cut perfectly into shape and finished with a fine pencil edge. Defino also used this slab for the bedside tables in the guest bedroom, and the dressing area in the main bedroom.
He bought a 4 x 3m slab of Carrara marble, which was then cut perfectly into shape and finished with a fine pencil edge. Defino also used this slab for the bedside tables in the guest bedroom, and the dressing area in the main bedroom.
‘The issue was that we needed legs strong enough to hold the 100kg of stone above it,’ Defino continues. ‘I ended up finding a pair of 1960s Australian-made commercial steel table legs in a small metalwork factory in Sydenham.
‘The next step was to get the legs electroplated in copper and put it all together. This was a true labour of love, with the finished product being a unique, bespoke piece I wanted to keep for myself,’ he says. He matched it with 1960s Danish Parker chairs, reupholstered in grey felt.
‘The next step was to get the legs electroplated in copper and put it all together. This was a true labour of love, with the finished product being a unique, bespoke piece I wanted to keep for myself,’ he says. He matched it with 1960s Danish Parker chairs, reupholstered in grey felt.
Down the hall, the guest bedroom is bright and open, with built-in cupboards and a generously sized window. Funky artwork is hung on the wall to inject some personality into the space without being overpowering.
One of Defino’s favourite pieces in here is the bedside lamp by artist Vincent Buret, which sits on top of the table the stylist designed. ‘Using copper piping bent into shape, the lamps have a real industrial feel about them, and the tables use the same copper piping set into a triangular top,’ Defino says.
See 11 essential elements for a calm bedroom
See 11 essential elements for a calm bedroom
The master bedroom is quite spacious, and the exposed brick continues along this wall from the hallway. Carrara marble, which features throughout the home, has been used on the worktop in the dressing area.
Qlock Two, MAD & Associates. Coat stand, BoConcept.
Qlock Two, MAD & Associates. Coat stand, BoConcept.
This dressing area was incorporated into the built-in wardrobe joinery by ess. It provides an extra space to get ready when the bathroom is otherwise occupied.
An alligator-print fur blanket from Ivy Lane adds soft, warm texture to the king-size bed. Defino custom-designed the headboard and rug.
Bursts of colour are found in the row of beachside photos by Aquabumps, which sit above the bed. The artworks remind the homeowner of the natural beauty that lies just down the road.
Bursts of colour are found in the row of beachside photos by Aquabumps, which sit above the bed. The artworks remind the homeowner of the natural beauty that lies just down the road.
The contemporary bathroom features two wall-mounted units – one is fitted with a basin and tap and the other provides extra storage and a worktop for the soap and hand towels.
Discover ways to give your bathroom a dash of designer style
Discover ways to give your bathroom a dash of designer style
‘The home suits the owner to a T,’ Defino says. ‘It’s cool, contemporary and clutter-free, allowing for a relaxed lifestyle while being a great place to entertain and chill.’
TELL US…
What do you think of this smart apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of this smart apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A single man in his mid-30s
Location Bondi, Sydney
Designer Daniel Defino
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
The design process started in November 2014, and was completed in 2015.