Project Of The Week
Decorating
Interior Design
A Love of Blue Inspires a Stunning Penthouse Redesign
These Sydneysiders were ready to give their huge apartment some pizzazz, with luxe touches and their favourite blue
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation, redesign or new build each week. Here, Alix Helps, principal and creative director at Alix Helps Interiors, shares the journey of adding luxury and refinement to a couple’s sprawling new split-level apartment, taking inspiration from their spectacular harbour view.
How would you describe this apartment?
It’s a timeless, contemporary split-level penthouse with spacious living areas and generous outdoor balconies.
What was it like when you came onboard?
Tired and outdated finishes were the only things holding it back. It had timeless architectural features and uninterrupted harbour views, which guaranteed a stunning transformation.
It’s a timeless, contemporary split-level penthouse with spacious living areas and generous outdoor balconies.
What was it like when you came onboard?
Tired and outdated finishes were the only things holding it back. It had timeless architectural features and uninterrupted harbour views, which guaranteed a stunning transformation.
Kitchen and living area before works.
What wasn’t working for the client?
This was to be their new pied-à-terre, having left behind their big old family home. They wanted to be able to create a relaxed home that could accommodate family gatherings and visiting friends.
All the bathrooms needed an upgrade and the kitchen needed a full refurb to create practical spaces with some wow factor.
Interested to see what’s possible with your apartment? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
What wasn’t working for the client?
This was to be their new pied-à-terre, having left behind their big old family home. They wanted to be able to create a relaxed home that could accommodate family gatherings and visiting friends.
All the bathrooms needed an upgrade and the kitchen needed a full refurb to create practical spaces with some wow factor.
Interested to see what’s possible with your apartment? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Kitchen before works.
What was your brief?
Our client wanted to give the home a contemporary upgrade with elements of relaxed luxury that was sensitive to the original architectural intent.
What were the client’s must-haves?
What was your brief?
Our client wanted to give the home a contemporary upgrade with elements of relaxed luxury that was sensitive to the original architectural intent.
What were the client’s must-haves?
- Herringbone flooring.
- A beautiful kitchen with an elevated level of design and finish.
- Improved storage and well-designed spaces that would be a pleasure to live in and maintain.
Kitchen after works.
Tell us about the new kitchen
There weren’t too many options for a change of layout, so it was really about creating a design that had some contemporary flair and maximised every centimetre of storage.
The design process was a wonderful collaboration between us and our client to weave in everything on their wish list and bring about a little magic with the fittings and fixtures.
Tell us about the new kitchen
There weren’t too many options for a change of layout, so it was really about creating a design that had some contemporary flair and maximised every centimetre of storage.
The design process was a wonderful collaboration between us and our client to weave in everything on their wish list and bring about a little magic with the fittings and fixtures.
One of the resident chefs confessed to being a bit of a messy cook, so we all agreed that an easy-care composite stone benchtop was the way to go.
The Super White stone from Talostone on the island bench and splashback had just the characteristics we needed to enhance the scheme, and it provides some lightness and balance to the timber tones in the room.
The Super White stone from Talostone on the island bench and splashback had just the characteristics we needed to enhance the scheme, and it provides some lightness and balance to the timber tones in the room.
We specified the Scandal pendant from Articolo over the island bench. Handcrafted from artisanal glass with metalwork in a mid bronze, this slim silhouette brought an understated glamour to the kitchen.
Hardware from Joseph Giles adding elements of timeless elegance to the joinery.
Hardware from Joseph Giles adding elements of timeless elegance to the joinery.
What was your scope of works?
- We did the design and specification of the kitchen and pantry, barbecue area, laundry, study, guest bathroom, master suite, including walk- through wardrobe and ensuite.
- Full specification of finishes, fixtures and equipment throughout, including furniture in certain areas.
Living area after works.
Where did most of the AU$600,000 budget go?
On custom joinery.
Did you make structural changes?
No, aside from adding a fireplace in the main living space.
Where did most of the AU$600,000 budget go?
On custom joinery.
Did you make structural changes?
No, aside from adding a fireplace in the main living space.
What look and feel did you want to create?
We wanted to evoke a sense of relaxed luxury that embraced the water views in this wonderful part of Sydney.
Functional and liveable was the practical intent. We also sought to inject a sense of everyday luxury and a contemporary aesthetic.
We wanted to evoke a sense of relaxed luxury that embraced the water views in this wonderful part of Sydney.
Functional and liveable was the practical intent. We also sought to inject a sense of everyday luxury and a contemporary aesthetic.
What was your thinking behind the colour and materials?
It would have been hard not to be inspired by the water views and expanse of harbour and sky just outside the home.
It would have been hard not to be inspired by the water views and expanse of harbour and sky just outside the home.
What was your thinking behind the rich blues?
Our client loves blue. We were in no doubt that we needed to incorporate blues into the scheme and found this to be the common thread throughout the project.
Our client loves blue. We were in no doubt that we needed to incorporate blues into the scheme and found this to be the common thread throughout the project.
Stairway leading to the main bedroom suite.
What challenges did you have to work around?
Some fairly strict adherence to strata meant that our original choice of fireplace wouldn’t fly. However, the redesign brought about an outcome that we’re all thrilled with.
What challenges did you have to work around?
Some fairly strict adherence to strata meant that our original choice of fireplace wouldn’t fly. However, the redesign brought about an outcome that we’re all thrilled with.
Main bedroom before works.
What are the defining features of the apartment now?
What are the defining features of the apartment now?
- Herringbone flooring throughout.
- Highlight windows that let light pour into the space and floor-to-ceiling glass inviting views of the harbour beyond.
- An elegant main bedroom suite and bathrooms that add a touch of five-star hotel luxury for our well-travelled client.
- A comfortable, contemporary design that suits the space and our client’s lifestyle.
Main bedroom after works.
Why do you think the home now works so well?
The neutral palette with hints of blue plays well to the harbour views. Devising some fuss-free joinery profiles has allowed the building’s architecture to shine through.
Why do you think the home now works so well?
The neutral palette with hints of blue plays well to the harbour views. Devising some fuss-free joinery profiles has allowed the building’s architecture to shine through.
Ensuite before works.
Materials and finishes
Materials and finishes
- Precision Flooring tongue and groove Eterno Grande engineered flooring, which was custom-coloured to work with the existing window frames.
- Polytec Steccawood in Florentine Walnut on the kitchen island.
- Talostone Super White and Arctic White on the kitchen benchtops and splashback.
Ensuite after works.
- Christopher Farr Hemp vinyl wallpaper in Cobalt behind the bed.
- Mokum South Beach fabric in Sapphire on the custom bedhead.
- Earp Bros Minnesota Moka Noa feature tiles in the guest bathroom.
- Earp Bros Luke Blanco wall tiles on the other walls in the guest bathroom.
- Earp Bros Roden Perla Matt floor tiles in the ensuite, guest bathroom and laundry.
- Earp Bros Domo Perla wall tiles in the ensuite.
- Skheme Dito glazed mosaic feature tiles in the ensuite and laundry.
Furniture
- Satara New York bar stools in the kitchen.
- Cosh Living dining table.
- Cosh Living outdoor table and chairs.
- HG Furniture Solutions blue Isabella armchair in the living room.
- HG Furniture Solutions custom-designed bedhead.
- The Rug Establishment rug in the living room.
- Armadillo rug in the main bedroom.
Guest bathroom before works.
Paint colours
Paint colours
- Dulux Dieskau in the kitchen.
- Dulux Pacific Line on the custom joinery in the dining room.
- Interior walls in in Dulux Grey Pebble quarter strength.
Guest bathroom after works.
Why did you choose to paint the balcony wall in rust?
Serendipity! We colour-matched the strata-approved exterior colours from the rest of the building and it worked with our selections beautifully.
Serendipity! We colour-matched the strata-approved exterior colours from the rest of the building and it worked with our selections beautifully.
Your turn
What’s your favourite part of this makeover? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Eager to see another amazing home? Check out this Lifestyle Lift: A Century-Old Home Now Made for Entertaining
What’s your favourite part of this makeover? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Eager to see another amazing home? Check out this Lifestyle Lift: A Century-Old Home Now Made for Entertaining
Who lives here: A downsizing couple who moved from a family home in Killara, NSW
Location: McMahons Point, NSW
Apartment size: 332 square metres
Bedrooms and bathrooms: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Budget: Around AU$600,000
Interior designer: Alix Helps at Alix Helps Interiors
Builder: Jim Wilson Constructions
Joinery: Chris Sullman at CRS Joinery
How did you use Houzz for this project?
Our client found us on Houzz.
How did Houzz Pro software help?
We presented all the fixtures, finishes and equipment via the Proposals tool on Houzz Pro, which allowed our client to see images and understand all of the details for each product proposed. I love how this tool simplifies the approval process and allows us to move ahead quickly and efficiently with procurement.