Every once in a while we stumble across a home that we can only describe with one word — unique. With a dusty green entryway and yellow exterior, this Art Deco apartment renovation is anything but cliche, and we love it!
Read on as we explore this stunning space with Studio Quarters’ Interior Designers Theresa Chan and Janice Yim.
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The North Bondi Project was all about transforming a 2-bedroom apartment into a beachside residence that defies convention.
“The brief was to renovate and furnish an Art Deco apartment in North Bondi. The aim was to creating a relaxed, beachside feel — a place for our busy client to unwind,” says Theresa.
“The scope included new joinery, renovating the bathroom, new furnishings, window coverings, general paint and flooring.
“We wanted to avoid the typical cliché commonly associated with beachside living — fresh, white with soft timber and whitewashed treatments throughout. Instead, we chose to embrace the natural characteristics of the space.
“The entry is moody and dark with no natural lighting. Rather than paint it white, we chose to embrace the moodiness and introduce the green reflecting the ocean hues, immersing the space in one single colour.”
Janice and Theresa were ready for the challenge of a contemporary update.
“Our approach is always driven by the client and the site’s surroundings,” says Janice.
“It’s very site specific and we utilise the aspect and existing features of the home.
“There were no structural changes to the project and there was nothing we had to keep. However, we chose to retain existing features such as the beautiful Art Deco door architraves, skirtings and curved ceiling cornices.
“It’s always exciting to see a transformation and compare what was, to the outcome.
“We chose to retain these features as it helps tell a story and acknowledges the past while designing for the present.”
The dusty green truly is a unique feature that draws the eye, but it’s not the only colourful part of the home.
“We feel it is important to reflect the client’s taste and lifestyle which is what we always refer to when designing spaces,” says Janice.
“We selected the dusty green in the entry as it drew reference to the site’s location and brought the ocean hues into the home. The colour was applied consistently to create impact without being overpowering.”
The dusty green creates impact and the element of surprise.
“The same idea was applied in the bedrooms which were also in the darker part of the home. A cocooning grey was selected and applied to embrace the natural qualities,” says Theresa.
“The external building colour is yellow. We love the sunshine yellow as it is the perfect backdrop to the all-white living space, directly adjoining the courtyard.”
The one room that’s surprisingly free of colour is the living room.
“From the entry, the living room is visible and the natural light draws you to the back of the home. The sudden brightness and opening living areas is a stark contrast to the entry and bedrooms,” says Janice.
“If you’re thinking of going for a white living room, we would suggest playing with textures and finishes. Mix hard surfaces with soft furnishings, matt finishes with high gloss or reflective surfaces,” says Theresa.
“Texture and pattern are also important to add warmth and interest. Whether it’s a plush velvet cushion or earthy ceramics, the subtle incorporation adds layers and detail.”
Styling — Claire Delmar
Photography — Prue Ruscoe
We’d like to thank Theresa and Janice for taking us through this Art Deco apartment renovation. You can find more of their projects at the Studio Quarters website or keep up to date with their latest projects on Instagram. What’s your favourite part of this project? What did you think of the green entryway? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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