It’s not often that we get to work with a blank canvas, but this new build and collaboration with Inarc Architects was just that. We were tasked with the complete interior planning – design, finishes and furniture selection for this three-level terrace in Fitzroy. Filled with natural light, a strong emphasis on entertaining, aspects to the outdoors and a connection to the garden were all requirements, but at the heart of this brief it was simply about creating a luxurious inner-city retreat for a couple downsizing from their home in Kew.
Custom joinery, materiality, texture and form are the key elements that combine to visually define and balance the spaces, while counteracting the narrow width and long open-plan of the building. From the entry, the home immediately reveals its richly layered mix of materials – ceramic tiles, mirror, steel mesh, fluted glass, terrazzo tiles, stone, light and dark timber veneers, timber-lined ceilings and oak floors.
A steel and glass cabinet screening the kitchen and dining secures its place as a decorative focal point while providing storage and filtered light. From the living, dining to the kitchen, a stone platform supports a television, fireplace, display shelving and cabinetry. These functional elements loosely define the different zones while creating bold design statements. Steel mesh on the staircase enhances the overall feeling of lightness while providing the opportunity for a graphic splash of colour.
Moving upstairs, some of the key design aspects come in the form of custom cabinetry, detailing and curved mirrored shapes. The ‘party’ room on level three features a dedicated cocktail bar while an injection of purple provides a sense of fun, in case the cocktails weren’t doing their job.
The result is a wonderful example of how an interior resolution can be led by the architecture to create a series of functional and diverse areas. The spaces and their sequence are critical to its success, enhancing the way in which the owners live and use their home. This was achieved by incorporating smart design solutions that not only complement the robust nature of the architecture, but also reflect the surrounding diversity of this inner city location, creating one cohesive statement.