After 15 years of collecting precious antiques and filling a huge, neoclassical family house, the owners of this rooftop penthouse found it a challenge to downsize to an apartment almost four sizes smaller, considerably more modern and all on one level. It meant selling their home’s entire contents and holding on to only treasured pieces. Enter David Hicks, who helped steer his clients in the right direction, buoyed by the “clean slate” the space offered. He worked intimately with his clients on the “sight unseen” residence to establish a supremely bespoke interior that included raising the ceiling to make room for a large tapestry in the entry, designing cabinetry to accommodate hero pieces, modifying old French chandeliers for new placement and personalising wardrobe space.
The owners sought a subdued, moody scheme to offset the intense natural light from the floor-to-ceiling glass. David says this deviation from convention was a brave choice considering today’s general preference for the safety of bright, expansive white-on-white. “The apartment occupies the entire top floor of the building with 360-degree glazing, so a darker interior really suited the space. It has allowed some warmth and respite from the sun.” For balance, David fashioned a luxurious arrangement of chocolate parquetry, smoky walls, seagrass wallpaper, hand-knotted rugs and rattan armchairs accented with Knoll Saarinen ‘Executive’ chairs in white linen and milk-honeycomb kitchen marble slabs.
This story is from the February-March 2021 edition of Belle Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February-March 2021 edition of Belle Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The wow factory
The sisters steering Zuster furniture brand put a creative spin on their own industrial zone.
OPEN INVITE
This handsome home in the NSW Southern Highlands welcomes within its walls both generous rural views and a steady flow of guests.
DUAL ACCENTS
American heritage style meets Spanish mission design in this harbourside Sydney home.
Grand vision
It can be easy being green or it is for this house -that cleverly combines lavish spaces and timeless style, while also being kind to the planet.
POWER AND GLORY
An angular concrete structure packs a punch in a new build on an elevated site in Sydney while its interior design offers a softly layered and textured counterpoint.
COLOUR BURST
A joyful exuberance permeates this heritage home reinvented by interior designer Andrew Parr with zesty hues, lively contemporary art and iconic furniture.
LA VIE EN ROSE
Poised above Pittwater in Sydney's north, this weekender is alluringly relaxed - and offers holiday fun for family and friends.
COOL, CALM COLLECTIVE
An ever-changing array of covetable antiques, objets d'art and unique pieces ensure the interiors of this beautiful store has a collected feel and sense of permanence.
BOLD CHOICE
Architect and trailblazer Piero Gesualdi's Melbourne emporium, Mondopiero, is a celebration of timeless design and craftmanship, with a sprinkling of decorative flair.
HIGHER CALLING
In a world that is typically more about me, me, me, quietly luxurious day spa Venustus keeps thriving three decades on with a true commitment to inspired client service.