Houzz Tour: A Rose Bay Apartment Takes Its Cue From the View
This modern design connects to the water views beyond through textured soft furnishings and calming hues
Kate McKee
2 June 2015
Houzz contributor, freelance writer and home design enthusiast. I write on a diverse range of topics ranging from health and beauty to landscape architecture and interior design. I have a very inquisitive nature and love to share my findings with others.
Houzz contributor, freelance writer and home design enthusiast. I write on a diverse... More
Although this Sydney home was only five years old and in good condition when the homeowners decided to redecorate, they felt that it lacked overall warmth and sought to turn their modern house into more of a ‘home’. This involved creating a relaxed, beach-style look and feel that incorporated elements of driftwood, textured, soft furnishings and the colours of the sea.
“The house was very architecturally designed, with hard finishes and edges,” says interior designer Marylou Sobel of Marylou Sobel Interior Design. The home needed a sense of warmth and softness to balance out the streamlined architectural elements such as the steel finishes and abundance of glass doors and windows that showcased the water views. “We needed to make it functional, to consider the view, and make it comfortable and inviting,” says Sobel, “to add layers and softness, while still considering the architecture.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five, which includes three adult children
Location: Rose Bay, Sydney
In five words: Contemporary, eclectic, calming, textured and coastal.
“The house was very architecturally designed, with hard finishes and edges,” says interior designer Marylou Sobel of Marylou Sobel Interior Design. The home needed a sense of warmth and softness to balance out the streamlined architectural elements such as the steel finishes and abundance of glass doors and windows that showcased the water views. “We needed to make it functional, to consider the view, and make it comfortable and inviting,” says Sobel, “to add layers and softness, while still considering the architecture.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five, which includes three adult children
Location: Rose Bay, Sydney
In five words: Contemporary, eclectic, calming, textured and coastal.
It’s amazing what can be achieved by overhauling a home’s furnishings and working within a thoughtful colour palette. The living areas were transformed to reflect the sea and draw in the exquisite views with a soft colour palette of blues and oranges, as well as an assortment of textures and patterns.
“The view is an instant characteristic of the home,” says Sobel. “The mixture of the new textures, organic materials, light patterns and comfortable furniture all contribute to the space.”
“The view is an instant characteristic of the home,” says Sobel. “The mixture of the new textures, organic materials, light patterns and comfortable furniture all contribute to the space.”
The tone is set by the beautiful beach-style table at the entryway of the home. “We chose the glass and tree trunk table imported from Italy,” says Sobel. “The logs actually come from Venice. It has such warmth, which is just what the entry needed.”
The original living room furniture needed to be replaced as it was not wearing well and gave the living area a ‘pokey’ feel.
All of the furniture was custom designed and chosen to suit each of the rooms. “We had to consider soft, inviting colours that were not too overpowering,” says Sobel. To create a welcoming feel to the scheme, the design team opted for clean lines, natural fibres and materials, and splashes of colour and patterns.
All of the furniture was custom designed and chosen to suit each of the rooms. “We had to consider soft, inviting colours that were not too overpowering,” says Sobel. To create a welcoming feel to the scheme, the design team opted for clean lines, natural fibres and materials, and splashes of colour and patterns.
Since the interior revamp, the house has become more inviting and useable for the family. “The family now all gravitate towards the large, comfortable sofas to socialise. It’s not just a place to watch TV, now it’s a place to gather,” says Sobel.
The large living room sofas were custom made to suit the space in terms of comfort and size.
The large living room sofas were custom made to suit the space in terms of comfort and size.
The driftwood and iron coffee tables give the living areas some character and were custom made for the home.
The curtains in the main bedroom were definitely a splurge, and were selected to complement the bedroom’s soft, neutral colour palette. “The bedroom is a big transformation from where it was when we started the job,” says Sobel.
The architecture of the home is modern contemporary, where as the furniture has more of an eclectic contemporary vibe, which gives the space a more inviting, natural feel.
The bedhead was custom made by the design team. “They wanted the bedroom to be a calm area to relax in,” says Sobel. “The soft blue and grey tones, fabulous furnishings and organic materials were used to match (and show off) the magnificent outlook and create a spectacular haven.”
Grass weave wallpaper: Ascraft
Grass weave wallpaper: Ascraft
Curtain maker, upholsterer, and art consultant company Art Duo were called on to help realise the vision for the space. The rugs were custom made to suit the room’s dimensions and pre-determined colour palette.
Rug: Tibet Sydney
Rug: Tibet Sydney
Artwork was carefully chosen to complement the colour scheme. The neutral wood surfaces, and gentle blue and orange shades each have a place in the space, without competing for attention. This room is a perfect illustration of how contrasting colours can work together in harmony.
Artwork by Ronnie Tjampitjinpa
Artwork by Ronnie Tjampitjinpa
The textured wallpaper in the reading area/relax room off the main bedroom is a standout feature. Walls don’t need to be ‘Plain Jane’ by any means. Mix things up by treating your surrounding walls to textured finishes, patterns or a bold colour scheme. Walling can add so much more to an interior area in terms of style and feel.
Phillip Jeffries wallpaper: The Textile Company
Phillip Jeffries wallpaper: The Textile Company
If breathtaking water views weren’t enough, there is also an outdoor area that features a comfortable sitting area and spectacular green wall.
Sobel added the two low white chairs and scatter cushions for a fun pop of colour.
Clean lines, natural fibres and materials and bespoke finishes provide as sense of gentle harmony that defines the home’s interior and outdoor rooms and resonates with the water views beyond.
Clean lines, natural fibres and materials and bespoke finishes provide as sense of gentle harmony that defines the home’s interior and outdoor rooms and resonates with the water views beyond.
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I love the colour and tones throughout this. And what a view!