Fitzroy
Located in Sydney’s Surry Hills among a row of charming Victorian terraces, Fitzroy is a considered interior design project by Christine Rose Design and Studio Liu, with architecture by City Geeks. Though this was the designers’ first collaboration, the resulting family home reflects a shared vision, carefully attuned to the brief.
At the outset of their renovation journey, the clients sought to reimagine their much-loved terrace property. The brief asked the studios to go beyond the ordinary, crafting a home that was both functional and deeply personal while retaining the original character of the house. The result was envisioned as a comfortable, spacious retreat on the fringe of Sydney’s CBD.
To bring the brief to life, Studio Liu applied a unique strategy. “Our design approach was based around the concept of ma, a Japanese philosophy that focuses on the negative space and the in-between moments. This approach not only guided the design language but also helped address the clients’ concerns by heightening the sense of openness and how people move through the negative spaces,” says founder, Louise Liu.
City Geeks worked within the narrow structure – an inherent feature of Victorian terraces – which required careful spatial planning to balance function with flow and comfort. The home was extended from two to three levels, and this introduced a third bedroom as well as skylights and lofty ceilings to draw in natural light. Through thoughtful solutions, the design also accommodates a second bathroom, a dedicated home office, standalone laundry and powder room within the compact footprint.
Working together on the interiors, the designers chose a soft, nuanced palette that captures movement and reflects light beautifully. “Our clients are young professionals, representing a growing market who want to express themselves through their living spaces. Since they’re creative and will grow into their homes, we chose not to overwhelm each space, allowing them to personalise it in the future” explains Liu.
The interiors are rich with texture and layered warmth, shaped by the complementary strengths of both studios and a shared sensitivity to materiality, comfort and form. Colour is applied with intent; burgundy, seafoam green, deep olive and powdery blues reflect the clients’ expressive nature. In the bedrooms, soft furnishings and heavy drapes echo this palette, offering privacy when needed and light when welcomed.
Vintage and contemporary pieces complete the entrance and living room, among them a large slate and teak coffee table, Japanese pottery and ceramics by Emily Hamann and Sophie Vaidie. Together, these elements shape the character and individuality of each space.
The collaboration between the designers has created a home that is both luxurious and welcoming, with an entertaining area ready to evolve as the family grows. Fitzroy invites pause – a place to breathe, reflect and reconnect. More than a renovation, it is a celebration of how we live and grow within our private residences, and of the creative chemistry that emerges when design minds unite.
Architecture by City Geeks. Interior design by Christine Rose Design and Studio Liu. Build by GT Constructions Sydney. Ceramics by Emily Hamann and Sophie Vaidie.
