Mirrorball
From the bones of a haphazardly configured 1920s penthouse apartment in Edgecliff, interior designer Shona McElroy has created her own classically styled, light-filled abode with a distinct Parisian flair.
Dubbed Mirrorball, this apartment overlooks Double Bay to the glittering waters of Sydney Harbour, with its newly renovated interiors adding to the gleam and sparkle of the view. Despite a compartmentalised layout, Shona McElroy of Smac Studio saw potential in the original apartment for her own home – it’s north-facing aspect, high ceilings, sweeping views and location in her favourite, vibrant area of Sydney all ticking essential boxes.
Adjacent to the kitchen is the hero of the apartment: the sunny, north-facing living room, which was once a balcony.
McElroy’s first step was to relocate the kitchen from the rear to the front of the apartment, where it’s now flanked by living and dining spaces and features a substantial Calacatta Verde marble topped kitchen island. This dark-veined custom marble continues to the splashback and frames the original sash window, with corner profiling also matching custom detailing on the cabinetry.
Adjacent to the kitchen is the hero of the apartment: the sunny, north-facing living room, which was once a balcony. Renovating this space meant opening the narrow entranceway to a welcoming arch and adding windows on two sides to bring the outside in. Overhead, a large plaster pendant light from The Medium in Bali creates a moment of drama.
Wall-to-wall mirrors are a significant feature in three areas of the house, reflecting light deep into the floor plan while adding a sense of grandeur.
McElroy had long coveted an artwork by Sydney artist Jonny Niesche, and one of these now takes pride of place on the wall between the kitchen and dining zones. The apartment also features several other key works, such as a blown glass vase by Gaetano Pesce on the kitchen island, a minimalist conceptual artwork by Peter Summers in the media room, and a draped fabric-style piece in the hallway by German artist Gia Marie.
The previous kitchen is now the entrance foyer, forming a distinct sense of arrival for the apartment. A second bedroom was transformed into a blush-toned media room and a new full bathroom, which features a vintage, jewel-like Murano Poliedri sconce light in dual pink tones and a distinctive marble vanity. The original hallway accessing the living spaces was retained, with chevron flooring, uplight sconces and detailed cornices and skirtings added to fit with the Spanish style of the building.
The colour palette for the apartment is calm and soft, with pale and rosy tones accentuated by threads of bronze throughout. Wall-to-wall mirrors are a significant feature in three areas of the house, reflecting light deep into the floor plan while adding a sense of grandeur.
With materiality and spatial design that encapsulates a classical architectural style, Mirrorball is at peace with the building’s history while meeting the elevated standards of its celebrated designer.
