Surry Hills Apartment by Studio LHD

“We tried to honour the kitchen’s original layout and design by upgrading the materials to suit the client’s aesthetic.”

Along with being guided by the principles of peace, order and clarity, Habak also brought in elements that acknowledged the home’s urban surroundings and history – it’s in a 1912 warehouse converted into a residential and retail development by celebrated French designer and architect Philippe Starck. A neutral colour palette of soft greys is offset with warm timbers and textural wall and floor finishes, while layers of light are key to establishing ambience. Black light fixtures and accents throughout are suggestive of the building’s industrial past, and “the Porter’s French Wash paint finish provided a serene, ethereal feeling, which was a strong driver articulated by the client,” explains Habak.

The original apartment design, including the kitchen, was “dated and felt aged”. The initial plan was to replace the kitchen, but sustainability and budget factors encouraged both the designer and client to change tack. “After much consideration and discussion with the client, and balancing both a sense of responsibility around being more sustainable and budget constraints, we agreed to keep the appliances, kitchen carcasses and natural stone,” says Habak. “We tried to honour the original layout and design by upgrading the materials to suit the client’s aesthetic.”

A custom joinery wardrobe in the master bedroom creates extra storage, with the owner’s turntable displayed in a dramatic bottle-green shelf insert.

Light timber veneers by Elton Group wrap the kitchen walls, creating flow with the joinery. But the veneers were also applied beyond the kitchen, to the walls leading to the kitchen, and through to the master bedroom where they conceal the ensuite door and cover the wall behind the bed. The effect is one of continuation and flow, elevating the space’s harmony. Meanwhile, whitewash techniques achieved using Porter’s Paints French Wash add depth and texture to other walls. A custom joinery wardrobe in the master bedroom, also created using timber veneers, creates extra storage, with the owner’s turntable displayed in a dramatic bottle-green shelf insert.

Above all, the client needed the residence – which has three bedrooms and two bathrooms – to work around his unusual work patterns: regular travel and working from home across multiple time zones. “These considerations were at the forefront of our decision-making process, in particular for the master bedroom and the study/guest room.” Heavyweight block-out curtains were installed in the master bedroom, and light control in the study was a key consideration.

Above all, the client needed the residence to work around his unusual work patterns: regular travel and working from home across multiple time zones.

The finished apartment is a sanctuary from the bustling streets outside, bringing warmth and life into a former industrial space.

Interior design by Studio LHD. Build by Ferrocon Construction + Management. Joinery by New Age Joinery. Lighting by FrameLight.