Toorak Apartment by Emily Gillis Interior Design

Embracing modern openness, Emily Gillis Interior Design responds to Toorak Apartment’s architectural heritage and the owners’ desire for a simplified, calming space as they downsize.

Perched above the established streetscape of Toorak, Toorak Apartment is a modest residence transformed into a serene, timeless retreat that blends with the original heritage detailing. “We approached the blend of old and new with a refined yet contemporary lens,” says Emily Gillis, founder and director of Emily Gillis Interior Design. Key areas, such as the kitchen, were repositioned to serve as a focal point of the home, highlighting the elegance of traditional English craftsmanship while incorporating modern design. By simplifying certain elements, a classic English bullnose detail on the marble benchtop balances with minimalist features, like the rangehood, reflecting the subtle dialogue between past and present. “Classical elements, like the cornices and skirtings, were retained to preserve the apartment’s character, while other areas underwent a thoughtful transformation,” adds Gillis.

“Classical elements, like the cornices and skirtings, were retained to preserve the apartment’s character, while other areas underwent a thoughtful transformation,” adds Gillis.

The bathroom spaces were reimagined to maximise space while maintaining a sense of luxury. “We used travertine throughout to create a seamless, expansive feel,” says Gillis, emphasising that a complementary material palette was essential in bridging the heritage elements with a modern setting. The integration of brushed nickel tapware adds a timeless quality, alongside details such as the parquetry timber flooring. This layered composition, with its muted tones and tactile materials, serves as an elegant backdrop that adds a familiar warmth to the space. “We opened up the previously segmented kitchen and living areas to enhance the flow and direct attention toward the expansive balcony and views.”

The scope of the design extends into the surrounding landscaped areas, creating seamless transitions between indoors and outdoors. As Emily explains, this allows “the owners to connect the apartment to its leafy surroundings as a core experience of living there.” The balcony was designed to feel generous and mirror the openness of the interior. Finished with rustic limestone pavers, it offers an elevated garden retreat. Box hedges, traditional iron furniture and French lighting evoke a European sensibility, adding formality and structure to the space. “We took a neutral, cohesive approach [to the materiality], allowing the apartment to serve as a canvas for personalisation,” says Gillis. With natural stones, soft textiles and full-length curtains, the design honours the home’s history while providing a calm, contemporary living environment.

“We took a neutral, cohesive approach [to the materiality], allowing the apartment to serve as a canvas for personalisation,” says Gillis.

Despite its compact footprint, Toorak Apartment exudes a sense of generosity, enhanced by a consistent and cohesive tonal palette. “We wanted the home to feel curated, refined and calm,” says Gillis, highlighting the importance of creating interconnected spaces that align with the owners’ lifestyle.

Interior design by Emily Gillis Interior Design. Build by Steven Waters Building. Landscape design by Herrod Landscapes.