The Sydney apartment of designer Emmanuelle Flahault and Johannes Weissenbaeck.  Above – original Eames dining chairs bought in Paris, table by Jonathan Ingram for Inde Design, Yuta Badayala pendant lights from Koskela – ‘Each piece is unique!’ says Emmanuelle.  All photos by Felix Forest, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living space – Kilim patchwork rug from I & B Perryman Oriental Carpets in Woollahra, vintage leather Chesterfield sofa, wooden colourful candle sticks from trip to Sri Lanka.  All photos by Felix Forest, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Original metal door.  LOVE! (Shame the apartment is not actually on ground level so this is not a functional backdoor!). Photo –  Felix Forest,  production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

‘Warehouse apartment’ is an oft overused term I find.  Especially by real estate agents.  There seem to be all manner of non-descript teeny tiny apartment subdivisions popping up all over the place these days with one exposed roof beam or something, being touted enthusiastically as ‘loft style living’.  But today’s fabulous Sydney home truly deserves the term.  That’s because when designer Emmanuelle Flahault and her partner Johannes Weissenbaeck took possession of this space in Waterloo just over two years ago, it really was nothing but a completely empty warehouse.

Emmanuelle and Johannes swiftly converted the generous industrial space into a stylish but simple and functional open plan home, building a kitchen and bathroom, adding semi sheer drapes as room dividers in the massive main living space, and allocating a fantastic studio / showroom at the front of the home for Emmanuelle’s fashion and accessories label, Nell.

I love Emmanuelle’s toasty warm colour palette used throughout the home – those fabulous orange Eames dining chairs set the tone, whilst pinks, muted reds, mushrooms and browns follow suit in the upholstery and soft furnishing choices throughout.  And how about that stunning patchwork rug in the main living space!?  SO perfect.  (It’s from I & B Perryman Oriental Carpets in Woollahra, in Melbourne try Loom or Patchy Rugs for similar)

Emmanuelle says of all there is to love about her home, she most appreciates having so much space. ‘In the inner city, space is the ultimate luxury. we love the high ceilings and light – after this we just couldn’t live in a terrace house!’ she says.

Both Emmanuelle and Johannes also really enjoy the central location in Waterloo – just  skip from Danks st, close to the city, Surry Hills, and only 10 minutes from the beach.  Emmanuelle says ‘this is definitely a booming area, an extension of Surry Hills with a lot of texture…’! (Love that description!).

Massive thanks to Emmanuelle and Johannes for sharing their beautiful legitimate warehouse apartment with us today!  Do share the love with a little visit to Emmanuelle’s website for her label Nell!

Main living space. Sofa from Jardan, cushions designed by Emmanuelle (Nell Design), artwork from left – Two Lovers by Ian Shadwell, portraits a from trip to Bali, Aboriginal painting bought in Paris long before Emmanuelle moved to Australia!  Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

One of Emmanuelle’s favourite pieces is the antique French mirror, pictured above. ‘We didn’t have any window on that wall, so it was the perfect piece to reflect the opposite side and create a perfect illusion of having one!!’ she says.  Very clever!  Sofa from Jardan, cushions designed by Nell Design. Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Vintage hospital metal bed, cushions from Nell Design, Illustrations by Kareena Zerefos.  Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Functional open kitchen, filled with favourite vessels – Emmanuelle says ‘glasses and ceramics are a bit like shoes to me, I just love them and can’t have enough of them!’  Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living room details – original Sydney bus stops sign, and a set of wooden shelves individually designed and made by Emmanuelle and Johannes on an Easter weekend!  Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Emmanuelle’s bathroom is an enclave within the master bedroom.  Vintage kimono from trip to Tokyo, engraved metal canisters from market in Hong Kong. Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom – ‘Rouge tattoo’ portrait by Barbie Kjar – ‘this art work from Tasmanian artist Barbie Djar was love at first sight’ says Emmanuelle.  ‘Dingo’ artwork by Melbourne based artist Deborah Williams.  Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedrooom – Cord Lamp by Form Us With Love from Design House Stockholm.  Patchwork quilt cover by Emmanuelle / Nell Design.  Moroccan geometric antique runner.  Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Emmanuelle’s studio / showroom at the front of the house.  Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Emmanuelle in her studio – Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Nell showroom / studio – Photo – Felix Forest, Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.