Cassandra Karinsky
Homes
22nd May, 2013
The Sydney apartment of Cassandra Karinsky of Kulchi. Artwork on wall - 'The Prayer' by Chicago-based artist Lora Fosberg, 1995 - a friend of Cassie's. Fritz Hansen dining chairs from Corporate Culture. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
The Sydney apartment of Cassandra Karinsky. Beautiful 'Marmoucha' rug in the loungeroom - one of Cassie's from Kulchi of course! Painting on shelf by Peter Atkins; Fritz Hansen chairs from Corporate Culture, couch from Arte Sofa. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Marmoucha rug from Kulchi. Sculpture by Alexander Karinsky - 'Nebuchadnezzar with a rusty halo', on shelf left to right - Egon Schiele portrait by Lora Fosberg, African sculptures, Egon Schiele prints. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Apartment entry - Kulchi African stool in yellow fibre glass, Amassi leather & kilim souk boots sourced by Cassie, Marmoucha rug on floor, painting 'O Camino' by Spanish artist Mora, 2004, selection of Kulchi rugs & blankets. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Cassie Karinsky at home. Kulchi Hassira palm & wool floor mats leaning against wall, Kulchi Handira Wedding Blanket on Moroccan street stool. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Ohhh this apartment. It's truly such a beauty. When Sean and I photographed this supremely pretty little one bedroom home in Sydney's Bellevue Hill recently, we really were smitten. Though modest in size, it's just such a wonderfully light, photogenic space, which really made for such an effortless shoot! Every shot was so easily composed, and so consistent. I guess this is why supermodels get paid the big bucks.
This elegantly styled space belongs to Cassandra Karinsky, whose career has spanned hospitality, styling and writing for international interiors titles, but whose main occupation at present involves regular travel to Morocco, where she sources and imports a beautiful range of rugs and homewares for her wholesale business - Kulchi.
Cassie has held onto her Sydney apartment for the past 13 years, though she currently divides her time between Sydney and Marrakech. 'I always love coming home here, as I can slot right back in to my Sydney life' she says. The apartment also serves as a meeting space and small showroom to showcase some of Cassie's products from Morocco.
With its generous proportions, art deco details and bucketloads of natural light, Cassie hasn't needed to do too much to improve this supremely pretty home. Besides a good coat of white paint, and the obligatory carpet removal / floorboard polishing in the living room and bedroom, very little has been updated since Cassie first moved in. The only structural change was the creation a sunroom (previously a balcony) which now doubles as a small office and guest bedroom. 'I love working here overlooking the large tortured willow outside my window - it is like sitting in a little tree house, and the light is always perfect!' says Cassie of this sun-drenched space.
Of course, the appeal of this home extends far beyond it's good bones. With a flair for interior styling, and an endless supply of the most stylish design pieces from Morocco and beyond, it's no surprise Cassie's pad is so perfectly pulled together! Favourite pieces include the strap leather chair, recently purchased from the The Design Hunter, and Cassie's new Tuareg Mat from Mauritania. 'They both add a slightly more masculine vibe to my bedroom' she says. And of course, then there's the impressive collection of rugs from Morocco, which are always on high rotation. 'I move them around all the time, they can totally transform a room in a matter of minutes - I could never live without them!' says Cassie of her treasured rug collection.
Cassie's sweet apartment really proves that size isn't everything. Even a one bedroom home can be so stylish and functional given the right treatment, and a thoughtful edit of classic furniture, artwork and soft furnishings. In this case, the combination of a monochrome palette, with simple, understated furniture, a smattering of rustic details, and soft handcrafted rugs underfoot really makes this space sing!
If you love the look of Cassie's beautiful rugs and other design pieces from Morocco, you'll be pleased to know she is having a sale of new Kulchi stock in Sydney very soon! The sale will include rugs, tables, homewares and ceramics, and runs Friday 31st May, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June, from 10.00am to 6.00pm at the old Jones The Grocer space at 68 Moncur St, Woollahra, NSW.
Bedroom. Hanging bedside lamp and Mauritanian Tuareg mat both from Kulchi, Bemboka cotton blanket from The Design Hunter, Greg Hatton stool from Koskela beside bed, painting by Alexander Karinsky. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Bedroom details. Mauritanian Tuareg mat from Kulchi, strap leather chair in chocolate also from The Design Hunter. African basket from Garden Life. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Bedroom wider shot. Mauritanian Tuareg mat from Kulchi (under bed), Bemboka cotton blanket from The Design Hunter, Kulchi vintage Moroccan print on Ikea cabinets - 'Porte des Portugais' Tanger 1880, African plant basket from Garden Life, strap leather chair in chocolate also from The Design Hunter. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Kulchi vintage Moroccan print on Ikea cabinet - 'Porte des Portugais' Tanger, 1880, Indian Milk Pot from The Design Hunter. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Kitchen detail - Beldi wooden utensil holders and utensils sourced by Cassie for Kulchi. Photo - Sean Fennessy, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
