Two and a half years ago Nicolette Johnson and Tom Dawson were searching for their first place together. Fortuitously, a family friend had a cosy corner apartment available for rent in a building he owned in South Brisbane. It’s an obscenely handy location – just a stroll to the centre of West End, GOMA, the Performing Arts Complex, Southbank, the CBD, and the Barracks Precinct. The young couple snapped it up, and have loved making it their home (they are now husband and wife so things have clearly gone well!).
‘This place is a dream for people watching,’ says Nicolette of the modest sized apartment, which measures just over 55 square metres and sits one floor above street level. It’s made up of a living room, extending into a sunroom, and a short hallway that links to the bedroom, a tiny kitchen, and a combined bathroom/laundry. While it’s a small space, it definitely makes up for this in character. The 1930s building features enduring heritage qualities such as decorative molding on the ceilings, and a charming curved corner wall of windows in the light-filled sun room, which is used as a shared study.
Upon moving in, there were some challenges to overcome. ‘The compact 1930s kitchen lacks bench space and storage. So we built some shelves from found wood, and bought some antique drawers that fit the space,’ mentions Nicolette. ‘We also changed the hardware on the kitchen cupboards from ugly, white plastic handles to sleek, black metal handles. Those things made a huge difference!’
Wary of clutter, Nicolette and Tom’s harmonious space is carefully considered. ‘Our home has evolved from collecting furniture slowly. We try to only introduce things we either absolutely love or absolutely need.’ Nicolette has a keen eye for unique, nostalgic objects and vintage artworks. Over the past year she has also turned her hand to ceramics, with many of her own gorgeous creations dotted about the place.
‘I’m very inspired by 1960s modernism, the American Southwest, and natural materials. I find myself drawn to rich colours and patterns,’ Nicolette says. ‘Tom and I also love to collect things while we’re travelling. I find it incredibly fun to bring unrelated things together as though they were meant to be.’
One of Nicolette’s favourite pieces is an animal sculpture that she brought home a few years ago from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It had belonged to her late grandmother, and depicts the Bremen Town Musicians, a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Tom on the other hand, declares the living room Afghan rug as his favourite. He loves to joke that it really ties the room together (a reference to the Coen Brothers’ film, The Big Lebowski).
Nicolette and Tom’s home is a soulful inner-city sanctuary that has seen them through some special times. That said, a change is always fun! With Lola the cat craving broader horizons, and Nicolette needing more space to create, the couple has plans to start searching for a small Queenslander to start their next chapter.
Gorgeous apartment! Although 55sqm isn’t small these days, a typical 1 bedder is 40sqm with minimal access to natural light.
Neat collection of mid century pieces updated with ‘inky’ blue fabrics and art
Having visited this house in real life, soulful is most definitely the word to describe it. Glad to see some of Nicolette’s beautiful ceramic works have been featured.
All so beautiful, stylish and well put together! Would love to live here.
Such a cute couple who really have done themselves proud. What an absolutely superb job they have done of their space. Everything is tasteful. Please do follow them up if they move and let us see what they do next. And can they please come to my place and help me :)
what an incredibly beautiful home! it’s so thoughtful (“carefully considered” — love that description). and they did an amazing job with their small kitchen!!
looks great! But they are renting..be nice to feature the hard work of those who buy their houses and renovate with every ounce of their being….
I knew i’d seen this one before – loved it when I saw it on r/interiordesign!
I love that rug too! Everything looks perfectly styled. The dark blue furniture with the red rug is just perfect.
Just gorgeous and homely. It makes me want to snuggle up on the couch. I now I have lots of inspo for the weekend! :)
This space is BEAUTIFUL, one of the best tours I’ve seen in a long time. My husband and I just moved into our forever home and this is giving me the inspiration I need to make it as cozy as possible.
Thanks Jo Hoban. Nicolette Johnson and Tom Dawson are proved how to make inner-Brisbane apartment with absolute most of a small space.
Hi guys,
Just wondering if it’s possible to find out where those chairs came from? Or who designed them? I’ve got three of the same my aunt found at a vintage store, and have been hunting for more.
Thanks,
Lil
Gorgeous Apartment. Where is the painting in the middle of the couple from ? I love it!
The rug is beautiful! Where did you get it?
Greetings!
My name is Paul Wilson from California. I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your piece of work, I’m also impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too.You are doing a great job. I would like to receive further information about your piece of work and what inspires you. I am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
Thanks and best regards
I literally had to pin every single image in this collection. Gorgeous, stunning, lovely apartment. The owners surely have an amazing eye for design. Thanks for sharing <3