Four years ago, Bec van der Sluys visited the site of an old office building under renovation in St Kilda. When she stepped onto the roof, inspiration struck. ‘The views were stunning and the vibe, tranquil and inspiring.’ Bec explains, ‘I immediately identified the opportunity for residential use’. Her vision was to create a family home across the entire top floor.
The sprawling penthouse, which includes a rooftop garden, was architecturally designed by Tom Robertson. The interiors are a collaboration between Bec and Simone Haag.
As both the interior designer and client, this jaw-dropping project has been a labour of love for Bec, challenging and propelling her own design practice. She explains her brief (to herself!) – to create an apartment that felt open and light, with an emphasis on natural elements, ‘grounded in timber, stone, marble and foliage’. This design intent has been well-and-truly met, in this incredible penthouse, where 360° views across Melbourne are matched with luxurious, refined yet playful interiors.
Initially faced with a blank canvas, Bec and Simone have created a comfortable, functional home here, ‘without compromising on sophistication, quality, luxury and warmth.’ A sense of lux is achieved through the use of velvet, brass and leather, which enhance the and soften sleek architectural lines of the home. Bec particularly emphasises the importance of art and photography in decorating the space, with a strong focus on Australian artists.
For all it’s sophistication, this is also a home full of personality. Bold colour choices and unexpected details are peppered throughout the property, bringing diverse influences together into a singular vision.
Bec describes that ‘whilst this project took a little longer than I had anticipated, it is everything I had envisaged, and we are delighted with the outcome.’ With uninterrupted views of the city, next-level interiors, and one seriously impressive furniture collection, we’d be delighted to call the Holly Penthouse home, too!
