Interiors

Apartment Life, Furnished Right!

As we’ve highlighted before – buying off the plan doesn’t mean you can’t introduce your own personality into a home!

This apartment in Clifton Hill demonstrates how beautiful things can come in tiny packages. We chat with Sarah Shinners, design manager for Simone Haag, about custom designing the space and capturing the owner’s personality in this fun, functional and feminine apartment.

Written
by
Miriam McGarry

A Simone Haag renovated apartment, in the 112 Rosneath St development by Assemble in Clifton Hill. Sofa frame and end table by Harbro Furniture, coffee table by Grazia and Co, plants by The Plant Society. Black stool by Fogia from Fred International. Planter by Lightly. Rug from Designer Rugs. Photo – Dylan James.

A custom curved sofa frame by Harbro Furniture in deep forest green. Sofa by Harbro Furniture. Rug from Designer Rugs. Coffee table by Grazia and Co. Vintage wall light via Pamono. Photo – Dylan James.

A tight space is made to feel spacious through clever custom designs. Dining table by Grazia & Co. Gubi dining chairs from In Good Company. Photo – Dylan James.

A collection of artworks and objects from Modern Times, Pepite, TDF Collect and James Makin Gallery. Photo – Dylan James.

Dining table by Grazia & Co. Gubi dining chairs from In Good Company. Photo – Dylan James.

Sleek kitchen design. Photo – Dylan James.

A bedroom not afraid of colour! Bedside shelves by Fogia from Fred International. Photo – Dylan James.

Personal connections tell a story of the owner. Photo – Dylan James.

A clever use of space! Bedside shelves by Fogia from Fred International. Photo – Dylan James.

A quiet corner, in this personality filled space. Photo – Dylan James.

A serene tiled bathroom. Photo – Dylan James.

Writer
Miriam McGarry
19th of September 2019

Design Manager of Simone Haag, Sarah Shinners, explains that the brief for furnishing this modern, one bedroom apartment was to create a ‘feminine, fun, yet functional’ space. The client was downsizing, and ready to embrace the next chapter of her life ‘surrounded by beautiful things, in a space perfect for one.’

Against the beautiful bones of this this development in Clifton Hill, Simone and Sarah worked with local furniture makers, artists, and object designers to bring the space to life. Sarah describes ‘90% of the pieces in this project are Australian made’. The pair collaborated with many talented local craftspeople to create custom furniture pieces for the space, including Harbo Furniture who created the custom curved sofa + frame, and Glencross Furniture who designed and created the timber shelving and sofa end table. Making use of all space available, the sofa converts to a single bed, and includes a secret storage space tucked in behind.

Bespoke furniture allowed for every inch of this small space to be used efficiently. From a design perspective, Sarah highlights ‘we needed to find the balance, in creating a layered space that didn’t feel too overcrowded.’ Careful customisation and planning allowed the space to come to life, as ‘off the shelf’ furniture pieces would have resulted in an impossible game of apartment tetris. Sarah succinctly emphasises ‘proportions were absolutely key in this scheme.’

The owner had lived in Europe for many years, and had already learned the tricks of apartment living before settling in this home. ‘This lovely client was well travelled, open minded and wasn’t afraid of colour… in fact she encouraged it!’ Sarah explains. The client’s personality and lifestyle is now infused through the space, and together, the design team and owner demonstrate that colour can make a space feel larger, not smaller… ‘it doesn’t have to be white, white, white!’ Simone concludes!

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