When inspecting this apartment for lease, Chloe Borich was personally greeted by the landlord with a glass of wine, and she quickly realised she’d found her new home.
‘Coming off of a busy street, it was surprisingly serene and even on an overcast afternoon light spilled through the kitchen windows,’ Chloe says. ‘I knew we were going to live here.’
Chloe is an artist liaison, writer and curator, and Julian Noakes is an engineer and the founder of NOA Label. The couple have lived together in three properties within 500 metres over the past six years, starting with the (sadly) quintessential mould-ridden Sydney terrace, before moving to a ‘party palace’, and arriving at this art deco apartment.
The one-bedroom apartment is reasonably compact but packs a punch, providing enough space for Chloe, Julian — and all the gear for Julian’s hobbies (surfing, fishing, and camping).
The renovated interior is Scandi inspired, presenting a relatively blank canvas to style exactly as they like it, including the sofa designed and made by Julian.
‘We were looking for a low profile design that was more like a daybed as we often have friends staying from interstate. We couldn’t find something we were happy with, so Julian decided to make one for us himself,’ explains Chloe.
‘Over many, many hours, he executed this beautiful product made from high grade birch ply that was laser cut in the Northern Beaches, varnished in his brother’s garage, and finally assembled at home, like you would a flat pack. The fabrics were sourced both locally and from Melbourne.’
Chloe’s job at Sullivan+Strumpf requires supporting artists through the conception, creation and execution of their exhibitions, and this passion is reflected on her walls. ‘Working in the arts, I’m inclined to invest in artwork by emerging and early career artists more than anything else in our home,’ she explains.
Her growing art collection features artists she admires, from Tony Albert, to Marion Abraham, Tia Ansell, Mia Boe, Anna Fiedler, Julia Gutman, Natalya Hughes, and Gregory Hodge.
Chloe describes the overall feel of the home as soft and ambient, providing a place to rest and reset, in the heart of Sydney.
