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When The Standard Store owners Nicola and Orlando Reindorf were unexpectedly evicted from their original Sydney retail space, they came across a building for sale in Surry Hills.
Driven by the stressful twist of fate, the couple decided to purchase the property, setting up their fashion boutique on the ground floor. But the upper level also presented them with a unique opportunity to create a new home base.
‘I guess it was all about timing. Our kids had grown up, so the idea of downsizing was something we could consider,’ Nicola says.
‘We were going from about 220 square metres to 100 square metres, so it was quite daunting, but there was something special about the building. We saw its potential, and we took the leap of faith.’
Given their new home’s size, Nicola and Orlando eagerly sought out architectural plans for a structural renovation. Then, the construction quotes came back much higher than anticipated.
They went back to the drawing board, engaging Pattern Studio for an interior transformation that focused on maximising the existing footprint, while also ensuring anything the apartment lacked in size, it made up for in personality.
‘Our brief to Pattern Studio was “go nuts” and do what you want. Let’s do something totally unique and new,’ adds Nicola.
Having already worked with the Reindorfs on the interiors of their Sydney and Melbourne stores, Pattern Studio co-directors Lily Goodwin and Josh Cain channelled the client’s ‘fabulous taste’ and lively personalities into the renovation — even deciding to name the project YOLO.
‘[Nicola and Orlando’s] energy, that enthusiasm, really came through during the material selection process. Vibrancy, optimism, boldness, dare I say “yolo” energy ended up driving our selections,’ Lily says.
The kitchen was reconfigured to face garden views, offering a calming balance to the sculptural stainless-steel island bench and playful furniture selections. Storage is now cleverly hidden in a timber ledge forming a ‘catwalk’ up to the staircase, as the blue-stained timber joinery also doubles as a ‘dressing room’ with added wardrobe space.
The key move was converting previously unused space in the roof cavity to create the serene bedroom.
‘Nicola and Orlando now sleep up on the second floor, in a compact yet chic space whose leafy top outlook creates this wonderful feeling of being in a tree house,’ Lily says.
Wrapped completely in cork, with pops of red and a luxurious Patricia Urquiola tub nestled by the window, the space is more like a luxurious hotel suite — complete with a private tree-top surrounded sky deck.
It’s become the perfect ‘lock up and leave’ home for the couple, giving them freedom to spend four months a year overseas, often visiting their kids in London.
‘As Pattern Studio named it, YOLO — You Only Live Once… And that has become a bit of a mantra. We are making the most of it!’
