ntrusted with a blank canvas on which to create an exclusive Sydney bolthole for a London-based couple, Archer Design reoriented the interiors of this harbourfront apartment to the magnificent views and divined their client’s aesthetic, selecting everything from the palette to the furniture, art and cutlery. Explains architect Richard Archer, “They loved the idea of having a coastal Australian oasis in which to unwind, re-engage with nature and take advantage of the tropical climate.” The clients reached out to us when they were considering purchasing the apartment as we had completed extensive renovations on others in this tightly held building. During the first of only two trips they The original apartment featured dated fixtures and a layout unsuitable to our clients. It required a full renovation and was gutted, leaving a bare shell. We only had to maintain access to the existing water and waste outlet points, which proved to be no small matter when moving kitchens and bathrooms. Ultimately, we were able to configure the space to ensure the kitchen and master ensuite enjoy direct views to the harbour. With a blank canvas, we tailored an entirely new open-plan layout to suit our clients’ brief for a comfortable refuge. Creating a harmonious home is the key to a successful design and we strive to create elegant, calm spaces. This harmony runs parallel with the style of a coastal home, where the goal is to create an ambience of serenity, corresponding with the surrounding environment. Always changing and hugely impactful, Sydney Harbour plays an important part in many of our projects. I love creating elegant sanctuaries of calm within, in which the furnishings and artworks we select set up a conversation with the natural environment. It is pointless trying to compete with it, but one must never be coy, as at night when the impact of the harbour recedes, the interiors must really become the hero. When we work on a project in a coastal setting, we seek to maximise the view and surrounding natural abundance, integrating the indoors and out to create this feeling of balance. With this project, we kept the textural palette natural, with neutral yet quite rich tones to complement the landscape. Through strategically placed bronze mirror panels, we were able to ensure that the natural light and harbour views were accentuated while creating dimensional depth. I find inspiration everywhere, be it in fashion, music, history, politics, people and of course, architecture. For this project, I looked towards the works of leading designers throughout history, most notably the works of Andrée Putman, Jacques Grange and Le Corbusier. These designers imbued within me a penchant for both modernism and luxurious design. I believe my style has fallen somewhere in the middle of this design spectrum. Quasi-modernist, quasi-luxurious, this project is not prescribed to one specific design style, and transcends interior trends, establishing itself as timelessly elegant. The completed home epitomises elevated city living. While situated just a stone’s throw from Sydney’s CBD, it has a feeling of calm and balance. The subtle yet luxurious palette of burnished bronze, ebony veneer and lacquered panelling sits harmoniously with both the expansive art collection and the hues in the coastal surroundings. The project’s rich textural palette, with plush custom designed rugs, mottled stone and sleek finishes, corresponds to the diverse materiality of Australia’s coast, creating a home that is comfortable and inviting while retaining a modern feel.
