71 GREENKNOWE REVEAL: THE LUXE FACTOR

Last year we were engaged to revive a dim inner-city apartment in Sydney’s Potts Point. A complete reinvention of the spaces has returned a sense of luxury and re-engaged the home with the spectacular views afforded by its enviable location.

Before anything, the apartment required some intense spatial reworking. The introduction of a second-floor living area doubled the size of the home, but the original lower level needed reconfiguring to relieve the apartment of its cramped rooms. We prioritised opening and brightening the home, exploring how the space could work harder for its inhabitants, while maintaining a feeling of warmth.

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We overhauled the original intricate floorplan, creating wider hallways and introducing curved walls to create the allusion of more space.

With the flow and positioning of the spaces resolved, we set out to create a real sense of inner-city glamour. The material palette is simple yet striking, comprising of light timber throughout both levels, grey marble, and a combination of brass, bronze and, aged iron accents. 

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Creative custom details such as the curved kitchen in brass and the coordinating brass handle joinery exude the allure of a luxury hotel. It’s a space designed to impress, dripping in gold.

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The brass screen, mounted on the kitchen island functions as the soul of the apartment, adding character, tactility and warmth.

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As well as dialling up the luxe factor, the combination of metals capture the city glow and the stunning views, bouncing the light around the apartment and transforming the space as the light shifts outside.

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In the bathroom and powder room, textural elements such as the mosaic tiles add drama and the sculptural shapes of the basins and sinks continue this theme. We kept the vanities open, placing storage elsewhere, to maximise the feeling of space in these smaller rooms.

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The finished space is rich in material beauty and detail. Essential to the interior design’s success are the bespoke elements where texture and shape are used to define each space and create visual interest.

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All images via ©Alexandra Kidd Design

FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS FROM THE STUDIO

Father’s Day is a particular breed of gift-giving mystery. You want something that conveys love and appreciation, but no doubt all he really wants is a new tie or a golf shirt. Needless to say options aren’t endless, which is why we’ve turned to luxe versions of everyday basics, plus some barware accoutrements for a tried-and-true way to his heart.

Emma Willis Slub Linen RobeJust add coffee and the morning paper.

Emma Willis Slub Linen Robe

Just add coffee and the morning paper.

A Weekend Away at Freycinet Lodge’s Coastal PavilionGet him what we all want: an escape from city humdrum in an ocean-view lodge inspired by the natural landscape of the Apple Isle (not to mention the outdoor bathtub). He taught you how to ride your…

A Weekend Away at Freycinet Lodge’s Coastal Pavilion

Get him what we all want: an escape from city humdrum in an ocean-view lodge inspired by the natural landscape of the Apple Isle (not to mention the outdoor bathtub). He taught you how to ride your bike after all . . .

Costa Azzurra Eua De Parfum, Tom FordA no-fuss answer to the eternal head-scratcher that is buying presents for dad: cologne that smells like a refined version of what dads should smell like – smoky leather with hints of sweet raspberry and aromatic…

Costa Azzurra Eua De Parfum, Tom Ford

A no-fuss answer to the eternal head-scratcher that is buying presents for dad: cologne that smells like a refined version of what dads should smell like – smoky leather with hints of sweet raspberry and aromatic jasmine.

Winebreather DeluxeA dad staple, but done right. This decanter imbues wine with 10 times the oxygen, using its clever flipping technique to aerate the wine as it runs through the large-surfaced carafe.

Winebreather Deluxe

A dad staple, but done right. This decanter imbues wine with 10 times the oxygen, using its clever flipping technique to aerate the wine as it runs through the large-surfaced carafe.

Ocean BottleA water bottle and planet-saver in one - talk about the gift that keeps on giving.

Ocean Bottle

A water bottle and planet-saver in one - talk about the gift that keeps on giving.

Tom Dixon Ice BucketPractical? Sort of. Chic on a bar unit? Absolutely.

Tom Dixon Ice Bucket

Practical? Sort of. Chic on a bar unit? Absolutely.

Linen shirt, VenroyThe button-down shirt: A Father’s Day classic if there ever was one, but this time in surprisingly unseasonal linen for a real luxury feel. Bountiful options in 11 different colourways.

Linen shirt, Venroy

The button-down shirt: A Father’s Day classic if there ever was one, but this time in surprisingly unseasonal linen for a real luxury feel. Bountiful options in 11 different colourways.

Rick Southwick Sterling Silver CufflinksGo full luxe with these handcrafted cufflinks made with tiger’s eye and white jade

Rick Southwick Sterling Silver Cufflinks

Go full luxe with these handcrafted cufflinks made with tiger’s eye and white jade

The Thinking Man’s Guide To LifeA night stand treasure full of the latest insights from psychology and neuroscience on every aspect of life, from leisure to work.

The Thinking Man’s Guide To Life

A night stand treasure full of the latest insights from psychology and neuroscience on every aspect of life, from leisure to work.

Q&A WITH STYLIST CLAIRE DELMAR

We stumbled across Claire Delmar’s name while admiring her work in the glossy pages of an interior magazine. Her compositions stood out as simultaneously beautiful in their simplicity and telling in their story-like quality.

We were immediately attracted to Claire’s moody, earthy and elegant style, and later to her impeccable attention to detail and tireless drive for perfection.

We revealed our Raglan Street project last month and this month it has been a pleasure to sit down with Claire, who brought her aptitude for colours and textures and eye for beautiful artwork and ceramics to Raglan’s shoot day. Here she talks inspiration, trends and life lessons.

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WHICH THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU?

Fast, Focused and Food obsessed.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE GROWING UP?

I knew I wanted to do something creative from a very early age. My passions were art and textiles and after completing a Bachelor of Media I coincidently ended up in publishing as a Fashion Stylist. My mother is very creative so I grew up surrounded by her creativity in the kitchen and her eye for detail which was expressed through our home renovations.

 WHAT DID YOU DO TO EARN YOUR FIRST PAY PACKET?

I worked at a pasta shop but fainted a few weeks into my first shifts so it wasn’t a great start!

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WHAT'S THE BEST LIFE LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNT ALONG THE WAY?

That if you are having a hard time remember tomorrow is always a new day. Don’t let something get you down or stress you out too much because after a decent sleep it’s a fresh start and new perspective, and almost always, it isn’t as bad as you may have thought.

WHAT'S YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?

When I hear my children making each other laugh. Happiness is my biggest goal in life and I feel both my kids have a love for life, and each other, which makes me so proud.

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WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My beautiful Mum. She’s my muse and has always supported my creative work even though she comes from a background of science and my father from medicine.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST VICE?

Food! I’m always talking or thinking about my next meal before I’ve finished the one I’m eating. I need to live more in the now and enjoy what’s in front of me. I coordinate my days around meals and if I’m sourcing I make sure I end up near a great cafe. My mum is an amazing cook and it’s something she has instilled in all her girls.

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DO YOU FOLLOW TRENDS OR ARE YOU A TRENDSETTER?

I tend not to follow trends but rather create from the space the project or client inhabit. It’s part of why I’ve enjoyed moving away from fashion. Interiors cross over many styles depending on the history of the space and I love that a building tells its own story and it isn’t just focusing on keeping up or following the latest trend.

WHAT DREAM DO YOU STILL WANT TO FULFIL?

I wish I had more time to travel with my children but apart from that I love what I do so I’m fulfilled through my career aspirations. I’m curious as to where it will all lead but have no specific end goal. For now I just hope to continue enjoying that every day is different, exciting and challenging. Challenge fuels my creative drive.

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WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH AKD?

The AKD team. I’m at a stage in life where it’s all about the people and the collaborations that inspire me. I don’t want to be spending time away from my children unless it’s valued so I try and work with people that make me laugh and are as passionate about design as I am.

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Images 1 - 2 via Claire Delmar / Image 3 - 6 via ©Alexandra Kidd Design