A prized China collection takes pride of place in an apartment reconfigured to enlighten dark spaces and rationalise the flow. Designer Adelaide Bragg also infused the interiors in a refreshing palette of caramel, blue, green and white.
At centrestage in the now light and bright sitting room is a custom sofa covered in Colefax and Fowler ‘Drummond’ fabric in Bone layered with cushions in Rose Cummings ‘Bellflower’ fabric in Cornflower and Chelsea Textiles floral embroidery in Beige. Large artwork by David Rankin. William Delafield-Cook artwork above commode. In the adjoining study can be seen a Danila Vassilieff artwork. Sisal carpet from Floorspace.
How did you become involved with this project and what was the client’s brief?
Our client is a long-standing friend and her daughter is one of our senior designers. She purchased an established apartment which had wonderful bones but was somewhat dark. Moving from a large family home she wanted to create an oasis while adjusting to apartment living. Our client wished to create a sense of space within the confines of the footprint with changes to the floor plan to update and maximise the use of the areas.
Cane chair with seat cushions covered in ‘Espalier Square’ fabric in Emerald from Soane. Ceramic stool from Orient House. Cressida Campbell artwork above mantelpiece. A Kevin Lincoln artwork hangs above the cabinet made to display the client’s china collection of 30-plus years sourced from different eras and countries. Antique George I-style chinoiserie dresser from The Vault Sydney. Abaca woven rug from International Floorcoverings.
(Credit: Photography: Lisa Cohen | Story: Belle)What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them?
We needed to change the layout and reconfigure the apartment to use the third bedroom as a man’s study, while at the same time stealing space from this room to allow for a new, oversized walk-in robe for the master bedroom. The kitchen and powder room were completely overhauled and remodelled. Our challenge from a decorating perspective was to give the apartment a new lightness by replacing the earthy tones and dark accents with a soft palette of greens, blues, caramels and whites.
Opposite page, from top Custom sofa covered in Colefax and Fowler ‘Drummond’ fabric in Bone. ‘Celine’ cocktail table with custom travertine top from Cromwell. Rose Tarlow armchair covered in ‘Gigi’ linen in Ciel. Bragg & Co ceramic tortoiseshell stool. Still life paintings by unknown artist.
How would you describe the completed interior?
It is a timeless modernisation of a formerly masculine apartment. The light and bright interior has a soft palette of colours balanced by the considered pieces of antique furniture and artwork and new investment pieces.
Thibaut ‘Shang’ grasscloth wallpaper is the perfect backdrop to the owner’s cabbage ware collection. The antique fruitwood table is attended by upholstered chairs in Pierre Frey ‘Amalfi’ fabric in Amande.
What are some of your favourite elements? Were there any devices employed to maximise the sense of space?
The hand-painted wallpaper in the master bedroom is a joy and adds a whimsical femininity. The layering and use of different textures and finishes throughout the apartment creates interest and balance in the small spaces. We used seagrass wallpaper throughout the main living areas. Sisal matting is layered with rugs to ground the rooms. The natural stone accents in the floor and on benchtops in the bathrooms and kitchen provide a quiet formality to those spaces.
Guest bedroom bedhead and curtain in Nine Muses ‘Jaipur’ floral fabric in Black/Blue by Tigger Hall Design. Quilt in Pierre Frey ‘Trinidad’ fabric in Crème backed with Colefax and Fowler ‘Seaweed’ fabric in Aqua. Bragg & Co bedside table with aged brass ball feet. Colefax and Fowler ‘Tealby Stripe’ wallpaper in Beige/Blue. The limestone polished flooring features an oak inlay.
The apartment had heavy timber columns which provided a strong architectural backbone, but the wood finish was too prominent. We stripped these back and applied a wax paint finish that kept the character of the wood but also softened the colour and the texture of the timber, adding to the perception of scale and increasing the visual ceiling height within the rooms. The TV room was remodelled to be a study, which is an extension to the sitting room, adding depth and creating a much more interesting room. The high-gloss caramel joinery within this study provides a focal point, adding charm to a once dull room.
Interior designer Adelaide Bragg stands in the hallway beside an antique console on which sits a white ceramic cabbage by Vladimir Kanevsky.
What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and finishes?
The client had a good collection of antique oak furniture and artworks. Using her favourite pieces added her story to the apartment, as well as depth and character to a pretty palette, which was driven by the colours of the cabbage ware china. The Colefax and Fowler caramel-coloured upholstery chosen for the sofas and armchairs balances the green and blue accents in the other soft furnishings and wallpapers. The antique pieces are also balanced with modern pieces purchased from Cox London and Soane Britain and Rose Tarlow in LA.
Were the owners happy with the execution? How do they use the space?
Our client was overjoyed. She uses every inch of the space which is a good example of the success of apartment living after downsizing from a major home. adelaidebragg.com.au
