Photography: Anson Smart
While redesigning a Bowral home, Greg Natale was engaged to work on the owners’ spectacular city residence.
What made this project attractive to you? It’s a penthouse in Darling Point with a fantastic view of Sydney Harbour. We saw it as an opportunity to collaborate with clients who have a strong, discerning sense of personal style. Their taste is classic and refined, with a deep appreciation for quality materials. The apartment had been renovated just prior to their purchase, which meant some elements, like the kitchen joinery, could be left in place. This gave us the chance to focus on enhancing rather than overhauling the space, using high-end finishes and custom details.
Was there a brief for the interiors? The penthouse had great bones and a strong architectural foundation, with clean lines and cream-toned marble floors that became the natural starting point and set the tone for the design to come. The clients love clean, low-line Italian furniture, so the brief was to create an elegant space that spoke to their personal style – minimal and restrained but with elevated finishes and a heightened sense of detail.
Were there any challenges with the space? While the home had great bones, working around the existing joinery and architectural features presented some challenges. Much of the joinery, particularly in the kitchen and on the balcony, was designed to open outwards, which meant we had to be strategic in our furniture selection to avoid obstructing those elements. Our solution was to opt for modern European pieces, primarily low-profile Italian furniture which tends to keep a compact footprint.
Did you employ any devices to maximise the sense of space? We used several techniques to enhance the sense of space and light throughout – the most effective being the respraying of all the internal doors in a high-gloss lacquer. This finish reflects and distributes natural light more effectively, contributing to the airy, open feel of the interiors. Incorporating reflective surfaces was a deliberate design choice to amplify the brightness and elevate the existing architecture through subtle interventions.
What informed the selection of furniture and art? The selection process was guided by the owners’ appreciation for modern Italian furniture. They gravitate towards pieces that feel timeless and polished, so we curated a clean, high-end mix to reflect their tastes. We elevated the base palette with luxurious materials and glossy finishes to enhance the overall elegance. In the kitchen, for instance, we left the joinery intact but introduced new flooring. The client selected the black and white Palladio marble tiles from my collaboration with Teranova to add contrast and character and make the space feel grander.
All the bathrooms were completely redone, each showcasing a different design of glass-mosaic tile, creating immersive, textural spaces that contrast with the more restrained living areas. In the primary bedroom and walk-in wardrobes, the bamboo silk carpet is not only softer underfoot but also makes these spaces feel warmer and more intimate.
In the open-plan space, we customised rugs from my long-standing collaboration with Designer Rugs to anchor each furniture setting, clearly defining the seating, lounge and dining areas. At the clients’ request, we colour-matched each rug to the corresponding upholstery, creating distinct yet cohesive zones that feel polished and immersive.
Was colour important to this project? Colour played a vital role in adding personality and depth to the space. The clients like rich tones such as plum and royal blue, which became accent colours used throughout the interiors. Those hues were used to create contrast and visual interest against the more neutral base palette of creams and soft greys.
What are some of your favourite elements? The walk-in wardrobe we designed to house our client’s impressive shoe collection is a beautifully detailed space that feels like a jewel box, complete with a mini Murano glass chandelier and glass-fronted display cabinets. The balcony is another standout. Its generous proportions meant that we could create distinct outdoor entertaining zones, including both a lounge and dining area.
How would you describe the end result? The completed interior is refined and minimal, but still luxurious. It strikes a balance between modern and warm, with clean lines, high-end materials and layered finishes. Overall, the design of the apartment is refined and comfortable, and reflects the owners’ personalities and lifestyle in a very considered way.
The Design Team
Greg Natale: gregnatale.com
Get the look
Linea Round Marble Tray
Black Blaze, $179
Anjelica Console Table
Greg Natale, $26,895
VERDE Side Table
Freedom, $299
Black & Camel Flatwoven Rug
Ruggable, $709
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