15 striking monochrome living rooms by Australia’s top designers

A modern monochrome extension lies at the rear of this Sydney heritage home by CDArchitects and MXM Design Studio. The homeowners, a couple with young children, were seeking a monochromatic palette with muted hard finishes. “They wanted a neutral scheme and colours that would work in both the old and new parts,” says the designer.

With its generous proportions and panoramic views over the district to the city skyline this house on a corner block in Sydney’s Hunters Hill ticked all the boxes for the empty-nester purchasers. With the brief specifying a black-and-white palette, designer Greg Natale was in his element but the owners’ wish for “a clean, modern and sleek interior” meant a change of beat for him. Known for his lavish layers and decoration, Greg said he held back on the patterns in this project but introduced plenty of texture and materiality. 

Designer Dylan Farrell has performed a smart conjuring trick with this glamorous four-bedroom home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. In a magical transformation, he has deftly upped its formal, classical credentials, while, paradoxically perhaps, also making it fun and functional for family living. Bright white interiors “for lightness”, teamed with sophisticated black accents, drove the palette, expressed in white walls, timber flooring and lashings of marble. 

This newly-designed concrete home’s strength of character comes not just from its robust materials but also the confident embrace of its bayside position with gun-barrel views of Sydney Heads. The mood throughout is one of quiet luxury. The owners favoured a monochrome palette, so the materials were restricted to blackened steel and timber for the stairs and living room shelving, and stained oak for the joinery in the kitchen and other areas.

By mining tricks of light, pattern panache and colour wizardry, clever design can bring new life to even the most modest dwelling. And that is certainly the case in this striking Sydney apartment that’s crossed over to the dark side.

While this modern home is owned by landscape professionals, there’s nothing earthbound in the uplifting feeling it generates. Except, that is, for the abundant indoor greenery that is handsomely offset by a monochromatic palette.

In the communal spaces of this 19th-century mansion, monochromatic and minimalist furniture is juxtaposed with the highly ornate ceiling roses and intricate mouldings.

Even the stunning water views on the doorstep can’t upstage the polished interiors of this reborn home in Sydney’s Point Piper. A lighter touch was needed, so Dylan Farrell and Thomas Hamel of Thomas Hamel & Associates and Timothy Moon of Timothy Moon Architects were hired to re fashion the two-level home.

The owner of this Potts Point apartment has a love of soft greys, charcoals and muted colours, and the refresh of the interiors has a real sense of serenity. There are quite a few dark elements contrasted with large expanses of chalky greys, expressed through a very tight palette.

A harmonious fusion of Japanese, contemporary and Victorian influences instils a sense of effortless calm within this chic home conceived by Mim Design. A dialled down palette prevails in the sitting room.

This dream-like Vanuatu property became a much-loved second home for Elizabeth Jones and her family. Contrast defines the kitchen and living area. Hand-picked objects stand proud in dark cabinetry and bold prints lift the white sofas.

Fitt de Felice was asked to create a luxurious, stylish and comfortable family home that would also be a great place for entertaining. A Ligne Roset ‘Ploum’ sofa from Domo acts as a statement piece in the living room.

Design duo and mother and daughter Poppy and Charlotte O’Neil put their heads together to create a contemporary and fresh space in Charlotte’s inner-city terrace. A chic monochrome interior and layers of luxurious finishes gives the terrace a fresh new look.

Drawing on Californian inspirations, this house glows with a glamorous vibe that strikes a pose between ease and elegance courtesy of David Hicks.