Photography: Tom Ferguson
Dean and Olga are perpetual flippers; together they have formed interior design studio Studio Zdjelar. Dean, who was an interior designer for many years, spotted a gap in the market and now specialises in all forms of carpentry and joinery. He brings the structure and attention to detail, while Olga, whose career in fashion with big Australian labels including Zimmermann, brings the colour, nuance and precious pieces to their projects. Their latest conquest – a rundown, ornate 1910 terrace in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs – brings together all the elements of their shared experiences.
When Dean first saw the house, he did one walk-through and was straight on the phone to Olga, declaring, “We’re buying it! I’ve already designed it!”. His immediate plan was to open it all up and add a showstopping vertical garden that would be visible from the moment you open the front door.
“I like focal points – I need a hero, man! When you walk into a space you’ve got a depth of vision and I like to put something on that very far, far wall to give you a target to walk towards,” he says.
It really is a dramatic reveal from the front porch, showing a confidence that this is not their first rodeo. A series of collaborative house projects and transformations have led to this latest home. The neighbourhood took an immediate interest in the new occupants of the rundown corner house and their inspired candy-coloured paint choices, dubbing it The Peppermint Garden House, which thrilled the couple.
“This is what we like to do. We like to buy something ugly – as long as it’s unique – and have a lot of fun with it,” says Dean. “We don’t do white and we’re always trying to grow in each design that we do and find the challenge in it.”
That sense of fun is obvious from the outset, with the space between the garage and the house transformed into a lush expanse, thanks to a verdant, vertical garden. Stepping stones lead toward the pink terracotta glow of the kitchen and its warm welcoming buzz.
The vertical garden is a signature move from Dean. “I think they’re fantastic. They’re kind of like murals that change on a daily basis with flowers and foliage appearing and disappearing. We think colour’s really important, so there are pops of red, mustard, black and different variations of green. And there’s also texture from the long grasses to the succulents.”
THIS IS THE LIFE
This corner terrace is the fourth project for Dean and Olga. A vertical garden is a signature move for the designer/builder duo, who designed and built the studio/garage and garden with seasonal planting in mind. The green wall provides a beautiful backdrop for the open indoor-outdoor entertaining zone, perfect for hosting friends and family year-round.
The first internal challenge was creating a bathroom on the ground floor. “The bathroom is a little bit dramatic and fun – it’s memorable,” he says, about turning the existing main living room of the house into a guest bathroom. It’s huge – it has its own fireplace and is home to Olga’s beautifully curated collection of West German ceramics.
The kitchen gives semi-professional vibes with a long galley set-up featuring a gas cooktop. The stairs were flipped, allowing for a larder underneath – now filled with Olga’s treasured artisanal fish plates, copper pots and pans. The whole room is tied together with a gorgeous fireplace that works as an anchor in the room.
It required demolishing the eight-metre high double-brick wall that spanned the entire room. “It was a monster knocking that thing down and putting a beam up,” says Dean. It was a big move, but the fireplace brings such strong personality to the space and the porous, matte Italian terracotta tiling adds a big dose of cheerful Mediterranean chic.
It is a house with a lot of joy in every room. There’s lots to love. Dean’s favourite space is a treehouse carved into the existing attic accessed by a motorised ladder that emerges from a manhole in the ceiling. “It’s unreal! It’s like a 1970s Pink Floyd den. We’ve got four guitars and a sound system, and it’s like the music room and the sports room,” he says.
“The bathroom is a little bit dramatic and fun – it’s memorable.”
DEAN ZDJELAR, BUILDER, DESIGNER & OWNER
Olga’s favourite feature, however, is one of pure opulence – a strategically planned and perfectly executed walk-in wardrobe. It is styled beautifully with her impressive collection of handbags and shoes.
“Most people see it and are like, ‘Really!?” and I say, ‘Oh come on – I work in fashion!’.”
The question visitors ask Olga most, though, is about her colour choices upstairs and in the main bedroom. The palette conveys peace.
“I can’t believe how much everyone loves it. It’s Dulux Parchment Paper in the bedroom and Parchment Paper Half in the hall,” she says.
“I can’t believe how much everyone loves the colour. It’s Dulux Parchment Paper.”
OLGA ZDJELAR, DESIGNER & OWNER
The whole project is a fantastic example of their beautiful combined energy and design partnership. Dean sees it clearly. “I kind of like to push it a bit. She’s calmer. And I think we work together really well.” Which is lucky – they’ve got itchy feet already and they’re on the hunt for their next project.
The Design Team
Studio Zdjelar: @studio_zdjelar.
Shop the look
Vintage and contemporary in complementary shades coexist happily and add character to a home.
Missoni Capri Outdoor Cushion
Winnings, $540
Maisach Side Table
Freedom, $169
Ethnicraft N701 2 Seater Sofa
Trit House, from $2489
BeefEater ‘1600’ four-burner barbecue and side burner
Appliances Online, $1,999
