GREEN WITH ENVY

[ Paddington ]

NINA MAYA of Nina Maya Interiors took on the interior architecture and design in the building of her own split-level contemporary home in Sydney. ninamayainteriors.com What was the brief? My husband and I had lived in Paddington for years and stumbled across this tired bungalow that had not traded or been modified in 100 years. The brief was to transform what was a dark, derelict space into a light-filled home. What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them? The main challenge was the tight block of 133sq/m. So, we demolished the existing dwelling and excavated the entire block. We gained enough height to build a three-bedroom contemporary home across three split levels utilising as much glass as possible to let in light from every angle. We decided to fill the space with rich, luxe finishes so it would feel like a jewel box upon entering from the street. Describe the completed interior? Minimal, contemporary and sleek. Starting with a largely neutral grey palette for the interiors, we layered this with some striking green marble to create a strong focal point and added a slatted timber ceiling for warmth. What are some favourite elements? Were there any devices used to maximise the sense of space? The central water feature below the open floating stairwell is a favourite. The combination of running water from the fountain, double-height glazing looking onto a lush internal courtyard and a full wall of mirror creates such a Zen-like feeling throughout the space and reflects the natural light. What informed the selection of art, furniture and fittings? To give the space a bespoke look, we sourced contemporary and vintage pieces and designed and custom-made key items. The dining room features a square oak and brass dining table that we paired with vintage rustcoloured leather Tito Agnoli ‘Korium’ chairs and a Minotti ‘Lou’ side table used as a stool. All fittings and finishes were handmade and customised to the finest detail with a focus on natural materials such as solid oak, Italian marble, slatted timber, aged brass and fluted glass to give the interiors a feeling of luxury and retreat. How do you use the space? It is a joy to live in a home we have designed from the bottom up and experience every little detail on a daily basis. We love entertaining and being able to open up to the courtyard creates a seamless indoor/outdoor flow and feeling of space.