BLACK PEARL

[ McMahons Point ]

A ‘BRAVE’ MOVE in installing a curving wall in black devised by architect Brad Swartz delivers a cocooning mood within this newly opened up onebedroom apartment that can easily convert to offer a guest bedroom space. What was the brief? The client had seen some of our previous apartment projects and got in touch. When we met there was an instant connection and a feeling that we would be able to work well together. The brief was to convert their existing two-bedroom apartment into a luxurious one-bedroom apartment with a flexible guestroom. What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them? The original apartment felt tight with a long, narrow living space that was dark with windows at only one end – a problem commonly found in apartments. So the challenge became about increasing both space and light. We absorbed one of the bedrooms into the living area and used a single, curved timber wall finished in black to increase the apartment width, viewlines and light. How would you describe the completed interior? The interior space is divided by the dark timber wall. The living spaces on one side of it are bright, open and connected to their outdoor surrounds while the main bedroom and bathrooms are concealed on the other side of the curved wall, exuding a sense of calm. What are some of your favourite elements? The timber wall is both my favourite element and a device used to maximise the sense of space. The wall’s curve opens up the space and the black finish helps it to recede. It has a strong presence but through careful detailing it has an unexpected softness, too. On top of that, it secretly conceals the doors to

the bedroom, guest bathroom, fridge, pantry, appliance cupboard and storage. Installing a wall bed and bi-fold doors in the dining room adds flexibility so that the room can easily be converted to a second bedroom if needed. What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and finishes? We selected a pared-back material palette of crisp white walls and joinery, the black slatted-timber dividing wall, American oak parquetry flooring and touches of natural stone to create a sense of calmness. The few visible fittings were chosen to be timeless. Being avid art collectors, the clients also selected the majority of the furniture which mostly sits up off the floor, adding to the sense of spaciousness. How does the apartment respond to its context? Surrounded by gum trees, the apartment’s large terrace has views of the water and city – connecting to this became key to its success. External travertine tiles have a similar tone to the oak flooring, increasing continuity between inside and out. The dark balustrade recedes and blurs the line where planting on the terrace ends and the gum trees start. Were the owners happy with the execution? It takes a brave client to agree to a black wall in their home. But when the project was finished, they couldn’t stop telling us they loved the space and how glad they were they trusted us on it. bradswartz.com.au

These pages Furniture pieces in elegant, natural materials sit elevated from the floor to promote a feeling of airiness in the living zone. Ten10 sofa and armchairs from Spence & Lyda are paired with Gubi ‘TS’ tables from Cult on an Egyptian rug in Aegean from Armadillo. A framed artwork by Brett Whiteley depicting nearby Lavender Bay wharf hangs beside the television above Rena Menardi ceramics from Baden Baden Interior, Amsterdam. Missoni throw from Spence & Lyda, candleholders from Becker Minty and Bodil Kjaer ‘Crosses’ vase from Great Dane. ‘Bistre’ chevron parquetry floors from Tongue n Groove carry throughout the apartment.

Photography TOM FERGUSON

This page, from top Bentwood dining chairs by Le Corbusier from Thonet circle a Knoll ‘Tulip’ table by Eero Saarinen from De De Ce with a Per Lütken ‘Provence’ bowl from Great Dane at its centre, all illuminated by a Flos ‘265’ wall-mounted lamp. Shelves display Kristian Vedel timber birds and a ‘Gloria’ brass ring, all from Great Dane. Tucked discreetly behind the timber wall finished in black, the bathroom features a Boffi ‘Eclipse’ stainless-steel spout and Brodware ‘City Stik’ mixer in Brushed Nickel with a cylindrical basin in Corian ‘Designer White’. Bathroom walls in black mosaic tiles from Bettertiles and floors in Manhattan limestone from Sareen Stone.

This page, from top The Rakumba ‘Highline’ pendant light above the island bench was powdercoated black to match the kitchen’s monochromatic scheme. Island benchtop in Calacatta marble and rear bench in Dekton ‘Domoos Solid’ with Vola ‘KV1’ tapware. The mirrored splashback reflects the apartment’s leafy outlook. The artwork near the entrance is by Jade Webster. The black timber wall was made with routed MDF and conceals access to the master bedroom as well as kitchen storage and an integrated refrigerator from Fisher & Paykel, while Miele ovens blend in seamlessly. Pale-blue ceramic bowl from Mud Australia.

These pages, clockwise from left The dining area is easily converted into a second bedroom by folding down the Murphy bed and enclosing the space with internal bifold doors. The artwork above the bed is by Tom Ferguson and the Society Limonta throw is from Ondene. Bathroom walls are covered in matt-white tiles from Bettertiles and paired with Manhattan limestone flooring from Sareen Stone. In the master bedroom, a ‘Mondrian’ bedside table from Poliform accompanies a B&B Italia ‘Charles’ bed from Space. DCW Éditions ‘Mantis BS3’ table lamp and Injiri Meghwal throw, both from Spence & Lyda.