INSPIRED ELEGANCE
Grace and grandeur unite in a stunning Greg Nataledesigned abode | 這間由Greg Natale設計的米蘭矚目住所兼備優雅與華麗格調
Australian interior designer Greg Natale’s name is synonymous with luxury and opulence. However, at first glance, this eyecatching art deco-inspired residence in Sydney’s stylish Rose Bay suburb appears to eschew his trademark flourish of colour and pattern in favour of a quiet yet considered minimalism. Appearances can be deceptive, though, and closer inspection reveals Greg’s signature style is not only present, but pervasive, infused through sumptuous details and timeless touches. What’s more, the period grace of the property comes not from its illustrious heritage but from its exceptional architectural design, as, contrary to first impressions, it is actually a new structure that’s been carefully realised to harmonise with the neighbourhood’s historic aesthetic.
"We really wanted to make sure this home stood on its own two feet, but it also had to appear as though it had always been there," explains Greg. "While this was a new build and the opportunity to make a grand gesture presented itself – a clean slate of sorts – there was also a responsibility to the site, the community and the property owners to create a home that would stand the test of time, and, in offering all the amenities and luxury of a new family home, still paid its dues to the deco style found from Rose Bay to nearby Bondi Beach."
Externally, this was achieved through a flat roof and precise horizontal lines that wind their way around the home’s gentle, rounded corners. "Keeping the colour of the building a crisp white
每當提及澳洲室內設計師Greg Natale，人們都會即時聯想到富麗堂皇的風格。不過，一開始看見這間位於悉尼Rose Bay近郊的裝飾藝術風住所時，卻好像找不著這位設計師擅長的繽紛色彩和圖案運用，換來的是一室寧靜又近乎簡約的裝潢。你需要走進屋內細看，才發現「遠看未為真」，Greg的招牌風格原來呈現在多項奢華細節和永恆裝飾之中。這幢物業所散發的優雅感並非源自其歷史悠久的地區，而是其非凡建築設計。它其實是一所新落成住宅，興建時經過細心規劃，和諧融入四周歷史氣息中。
「我們要確保住所別具一格，但看起來又像是一直屹立於此。」Greg解釋說：「這是一幢全新建築，是塑造華麗姿態的好機會；而對其所在地點、社區和業主也有一份責任，新住宅建築必須經得起時間考驗，能為屋主們提供所需的設施和打造豪華格調之餘，還要保留Rose Bay至Bondi Beach一帶既有的裝飾藝術風格。」
“THE ARCHITECTURAL DETAILING OF THIS PROJECT WAS A CONSTANT FOCUS IN OUR DESIGN DEVELOPMENT”
afforded the architectural elements the opportunity to subtly project and become important, but not dominate," Greg adds. "The owners’ primary request was to have a house that looked like it had always been there. As keen entertainers with a growing family, it had to offer a wide range of entertaining options and it had to offer a relaxed take on luxury."
To achieve this, Greg gave the inside much the same treatment as the outside, with smooth edges and brilliant white leading the way for a lavishly laid-back atmosphere, despite the abode’s grand scale. True to form, Greg infuses geometric patterns and organic motifs throughout, adding character, texture and a sense of history to this family home. One of the most visually arresting areas is the entrance hallway, where architectural moments attain sculptural status. Says Greg: “The
從外觀可見，一個平面屋頂加上清晰水平線條，圍著居所的建築圓角。「外牆採用純白色調，能突出各種建築特色，又不顯浮誇。」Greg補充說：「屋主第一個要求就是要令建築看起來就像早已存在。他們喜歡招待親朋，而且將來會有更多家庭成員，居所必須能提供多個宴客模式，並具備輕鬆的豪華氣派。」
為達到要求，Greg把打造建築外形的處理方法應用到室內。居所室內面積雖大，但設計師以平滑邊緣和悅目白色調為設計之本，成功營造出輕鬆寫意的氣氛。Greg選用幾何和原始圖案，為這個
round coffered ceiling echoes the round rug beneath it, but the detail in the custom rug is quite geometric and angular. It creates a nice visual tension on arrival."
The formal lounge is one of few rooms – the study and bedrooms among them – that supplants white as the principal tone. Instead, Greg turned to one of his own designs, the subtle yet graphic Iota wallpaper, to offset the rigorous nature of the joinery and panelling and to imbue the generous space with a casually composed yet always elegant appeal. "The home exudes a relaxed luxury," says the designer, citing classical gestures such as the ceiling work and the abode’s dedication to scale and to fluency as emblematic of this handsome, almost rhythmic,
生活空間注入個性、質感和歷史色彩。屋內其中一個最精神的地方就是門廊，各種建築細節仿如雕刻般優美，叫人著迷。Greg指出：「鑲有平頂飾板的圓形天花跟下方圓形地毯互相輝映，地毯上更可見幾何和方形細節元素，視覺效果吸引。」
跟書房和睡房一樣，正式客廳並非以白色為主，取而代之的是Greg自家設計——低調但圖案豐富的牆紙，緩和細木工和鑲板的沉悶感，又可增添隨性而優雅的格調。「居所滿載了輕鬆的豪華風格。」設計師舉出帶有古典味的天花設計和空間的流暢感作例子，反映了室內堂皇而
aesthetic. No area is this timeless, understated majesty better realised than in the spectacular, sweeping staircase that resembles a ribbon in its fluidity and the way that it unites all architectural elements – interior and exterior – of the residence. "I love the staircase," says Greg. "I think it really ties all the characteristics of the house together in one sweeping act. It is decorative and beautiful but it is also very robust and serves to anchor the house’s interior. The architectural detailing of this project was a constant focus in our design development and I’m really happy with the results." //
帶有韻律的美感。要數家中最能展現永恆和低調華麗風格的部分，實非這條有如絲帶般優美矚目的彎形樓梯莫屬，完美融合了室外和室內的建築特色。「我很喜歡這道樓梯。」Greg指出：「其彎曲姿態能真正把家園所有特色集合起來。漂亮的樓梯既有裝飾作用，亦具有堅固實用的優點，完美呈現室內裝潢。此項目的建築細節成了我們設計過程的焦點，我非常滿意居所的設計。」//