INTERIOR ARCHITECT

Phoebe Nicol took a bespoke and functional approach to recon gure the layout in this terrace in Sydney’s Paddington that doubles as a business headquarters.

What was the brief? I was recommended by a friend to Georgie Karloci, the woman behind After The Rock (ATR) and we clicked instantly. She was amazing to work with. The response to the brief for this project was greatly in uenced by the fact that Georgie is a successful creative who runs her business from home, so a high degree of functionality has been incorporated within the beautiful aesthetic of the nished spaces. What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them? Like most Paddington terraces, the spaces were narrow. We had to recon gure the dining and living area to make them more liveable, adding joinery and customising furniture to maximise space. Initially the spaces felt dark and uninspiring so we introduced a light materials palette to give them energy. We were very deliberate in our furniture placement so as not to overcrowd the space. How would you describe the interior? The home combines playfulness with sophistication, and artistry with purpose. In order to achieve this, many bespoke pieces – including lighting, mirrors and furniture – were designed and crafted by skilled artisans. What are some of your favourite elements? I love every element of this home. Every room oozes its own very special character. The master bedroom is a private sanctuary with the walls rendered in a stucco wax nish that gives a lustrous dimension to the darkly evocative space and offers a complete contrast to the brighter living and working areas of the home. What informed the selection of furniture, art, ttings and nishes? We made sure to acquire ‘forever’ pieces such as art that creates a conversation and well-made and designed furniture of quality. The furnishings and furniture represent an intentional juxtaposition of ideas, styles and materials. Was the owner happy with the execution? She was delighted with what we created together. There is a lot of love in this home. phoebenicol.com

This page, clockwise from top left In the bedroom, Porter’s Paints ‘Jeep’ on the walls contrasts beautifully with the white trims and furnishings. The Italian neoclassical painted and parcel-gilt chair is from The Vault Sydney. The scalloped bedhead and cushions are custom made and the plaster sconce is from 1stdibs. The powder room is painted in Resene ‘Duck Egg Blue’. On the wall is a Gubi brass mirror; on the sink is a Rachel Saunders vase.