LAYERING SOFT-EDGED

appointments in enveloping shades with moments of sculptural flair, this 120sqm harbourside bolthole is a neat encapsulation of Meryl Hare’s elegant MO.

What was the brief? To focus the interior towards the view and create a sophisticated but relaxed Sydney ambience. The owners live overseas so we felt it was important to create a strong sense of their identity, so that when they visited Sydney, they would feel instantly at home. What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them? One of the conundrums in settling on a floor plan for the living area was to focus on the generous harbour view but also accommodate a large television. After discussion with our clients, we acquired a Bang & Olufsen television and located it in front of a window, allowing the main seating to soak up the view without compromising the aesthetics. The lack of floor space required a minimal approach to the design, which is deceptively simple but meticulously detailed. Describe the completed interior? It’s a balance between a sophisticated palette with crisp, contrasting design details and a warmth that’s created by layer on layer of texture, colour and form, with paintings and sculptures that enrich the spaces. Were there any devices used to maximise the sense of space? We designed a joinery box that wraps around to the kitchen and ‘hugs’ a Joshua Yeldham artwork that is both graphic and calming, reflecting the aura of the space with the sculptural dining area in the background. The furniture placement was designed to maximise the sense of space, particularly in the living room where we angled the sofa to take in the view, without closing off the entry to this area. Similarly the round table doesn’t define the dining space too clearly, making it a fluid layout. What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and finishes? Our selection of finishes reflected the brief, which was substantiated with inspirational imagery, giving us a good starting point. The furniture selection reflected our clients’ sophisticated taste as well as their desire for comfort. Their aesthetic is closely aligned to our own, so we found curating the furniture, furnishings and art very rewarding. hareklein.com.au

This page, from above Wrapped in curtains made of Design of the Times ‘Seppala’ linen from James Dunlop Textiles, the living zone features ‘Santa Monica’ swivel armchairs from Poliform and a custom sofa by Hare + Klein upholstered in Threads ‘Andes’ fabric from Elliott Clarke. Molteni&C ‘Trevi’ coffee tables from Hub and ‘Oko’ side table by Christophe Delcourt from Ondene, all on a ‘Landscape’ rug by Hare + Klein from Designer Rugs. ‘Beovision Harmony’ television from Bang & Olufsen, ‘Applique’ wall light by Serge Mouille from Cult and artwork by Conchita Carambano from Graphis. B&B Italia ‘Erica’ armchairs from Space drink in Sydney Harbour views.