MODERN LOVE
Bold design elements combine with modernist shape sin this personality-packed Sydney apartment
Homeowner Brett relaxes on a generous ‘Sunday’ sofa from his own shop, Blu Dot. The wall is covered in colourful screen-prints by Sydney Ball from Sullivan + Strumpf.
After receiving sage advice on the importance of climbing the property ladder at a young age, Brett Conroy already had two renovations under his belt when he purchased this Sydney apartment as an investment property in 2006.
“I had recently completed a major renovation in another apartment in the same building,” says Brett. “I was familiar with the intricacies of the building and had learnt a lot from the previous renovation. I was eager to refine my ideas.”
But by the time he was ready to begin the renovations on the apartment, life had taken an exciting and unexpected turn. During a holiday to New York in late 2011, Brett visited the Blu Dot SoHo showroom. Intent on purchasing a ‘Nook’ bed and ‘Strut’ console table for his then home, he was befriended by a shrewd Blu Dot sales associate, Maverick Brown, and the rest is history.
Maverick picked up on Brett’s accent immediately and noted that the Blu Dot showroom was a popular stop for design-savvy tourists, particularly Australians. Brett began thinking about what a great fit Blu Dot would be in Australia, and made the transition to become the brand’s partner here. Fast-forward to today, and Blu Dot’s Sydney showroom has now been open for more than five years, and a Melbourne showroom is on the horizon.
Needless to say, Brett’s renovations to his apartment in the Eastern Suburbs were put on hold, as building the business took priority in all aspects of his life. However, in late 2016, he took time out of his busy schedule to plan an update for the apartment. The intent was to craft a New York-style pied-à-terre with an Australian flavour while taking advantage of the north-east aspect and gentle breezes. “I wanted a calming, cosy pad that would put a smile on my dial when I walked through the door,” says Brett.
“I wanted a calming, cosy pad that would put a smile on my dial when I walked through the door” BRETT CONROY, HOMEOWNER
“The apartment is individual and personal without being overly niche” BRETT CONROY, HOMEOWNER
The apartment had been updated in the early 2000s, but it felt flat and indifferent and paid little regard to the outlook.The existing living area, dining area and kitchen were compartmentalised, which harked back to post-Victorian-era ideals of internal space planning. The updated apartment subtly references the building’s Inter-War architecture. “To call it Art Deco is a bit of a stretch, but there are sweet Art Deco and Arts-and-Crafts moments,” says Brett.
It was important to Brett for the renovation to give a nod to the history of the building. The timber-framed four-panel glass door that divides the tailored foyer from the living area provides a connection to the ornately panelled, dark-stained timber common areas of the building.
Parallels to the original construction continue with the bespoke joinery and V-joint panelling of the kitchen cabinets, linen cupboard and wardrobes. Playful moves such as the butler’s sink, retro-style Smeg refrigerator and subtle brass cupboard door and drawer pulls complete an anything-but-generic look. The fresh palette of warm whites and cool greys is considered and creates a seamless canvas for Brett’s collection of abstract art.
Most of the furniture is from Blu Dot. “They say, ‘Don’t get high on your own supply’ – but I can’t help it!” says Brett. “I stand behind our designs. The ‘Sunday’ sofa and ‘Field’ lounge chair are so comfortable and translate perfectly to apartment living and the Australian design aesthetic. They were no-brainers.”
Thoughtful and resolved without taking itself too seriously, the flexible and functional 68-square-metre footprint maximises all available space. “I’ve achieved everything I set out to,” says Brett. “In a compact space, things must be edited so only the essentials remain. It’s a concentrate of the things that make you smile.”