The Sophisticated Sydney Apartment Of Furniture Designers
After yrs of condominium dwelling overseas, Koala merchandise designers Alexandra Owen and James Whitta ended up in search of a effectively-built condominium to settle in Sydney. They came throughout a medium-density growth in Alexandria in 2021 that was nearing completion, and immediately scooped up one particular of the remaining residences.
‘There are so several compromised and improperly set together condominium complexes in Sydney, and this build is undoubtedly an antidote to the soulless higher-rise development,’ says Alexandra. ‘After dwelling in Europe, we really like condominium living and learned that you can fortunately exist in these areas if they are well designed with people in thoughts.’
The making has 18 apartments, and was intended by SJB to supply notice to detail, indoor-outdoor dwelling, and generous proportions. ‘I like to say they are home-like dimensions that rejoice condominium living—showing you don’t need a huge piece of land to stay spaciously with a fantastic outdoor area,’ says Alexandra.
Total-height doorways disappear into the wall cavity to reveal the outdoor room off the residing space, with terrazzo flooring beneath that seamlessly prolong from the interiors.
Alexandra and James set their personal stamp on the condominium by painting the residing spaces in Porter’s Paint Rubble, and the primary bedroom in Porter’s Paints Frozen, which mirror the apartment’s statement marble accents. In addition to the kitchen island bench and rest room self-importance, this marble characteristics in a smaller nook place in which Alexandra begins each and every morning. ‘With fluted glass and normal gentle, it’s the excellent area to get completely ready in the morning even though obtaining a espresso,’ she states.
The couple’s furniture and decor has been sourced from all more than the world—from Denmark, to Poland, France, and China—to mirror the a variety of levels of their functioning and particular life. An Ikea ‘Randig Banana’ print (developed in the ‘80s by Alexandra’s previous mentor) reminds the pair of their time doing work for Ikea in Sweden items by New Zealand artists reference their heritage the Akari Noguchi lamps ended up purchased from the unique showroom in Tokyo even though travelling and the couple’s very first Koala designs—the Getaway Couch and the Shear Bliss Rug— are proudly on display screen. These latter parts signify the deliberately ‘Australian’ aesthetic and tactic the pair have worked to set up at Koala over the past two decades.
Alexandra points out, ‘We were being normally annoyed in the previous working for Australian organizations that revered European/worldwide society a lot more than our possess. A 10 years ago, Australians were being a tiny embarrassed of their society and style and design, and I could never ever comprehend why no a person would embrace how gorgeous Australia’s landscape, life style and people had been.’
Both equally at perform and residence, Alexandra and James have embraced Australia’s uniqueness in their choice of colors, elements and finishes. ‘This has absolutely proven up in our condominium with the Australian palette: sun-kissed tones, earthy naturals, and vibrant color pops,’ says Alexandra.
Entirely, the apartment is a subtle, personalised household in the heart of Alexandria. ‘I enjoy sitting on the sofa in the residing place with the doorways open and music on,’ James states. ‘It is definitely my delighted spot.’