A Sydney Home Reimagined with Views and Verve
Ricci Bloch Architecture + Interiors undertook a ground-up reimagining of this spacious but poorly planned Sydney apartment, opening up internal space and external views
Property in Sydney is often all about the view, so it’s unfortunate when a home is designed in such a way that the best view is from the laundry. Described by architect Ricci Bloch of Ricci Bloch Architecture + Interiors as ‘a jigsaw of disconnected rooms’, this two-storey apartment needed a structural intervention with vision. Bloch and her team reinvented the space completely, undertaking a full gut, including cabinetry and lighting, in a bid to create seamless spatial connections that showcased the home’s views to Sydney Harbour, across Royal Sydney Golf Course and all the way to Bondi Beach.
Existing walls on the ground floor were removed in favour of an open-plan environment, with a newly oriented kitchen running along the length of the space, anchoring and connecting all the areas. The new programming makes for uninterrupted views from every angle, both through the windows and reflected in the mirror of the drinks bar.
The space is the only apartment in the boutique block to have two levels, boosting the options. Upstairs, a new pivot door offers added privacy and acts as a threshold to the master suite, which was extended onto the balcony to allow for a more spacious ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and generous main space, complete with a sitting area. A fixed window separating the existing building from the balcony now opens to a lush deck created by landscape architects Myles Baldwin Design.
The brief from the newly married couple was for a calm and serene space, brought to life in the casual yet sophisticated earthy tones and soft textures, with linen curtains, honed marble, and silky Venetian plaster and micro cement on some walls. Bloch characterises the home’s material palette as ‘opposites attract’. ‘We used a simple material palette, with light classic finishes, timber and stone — the coupled loved the Superwhite Dolomite stone,’ she says. The latter pairs with warm timber veneer below the bench height and corner shelving for a beautiful contrast. And for a clean, seamless appearance, hardware is hidden behind finger pulls and push systems with appliances integrated into the joinery.
Bespoke elements define the new space, with all new joinery, cabinetry, wardrobes, vanities and other fixtures created by Bloch’s team, bringing that singular clear vision. Underfoot, raw engineered timber flooring complements the timber veneer in the kitchen and bar and the timber-look bathroom vanities and walk-in-robe. The bar shelf’s s mirrored wall was designed to reflect the harbour views and natural light, ‘so even when your back is turned you aren’t missing out’, says Bloch.
The dining area is outfitted with a Jardan August table with soft curved edges that connect to similar elements in other parts of the space. Furnishings are well chosen, like the Gus dining chairs, linen armchairs from Boffi De Padova, classic Artek K64 stools and pieces by the likes of Faye Toogood and De La Espada. Lighting includes a Highline pendant from Rakumba, a Vincent Van Duysen table lamp, Flos Mini Glo wall lights in the bathrooms and a textural Akari lamp.
For Bloch, the kitchen is a key element. ‘I always like to design kitchens like furniture and have a place for everything, so it’s easy to change from a working space to an entertaining space. The kitchen island is for both casual eating and hosting a dinner party.’ And as for the clever spatial planning, she says, ‘I love that it feels spacious and fits everything a house would.’
Text by Philip Annetta
Images by Dave Wheeler
Styling by Jack Milenkovic
