In the leafy Melbourne suburb of South Yarra in Boon Wurrung Country. It's close to the CBD, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birrarung (Yarra) River and Prahran Market with some of the best-preserved, handsomely decorated 19th-century Victorian terrace houses and Art Deco apartments. My block was built in the 1970s and has a glass atrium that frames the building's entrance.
It's an inner-city dweller's dream: handy to the shops, parks and the river. I recently spent a year in Europe and was influenced by more compact styles of living. While my apartment is small I made key changes to open it up.
Having great windows that provide a lot of natural light also helps. I replaced the 1970s carpets and tiles with European oak floorboards from Bowens which instantly made the space feel larger.
I chose a mineral paint in warm white for the walls, which is finely grained to create a sense of soft movement, and exchanged the ancient vertical blinds with soft roman blinds and sheer linen curtains. It's like a small sanctuary amid a bustling community.
New banquette seating built by Stevens Waters under the window features a cosy reading nook and hidden storage, an in-built Botticino marble dining table replaces a wall, and a poky bathroom has been reimagined as a 'day spa' with Moroccan zellige tiling, a custom travertine wash trough and cobblestone floor.
Considering the size, I wanted to develop a light and meditative space. Colours are pared back, but textures and finishes are enhanced. A range of natural materials and finishes include brass, soft marble, textured wool, aged and smoothed timber, and nickel tapware.
It is an urban retreat and an opportunity to celebrate a small, domestic environment by focusing on the core elements of space, tactility and tone: the bathroom wall tiles are handmade with uneven faces, the floor tiles are chalky cobblestones and there are hand-knotted silk rugs underfoot.
I diffused the abundance of natural light with some sheer linen drapery and incorporated a Lumina 'Daphine' lamp and three Akari lights to add filtered warmth in the evenings. A selection of aged bronze hardware also creates earthy accents throughout.
My ethos has always been 'less is more' and 'quality over quantity.'
I like to be guided by materials that feel good in my hands and products that spark a natural affinity with the space I'm designing. It's important to consider not only aesthetics but longevity, as well as sourcing ethical and sustainable products where possible.
I have an office in Carlton North, but because of the pandemic my apartment currently functions as both. I designed the space to be flexible, sociable, relaxing and motivating, creating a balance between efficiency and comfort.
It is this neutrality and adaptability that allows me to switch from work to relaxation. That, and a nice glass of wine at the end of the working day!
I'm fortunate to work and collaborate with many Australian artists and designers. My most prized possessions are a marble sculpture by my friend Zachary Frankel and a walnut coffee table we collaborated on. Next to the table is a beautiful timber telephone chair that belonged to my late stepfather.
I have been expanding my book collection during lockdown and am reading a book on the French architect and designer Charlotte Perriand. It's a great source of inspiration for thinking about beautiful and functional contemporary design.
I am also currently inspired by country living decor and design. Provincial farmhouses are synonymous with getting out of the city and living the 'simple life'. They have a lovely appeal and we can learn from them, even in our urban settings.
An infrared sauna at home would be the dream.
A few years ago I had an extended stay in Copenhagen and would love to return. I was inspired by the city's functionality and style. You can walk or ride your bike everywhere, the small spaces are beautifully considered, design is evident at every turn, and everyone dresses so well!
emilygillis.com.au
stevenswaters.com.au