Phoebe Abbott was happily residing in her (former) Sydney rental property, but she always keeps her eye on the real estate apps, just in case. And that’s when this Leichhardt property popped up…

‘We weren’t necessarily looking, but I bugged [my partner] Mick [Lakin] to just come have a stickybeak with me,’ says the interior stylist. ‘After much convincing, he finally agreed, and we pencilled in the inspection for Saturday… To our surprise were the only ones to show up that day, we had a full private viewing and fell in love.

‘By the end Mick was convincing me we needed to move!’

Phoebe and Mick thank the rental gods for looking down on them that day, allowing them to move into the home of their dreams. ‘We feel so lucky to live here,’ Phoebe says.

Just before it hit the rental market, the circa 1930s Leichhardt house had undergone an extensive renovation by Lintel Studio, introducing an ultra-functional compact layout with playful accents.

‘It’s a very contemporary minimalist home, without being flat, through the use of textures, an abundance of natural light, and touches of the original features seen in the decorative mouldings,’ says Phoebe.

These period features are contrasted with colourful touches and more unexpected materials, such as red carpet lining the staircase to the main bedroom, and a terrazzo kitchen benchtop.

As an interior stylist, Phoebe is always guided by the existing style of a home, so she’s leaned into Lintel Studio’s design with clean and considered pieces. ‘My style for this home definitely speaks to its beautiful simplicity – with the furniture pieces reflecting the warmth of the timber details, or the hint of green in the courtyard garden,’ she says.

With the luxury of time on her side, Phoebe finds the process of styling for herself easier than styling for a client. ‘You know what you do and don’t like. There is no judgement, reading minds, convincing, or formality to it,’ she explains. ‘My goal [with clients] is to really be a vehicle for them to explore and find their own style and identity in their home or venue.’

More than anything, Phoebe and Mick love how this home makes them feel. Set on a narrow street just a few streets back from Leichhardt’s busy main strip, arriving home is always a chance to leave the worries of the world behind.

‘I really feel like this home brings a sense of comfort and exhale,’ adds Phoebe. ‘Your mind feels uncluttered, your body feels lighter, and there’s a quiet ease that runs through the space.’