A Stylish Reinvention Of A Suburban New-Build
Interiors
Bufa modular sofa designed by Yonoh Studio from DOMO. Ajmer wool rug in custom colour by Hali. Ceramic on coffee table ‘Small Deviation’ by Alterfact from Pepite. Mushroom coffee table by Calligaris from Voyager Interiors.
Oak milking stool in stained walnut from Pan After. Bufa modular sofa designed by Yonoh Studio from DOMO. Custom curtains in Mokum, Antipodes, Flax. Ajmer wool rug in custom colour by Hali. Drop Lamp by CCSS. Vintage Easy Chair by Carin Bryggman from Curated Spaces. Kalfire 190S 3-sided E-One Electric Holographic Fireplace from Oblica. Ceramic on coffee table ‘Small Deviation’ by Alterfact from Pepite.
Custom curtains in Mokum, Antipodes, Flax. Ajmer wool rug in custom colour by Hali. Drop Lamp by CCSS. Vintage Easy Chair by Carin Bryggman from Curated Spaces. Ceramic on console by Laura Veleff from Pepite. ‘Echoes No. 3’ artwork by Ksenia Shinkarenko. Tulipan Lamp by Lana Launay. Geometric Console by Ethnicraft from Trit House.
Vintage Easy Chair by Carin Bryggman from Curated Spaces. Ceramic on console by Laura Veleff from Pepite. ‘Echoes No. 3’ artwork by Ksenia Shinkarenko. Tulipan Lamp by Lana Launay. Geometric Console by Ethnicraft from Trit House.
76cm Designer Wine Storage, Panel Ready by Sub Zero. Pinch Anders Pendant Light by Spence & Lyda. Orb sur wall light by Lighting Republic from Light Co Australia. Brighton and Belgravia hardware by Momo. Ceramic on console by Laura Veleff from Pepite. ‘Echoes No. 3’ artwork by Ksenia Shinkarenko. Tulipan Lamp by Lana Launay. Geometric Console by Ethnicraft from Trit House.
An awkward nook adjacent to the kitchen and dining area was turned into a custom bar.
‘I’m also proud of the craftsmanship in the bar — particularly the seamlessly inset stone benchtop and the beautifully edge matched stone on the bar pillar,’ says Liz Hall, Studio Apercu director and principal designer.
1977 Sofa by King Living. Mola rug by AYTM from Designstuff. Organic Clay Cone Floor Lamp by Totana from Lighting Collective. Waverley Table by Few and Far. ‘Soil to Sky’ artwork by Ksenia Shinkarenko. Bronze coloured floor ceramic by Emily Ellis from Pepite. Beige floor ceramic by Emily Ellis from Pepite. Ceramics on side table by Anna Gleeson from Pepite.
Palermo bedcover by L&M Home. Maxwell Bed Head in Leather Hide Trench by Heatherly Design. Mila table lamp by Paola & Joy. Custom curtains in Mokum, Antipodes, Flax. Venier side table by Rachel Donath.
Bronze ceramic by Emily Ellis from Pepite. Ajmer wool rug in Tarkine by Hali. Palermo bedcover by L&M Home. Maxwell Bed Head in Leather Hide Trench by Heatherly Design. Mila table lamp by Paola & Joy.
‘Sacrificial bliss’ by Ksenia Shinkarenko. Ceramic on console by Rémi Bracquemond from Pepite. Monica Sideboard by Satara. Ajmer wool rug in Tarkine by Hali.
Arte mirror by Rachel Donath. Baby Geo Chair and Geo Ottoman in custom upholstery by Saba Italia from Bachli Furniture. Ceramic on console by Rémi Bracquemond from Pepite.
The recent transformation of this Balwyn North home shows the power of quality joinery and furniture.
When interior designers Studio Apercu were engaged on the project, the newly-built home had beautiful warm-toned American oak herringbone flooring, but was otherwise lacking in stylish features. ‘The rest of the interior felt stark and unfinished, with predominantly white finishes and basic window coverings,’ says Liz Hall, Studio Apercu director and principal designer.
The client had a couple of key requests: introduce a statement bar and fireplace, and a more inviting colour palette of earthy tones across the styling.
‘She wanted to avoid stark or monotone palettes — especially black or all-white schemes,’ says Liz. ‘She preferred materials that felt contemporary but also relaxed, and she welcomed contrast to the existing white walls.’
Without making any structural changes, Studio Apercu made some tweaks to optimise the home’s functionality and flow.
An underused storage cupboard became a wine storage unit clad in Navurban panelling, and an awkward nook adjacent to the kitchen and dining area was turned into a custom bar.
‘What could have remained a dead space became one of the home’s most striking — and most used — features,’ says Liz.
The look and feel of the living was transformed with a statement electronic fireplace surrounded by Nacarado quartzite stone, complemented by flax-toned sheer curtains, a green curved modular sofa, and rust floor rug.
‘The overall colour palette was intentionally grounded in earthy, organic hues — beige, green, and warm browns — that not only complemented the existing finishes but also reinforced the calm, inviting atmosphere the client was after,’ says Liz.
Smoked glass, statement lamps, brass wall lights add a gentle glow and touch of sophistication.
Taking cues from the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality, the reinvented interior encourages connection, and serves as a relaxing retreat away from the client’s demanding professional life.
Liz says, ‘I’m proud of how we transformed a cold, minimalist build into a home that’s warm, refined, and truly reflects the client’s lifestyle and personality.’