Playing the role of architect and designer, interior designer Greg Natale describes this featured project as one that is completely unique. “Unlike other homes that comprise openplan spaces, a house that is either closed or just more traditional like this prompts a different type of design,” says Greg. The home’s narrow width also meant Greg had to do things a little differently.
As you first enter the home, the lounge room on the left is closely followed by the dining room, kitchen and bathroom. The home is divided into four key sections for living and although these rooms are disconnected from each other, there is still a sense of continuity. From the front door, you are able to see right through to the back. In this small-space interior, glass played a leading role. Used because of its ability to create the illusion of space, this dominant feature added dimension and welcomed an abundance of light inside. While the layout is not open-plan, a doorway and lintel were removed to create a feeling of space. The benefit of reducing the staircase to the thinnest it could be was two-fold: a functional design element that led to the second level and one that made minimal impact. “It couldn’t be a solid element as it would have taken up too much visual space,” continued Greg.
The interior follows a very minimal approach. “It’s all about the details in this house and there just wasn’t a great need to jazz it up with the furnishings.” However, choosing to keep a design simple doesn’t mean it can’t be cutting-edge. “We weren’t afraid to use colour and pattern. Inspired by a theme, our team welcomed green and orange accessories to create a layer of retro,” Greg says. Offsetting the predominantly neutral colour palette, this subtle exploration of colour freshened up the space and created a living environment that was both beautiful and elegant. The owners also wanted to incorporate a glamorous bathroom into the design, so the Greg Natale Design team set to work rebuilding that area and turned the bathroom into a glass box, literally. “We sunk the bath and it was the floor-to-ceiling door and louvres that established the shape which became known as the box of glass,” he says. The owners also wanted their home to function as a place they could relax and entertain in. The introduction of a courtyard at the back fulfils this request. It can be said that this terrace, while small, has all the elements: it’s retro, light-filled and totally glam.
