The clients of this project in Coogee, Sydney bought their contemporary townhouse off the plan before moving from the U.S. to Australia.
As construction was nearing completion, they engaged YSG’s ‘curation’ service to embed the home with texture, colour, and overall personality through one-of-a-kind pieces.
The existing home had the unusual problem of having too much light and was lacking in soul. YSG addressed this by introducing custom, coloured window treatments that create an ever-changing, moodier feel. ‘At different times of the day, the intensity of the jewel colours change, which is pretty mesmerising,’ says Yasmine.
The remaining palette speaks to the client’s deep appreciation for arts and crafts, art nouveau, reading and music, resulting in a ‘Frank Lloyd Wright meets experimental conservatorium where cosy nooks invite deep dives into reading and listening to tracks’, says Yasmine.
Various timber species, natural woven elements, and eclectic arrangements of dining chairs and statement lighting work to add warmth and points of interest throughout the home. ‘Handmade elements (from joinery to ceramics) were essential, as was adding depth, which we addressed with the joinery in particular.’
Most notably, the main bedroom features a custom undulating woven timber bedhead made by Blank Joinery under deep ocean blue wallpaper that ‘instantly coaxes you into a deeply relaxed state,’ says Yasmine.
The living room joinery (also by Blank Joinery) is Japanese inspired, including a shoji screen clad in wallpaper that slides across to conceal the television. Underneath, a cupboard face is crafted from cork that looks like nougat specked with almonds.
‘The tiny chocolate square pulls are my favourite feature,’ says Yasmine. ‘I also adore the Tappeti nouveau-inspired rug we designed in the lounge area. It’s not too flouncy and florally, but definitely nouveau-inspired.’
An extra special feature of the project is the cross-shaped stained glass window in the dining area. ‘It was created in the Blue Mountains by Legacy Stained Glass and features gumtree branches with wattle amongst the leaves,’ Yasmine says. ‘The couple wanted a special piece that represented their new Australian roots, so it’s perfect.’
The home is named Lucky Charm both to inspire optimism about the client’s new life in Australia, and reference to the American cereal sprinkled with marshmallows.
