The Chester Street Apartment in Brisbane, Australia has been given a makeover by designer Alexander Lotersztain, the director of Derlot. Alexander chose to refurbish this apartment with items that each, on their own, are statement pieces, and when brought together create a cohesive study fitting of the phrase “less is more” – or in this case, “much more”. This apartment is large, but rather then filling it up with a lot of little pieces, Alexander has chosen a few select items that each demand attention. From the owl canvas of fuchsia and manganese to the yellow and black tufted sectional, the theme is “large”. Adding to the patternscape is the choice of 3 overscaled white pendants above the kitchen counter, each with a turquoise interior, the grouping of photos above the desk just past the kitchen and the selection of greenery high above the window. Adding to the bold colours is the dramatic black wall and the multi toned area rug, which also features a large diamond pattern. Each piece is carefully placed to create a flow of balance, rhythm and harmony.
While the living area is filled with a bold palette, the colour black rules. Whether the black on black of the TV against the wall, the sleepy eyes of the owl, the super fun accent chair against the multi tones rug or the ottoman within the sectional, the story here is all about the black. This is done so that the homeowner can introduce any coloured item over time and have it still work cohesively. Had the yellow shade of the sofa been the focus, bringing in new pieces would become more difficult.
Across from the dramatic black living area is a white zone. Here the palette is softer. Another multi toned rug is featured, but in a more neutral grouping of landscape colours. A black accent chair ties this wall to the other as does the black frames of the photograph vignette hanging on the wall. The white on white desk / wall repeats the black on black of the TV / wall.
Unlike the interior space, the deck is layered in such a way as to allow the panoramic landscape to be the focal point without distraction.
The landscaping is connected to the deck via the wall of herbs for both visual purposes and culinary ones.
Only the BBQ zone features a touch of colour and whimsy.
Back inside and creating a contrasting yet similar effect to the living zone is the wood veneered kitchen featuring horizontal graining. While the whitescape is present within workstation cabinets and counters and black is present within the appliances themselves, the addition of a singular accent colour – namely turquoise – is a divergence from the rest of the social zone.
The turquoise backed glass panel glows brilliantly from the strip of LED lights running just below the upper cabinets.
The wood veneer continues down the hallway, creating a warm blocking effect against the starkness of the white. On the opposite side of the hall a super awesome storage feature hides (or shows off) a prime selection of magazines, music and video discs.
The slim full height storage unit is a clever way to maximize storage within an apartment. An additional feature of this hallway is the masking of the ensuite door. A simple chrome hand pull gives it away.
The ensuite brings us back to the black on black via the subway tiles and the mirror surround; even the soap dispenser is black. The white sink and floor are tied into the blackscape with the simple addition of checkered hand towel.
The full washroom further down the hall is a streamlined composition of white on white with a touch of stripes and foliage. A white on white colour scheme is a great place to use bold splashes of colour and the choice of this striped rug and hand towel is the perfect addition.
The vanity is a sink and counter in one with a wall mounted faucet. The homeowner has added a touch of whimsy via the hanging monkey and the black bunny, both looking completely at home next to the palm fronds.
The Chester Street Apartment is lucky enough to have an ensuite off of the Master Bedroom and here, the focus reverts back to black. The white vanity floats within a black surround and the two opposites are tied together via the zigzag towels. While at first glance this room seems void of colour, the ceiling tells a bold tale of crimson and while the story is one of bold choices, the nuances of a heated towel rack and operable window bring in an extra layer of luxury.
Derlot
