Lockdown Success: A Designer Worked Her Magic on a Flat, Remotely
See how Sophie Kost breathed life into her client's newly built apartment – all online during Melbourne's lockdowns
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, Sophie Kost, lead designer at My Beautiful Abode, reveals how she selected colours, art and furniture to bring character and soul to a new Melbourne apartment without stepping foot inside the space until completion day.
Why couldn’t you set foot in this space?
We started discussions about this apartment during Melbourne’s lockdown in July 2020. At the time, the apartment was under construction and there was no way to visit. The building was due to be completed before Christmas that year, but the building timeline blew out several times, finally becoming ready by Easter 2021.
In the meantime, we worked off the plans and used the marketing images as a reference, then designed and selected all furnishings for the space remotely.
We started discussions about this apartment during Melbourne’s lockdown in July 2020. At the time, the apartment was under construction and there was no way to visit. The building was due to be completed before Christmas that year, but the building timeline blew out several times, finally becoming ready by Easter 2021.
In the meantime, we worked off the plans and used the marketing images as a reference, then designed and selected all furnishings for the space remotely.
When did you first see the interior?
On the delivery day! With Covid-19 restrictions in place, I was unable to attend the apartment inspection with my client at handover, as I had hoped to. Instead, I asked them to video the entire space so I could ‘see’ the real space and spot any imminent problems.
Inspired to redecorate your own home? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
On the delivery day! With Covid-19 restrictions in place, I was unable to attend the apartment inspection with my client at handover, as I had hoped to. Instead, I asked them to video the entire space so I could ‘see’ the real space and spot any imminent problems.
Inspired to redecorate your own home? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
What was the design process like?
My client is very tech-savvy and switching to online video conferencing rather than meeting face-to-face was pretty seamless.
I presented my concepts in a digital format and posted samples to my client for clarity on colour and texture of materials.
My client is very tech-savvy and switching to online video conferencing rather than meeting face-to-face was pretty seamless.
I presented my concepts in a digital format and posted samples to my client for clarity on colour and texture of materials.
What wasn’t working for your client about the original apartment?
This is a new build and they wanted new furnishings to reflect the beautiful new space.
Which rooms did you work on?
We furnished all spaces. My client wanted to start in this apartment with a fresh beginning and new furnishings throughout.
Taking cues from the architecture, we repeated shapes in custom furnishings to link the rooms together and added a warm and easy-to-live-with colour palette.
This is a new build and they wanted new furnishings to reflect the beautiful new space.
Which rooms did you work on?
We furnished all spaces. My client wanted to start in this apartment with a fresh beginning and new furnishings throughout.
Taking cues from the architecture, we repeated shapes in custom furnishings to link the rooms together and added a warm and easy-to-live-with colour palette.
Artwork: ‘The Big Blue’ by Kara Rosenlund
Tell us about the beautiful artwork
I can’t resist photography by Kara Rosenlund and this piece has the most spectacular shades of blue. It showcases Ningaloo Reef, which is in the owners’ home state of WA.
We ordered this photograph in extra-large as it really needed to make an impact in the space. I had it framed at Forman Art & Framing with art glass to minimise the chance of reflections when viewed.
Tell us about the beautiful artwork
I can’t resist photography by Kara Rosenlund and this piece has the most spectacular shades of blue. It showcases Ningaloo Reef, which is in the owners’ home state of WA.
We ordered this photograph in extra-large as it really needed to make an impact in the space. I had it framed at Forman Art & Framing with art glass to minimise the chance of reflections when viewed.
And the striking record-player unit?
The homeowners love music – both listening to it and playing it. As we had decided not to have a dining area, I wanted to create an amazing focal point when you enter the space where the dining area would logically go, but which also gave this area a purpose.
We landed on the idea of a beautiful record player that also acts like a console table. This piece was designed in collaboration with Christopher Blank Furniture and is made from American oak.
The homeowners love music – both listening to it and playing it. As we had decided not to have a dining area, I wanted to create an amazing focal point when you enter the space where the dining area would logically go, but which also gave this area a purpose.
We landed on the idea of a beautiful record player that also acts like a console table. This piece was designed in collaboration with Christopher Blank Furniture and is made from American oak.
We teamed the timber piece with a teal velvet swivel chair on a round rug that would allow easy movement through the space.
The main bedroom
What was your brief?
A pug-friendly colour palette for starters! Pugs have a reputation for shedding and these fur babies have full run of the apartment (one dog sat in on our first video call!). So it was important that the sofa and rugs were in practical materials that didn’t show fur.
Also in the brief was a desire to link back to the owners’ home state of WA. The Kara Rosenlund print featuring Ningaloo Reef was the starting point for the accent colour palette of electric blues and teal.
The angular detail to the kitchen panels and built-in cabinetry in the living room were also represented in the art selections (such the Antoinette Ferwerda print in the master bedroom opposite the bed), the furniture (custom record-player cabinet) and the furnishings.
Living right in Melbourne city with access to amazing restaurants at which they can catch up with friends (in non-lockdown times), my client didn’t want a dedicated dining area in the apartment. They are happy sitting at the island bench for casual dining. They were, however, very keen to create a space to play and enjoy music in.
What was your brief?
A pug-friendly colour palette for starters! Pugs have a reputation for shedding and these fur babies have full run of the apartment (one dog sat in on our first video call!). So it was important that the sofa and rugs were in practical materials that didn’t show fur.
Also in the brief was a desire to link back to the owners’ home state of WA. The Kara Rosenlund print featuring Ningaloo Reef was the starting point for the accent colour palette of electric blues and teal.
The angular detail to the kitchen panels and built-in cabinetry in the living room were also represented in the art selections (such the Antoinette Ferwerda print in the master bedroom opposite the bed), the furniture (custom record-player cabinet) and the furnishings.
Living right in Melbourne city with access to amazing restaurants at which they can catch up with friends (in non-lockdown times), my client didn’t want a dedicated dining area in the apartment. They are happy sitting at the island bench for casual dining. They were, however, very keen to create a space to play and enjoy music in.
Artwork by Prudence Caroline
What was your scope of works?
With the exception of the bedside table in the guest bedroom, we specified all-new furnishings.
Browse more images of beautiful Australian bedrooms on Houzz
What was your scope of works?
- Source and supply new furnishings.
- Design and supply new furniture.
- Style the space.
With the exception of the bedside table in the guest bedroom, we specified all-new furnishings.
Browse more images of beautiful Australian bedrooms on Houzz
Were there any surprises during your virtual redesign?
In a video, I saw that the location of the intercom and switchboard were in an unexpected location, which meant we couldn’t include the mirror I had planned.
I also saw that the main bedroom window’s size and position were different to the plans, which meant we needed to rethink the position of furniture. While this wasn’t a problem, it meant flipping the layout and instead of taking advantage of the niche effect created by the ensuite wall, the bed was placed on the opposite wall and the art hung in new locations.
In a video, I saw that the location of the intercom and switchboard were in an unexpected location, which meant we couldn’t include the mirror I had planned.
I also saw that the main bedroom window’s size and position were different to the plans, which meant we needed to rethink the position of furniture. While this wasn’t a problem, it meant flipping the layout and instead of taking advantage of the niche effect created by the ensuite wall, the bed was placed on the opposite wall and the art hung in new locations.
What were the main challenges of the design process?
The stop-start nature of this project was frustrating while we waited for the build to be completed. But the relaxed nature of the owners made them a dream to collaborate with.
The stop-start nature of this project was frustrating while we waited for the build to be completed. But the relaxed nature of the owners made them a dream to collaborate with.
Artwork beside window by Antoinette Ferwerda
How exactly did you take your cues from the architecture?
The apartment has white walls, grey-wash timber parquet flooring, a concrete ceiling to some areas and geometric details to the kitchen island. I used these features as cues to select shapes and colours for the new furnishings.
How exactly did you take your cues from the architecture?
The apartment has white walls, grey-wash timber parquet flooring, a concrete ceiling to some areas and geometric details to the kitchen island. I used these features as cues to select shapes and colours for the new furnishings.
What was your thinking behind the choice of colours and materials?
Pug grey and ocean blue form the colour palette. The materials echo the geometric architectural features.
Pug grey and ocean blue form the colour palette. The materials echo the geometric architectural features.
The guest bedroom has a gas-lift bed to provide extra hidden storage
Where did you spend and where did you save?
We indulged in beautiful finishes in the master bedroom, with a custom bed and beautiful Kelly Wearstler lamps. We saved in the guest room by sourcing an off-the-shelf gas-lift bed, recycling a side table from my client’s previous home, and sourcing a print for the wall.
Where did you spend and where did you save?
We indulged in beautiful finishes in the master bedroom, with a custom bed and beautiful Kelly Wearstler lamps. We saved in the guest room by sourcing an off-the-shelf gas-lift bed, recycling a side table from my client’s previous home, and sourcing a print for the wall.
Furnishings
- Record-player unit custom-made by Christopher Blank Furniture.
- Papillion Furniture custom bedhead to the master bed.
- GlobeWest bedside tables in the master bedroom.
- Kelly Wearstler lamps at Bloomingdales Lighting in the master bedroom.
- Papillion Furniture sofa.
- Papillion Furniture ottoman upholstered in James Dunlop Envelope fabric in living room.
- Globe West kitchen bar stools.
Your turn
Would you be tempted to work with a designer virtually? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on decorative makeovers? Don’t miss this Classic Beauty: Old-World Elegance for a Brand-New Build
Would you be tempted to work with a designer virtually? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on decorative makeovers? Don’t miss this Classic Beauty: Old-World Elegance for a Brand-New Build
Answers by Sophie Kost, lead designer at My Beautiful Abode
Who lives here: A couple and their two pug dogs
Location: West Melbourne, Victoria
Bedrooms and bathrooms: Two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Unit size: Around 80 square metres
Interior designer: Sophie Kost, lead designer at My Beautiful Abode
Budget: Around $60,000
Project start: Conversations started in July 2020
Project completion: April 2021
How did Houzz help with this project?
I met my clients via Houzz and we shared ideabooks as part of the design process.