My Houzz: Architecture Graduate Creates Calm in His Sydney Apartment
Bringing a dated apartment into the 21st century has given this up-and-coming architect a welcoming home base
Renjie Teoh, an architecture graduate, renovated his 1920s Georgian-style apartment in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst with the goal of making it fit for 21st-century living. Reconfiguring rooms and installing a new kitchen, laundry, flooring and joinery gave it the fresh look and practical layout it needed to suit his busy lifestyle.
Drawing inspiration from Japanese and Chinese design, Teoh has made use of both new and collected pieces to bring his home to life. The result is a calming retreat from the daily grind where he loves to spend his down time. “I just simply want to snuggle on the couch, feet up, with a cup of hot green tea in my hands, read a book, or just let the music run softly in the background – it’s a calming space,” Teoh says.
Drawing inspiration from Japanese and Chinese design, Teoh has made use of both new and collected pieces to bring his home to life. The result is a calming retreat from the daily grind where he loves to spend his down time. “I just simply want to snuggle on the couch, feet up, with a cup of hot green tea in my hands, read a book, or just let the music run softly in the background – it’s a calming space,” Teoh says.
Teoh loved that many of the original 1970s features were still intact from when the building – until then a post-war slum – was rehabilitated and converted into a boutique hotel. The restored Georgian-style cornices, architraves and the four large sash windows were particularly alluring.
Aside from the kitchen and bathroom, however, the entire apartment was laid in thick, dark, navy-blue carpet. It was also in poor shape due to years of neglect from tenants.
Aside from the kitchen and bathroom, however, the entire apartment was laid in thick, dark, navy-blue carpet. It was also in poor shape due to years of neglect from tenants.
The apartment’s inefficient floorplan also needed modernising. Despite its large overall size, the bedroom was oversized in relation to the living/dining rooms, and a tiny kitchen was squeezed into a corner.
Teoh gutted and renovated the apartment before he moved in for approximately $111,000, which included appliances and fixtures.
Recast sofa bed in ‘Sand Begum’ fabric: Innovations; blue ottoman: Zanui; coffee table: Freedom Furniture; rug: Hali Rugs
Teoh gutted and renovated the apartment before he moved in for approximately $111,000, which included appliances and fixtures.
Recast sofa bed in ‘Sand Begum’ fabric: Innovations; blue ottoman: Zanui; coffee table: Freedom Furniture; rug: Hali Rugs
Eco-conscious Teoh used dimmable LED lighting throughout the apartment, and had energy-efficient Aeratron ceiling fans installed. “Ceiling fans work very well in Sydney’s climate and are perfect for passive ventilation and cooling in summer, while providing assistance to heating in winter,” says Teoh.
Retro armchair in ‘Arena Neptune’ fabric: Freedom Furniture
Retro armchair in ‘Arena Neptune’ fabric: Freedom Furniture
Oslo mirror: OzDesign; goblet on stand: National Palace Museum shop in Taipei; pair of Japanese Bizen-style sake bottles: gift from a friend
Teoh’s biggest splurge in the renovation was the Tasmanian oak floating timber floorboards he had laid throughout at a cost of $30,000.
Eames dining table and Saarinen organic chairs: Glicks
Eames dining table and Saarinen organic chairs: Glicks
The apartment receives a lovely amount of natural light, which is one of Teoh’s favourite things about the home. “Whenever I spend time at home, whether on weekends or if I work from home, I just appreciate the way soft daylight filters through the tree canopy outside and in through the four large windows,” he says.
Sidetable and shelving: Ikea
Sidetable and shelving: Ikea
Teoh’s Chinese heritage is reflected in the home’s decor. The staggered built-in bookcase is decorated with traditional teapots, origami sculptures made by Teoh, architectural figurines and blossom stalks.
The bonsai and pebbles placed on the windowsill give the apartment a dose of personality.
The single-walled kitchen from Ikea cost $6000. Teoh says he felt lucky to find a design with a rough-cut, oak-veneer finish that worked well with the Tasmanian oak flooring.
Ikea’s kitchen cabinetry system is designed to standard-width modules, and is compatible with most third-party built-in appliances, sinks and tap fixtures. This makes it simple and more economical to fit into a space than a bespoke design, Teoh says.
A Japanese-style sliding door connects the hallway to the bedroom, and seamless built-in cupboards provide ample storage.
Natural light floods into the bedroom, which Teoh has decorated in neutral tones to create a calming atmosphere. A sofa acts as a breakout space.
Studio 2.5 seater in ‘Arena Cement’ fabric: Freedom Furniture; Guido upholstered bedframe: Iniko; throw pillow on bed: West Elm; Aberdeen Ivory blockout curtain: Freedom Furniture
Studio 2.5 seater in ‘Arena Cement’ fabric: Freedom Furniture; Guido upholstered bedframe: Iniko; throw pillow on bed: West Elm; Aberdeen Ivory blockout curtain: Freedom Furniture
The bathroom had a pre-existing skylight thanks to its location on the top floor, which makes it a bright and airy space.
While Teoh put in a lot of work to complete his home, he says the journey was made that much easier with the help of his parents, partner and his boss, Peter Lonergan of Cracknell & Lonergan Architects, who provided him with invaluable design tips.
TELL US
What do you like best about this simple, light-filled haven? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
TELL US
What do you like best about this simple, light-filled haven? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Architecture graduate Renjie Teoh
Location: Darlinghurst, NSW
Size: 63 square metres; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Teoh found his apartment in mid-February, 2014. “I couldn’t believe my luck – a location to die for, top-floor position, rather spacious and, despite the apartment looking rather tired and dated, it presented great redesign potential and a chance for me to leave my architectural mark,” says Teoh.
The late 1920s Georgian-style walk-up was listed for offers over $580,000. On seeing its potential, Teoh wasted no time in making an offer.