An Art Deco block in iconic North Bondi has sold well above price expectations after the apartments were impeccably styled by the team at Bowerbird Interiors.
“We had hundreds of people through the property,” said developer Scott Lockwood from Platinum Strata Consultants who purchased the federation apartments for around $4 million and completed cosmetic renovations before listing the apartments. “We thought we’d make somewhere in the vicinity of $500,000-to-$1 million on it. It got a little bit over $6.3 million and we are ecstatic.”
Bowerbird is part of a new generation of property stylists offering a more personalised service and contemporary, on-trend interiors that are tailored to the individual property. “I’ve used other companies previously, unfortunately with their stylists they were set in the way they wanted to do things and also their furnishings were probably from three to 10 years old. I wanted someone fresh.”
The Bowerbird team drew inspiration from both the period features and the beachside surroundings to create a relaxed and eclectic sanctuary. “We needed to make sure that we demonstrated the property in the best possible way, which included a relaxed, beachside feel and some statement pieces like the large statement artwork in the kitchen,” said Geoff Lewis, managing director who runs the home staging business with wife Lauren.
They also dressed the sunroom as an additional living space and created an eat-in kitchen to increase the properties’ appeal. “Styling creates warmth in a space that will connect with your potential buyers. Our goal is to help clients achieve a massive return through creating beautifully styled spaces,” said Geoff.
This case study is far from a standalone – since starting the business three years ago, Geoff says Bowerbird has styled close to 1,000 properties, with 95% achieving a successful return on investment. “We understand the target market – the potential buyers. This results in a quick sale for a higher price.”
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard much from Sibella Court, the Sydney stylist with a (no exaggeration really) cult following. But rest assured, behind the scenes, it is all happening! Today, we’re bringing you all the news on her new warehouse premises, TV show, boutique accommodation, book and last but by no means least daughter, baby Silver.
Low key Sibella is as busy as ever
Sibella recently opened an amazing warehouse space – the all new Society Inc — in Sydney’s St Peters and we couldn’t wait to shoot it. Replacing her former tiny, packed-to-the-rafters shop in Paddington, it’s quite a change but the aesthetic is as distinctly Sibella as ever.
“At the beginning of last year, I saw the space for sale on Doody Street, a space I knew well from my early styling years. I viewed it, it was completely out of my price bracket and way too big, but it woke my imagination to be in a much larger space,” she says.
“I create interiors and I wanted clients, guests and customers to be able to experience the pages of my books by walking through sets, installations and vignettes and purchasing the pieces I put in my hospitality spaces (Ms G’s, Mr Wong, El Loco, Palmer & Co and Bistrode CBD to name but a few), as well as celebrating all the fabulous makers, designers, artists and creators I work with and have forged friendships with over a 20+ year career in the styling world.”
The L-shape space has been split into 65% public and 35% private. The public space will be “a combination of retail, installation, activity, magic and fantasy; a sensory experience that feels as though you’re walking amongst the pages of one of my books,” also used for workshops, talks, photography, dinner parties, flea markets, launches, events and whatever else takes her fancy. “It will showcase some of our handpicked favourite people, artists and companies that we have loved and worked with over the years.”
Sibella and her team will be launching brands not previously available in Australia from all over the globe (the USA, Netherlands, the Caribbean and the UK to name but a few) and if there’s one woman who knows how to curate, it’s her! There’ll also be two container sales a year from her travel destinations.
The dream space will also serve as an art gallery, where you can purchase the pieces displayed within her installations and vignettes. “Above all else, it will an interactive space that changes and invites conversation, with exciting products, exchange of ideas and fun!” The private side of the space will serve as a studio for her hospitality design work, ever-popular books and product development.
But that’s not all! That beautiful little 1860s corner terrace in leafy Paddington, which used to house The Society Inc, is now on Airbnb and you can stay there, or indeed host an event in the space. “We’ve turned it into a pied-a-terre; a one-bedroom hotel, a very boutique experience. It’s aimed at the weary pilgrim who needs to rest their head after a long journey, however with a little more than a humble stretcher.
“We are often asked by curious international parties about our favourite Australian furniture makers, artists, crafters, textile designers, dyers, tinkers and smiths and the like. This is where we will be showcasing some our favourites and sharing the love. It will be a sensory experience; an imaginarium of curiosities, forever changing and never finished, again, like being in the pages of one of my books.” A huge fan of sites like Airbnb and onefinestay, she hopes to appeal to those seeking a personal experience that gives their adventures a richer and deeper involvement in a Sydney stay and a fond memory to take home. Well, I live in Sydney and I’m despearately trying to find an excuse to stay there myself!
Sibella is not known for being a self-publicist (some would say an essential part of the stylist’s job these days) and perhaps her air of mystery, ironically, is what keeps people coming back for more. She also travels so far and wide that she is rarely in town for long. But becoming a mum hasn’t slowed down the laidback bowerbird. “Silver comes along for the ride and she is only little so she fits into my Filson bag! As any small business owner knows, there is no rest for the wicked. I have two babies now – Silver and The Society Inc.”
But we’re happy to hear we’ll see a lot more of the stylist this year. After two years of shooting, Sibella has a TV show coming up on the ABC later this year called Restoration Australia. “This year is as busy as ever with lots of hospitality spaces being designed, new product ranges in fragrance, furniture and soft furnishings, an Anthropologie collaboration, The Stylist’s Guide to the Globe (her latest book), collaborations and plenty of exciting, cool stuff.”
She’ll never be in one spot for too long though: “Part of my job description is to travel — it is the root of my inspiration for all things.”
The Society Inc. | Warehouse 3.02, 75 Mary Street, St Peters, NSW 2044
Interiors royalty Sibella Court and Karen McCartney are both speaking at a free event as part of Sydney Writers’ Festival next month.
I’m sure you already know, but Sibella is a renowned stylist and Karen is the founding editor of Inside Out magazine. Both have several books to their name.
The event, Bowerbird, is on 24 May from 10am to 11am at The Mint in Macquarie Street. Bookings not essential. More info here.
Sibella Court’s new book, Bowerbird, is being launched at her shop The Society Inc, on Saturday 6 October from 3 to 6pm. Not just that, she’ll also be launching her new The Society Inc. soap and hardware ranges and a new palette of chalkboard paints.
Where: The Society Inc. 18 Stewart Street Paddington NSW 2021
Sorry I’m a day late readers, but I’ve been crook with a stomach bug. No fun! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. Here’s my roundup of last week in interiors.
Greg Natale went to LA and met the amazing Kelly Wearstler, who we are both huge fans of. Thanks Greg for sharing your photos with us here first.
Who doesn’t love a new Sibella Court book? Bowerbird is almost with us. Yay! The bestselling author of Etcetera, The Stylist’s Guide to NYC and Nomad, has always been a bowerbird. This was first noticed when, at the age of three, she put together collections of shells, sequins, beads and ribbons. Like her avian counterpart, she goes far and wide to add to her collections, enjoys arranging and rearranging the pieces and, ultimately, believes that collections, containing the memories they do, are a vital part of any home.
In Bowerbird, Sibella reveals her very personal and surprising approach to collecting and collections. She shows how to procure the elements of a collection, how to organise and store them, and how to display them in creative and ever-changing ways. With the help of Bowerbird, you will view your belongings in a whole new light.
Sibella Court is such a machine. It only seems like yesterday I went to the launch of her last book, Nomad. The new one, Bowerbird, is due out in October. She’s going to be releasing some special postcards to accompany the book but she can’t decide on the final edit so she’s asking for your help. You can find mroe details and vote for your favourites here.
