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Architecture Design Designers House Tours

“Concrete bunker” Sydney apartment takes out top gong

Matt Woods Design

The inaugural Design Files Design Awards were handed out last week with Matt Woods Design taking out the ‘Interior Design’ award for its beautiful Sydney apartment project ‘Perfect Storm’. Dubbed the “concrete bunker” due to its deliberate use of rendered finishes (the design was inspired by Brutalism), the loft space still feels homely through the use of timber, brass, curves and some rather spectacular joinery.

Matt Woods Design
The mezzanine bedroom sits above the kitchen below

A warehouse conversion in inner-city Camperdown, the apartment is home to a couple of design professionals who were seeking a minimalist lifestyle with an interior to match. The owners sought to create a clutter-free space while celebrating the history of Camperdown’s industrial heritage, all while not falling into warehouse-conversion design tropes.

Bathroom
Bathroom

The open-plan apartment features a mezzanine bedroom that overlooks the living room and terrace. Double-height glazing ensures the apartment is light-filled and provides a nice contrast for its dark and brooding finishes. The curved ceilings are a unique and fascinating detail too.

The loft bedroom features this stunning joinery that highlights the curved ceiling
The loft bedroom features stunning timber joinery that highlights the curved ceiling

The custom kitchen features more than a passing reference to Mid-Century design –American Oak joinery combines with brass accents and statement lighting. Complementary geometric forms can be seen in the nearby lounge area – tan and teal blue sofas punctuate the apartment’s otherwise muted palette.

Matt Wood Designs

And while you could say that concrete elements are the defining feature of the home, very little cement was used in its creation. The concrete finish on the walls was achieved with a Porter’s Paint French Wash and the more ‘solid’ concrete elements were created using light-weight Glass Reinforced Cement (CRG).

Matt Wood Designs
The lounge room looks onto the terrace

Eschewing the typical Sydney aesthetic (ie natural, coastal and light/bright elements), the apartment was no doubt recognised due to its stylish and singular approach. Restrained and resolved, it’s easy to see why this project was singled out (from literally hundreds of entries) to take out the esteemed prize.

Curves are repeated in the bedroom with this mirror
Curves are repeated in the bedroom

Photography: Katherine Lu

For more | Design hotels: Tasmania dominates awards shortlist

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Architecture Design Designers Styling

Design Files awards recognise Aussie interior talent

Kate Challis' 'The Gertrude Project'
Shortlisted: Kate Challis' 'The Gertrude Project'

With more than 500 entries across 12 award categories, the inaugural Design Files Design Awards have launched with aplomb and today we are bringing you some of the amazing shortlisted projects. Designed to recognise the best of Australian design, the awards are a little different to most given that they not only recognise our most talented architects and interior designers but furniture designers, craft practitioners, floral designers, textile designers, stylists and art directors too.

Looking at this shortlist, I think it would be safe to say that these highly sophisticated projects could compete on the world stage.

Shortlisted: Brammah Interior Design's 'Ferndale House'
Shortlisted: Brammah Interior Design’s ‘Ferndale House’

“There’s just an incredible breadth of creative work in the mix. These shortlists provide a succinct snapshot of the immense talent across Australia right now,” says The Design Files’ Lucy Feagins. And while there are some inspiring entries across all of the categories, today we’re bring you a round-up of the best shortlisted projects in the interior design category.

Shortlisted: 'Sarah Cosentino and Felicity Slattery's 'Portsea Beach House'
Shortlisted: ‘Sarah Cosentino and Felicity Slattery’s ‘Portsea Beach House’

“Interior design is one of Australia’s fastest growing and most dynamic design disciplines. Clever, unique and considered interiors are transformative, and contribute to a cultural identity which is uniquely Australian,” says Lucy of the interior design category that is judged across five distinct areas – originality, visual appeal, craftsmanship, functionality, sustainability and visionary thinking. Extra points will be awarded to projects with pro bono or community focussed outcomes, and/or projects limited by an unusually tiny budget.

Shortlisted: Simone Haag's 'Poynton House'
Shortlisted: Simone Haag’s ‘Poynton House’
Shortlisted: Simone Haag's 'Poynton House'
Shortlisted: Simone Haag’s ‘Poynton House’

We have brought some of the shortlisted projects to you before such as John Bornas’ ‘Huntington Tower Residence,’ Dylan Farrell’s ‘Sydney Contemporary Perch,’ and Simone Haag’s ‘Poynton House,’ but there are many more worth mentioning.

I love that curved detailing in Matt Woods Design's 'Perfect Storm' project
I love that seamless curved detailing in Matt Woods Design’s ‘Perfect Storm’ project

Kate Challis’ ‘The Gertrude Project’ is a highly individual family home that blurs the distinction between art and design. The designer’s own residence, the project is heavily influenced by her love of art and draws upon the works of two prominent Australian female artists who both had a passion for native flora and fauna; Margaret Preston and Valerie Sparks.

Shortlisted: Kate Challis' 'The Gertrude Project'
Shortlisted: Kate Challis’ ‘The Gertrude Project’
Kate Challis' 'The Gertrude Project'
Shortlisted: Kate Challis’ ‘The Gertrude Project’

Not your typical country house, Chelsea Hing’s ‘Yarra Valley House’ has a beautiful colour palette inspired by its location. The designer drew on the ghost greys of the surrounding eucalyptus trees, the washed out greens of the grapevines, the terracotta blush of the soil and the blackened bark of the trees. Rich terracotta’s, saddle tan leathers, polished plaster, slate, cedar and sandblasted timber combine to create the stunning home.

Chelsea Hing's 'Yarra Valley House'
Shortlisted: Chelsea Hing’s ‘Yarra Valley House’
Chelsea Hing's 'Yarra Valley House'
Chelsea Hing’s ‘Yarra Valley House’

Georgina Jeffries’ ‘The Victorian’ is home to an Aussie and his American wife who recently relocated from New York. An old inner-city Victorian terrace, Georgina reconfigured the floor plan, reconditioned the old and  introduced touches of the new to create a delightful series of spaces.

Shortlisted: Georgina Jefferies 'The Victorian'
Shortlisted: Georgina Jeffries’ ‘The Victorian’
Georgina Jefferie's 'The Victorian'
Georgina Jeffries’ ‘The Victorian’

A celebration of colour, Mardi Doherty’s ‘St Kilda Residence’ is a revamped 1920’s Californian Bungalow with a twist. One of the statement spaces is a bold red room, and there’s plenty of robust and daring materials used throughout including black steel, oversized terrazzo, marble, Corian, fluted glass and mosaic tiles.

Shortlisted: Mari Doherty's 'St Kilda Residence'
Shortlisted: Mardi Doherty’s ‘St Kilda Residence’
Mardi Doherty's 'St Kilda Residence'
Mardi Doherty’s ‘St Kilda Residence’

The interior design category judges David Flack, Yasmine Ghoniem (Amber Road), and Adriana Hanna (Kennedy Nolan) have their work cut out for them before the winners are announced on Thursday September 19th in Melbourne.

For more on the awards | 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards winners

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Interviews Styling

How to become an interior stylist: advice from Alana Langan

Following six months of assisting with Greenhouse Interiors’ Julia Green, Alana Langan is now happily running her own styling business and online homewares store, HUNT & BOW. Here’s how she did it…

Alana Langan (Photography by Annette O'Brien)
Alana Langan (Photography by Annette O’Brien)

Alana studied an interior styling short course at Central Saint Martins in London in 2011 and then spent six months assisting Julia Green in 2013. “For me, hands on experience was a priority rather than qualifications; I think you can learn a lot about a profession by jumping in head first and learning on the job, ideally in an assistant role. I think it also depends on your career direction. I always had the intention to have my own business so gaining this experience was a priority.”

She started Hunt & Bow, originally as an interior styling business, in 2012. Last year she added the online store string to her (pardon the pun) bow. “I’d always wanted to have my own business doing something creative, so I took the opportunity to develop the business plan during my maternity leave and then went for it. In early 2013, I was lucky enough to secure an assisting position with Julia Green which was instrumental in my career. Not only did I learn the art of styling, but also important business and industry aspects that go hand-in-hand with it.” After six months, Alana felt ready to venture out on her own, and she’s loved every minute.

Alana’s own apartment, as featured on The Glitter Guide. Styling by Alana, photography by Annette O’Brien

“My days are often varied, which I love. They can include sourcing vintage or modern products for the online shop, photographing stock and updating the website or working on creative ideas for upcoming shoots, running around town collecting props or meeting with clients. It’s a complete mixed bag!”

Alana’s interest in interiors started early. “I grew up in a home that always had some kind of renovation happening and was encouraged from a young age to get involved. When I was 12, I painted my bedroom and refurbished my first piece of furniture (a Queen Anne side table I decoupaged!) so it’s always been a part of my life and something I’ve loved doing. It wasn’t until I reached my 20s that I discovered being a stylist could actually be something I got paid to do!”

Alana's own home as featured on The Glitter Guide. Styling by Alana, photography by Annette O'Brien
Alana’s own home as featured on The Glitter Guide. Styling by Alana, photography by Annette O’Brien
Goo Collection Spring/Summer '13. Styling by Alana Langan, photography by Robert Earp
Goo Collection Spring/Summer ’13. Styling by Alana Langan, photography by Robert Earp

The best part of the job is getting hands on at a shoot. “Being on set and in the flow of the scene you’re creating is just so much fun. Plus, it’s great being part of a creative collaboration with the team (photographer, client, assistants etc.). It’s a real group effort and when things are working well, you can really feel the energy buzzing around. There’s nothing like it!”

Working for herself however is sometimes quiet and a little lonely. “Thankfully though, I’ve built a great network who are really supportive and are always there whenever I need to bounce ideas around or just have a chat.”

Jacqui Vidal's apartment as featured on The Design Files. Styling by Alana Langan, photography by Annette O'Brien
Jacqui Vidal’s apartment as featured on The Design Files. Styling by Alana Langan, photography by Annette O’Brien

Great as the job is though, if you think it’s glamorous, think again! “There’s lots of furniture re-shuffling, running props back and forth around town and heavy lifting! Plus, a reality for me is being wiped out at the end of a long shoot. It’s non-stop work on set and it can be physically and mentally exhausting come wrap time.”

Alana’s top advice for getting into the industry is:

  • Get an assistant role to really learn about the job and the industry
  • Get yourself on Instagram and start practising your styling
  • Make a career plan of action and stick to it.

In five years’ time she’d love to still be doing what she’s doing, but perhaps with the addition of a bricks and mortar store in Melbourne. As a working mum, she continues to be inspired by women who run their own businesses and juggle the demands of motherhood. “They’re both the toughest jobs in the world.”

Visit HUNT & BOW online.