jillian dinkel – The Interiors Addict

Real reno: Luxe materials star in Sydney terrace

We’ve featured the stylish work of former New York City fashion editor turned interior designer Jillian Dinkel before. Her Manly Beach apartment is brimming with clean lines, layered textured and a very New York inspired monochrome palette and this Paddington terrace renovation treads a similar path. Small but perfectly formed, this diminutive 1890’s Victorian terrace is laden with high-end materials that more than compensate for its petite size.

“My clients loved the charm of their original terrace, but it was dark and tired looking – reimagining terrace houses is my specialty! They asked me for a light and bright makeover with a more functional kitchen for their culinary pursuits, a new layout to make the most of the home’s only bathroom and a contemporary design that celebrated the original features but was suited to their modern lifestyle,” says Jillian.

With capturing the light essential, Jillian decided a fresh coat of white paint was the first change that needed to take place. From there, the original arched door that leads from the living room to the outdoors was replaced with a new modern one. “The large black steel and glass double doors usher in so much natural light! And the steel is mirrored in a new balustrade leading up to the home’s bedrooms and bathroom,” says Jillian.

Staircase — The staircase features a new balustrade

The home’s new kitchen combines black cabinetry with Carrara marble – a chic but functional space designed with the home’s foodie owners in mind. “I was generous with Carrara marble in the kitchen – utilising the stone for the bench tops, custom range hood box and for open shelves that conceal recessed LED lighting and hidden power points,” says Jillian.

Upstairs, the main bathroom was redesigned to make better use of what was a fair bit of wasted floor space. “I love the luxury hotel-like bathroom. Clever space planning allowed this bathroom to include a generous vanity with double recessed shaving cabinets, a separate shower, freestanding bathtub and a large cabinet to house the laundry,” says Jillian.

Jillian loves working with small spaces as it often gives her the freedom to select the finest materials and this bathroom is testament to that. The luxe retreat features a beautiful array of finishes including porcelain and brass lighting, handmade wall tiles, bronze tap ware and soft grey terrazzo tiles.

“The bathroom design is all about this gentle grey flecked terrazzo across the floors and as a feature within the shower space. Aged brass tapware offers warmth in what is a monochromatic space.”

Master bedroom — The custom joinery in the master bedroom features large circular timber handles; a modern contrast to the original fireplace.

Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Jillian Dinkel

For more on Jillian Dinkel | A furniture designer’s small space living tips

Real home: Former fashion editor’s chic Manly apartment

While this circa 1924 apartment is located on Sydney’s Manly Beach, I bet you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that it’s home to a former New York City fashion editor. Clean lines, layers of texture, a monochrome palette and metallic accents combine to create a warm yet sophisticated home that shuns the coastal clichés.

“The home suffered from an outdated layout and a less than desirable aspect, resulting in limited natural light. The biggest priority functionally was to maximise light at every turn and to reallocate the rooms to take advantage of that light where possible. Aesthetically, I wanted to create a chic and sophisticated home that spoke to who we are and our experiences together before it reflected the home’s beachside location,” says the home’s owner, interior designer Jillian Dinkel who lives there with her husband Kevin and their Italian greyhound puppy, Miller.

“I went straight to New York City the day after I graduated college to accept a job in the fashion department of SELF Magazine. From there I moved on to work with GQ and Glamour in New York, travelling the world on cover and fashion photo shoots working with some of the world’s biggest celebrities and in the most enviable locations. It offered me the opportunity to see a very different side of the world than I’d come from, and I think it’s greatly influenced my aesthetic and points of inspiration,” says Jillian who is American but moved to Sydney six years ago for her husband’s work.

“After arriving I served as Vogue Australia’s photography and casting director before going back to school to pursue my love of interior design full time. After working for various stylists and across the build side of design, I opened my own practice focused on residential projects across Sydney,” says Jillian.

As for the renovation of her own home recently, one of her favourite parts is the dining room which is a former sunroom. “This room was small, but it gets the best morning light, so it was the perfect place for our breakfast nook and casual dining space. I created mood and ambience by wallpapering the entirety of the room in Fornasetti’s Nuvolette wallpaper. A Coco Republic marble and steel-based table paired with vintage dining chairs completes the look,” says Jillian.

Dining room details — The gorgeous Fornasetti wallpaper is the hero of the space

The lounge room is another standout space and it’s made even more so by the gorgeous coffee table that was a seriously thrifty find. “It was an op shop score for $175! It made other elements like the custom mirrors, window treatments and oversized couch possible,” says Jillian who used Kelly Wearstler’s fabulous Graffito fabric to create custom cushions for the couch and bedroom too.

The overhaul continued outside where Jillian turned a fairly unusable space into a stylish and comfortable one. “The small balcony was previously neglected and filled with oversized furniture that was difficult to navigate around. As it is a heritage apartment, we couldn’t touch the surfaces without a lot of council approval, so instead I covered the terracotta tiles with pebbles and granite pavers and filled the space with plants to create a serene escape for drinks with friends and a place for our puppy to run around.”

Photography: Pablo Veiga

For more | Greg Natale’s New York-inspired furniture collection