Tag: Michelle Macarounas

Real home: Sydney family abode gets designer touches

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date July 20, 2018
No Comments on Real home: Sydney family abode gets designer touches

When interior designer Michelle Macarounas, of Infinite Design, first laid eyes on this family home, in the Sydney suburb of Russell Lea, it was desperately in need of those all-important finishing touches. “The client had initially used a draftsman to design and build the house which left the environment very stark, with not much character. We were asked to bring all the elements together to make the space a home,” says Michelle.

With two young children living in the home, Michelle was tasked with creating a series of family-friendly spaces with a particular focus on ensuring flow between them. “While the home features the best of open plan living, the owners wanted each zone to have a specific use,” says Michelle.

“I feel there is great connection between all the living area spaces, and particularly from inside to outside. We worked with consistent tones and textures to add a cohesive feel to the home,” says Michelle whose favourite space is the living room.

Open plan living room — The open plan living room

“The main living space is a beautiful area. The flow and the casual feel between indoor and outdoor areas makes a gorgeous entertaining space. We used a very pared back, neutral palette with small hints of muted blues,” says Michelle.

Aside from creating this gorgeous project, Michelle has been busy working on the opening of her new Woollahra studio – a space that has a street-level window that features a monthly curation of Michelle’s favourite products.

“This is a very important and exciting step for us – it’s about being more connected to the public. We are not a retail shop as such but what we do is use the windows to promote products using Australian and international suppliers. This is very concept driven and there is a lot of buzz around it at the moment,” says Michelle.

For more | How to build a family home on a budget

Tags design, Infinite Design Studio, interior design, interior designer, interiors, Michelle Macarounas, sydney, woollahra

Designers House Tours RENO ADDICT

Two-storey houseboat on the harbour gets a stylish makeover

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date October 23, 2017
1 Comment on Two-storey houseboat on the harbour gets a stylish makeover

It’s a big call – especially in this job – but I think this has to be my favourite home I’ve seen all year. An idyllic property afloat Sydney Harbour, its picture-perfect surrounds are matched by a beautifully restored and redesigned interior, with clean lines and a soft, pared-back palette.

Designed by Infinite Design Studio, the two-storey houseboat moored in Pearl Bay, Mosman, is the holiday retreat we all want. On the first floor is an open living and kitchen area with deck, as well as a double bedroom and ensuite. Upstairs is the master suite, with a large bathroom, reading area and entertaining deck. Light, ventilation and openness take centre stage, fostering a sense of spaciousness and connection with the stunning surrounds.

Infinite Design Studio transformed the interior and exterior living spaces with materials that reference the natural environment. “I am a big believer in spending time on site to immerse myself in the location and to understand how best to integrate the qualities of the surroundings into the design,” says principal Michelle Macarounas. “This property sits in such a fabulous location that we created an extremely pared-back palette so as not to compete with the views and environment.”

Inside, French oak flooring, cream-coloured travertine tiles, contemporary joinery and custom-made furniture are a lighter counterpart to the darker weatherboard exterior. Views of the harbour are captured through timber-framed windows, while circular mirrors throughout the home reference portholes and enhance the natural light and openness.

The houseboat was originally constructed from parts of a barge built in the 1800s, which transported produce across Middle Harbour before construction of the Spit Bridge in the 1950s. To preserve this history, Infinite Design Studio restored the heritage features, including the timber windowframes and benchtops that date back to the original barge.

A unique and exceptional home, the design pays respect to the vessel’s history, takes advantage of its privileged location and provides contemporary luxury living on one of the world’s most dazzling waterways.

For more on Infinite Design Studio | House tours

Tags design, holiday home, houseboat, Infinite Design Studio, interiors, Michelle Macarounas, mosman, sydney

Designers House Tours RENO ADDICT

Real home: A Miami-inspired Art Deco home in Sydney’s Coogee

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 4, 2017
1 Comment on Real home: A Miami-inspired Art Deco home in Sydney’s Coogee

It was love at first sight for Michelle Macarounas when she laid eyes on the dilapidated Art Deco building which would soon become her home. Yes it was tired, but who could resist the curved bay windows and views of Sydney’s Coogee Bay?

Buying the home, she renovated it in 2005, but you’d never guess; it remains contemporary, current and adaptable. A designer herself and somewhat of a nomad — she spent her twenties living in Geneva, Paris, London and Sydney — the style of the home combines the luxury and eclectic elegance of Europe with the relaxed and casual ease of Australia.

Key to the renovation was reconfiguring the interior to create spacious living areas and bedrooms that took full advantage of the ocean views. No more cramped, dimly lit rooms! A central spine from the rear to the front of the property separates the bedroom and living areas and provides the home with the structural integrity required for open-plan living.

The design perfectly balances Art Deco references with a contemporary aesthetic. Art Deco was all about creating furniture and spaces that celebrated luxurious materials and polished surfaces and the Coogee Residence follows suit. The home features Indian limestone-tiled bathrooms, vivid white gloss joinery with Calcutta marble, Wenge timber floors finished in Black Japan and a wall of golden hexagonal tiles that reflect the ocean view.