Interior Design

LOCATION: 27 The Corso, Manly NSW 2095

Leaving no trace of its previous Chinese-themed incarnation, The Pines emerged as a social hangout: part surfclub, part lodge. I wanted to create a relaxed environment to lounge around in, where there is an indication of ping pong tables, surfboards & every other water related toy stashed nearby & the stories of the daycan be exchanged over a game & a drink.

LOCATION: 64 Foveaux St, Sydney NSW 2010

Originally meant to be a pop-up bar, El Loco might just be here for good. Housed in the Excelsior in Surry Hills, we created this Mexican fit-out in just 7 days!! We ripped out the ceiling to expose the fantastic metal skeleton frame of the existing roof, adding added height & interest.

LOCATION: 155 Victoria St, Potts Point NSW 2011

A New-York inspired, industrial, uber-cool restaurant/bar converted from an existing space & sprawled over 4 floors. I worked with architect, Kelvin Ho of AkinCreative to achieve & transform this space in 6 months from concept to finish.

LOCATION: 22 Challis Ave, Potts Point NSW 

The inspirations for me were summer roadtrips to Montauk when I was living in New York, the roadside clam shacks that flip up their shutters and awnings for the summer months, with umbrellas and benches scattered around on the pebbled ground. I interpreted this to fit the space on Challis Ave, bringing the beach to Potts Point. After visiting Whitstable in Kent, I was left with a love of the sand on the floor and chalkboards, a casual approach to dining but with really good quality food. 

LOCATION: 141-143 Elouera Rd, Cronulla NSW 2230

Old Joe’s was named after the old milk bar that everyone from the area remembers- covered in old advertising & run by Joe. I wanted to create a relaxed & bright place to hang out, straight from the beach, sand on your feet kinda feel. The bar is located directly across the road from the beach, and I designed it as an extension of bringing the outside, in.

LOCATION: 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

A large unfinished space (about 3000 square feet) including 2 balconies and a timeline from start to finish of about 6 months.

The brief was a live venue: with this we wanted to inject glamour into the music world and create a comfortable environment that welcomed everyone with a space that you could watch live-performance, local & international bands & acts. We wanted people to come as much for the music as for the interiors. This is a place to look glamorous, feel glamorous & drink cocktails. My colour inspiration came from Marion Hall Best, Australia’s first interior designer, who I was researching at the time.

LOCATION: Level 1, Grand Hotel 30 Hunter Street, Sydney, 2000

Located on the first floor of an old-fashioned pub, $120k was allocated for the whole conversion including transitional rooms & a light re-furb of the pool room on the second floor!

Photography by Anson Smart & David Hutton

This is my previous home, an Art Deco apartment with beautiful proportions and outdoor terrace. With a team of trusty tradespeople, the whirlwind renovation saw us ripping out the previous owner’s built-in storage and removing a dividing wall to open up what was a pokey kitchen and poorly lit living area. I also installed an outdoor kitchen to make the most of the generous entertaining space which is now home to much greenery and several of my bonsais.

It’s not often I work on residential projects but it’s difficult to turn down your best friend from 4th grade!

Photography by Anson Smart