2021 Australian Interior Design Awards: Residential Design – joint award

Jury comment

Potts Point is a clear example of good interior design that immaculately delivers on the brief. A sense of place and of the people who live there is invested in every room. The interiors are carefully curated and offer the quintessential answer to what the Residential Design category is all about – delivering liveable domestic bliss. Potts Point has a warmth to it and the overall proportions are excellent. It cultivates discovery, curiosity and joy as one journeys from room to room. The jury members solidly agreed that this is a home they would want to live in.

Design statement

The Potts Point clients purchased this home as the place to spend their twilight years. However, one of the clients was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and Flack Studio’s design direction changed as the project became a love letter to this beautiful couple. The design team referenced fashion, film, travel and the essence of Sydney within the finishes and spatial planning of this home, as these were the things that connected the clients.

The design team spent a lot of time with the clients to ensure its designs were a reflection of their passions and personalities, not only now but in 20 years. This was a unique process, as the designers were unable to truly meet the person who would have had the most influence within the collaborative process. It was important to the design team to infuse as much of her personality into the design as possible.

The studio was inspired by the original interior and planned to maintain its essence throughout the new interior fitout. The use of contrasting stones, finishes and textures was explored to find the perfect combination that subtly emphasizes the different eras of the residence while effortlessly transitioning between them.

Design practice —Flack Studio

Project team — David Flack

The Award for Residential Design supported by Sub-Zero Wolf. The Australian Interior Design Awards are presented by the Design Institute of Australia and Artichoke magazine. For more images of this project, see the Australian Interior Design Awards gallery.