With more than 240 kilometres of harbour coastline, Sydney is home to some of the most spectacular harbourside residences in the world. These sought-after waterfront homes, which boast sparkling water views punctuated by the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and city skyline, have given rise to a distinctly Australian style that dissolves boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces and celebrates relaxed living with a luxurious touch – and the penthouse of the Norfolk Apartments in Kurraba Point epitomises this approach.
“Australian style is embracing the indoor-outdoor lifestyle,” says Kerrie-Ann Jones, Style Director and the creative vision behind the interior. “It’s all about creating a casual setting with luxury finishes.”
The King Collection perfectly complements Jones’ vision. The family-owned business has been honing its understanding of Australian style since 1977, and is recognised for its category-defining furniture that puts timeless design, sustainability, and quality at the forefront. The Kurraba Point penthouse is furnished entirely with pieces from the King Collection, and Jones has styled the spaces around four key principles: indoor-outdoor living, solid foundations, layers of texture, and a touch of colour.
One of the defining features of the sumptuous apartment is the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame expansive views over the harbour and lead from the living room to an impressive balcony and from the master bedroom to a lush garden. To emphasise the seamless transition between the interior and exterior living spaces, Jones made use of a minimalist colour and material palette that flows from inside to out.
“I wanted the garden to be a comfortable and relaxing area,” explains Jones. “It’s a space where you could lay in the sun with a book overlooking the view. The Delta Outdoor Circle by King is the perfect, relaxing piece of furniture that really lends itself to the indoor-outdoor lifestyle.”
It was essential that the interior design of the penthouse complement the spectacular views rather than compete with them, and Jones crafted a solid foundation built around a neutral colour palette and layers of texture.
In keeping with the idea of an interior built on a solid base, each room features a key piece of furniture that Jones used as a starting point for the rest of the pieces. Take, for example, the guest bedroom. Here, the elegant lines and floating form of the Bellaire Bed was the seed from which the rest of the design grew. The Serenade Bedside Tables echo the luxurious minimalism of the bed, while the timber base adds warmth; and the gently contoured Seymour Chair, which was developed by King in collaboration with Australian designer Charles Wilson, has been used to create a cosy reading nook.
“If a bedroom has enough space, I always like to create a little reading nook,” says Jones. “In this room, the placement of the armchair makes the most of the beautiful harbour view.”
This minimalist, neutral palette is then enriched through layers of texture, which help to balance the hard surfaces of the architecture and add character. “The King furniture pieces, such as the Fleur Sofa in the living room and the Jasper Bed in the main bedroom, added volumes of texture,” says Jones. “ I used sculptural pieces, books and artwork to make it feel more personal.”
Much of the texture comes from the high-grade, premium fabrics and sumptuous leathers that the King in-house fabric development team produces in collaboration with world-renowned fabric manufacturers. In the living room, the Oliver Tub Chair combines a stripped-back yet sculptural form with a tactile fabric to great effect; while the Crescent Ottomans add a flexible sculptural element that can be used as either footstools or casual seating with a low profile that doesn’t detract from the views.
While the neutral colour palette is also designed to keep the focus on the views, touches of rust-red, mustard-yellow, and peach throughout add vibrant personality. These warm tones – found in velvet accent cushions, floral arrangements, and artwork – also complement timber pieces, such as the organic Issho Coffee Table in American Walnut.
“I always consider what elements a space will need,” reveals Jones. “I think about the colour palette and textures I want to bring into the space but also the energy I want to evoke.” And, with Kurraba Point penthouse, Jones has crafted a home with an energy that champions the distinctively Antipodean style of which King is a master.
King Collection
kingliving.com.au
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