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john croft design | interior design

contemporary

opulenceA Japanese obi inspired the contemporary interior scheme in this apartment, which is fresh with an oriental twist

I nspiration can be found everywhere: the aroma of a freshly brewed coffee, the feel of pure silk between fingers, a memory enhanced by a belonging ...

In this home, the owners wanted to create a look loosely based on a Japanese obi (the sash worn around a kimono) that they brought back from their time in Japan.

Senior interior designer Renee Burgess from Brisbane-based John Croft Design used the obi as a centrepiece by featuring it as a runner on the dining table in the formal dining room. “We cut out the solid block colours and used the patterned material to

create a visually stunning focal point in this room,” she says.

The obi and dining room shaped the look for the rest of this new three-bedroom, three-bathroom, powder room plus study river-side apartment. Renee designed and decorated the rooms to harmonise, creating a theme of fluidity and cohesion yet still maintaining a sense of uniqueness and eccentricity in each room.

The owners purchased the new apartment with the view that when they wanted time out to travel, they could just close the door behind them and go without having to worry about yard maintenance. The design of this

apartment building is modern, so Renee worked closely with the couple to create a tailor-made look that would suit the structure and emphasise the clean lines through colour, texture and design.

“They wanted to work with the modern style of the apartment,” Renee explains. “They wanted everything new with lots of colour, interesting elements and comfortable furnishings. With grandchildren visiting often, they also wanted furnishings that were easy to maintain.”

Using the charcoal colouring featured in the obi as a base, Renee looked for furnishing items that would complement the neutral shade

while also adding splashes of colour to liven up the space. “The original Blackman charcoal drawings on the wall in the living room work perfectly with the charcoal theme,” she explains. “I used some of the art as inspiration.” Playing on the red featured in the obi, Renee carried through the lively colour to the dining chairs, making them a strikingly dramatic key feature of the area and complementing the clients’ obi.

Using the red to create a different look in the kitchen, Renee used faux ostrich leather as upholstering for the custom-made bar stools. It’s unusual yet practical — “you can just wipe the stools down,” she says.

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Above

The interesting

mix of celadon, red

and charcoal works

remarkably well in the

living room

Far right Bright colours and

patterns inject life into

the family room

Luxury Home Design | 143

john croft design | interior design

142 | Luxury Home Design

Introducing celadon into the red and charcoal colour scheme in the living room, Renee created a fresh and playful space through the use of different patterns, textures and three key colours. The cloisonné celadon vase with a red fish pictured on it provides a stunning focal point;

the custom-made wool and art-silk rug offers an element of softness, while the bright striped armchairs anchor the area, making everything harmonise and flow effortlessly throughout.

Renee chose softer shades for the master bedroom to create a sanctuary for the

owners — a place they could be at peace and rejuvenate. The lamp bases, together with the custom-made glass-trimmed silk shades, provide a feeling of luxury and softness, while the silk wallpaper adds another level of luxury to the room. “I specifically choose materials that are soft, comfortable and tactile,” adds Renee.

The key to successful interior design and decorating is the ability to really listen to and understand the client, at times tapping into what the client has not said. A good interior designer will translate all this into a finished project that the customer is happy with. “We offer solutions. It’s very much like one-stop shopping without the stress and hassles; that’s what our clients love about us,” says Renee.

“Often I use a few key items to start from; it could be something my clients already own, or something new I have chosen. It was wonderful to have an open slate with this home. I discussed colours and ideas with the owners, got a feel for their style from their former

residence, and then used the obi as inspiration and a starting point for the interior scheme,” Renee adds.

Fast forward to today and the couple are thoroughly enjoying their new home and look. “This project was a referral which is where most of our work comes from,” Renee explains. “The clients said they have used other

interior designers in the past, were not entirely happy and were seeking something a little bit different. They are incredibly happy with the result and now have the home that they want — a home with the feeling of warmth, where their grandchildren feel welcome and they can create wonderful memories.”

John croft Design63 Amelia Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane 4006Tel 07 3257 0633Email jcd@johncroftdesign.com.auWeb johncroftdesign.com.auFacebook facebook.com/johncroftdesignPhotography John Downs Photography

Above The obi on the dining table hints at an oriental

theme and links the colour schemes together

Left Clean lines teamed with white feature in the

kitchen, where the red faux ostrich feather bar

stools serve as the centrepieces

Above Soft colours and tactile materials were

used in the master bedroom

Right The alfresco area offers enticing views

and an abundance of space

Renee chose softeR shades foR the masteR bedRoom to cReate a sanctuaRy foR the owneRs — a place they could be at peace and Rejuvenate

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