YSG Studio have waived their magic wand over a two-storey home in Bondi to create the ultimate abode for a family of four who were moving interstate.
Some designers might be overwhelmed by the idea of reimagining a house in six months but not YSG Studio. The innovative Sydney design studio turned what could have been perceived as a challenge into an advantage. “Time restrictions resulted in us sourcing ready to ship artisanal and vintage pieces from abroad including a French 1950s reversable chess and backgammon table,” says principal Yasmin Ghoniem. Unable to wait for lengthy lead times on international furniture, the team opted for locally made custom designed pieces.
Colour was cleverly used as a transformative tool. “Room parameters needed to remain intact as there was no time for council approvals and structural renovations, so colour became our space enhancer,” explains Ghoniem. Both levels feature microcement floor finishes. The deep red downstairs creeps up the plinth of the fireplace, extending to the patio and central courtyard. The yellow upstairs flows throughout the house from the linen press and master bedroom joinery.
A careful curation of oversized pieces populates the new spaces.” There’s a ‘less is more’ approach – fewer pieces like one massive modular couch for the family to all fit on, instead of customary additional upholstered armchairs in the main lounge room,” explains the designer. Pieces such as the towering corner cabinet in the hallway, and chunky coffee table in the lounge leads to a home that doesn’t feel precious despite the abundant layers of fascinating objects and art.
The dining room is centred around a Clover dining table by 5+2AP and John Wardle Paf Paf dining chairs. A pendant light made from a vintage 1950s Japanese parasol from 1stDibs, together with custom-designed curtains made by Petre’s Curtains & Blinds adds ambience to the light-filled space.
The living room is the perfect example of the play on scale and colour throughout the project. Mini Iriede tiles on the fireplace hearth, along with the microcement floors and fireplace plinth, frame an eclectic mix of furnishings, such as a vintage armchair by Paolo Buffa from Tamsin Johnson’s showroom, Paola Lenti Tajine coffee tables and a Bolete side table sourced from Studio Gardner. The floor is also layered with Loom Rugs 6174 and a vintage La Musica Oushak rug from Tigmi Trading, while Ascending 01 by Kane Lehanneur from HAKE House of Art and Sincerely Yours (2024) by Abdul Abdullah from Ames Yavuz adorn the walls.
The media room at entry level was transformed into a library and games room, with floor-to-ceiling custom-designed joinery made by Maiden Co centred around Up and Away (2024) by Nicola Gower Wallis from Martin Browne Contemporary. A French 1950s reversible chess and backgammon table was sourced internationally, while the chandelier and blue ceramic jug were both sourced locally from Tamsin Johnson’s showroom.
Furnished with a vintage Anfibio sofa bed from Studio Gardner, the adult lounge and study accommodates regular sleepovers for family and friends. Floralies II (2024) by Yvette Coppersmith from Sullivan+Strumpf, a ST66 glazed stoneware stool by Pascale Girardin from 1stDibs and a Nordic Knots Climbing Vine rug contrast with bolder elements, such as the custom-designed coffee table made by Maiden Co and a vintage armchair from Studio ALM.
“Looking at the finished project, I love that so many of our inclusions are ‘one-offs."
- Yasmin Ghoniem, YSG Studio co-director
The powder room features a vintage mirror from Tamsin Johnson’s showroom.
A custom-designed cabinet made by Maiden Co makes the most of the narrow entry hall. With deep drawers and wide doors, the oversized lacquered red cabinet provides plenty of room for shoes, leads and balls for the family’s two Labradoodles. The pendant light, custom designed by YSG Studio, maximises the high ceiling where the hall meets the stairs. The Objects of Virtue ivory bowl and a Yucca Stuff Comal mirror from The Future Perfect complete the picture.
Splashes of sunny yellow appear throughout the house, including on the lacquered doors of the custom-designed linen cupboard made by Jonathan West. On the floor is a vintage runner from Pamono, and the custom-designed curtains were made by Petre’s Curtains & Blinds in Pierre Frey Flanerie fabric.
Custom-designed elements characterise the scheme. The bespoke bedhead, made by Jonathan West and upholstered in Kelly Wearstler Tellus fabric in Brandy, complements the custom joinery in the main bedroom. The space is layered with one-off finds, such as Sol by Tom Butterworth from HAKE House of Art, Lychee Popper (2024) by Mechelle Bounpraseuth from Chalk Horse and a rug from Loom’s Oushak collection.
The exterior is softened by landscaping by Grant Paver.
