A design collaboration between two emerging studios, the delicate play of negative space and sculptural form captures the essence of unexpectedness in this terrace home.
Among the street-lined rows of colourful terraces in Sydney’s vibrant eastern suburb, one takes on a reformed expression through the work of Christine Rose Design and STUDIO-LIU. The two designers had previously worked together at another practice nearly a decade ago and had always envisioned collaborating on a future project. Alterations and additions were already underway on the project under the architectural direction of City Geeks, who helped the clients in reconfiguring the floor plan, including an extension to the property.
The clients, a young professional couple with an adventurous spirit, approached Christine Rose, founder and interior designer of Christine Rose Design, seeking “something less ordinary” to craft a new vision for their home. She explains, this “set the tone for a project that was not only highly functional, but also deeply personal.” The two designers set out to develop a new design language for the client’s home. This involved experimenting with the Japanese concept of ‘ma’, “which refers to the space or interval between elements, both physical and emotional,” STUDIO-LIU interior designer and founder Louise Liu says.
The kitchen features SNB Stone Grigio Palma marble contrasted with Stone & Tile Projects ash grey zellige tiles, Polytec Prime oak and Dulux Antique White Matte cabinetry, accessorised with almond knobs by Lo & Co Interiors, and Fisher & Paykel cooktop and oven from Winning Appliances. The space is illuminated by a GUBI Semi pendant, accessorised with Sophie Vaidie bowls from Studio Gardner, a Zanotta bar stool, and a 1960 Flos Gatto lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni from 506070.
On the lower level of the home, natural light floods in generously through floor-to-ceiling glazed doors in the living room, allowing light to travel through and creating a sense of spatial openness. Likewise, in the kitchen, a void channels natural light into the other part of the open floor plan, maintaining a balanced illumination. Walls are painted in a soft ivory that reflects light throughout the living area, while a neutral army green coats the ceiling, providing grounding warmth and establishing a serene atmosphere within the residence.
A restrained and understated elegance permeates the home, achieved through thoughtful material choices that demonstrate restraint. In the kitchen, a careful measure of warm and grey neutrals is evident, with contrasting oak and soft white cabinetry paired with grey Grigio Palma stone countertops and ash grey zellige tiles. Dualities are explored through both contemporary and heritage elements; stainless steel is used for the kitchen island frames and the lining of the archway leading to the hall, offering a modernist take on Victorian style. In the bathrooms, a cosy and tranquil atmosphere is created in the compact spaces, featuring deep maroon zellige and green mosaic tiles paired with limestone.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Rose says, “Fitzroy embodies this philosophy through its celebration of the in-between – subtle transitions, sculpted voids, and the poetic interplay of form and emptiness. The home invites pause, creating space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect.”
In the living room, a Fritz Hansen PK25 lounge chair designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1951 is paired with a vintage teak and slate coffee table from 506070, a Fritz Hansen Georg Jubilee stool designed by Chris Liljenberg Halstrøm, an Annie Paxton Vestige table from Studio Gardner, and a Momen sculpture by Emily Hamann sourced from Curatorial+Co.
The hallway is illuminated by a REDUXR O’branch 1 wall light in bronze and Nemo Applique a Volet Pivotant light designed by Charlotte Perriand, showcasing Emily Hamann’s ‘Navitas’ sculpture from Curatorial+Co, and Zanotta Fenis CM chair designed by Carlo Mollino.
In the study, the office desk is dressed in Polytec Prime oak and accessorised with an Artemide Tolomeo Mini Parete aluminium wall lamp, a simple coffee pot by Natalie, a Morgan Stokes ‘Verb’ painting from Curatorial+Co, a Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 1927 MR chair, and objects from 506070.
In the primary bedroom, a Comdondin wall light illuminates the custom bedhead dressed in Mokum Infinite Seafoam fabric, Remy Pajaczkowski-Russell ceramic side table, and an André de Vanny ‘Mojave’ artwork from Curatorial+Co.
The powder room is wrapped with deep maroon handmade zellige tiles from Stone & Tile Projects and is offset against the Onsite Supply & Design Aren Bianco limestone.
In the main bathroom, Stone & Tile Projects Paradiso green pixel mosaic is paired with Aren Bianco limestone. The vanity is dressed in Polytec Prime Oak featuring a Noble Elements ‘Olive’ lever in satin nickel, and a vase from Studio Gardner.
