Crown Street Apartment

Step inside Crown Street Apartment, the timeless, character-filled home transformed by No Chintz through thoughtful design, layered textures and a personalised approach that embraces both comfort and harbour-side elegance.

Glamour views sweep from the edge of the city and St. Mary’s Cathedral, down past the green slopes of the Domain and into the drama that is Woolloomooloo, complete with glittering harbour and slate grey navy ships: this apartment I am visiting has a lot of competition.
 

The owners Jo and Mark bought into the twenty-five year old building about ten years ago, and renovation began immediately to update, refresh and bring the generous spaces into a more user-friendly layout that would work efficiently for the new owners.

With years of experience in the business and links to many professionals in the building, renovating and decorating world, No Chintz was able to recommend a compatible architectural practice for this project. Weir Phillips Architects worked with Jo and Mark to realise their wish list of a larger ensuite with a bath, and a clever new configuration of the existing hallway, doing away with sharp corners, and introducing a practical separation of bedrooms from living spaces.
 

Stepping into this apartment a decade after it was renovated and decorated, the spaces look fresh and timeless. There is no hint of anything being dated or unfashionable. Competing with million dollar views, No Chintz have taken the path of confidence as always, relying on the depth and variety of their fabrics and soft furnishings, the layering of old and new pieces to acknowledge the home owners’ history, and the sterling quality of every finished piece.
 

Owner Jo remembers learning about the newly opened No Chintz store from an article in the newspaper in 1991, and when she went to have a look, she says: ‘I was struck by how different and special all the fabrics were.’ 

‘I’ve always found with Chrissie,’ says Jo with a smile, ‘no matter what I’ve bought from her, everything continues to be timeless and work in some way, wherever we’ve moved’.

“The other thing that’s great about Chrissie’, continues Jo ‘is that she’s very inclusive about what you already own, always making room for sentimental treasures.’
 

The confidence that comes from a team like Chrissie and her experienced interior designers means that there does not have to be a prescribed plan or agenda.

Instead, the No Chintz team works best together with the client and their existing artworks, floor rugs and furniture, adding key, or secondary items to complete the story. If though, the client is keen for a fresh start, No Chintz is as easily adept at sourcing pieces for bedrooms, living and dining spaces. Pulling pieces together to help express the lifestyle of their clients is what this team does best.
 

The Woolloomooloo apartment is a testament to timeless design, without compromising on the owner’s personality, while maintaining its own sense of verve.
 

Wood parquet floors, café latte and Wedgewood blue walls, pops of bright coloured cushions on sofas and armchairs collide and coexist. Sheer curtains fall from ceiling recessed tracks, adding height to the living spaces. A second layer at the floor to ceiling glass windows are matchstick blinds, allowing that glorious view to still peep through, while protecting the living spaces from harsh light.
 

In the master bedroom, heavy pale blue and gold damask curtains frame more magical views and give the room a feel of luxurious respite.
 

Everywhere, attention to detail: an ornate cane framed mirror hangs in the powder room, contrasting boldly with the delicate chinoiserie wallpaper and diamond cut blue glass tiles above the sink.
 

The triangle shapes on the master bedroom rug pick up the colours on the eiderdown and cushions on the bed while the diamond shape continues on the lampshades. Subtle connections like these provide a serene continuity without being obvious.
 

Two generous guest bedrooms are a study in freshness. Both wallpapered in signature designs, the picture is completed with colourful bed coverings, plantation shutters, and a cosy, welcoming feel provided by floor rugs, the ample array of fun cushions on the beds with lampshades mixing and matching.
 

Wandering through the spaces, Jo stresses again how useful the direction from No Chintz has been even in the placement of furniture in the apartment. It is, as I cast a final glance around, so thoughtfully pulled together: various clusters of sitting spaces, a breakfast nook, a useful side table placed just within reach of a drink and a book.
 

No Chintz is certainly no cookie cutter interior design team. This generous, elegant apartment is a true testament to enduring style, where the beauty of every space is an expression of the client.
 

 

If you would like further information on any of the fabrics, colours or finishes used in this project please contact your nearest No Chintz store.

For home makeovers, or to transform your favourite room, look no further than our Interior Decorating Services. From wall colours to curtains and floor coverings, Chrissie and the team of No Chintz decorators are available for onsite consultations to make your home dreams a reality. 

For more inspiration check out our completed projects or hear what our happy clients have to say.

Tina Gomes Brand is a freelance writer who searches out all things creative from food and architecture to travel, fashion and interiors. Brand writes from a broad experience of interacting with various cultures and collaborating with creative people everywhere.