An Ocean View Apartment in Mosman
Banker turned interior designer Murni Yanti established Revery Interiors after discovering a love for design. This project is particularly close to her heart: she renovated her own Mosman property to make it ready for sale, but also to prove her skill as a newly qualified interior designer
Design Anthology: Tell us about the first time you saw the apartment, what was your initial feeling about the space?
Murni Yanti: As soon as I walked into the apartment, I was light, air and water. The ocean view was very magnetic and I couldn’t stop staring at it. I remember feeling very happy and certain that this is what I wanted. I also loved the floor plan of the apartment. Albeit small at only 65 sqm internally, due the orientation of the living room that faces the ocean, it gives you an expansive and open feel.
Can you tell us what is unique about the building and the location?
The building was a quintessential Australian apartment style built in the 1970s era; characterised by blonde brick, timber frame large windows, semi-open kitchen, and simple materials. You can see a lot of buildings like this all over Sydney. They’re the testament of post-war economic and population boom in Australia.What I liked about the building is it’s also an inclusive building where you get to meet and greet your neighbours. There are only two apartments on each floor, so it feels very friendly and homey.The apartment is located on a top floor, in the corner where it enjoys a lot of light and overlooks straight into Sydney harbour.
About the suburb, quaint and lovely is how I’d describe Mosman. It has everything you need; beach, shopping, good food and easy access to the city. You feel you could really disconnect from the world and totally relax there although it’s only 30 minutes from the city.
Originally you designed the apartment to sell, but decided to stay – can you explain why the change of heart?
Before I renovated the apartment, I had been away for 7 years so I didn’t feel a great attachment to it anymore. The design process re-connected me with the place again. When you spend so much thought and energy into it and seeing the change day by day, it really feels like you created something special and rewarding. In the end, I fell in love with it again, because I was able to see why I liked it in the first place and it feels even more special now because it’s truly the reflection of my taste, style and personality.
How did you approach the project — what did you try to incorporate into the space?
It disheartens me to see places that were renovated with a little consideration just for a quick sale purpose. I wanted to do a renovation that respects the architecture style of the era and designed it based on how I’d like to live in it. I also wanted to accentuate and maximise the airiness and the ocean view into the space. Light colour oak timber flooring makes the living room feels bigger than what it is. Natural white paint imbues warmth and reflects the various colours of the sky and the ocean at different time of the day. Given the limited space in the kitchen, in order to maximise storage; I had floor to ceiling cabinetry installed and all joineries are enclosed for simplicity. The combination of Carrara marble and grey cabinetry create soft, clean and refined look and they also reflect the blueness of the ocean. The bathroom was still in a good condition, to update it I continued with the original black and white style and installed a bigger mirror and vanity. Everyone thought I changed the whole bathroom. Sometimes all you need is a little tweak.
What are some of your favourite elements?
The wall light from Original BTC — I totally love these lights, they’re so beautiful and gorgeous!
The kitchen — The fact that I only played with two-three elements (Carrara marble, joinery and stainless steel). Simple is the best especially when it comes to small space, as long as you stick with high-quality materials.
Overall lightness of the space gives the chance for the view to be the hero and focal point of the space.
As told to / Suzy Annetta
Images / Amy Piddington
