Just after decades of apartment dwelling overseas, Koala products designers Alexandra Owen and James Whitta were being searching for a nicely-built apartment to settle in Sydney. They came across a medium-density improvement in Alexandria in 2021 that was nearing completion, and speedily scooped up 1 of the remaining residences.
‘There are so several compromised and improperly place collectively apartment complexes in Sydney, and this make is unquestionably an antidote to the soulless superior-increase pattern,’ states Alexandra. ‘After residing in Europe, we really really like condominium dwelling and learned that you can fortunately exist in these areas if they are very well designed with people in mind.’
The setting up incorporates 18 residences, and was built by SJB to offer attention to element, indoor-outdoor dwelling, and generous proportions. ‘I like to say they are dwelling-like measurements that celebrate condominium living—showing you really do not have to have a large piece of land to dwell spaciously with a good outdoor region,’ claims Alexandra.
Comprehensive-height doorways vanish into the wall cavity to reveal the outdoor house off the living room, with terrazzo floors underneath that seamlessly prolong from the interiors.
Alexandra and James put their have stamp on the condominium by portray the residing areas in Porter’s Paint Rubble, and the main bed room in Porter’s Paints Frozen, which mirror the apartment’s assertion marble accents. In addition to the kitchen island bench and bathroom vainness, this marble functions in a little nook location where by Alexandra starts every single early morning. ‘With fluted glass and normal mild, it is the fantastic put to get completely ready in the early morning whilst possessing a coffee,’ she says.
The couple’s furniture and decor has been sourced from all around the world—from Denmark, to Poland, France, and China—to replicate the numerous stages of their doing work and particular life. An Ikea ‘Randig Banana’ print (developed in the ‘80s by Alexandra’s previous mentor) reminds the pair of their time performing for Ikea in Sweden pieces by New Zealand artists reference their heritage the Akari Noguchi lamps ended up acquired from the first showroom in Tokyo even though travelling and the couple’s initially Koala designs—the Getaway Sofa and the Shear Bliss Rug— are proudly on display screen. These latter pieces stand for the intentionally ‘Australian’ aesthetic and technique the pair have labored to set up at Koala about the earlier two a long time.
Alexandra explains, ‘We were being constantly frustrated in the earlier working for Australian corporations that revered European/global culture additional than our personal. A decade in the past, Australians have been a little humiliated of their tradition and style, and I could never fully grasp why no a single would embrace how stunning Australia’s landscape, life-style and men and women had been.’
Equally at work and home, Alexandra and James have embraced Australia’s uniqueness in their collection of colours, resources and finishes. ‘This has surely revealed up in our apartment with the Australian palette: sunshine-kissed tones, earthy naturals, and brilliant colour pops,’ states Alexandra.
Altogether, the condominium is a complex, personalised home in the coronary heart of Alexandria. ‘I really like sitting on the couch in the living room with the doors open up and new music on,’ James claims. ‘It is certainly my happy position.’