Formerly the headquarters of the Victorian Railways, this 50sqm apartment was just part of a corridor. The building had been transformed into the Grand Hotel in the Melbourne CBD, and the homeowner of this small but grand ground-floor city apartment wanted to pay homage to the 1880s splendour of the building.
“The renovation involved the removal of the internal walls and complete rework of the interior layout … to suit the lifestyle of the single homeowner (and her cat), but with flexibility built in to allow for large group gatherings for Christmas and other special occasions,” says Jack Chen of Tsai Design.
With such a small floorplan to work with, precise planning was integral to achieve a “generous and welcoming home”. The removal of half-height partitioning walls instantly transformed the flow of the interior, creating an open-plan kitchen and living-dining room, and filtered natural light and garden views throughout the space. A light and warm palette of white walls and timber flooring allows an open, airy feel, accented by brushed gold fixtures and fittings as a nod to the hotel’s Gold Rush past. “It created a relaxed atmosphere that hints of luxury and glamour,” says Jack.
Key design features of the living space include an award-winning, custom-designed dining table by Tsai Design. The flexible furniture configuration has been named the Drop Leaf Table. The design accommodates two diners but by simply folding up what appears to be the table legs, it can comfortably seat six people for entertaining purposes when required.
Located in the heart of Melbourne’s city centre, the apartment has access to a plethora of eateries, so the homeowner requested a simple kitchenette rather than a traditional kitchen. This allowed the designers to create a clutter-free kitchen, concealing storage and appliances while still providing for the needs of the homeowner. A highlight of the kitchen design is the continuous benchtop that
wraps around the room, flowing into a hidden bathroom.
Spatial awareness was also considered in the bedroom, which was once a “narrow, windowless kitchen”. At just 2.6m wide, the original bulky ceiling was replaced with a timber-vaulted ceiling that embraced the arched architecture and lent the space a sense of intimacy and warmth. A queen-size Murphy bed was chosen to allow the homeowner complete flexibility, transforming from an impressive walk-in robe during the day to a cosy bed at night. A full-height mirror reflects light and views of the living quarters, while customisable shelving alcoves provide personalisation opportunities “that make a house of any size a home”.
