Prior to purchasing his flat in the Western District, this pilot lived at Four Seasons Place when he wasn’t travelling to and from Europe.
He had very high standards for the design of his own home – no surprise, given that he was used to the amenities and conveniences of five-star hotels. The homeowner turned to his friend and interior designer Katie Jones of Liberty Creative and interior architect Sam Lennon from The Lennon Project for their know-how, and they, in turn, designed a flat that was befitting of his tastes. Scroll through the gallery below (Photography: Edgar Tapan; Styling: Tessa Matthews) to discover more:
“Our challenge was to recreate a hotel environment, but with more soul, and to allow ample storage for all the extra bits and pieces that you’d bring into a home that you might not have in a hotel,” says Katie. “He also wanted this to be comfortable enough for two people, with the ability to open up the space for a studio feel but also create pockets of privacy when needed.”
Fitted cabinet doors slide open to reveal a large, flat screen TV.
There's plenty of storage space in the built-in, floor-to-ceiling cabinets.
The flat was originally a two-bedder and rather pokey, so the designers tore down all the non-load-bearing walls and converted the space into a functional, one-bedroom apartment that makes good use of natural light and the pretty views of the park and waterfront.
The bedroom can either be completely closed off with a sliding door, or opened up to create a studio-like space. It was important for the room to be completely dark, even during the day, so the owner could rest in preparation for a red-eye flight.
The pilot also stressed the importance of having enough storage space to hide his luggage away every time he came home, so he wouldn’t be reminded of work. In order to achieve this, Katie incorporated a large cabinet to one side of the living room, which can fit all his clothes, uniforms and knick-knacks, as well as a flat screen television.
The designers gave the home a pared-back, monochrome palette, choosing matching German wooden flooring from Boen. The floors were a big investment, but one the owner insisted on. The floorboards also become a feature elsewhere in the home; they carry through to window seating in the dining area, panels in the living area, bedroom, and cabinetry in the bathroom.
Says Katie, “In such a small space, we didn’t want to have too much going on. The light wood finish, white walls and feature concrete brick wall added depth without distraction, and helped to create an airy mood and a deceptively larger space.” The apartment is handsome and relaxing, especially when paired with works by photographer Luke Casey and designer furnishings the homeowner shipped over from his other flat in Berlin.
The homeowner’s busy flight schedule means he’s often travelling and staying in international hotels rather than in his own bed. When he does land, however, he has a stylish and serene haven in which to sleep off his jet lag.
