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Previously renting at Ardmore for over seven years, this family of four and their dog wanted to move into a bigger unit as they were expecting the return of their eldest daughter from the United States. The family also wanted more space for dedicated entertainment areas as they spent more time at home during the pandemic.
Finding a large penthouse apartment at Ardmore Park, the family wanted to transform it into an inviting, cosy space. Their brief was a timeless and elegant home that would age well. The family reached out to Arete Culture to complete the apartment’s makeover in two and a half weeks, in time for the festive season in December 2021.
At a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their two daughters and a family dog
Home: Penthouse apartment at Ardmore Park
Size: 8740 sqft
ID: Arete Culture
Credit: Arete Culture
For a modern, timeless and cosy feel, a neutral colour palette was used throughout the house. Tonal textures provided visual interest, enhancing the luxe look of the home. Accents of colour often came from the homeowner’s art pieces or sentimental decor pieces.
Credit: Arete Culture
The original floorplan of the home consists of a rectangular, open-concept space when guests first enter the house.
A low media unit is used to demarcate the living and dining areas. The interior designer suggested a low media unit that allows for an in-built projector screen. This layout does not take away from the star of the space — the panoramic views of the city skyline through tall windows lining two walls of the first floor.
Credit: Arete Culture
A functional island counter sits behind the media unit, further demarcating the two spaces. The bar island also serves as extra space for the family to hold food and drinks during dinner, or when they have guests over.
In the dining room, natural tones and textures were chosen for the dining table and crockery shelf to tie in with the wooden panes of the balcony doors and windows. Mirrors, marble and porcelain finish tie in the luxe look.
Credit: Arete Culture
The homeowners wanted entertainment spaces. An awkward corner in the house near the dining area was turned into a luxurious tasting room for pre-dinner drinks. The tasting room departed from the home’s light and bright aesthetic into a dark, moody, and mysterious space to emulate the vibe of a speakeasy.
The cabinets are finished with marble, with gold accents around the glass panels and on the cabinetry handles.
Credit: Arete Culture
Three distinct zones for work, play and rest were created for the large master bedroom. The rest area surrounding the bed is accented with statement mirrors from Arete Culture. These mirrors draw the eye upwards and help to achieve a sense of balance while still highlighting the immense space of the room.
Credit: Arete Culture
The work and play areas feature a seating area and a custom media wall, with a built-in desk. The neutral colour palette and tonal textures tie in with the rest of the house.
Credit: Arete Culture
The luxurious hotel-inspired bathroom features dark marble and silver accents. The bathtub gives the couple a space to unwind and relax.
Credit: Arete Culture
The bedrooms of the couple’s eldest and teenage daughter are designed with a similar white and neutral base. The teenage daughter requested an all-white room. The colour palette is mainly white, beige and a pop of blue. A white vanity adds a touch of personality to the room. A circular art decor piece is used to pair with the round mirror of the vanity.
Credit: Arete Culture
The eldest daughter’s room was transformed into a boutique hotel bedroom. The design is bolder yet still restful. Zones for work and rest were created to suit her needs.
Credit: Arete Culture
The home office features a movable bookshelves to create clever separation between the rest and work area. This allows more privacy in each section. Wood tones keep things inviting and comfortable, but ornate details layered with plush fabrics keep things rich and polished.
Credit: Arete Culture
The hobby room doubles up as a guest room when the family’s grandparents visit. A murphy bed was designed to be to tucked away so that the room remains functional. The murphy bed is designed with a beautiful sunburst detail as a subtle statement wall.
Credit: Arete Culture
The outdoor spaces of this home are grounded in greenery, including artificial turf, potted plants, or even urban vegetable beds. Different entertaining areas such as private dining nooks, intimate armchair seating, and large lounging spaces fit the family’s various needs.
