There is something especially compelling about a home that feels established from the moment you enter it. Not overly polished, not chasing a trend, but layered with the kind of proportion, materiality and architectural detail that gives an interior real presence. That sense of permanence is particularly powerful in a contemporary renovation, where the challenge is often less about adding more and more about knowing what will give a space character for the long term. In this Double Bay apartment renovation, that character comes through in a sophisticated mix of marble, oak, bespoke joinery and finely detailed mouldings, creating a Sydney residence that feels both polished and deeply individual.
Located within the Ercole Palazzetti-designed Navona building, the ground-level residence has been completely reimagined by interior design studio The Unlisted Collective, with the renovation undertaken by BWG Projects. Spanning an impressive 230sqm, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment has the rare advantage of no common walls, along with dual street access, two balconies and a private courtyard. Its north-facing orientation brings an abundance of natural light into the home, while an extensive reconfiguration of the original floor plan has created a greater sense of openness throughout.
The interiors draw much of their character from the relationship between contemporary design and more traditional architectural detailing. European marble, neutral oak and crisp white cabinetry establish the material palette, with oak herringbone flooring running through the expansive open-plan living areas. Against these finishes, coffered ceilings, wainscoting, substantial skirting and detailed architraves give the apartment an architectural presence that is immediately apparent.
Integral to this transformation are the architectural mouldings by Intrim Mouldings. Intrim SK498 skirting and architrave has been carried throughout the residence, creating a strong and consistent foundation for the interior. IN32 inlay mould and CR22 chair rail have been used to articulate the bespoke wainscoting, adding proportion and definition to the walls and creating subtle shadow lines as natural light moves through the rooms.
The main living area captures the balance particularly well. Expansive coffered ceilings bring depth overhead, while large-scale wall panelling creates an elegant backdrop for artwork and statement lighting. Contemporary furnishings provide contrast against the more classically influenced detailing, giving the room a sophisticated character without allowing it to become overly formal.
With the apartment’s generous proportions, these architectural elements have space to make an impact. Rather than being applied as isolated decorative features, the mouldings and panelling continue through the residence, creating a visual connection between living and private areas and reinforcing the sense that the interior has been designed as a complete composition.
Marble Takes Centre Stage
At the heart of the apartment, the grand-scale kitchen introduces one of the home’s most striking materials. A curved Calacatta Oro marble island forms a sculptural centrepiece, its expressive veining bringing movement and warmth to the predominantly white space.
The marble continues into an elegant arched cooking recess, while panelled white cabinetry connects the kitchen with the architectural detailing found throughout the adjoining rooms. The combination of stone, cabinetry and brass accents gives the space a refined European influence while retaining the freshness of a contemporary Sydney interior.
Function has been integrated without distracting from the design. Premium Gaggenau appliances, integrated refrigeration and a wine fridge are incorporated into the cabinetry, allowing the materiality and detailing to remain the visual focus.
The kitchen also opens directly onto the north-facing terrace, creating a natural connection between the principal entertaining areas and the outdoors. Together with the apartment’s balconies and courtyard, these spaces bring light and greenery into the home and make the most of its ground-level position.
A Private Retreat
The primary suite has been approached with the same attention to materials and bespoke detailing. Custom timber veneer walk-in robes incorporate integrated seating, bringing the warmth of timber into the more private areas of the residence, while direct courtyard access provides another connection to the outdoors.
In the ensuite, marble again becomes a defining feature. Dual vanities, a freestanding bathtub and a separate toilet create a generous bathroom environment, with the stone continuing the material story established in the kitchen and other bathrooms throughout the apartment.
The two secondary bedrooms are also generously scaled, each incorporating built-in robes and direct courtyard access. Combined with the residence’s lack of common walls, the layout gives the private areas an unusual degree of separation within such a central Sydney location.
Throughout the apartment, smaller details provide another layer of interest. Brushed brass hardware  introduces warmth against the white cabinetry and natural timber, while statement lighting by Kelly Wearstler, Aerin and Anna Charlesworth brings sculptural form to the rooms.
Yet it is the architectural detailing that provides much of the continuity. From the coffered ceilings above to the skirting, architraves and wainscoting below, the interior has been given a sense of depth that would be difficult to achieve through furnishings and finishes alone. The mouldings frame rooms, define transitions and give expansive walls a stronger sense of proportion.
For Intrim Mouldings, the project demonstrates how architectural profiles traditionally associated with more classical interiors can be interpreted within a contemporary luxury home. Here they sit comfortably alongside European marble, oak herringbone floors, bespoke joinery, modern furniture and sculptural lighting, adding character without overwhelming the spaces around them.
The transformation of this Double Bay residence is ultimately one of detail as much as scale. Behind the marble and beautiful furnishings is a carefully layered architectural framework that gives the apartment its distinctive identity — an elegant Sydney home where the refinement of its interiors feels entirely at home with the prestige of its address.
AÂ 14 Redbank Place Picton, NSW 2571
PÂ 1800 622 081
EÂ customercare@intrimgroup.com.au
WÂ intrimmouldings.com.au
