Glamorous, driven and always impeccably styled, Monika Tu is a force to be reckoned with in Australia’s luxury property market – known for her role in the hit reality TV series Luxe Listings Sydney, and for her business success with Black Diamondz Property Concierge which she co-founded with husband Jad Khattar in 2009. The dynamic due are no strangers to spectacular homes, with a history of selling some of Australia’s most luxurious and expensive real estate. Recently however, the ambitious couple took on the incredible challenge of owner building their own piece of luxury realty – a breathtaking, five level masterpiece in Bellevue Hill. We had the opportunity to have a tour through their gorgeous residence and talk with the couple about the project and what makes their home a home.
A winding Bellevue Hill avenue, an enclosed front courtyard and a steep sloping site conceal the substantial size of this stunning residence – from the street it actually looks quite demure! But as soon as you enter through the gate and view the marble tiled entry and have visual contact with the leafy outlook on the opposite side, you immediately become aware that this is a significant home of the highest calibre – not that you’d expect anything less from Australia’s Property Queen!
The couple decided on a modern European design and a floorplan that would maximise the home’s footprint on the steep block while also taking advantage of the elevated views. The resulting home expands over 5 luxurious levels, built into the side of the hill, and embodies the couple’s shared vision – satisfying Monika’s penchant for beauty and Jad’s practicality and desire for function. Jad managed the 3 year project from scratch, and as first time owner builders, it’s very apparent that the couple’s experience in luxury real estate has impacted the result which is nothing short of extraordinary, featuring exceptional craftsmanship and finishes that reflect many of the award-winning homes we feature in our publications.
On street level, the home includes a formal living area with grand piano that connects to the front courtyard. The marble tile entry leads to an expansive light filled open-plan living area with adjacent terrace that takes in the district views. At the centre of the space, the ‘heart of the home’ features a gorgeous La Cornue oven with gold accents which perfectly complements the luxurious marble surfaces. Ironically, the oven which seems to be so intentionally selected, wasn’t their first choice “We had another oven in mind” says Monika, “but due to COVID supply issues, we had to go with the La Cornue – and now we love it, and so do all our friends” she laughs, “many of them have bought one after seeing ours!”
Adjacent to the kitchen, is the formal dining area which the couple claim is one of the most used rooms in the house. Flooded with natural light and a beautiful leafy view it’s not surprising to see why. ‘We’ll often eat breakfast here, have dinner parties or functions of course, but we also regularly use it for business meetings. The custom steel doors make it particularly versatile as we can close it off for privacy when needed” says Monika.
When asked if they had ‘borrowed ideas’ from properties they had sold or seen over the years, Monika’s response was, “Moreso when it came to materiality, you know beautiful stone or finishes, not so much the design.
For us the focus was on creating a classic home that had broad appeal. Over the years we’ve gotten a lot of feedback, particularly on elements that turn people off buying – that was definitely something we took into consideration, too many homes are too personalised which makes them hard to sell,” Monika explains. “Of course, when people are building their dream home, they want it to be all about them, but often their ‘forever home’ does not end up being forever. Things change, jobs get relocated… people get divorced… a classic design makes it easier for buyers to imagine themselves living in the space. We feel this modern European style provides a relatively neutral canvas, it works with both contemporary furniture and styling as well as traditional as you can see from our furniture and our art collection which is a combination of both.”
On the lowest level, a fully equipped gym connects to an outdoor lawn area and below ground pool, there is also a sauna, bathroom, temperature-controlled wine cellar and a a sumptuous home theatre room with ‘starry night’ ceiling and plush red velvet lounges which provides the perfect space to completely immerse yourself in the latest blockbuster. The second-floor features guest suites and a self-contained apartment for Monika’s daughter, complete with a private living room and terrace.
Every level of the home capitalises on the stunning vistas, which on the rooftop terrace takes in elevated views as far as the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge – one of Jad’s favourite spots on the property. “The gym is my sanctuary, but nothing beats sitting on the rooftop terrace with a morning coffee and my dog” he says. The master suite on the upper level, is larger than many Sydney apartments. Floor to ceiling windows flood both the bedroom and bathroom with natural light.
The ensuite is a vision of white marble with antique style fixtures and incorporates a freestanding bath and his-and-her showers. It’s here in this private sanctuary you’ll also find Monika’s favourite space – her fabulous walk-in-robe / dressing room. Known for her impeccable fashion sense, Monika jokes that it’s her favourite room in the house and also where she spends the most time! It’s hard to compete with all the glamorous designer clothing, shoes, bags and accessories this room contains but the beautiful hand painted silk wallpaper that Jad flew in from Milan, certainly makes an effort to do so.
Having been intimately involved in every aspect of the build, carefully selecting every finish and fixture, Jad claims his favourite feature of their new home is a custom staircase that winds through all five levels which her helped to design in collaboration with the metal craftsman. “It was one of the hardest elements to get right,” he says, “but it turned out beautifully.” The staircase features American oak treads and a wrought iron balustrade with aged brass detailing, creating a dramatic architectural statement.
Aside from a few cherished pieces such as antique LV trunks, and art, the couple ditched most of their existing furniture for new custom-made furniture tailored to their gorgeous new residence. Monika’s love of designer brands and beautiful things is evident everywhere, the exquisite tailor-made furniture complemented by luxury accessories including Hermes throw rugs and Roberto Cavalli cushions.
The couple also strongly believe that art is what brings life to a home and their extensive collection includes everything from contemporary glass sculptures to bronzes garden statues, bold contemporary paintings to traditional Chinese art. When we visited, Monika had only recently hosted a private exhibition for artist and friend David Bromley and the remnants of the exhibition were scattered throughout the space, adding to her own ‘Bromley’ collection which includes two portraits of herself. “Art adds ambiance,” Monika explains. “It’s what transforms a house from sterile to soulful. This is something we really emphasise with our clients – buyers decide within the first 30 seconds whether they like a property, that first impression is crucial, and the decor and art makes a significant difference. I tell my clients it’s not about what you like anymore, you’re moving out!” she laughs.
The couple’s three year journey to complete the project was not without its challenges, especially given construction was ongoing throughout the Covid period. “We wouldn’t rush into doing it again,” Monika admits with a smile. “Maybe a renovation, but that’s about it. Having undertaken this process though, we are through our Concierge service connecting our clients with the right people to help them with their own projects.” It is this service, going above and beyond that is at the core of Black Diamondz success – earning the trust of their clients and helping to build long-term relationships. “Eighty percent of my business comes from referrals,” she says proudly. “Trust is everything – success comes and goes, but trust is what lasts.”
The couple’s extensive experience in the luxury property market is reflected in every detail of their gorgeous home – an elegant expression of style, sophistication, and glamour, paired with a timeless sense of charm and enduring appeal.
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