Pt Chevalier apartment refurbishment

The exterior colours were updated to be more contemporary; the colour scheme was kept very simple and connected the retaining wall and fence to the scheme.

To begin the interior refurbishment, the apartment was gutted and walls knocked out to open up the living areas. Bathroom spaces and living areas were reconfigured to provide good spatial flow by the architect. A new kitchen, bathroom and ensuite were designed into the newly configured spaces, and an overview of lighting, flooring, colour, soft furnishings and furniture were pulled together to create a sense of contemporary sophistication.

A new entrance doorway was installed to add light into the stairwell. The entrance featured contemporary paisley wallpaper in shades of white and metallics. The wallpaper played with a traditional design in a quirky way, creating a sense of surprise in what would have been an ordinary space.

Upstairs, with the wall knocked out, the spaces had a direct relationship to each other and were treated as one area.

The kitchen was kept simple and understated, and a custom designed computer cupboard was built to multifunction as a working space and when it was closed off with sliding doors, the lighting on the open shelving that housed décor created an ambience and soft glow.

A black and white theme was a pivotal design direction for the new kitchen, dining and living areas. Strong geometric pattern combined with texture in the fabrics and soft furnishings, creating a solid statement of the ‘wow’ factor. Touches of red were introduced in a quirky fashion in the artwork and small items of décor.

Whitewashed oak wooden floorboards were laid, the natural warmth of the oak coming through the colour. Resene Quarter Parchment was used on the walls, chosen for its warmth, even though it reads as an off white. The black and warm-white theme was carried through to the dining area, with a black extendable oak table, and fully upholstered chairs in a heavily textured off white fabric. A luxurious crystal chandelier hangs over the table and sheer flowing white drapes with a contemporary rod and eyelet heading add to the quirky sense of surprise, creating an eclectic look.

The bedrooms were dark and dingy so the Resene Quarter Parchment was carried through to lighten and warm them up. Fabrics and furniture were chosen with strong accent colours and pattern and texture. The look and feel is carried through to the bathrooms with strong accents of black, red and silver cast into a neutral scheme throughout. Attention was given to detailing in every area throughout.

Colours used: Resene Double Parchment, Resene Parchment, Resene Quarter Parchment, Resene Wan White.

Products used: Resene decorative paints.

Colour Selection: Amanda Neill
Interior Designer: Amanda Neill
Stylist: Debbie Neill
Photographer: Nathan Koppens, First Light Photography
Project: Total Colour Awards 2010

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