NEVER TOO SMALL: Colourful Art Deco Micro Apartment, Sydney 27sqm/290sqft

Set inside a 1930s heritage art deco block in inner Sydney, Architect Eleanor Peres wanted to celebrate the era and original materials in her re-design whilst making the apartment more contemporary, functional, and spacious. The most drastic change was converting the kitchen into a vibrant focal point of the apartment with the addition of two deep green joinery units, one at counter height and the other reaching floor to ceiling with a built-in bookshelf facing into the main living space. Other than a king-sized Ikea storage bed which provides most of the apartment’s storage, the rest of the furniture is deliberately simple and freestanding, creating as much open area as possible whilst allowing Peres the flexibility to easily change things up.

#smallapartment #architecture #interiordesign

Ep 161
Project Name: Darley Studio

Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director: Nam Tran
Cinematographer: Nam Tran
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Sebastian Tibbs

[cheapandchic]

That kitchen is to die for. I love it when people choose colours based on what they like and not fleeting interior decor trends that need to be changed every five years. The little ceramic tiles and interesting artwork make it all even better. Beautiful for such a tiny little place. Feels like a proper home.

[HZLTV]

This apartment is objectively beautiful, but to me it feels more like a cute hotel room... it looks super cozy but your only seating are those dining tables... I'm someone who doesn't get into bed until it's actually time to sleep, so without even a cozy armchair this just feels like it's lacking something for long term living... Although I have neither the vision nor the expertise to even suggest what I'd do differently haha

[LuOsorio]

I love that every feature of the apartment is intentional and not only because it looks cool (which it does as well). Also not having to compromise a big comfortable bed, a full kitchen, laundry and a full tub in a 27 sqm apartment is just unbelievable!! Very well done!

[djphonique]

absolutely beautiful, but nobody else would feel uncomfortable sleeping right next to that apartment door?

[MsWinterlife]

For such a small apartment, this is a wonderful result that allows people to live. Rather than having loads of cupboards / cabinets that cram in as much stuff as possible, this design forces you to evaluate what you value most in life and make choices based on that. When I first arrived in Australia, all my stuff fit inside 2 large suitcases. I remind myself once in a while that if I managed to live comfortably back then, I can do it again if the occasion calls for it.

[tigerkuma]

The exterior and entrance of that building is stunning. If you're gonna live in a small space at least let it be in an art deco one!

[nickles]

Beautiful space.
I wonder why the bedroom wouldn't have been placed in the nook where the kitchen is. To each their own, but for me, it would have made more sense.
But those colors and little art tile gems are fabulous!

[sepilokfui]

for such little space, the bathroom and the kitchen are wonderful, a little couch will make the apartment perfect.

[indiamark]

She's done a really wonderful job, especially with the sparing use of bright colours in her furniture, art and joinery. I used to study at the art school up the road and would walk past this apartment block every day, I always thought it was beautiful.

[philiq]

I like it -- very compact, bright, and light. The deep green works well in that kitchen and joinery. The only thing I'd have done differently is a smaller bed, allowing space for, say, a floor-to-ceiling frosted glass partition between it and the entryway. 😅

[saikogrrl]

Looove the artworks, especially the custom tiles! For such a tiny space it didn't feel small.
For me personally I would have kept the original window seat for somewhere to sit and read, I think it looked gorgeous 🙂

[hotelierid]

The design is stunning. I love the apartment building as well. The green color in the kitchen is so pretty, and I love how she spread tiles with artwork on it. Its a very good design for such a limited space.

[peterpost]

I've been watching NTS for a while now. But this is the first time I felt welkom home in a story. I LOVE the kitchen! The mirror is brilliantly placed and the art around the house is the best.

Thank you for sharing this lovely home 😊

[Hongaars]

As someone who sold up in Petersham and eventually has settled and built a 35 sq m studio in Dubrovnik, I am happy to say that it is very easy to live in a cleverly designed, smaller space. I replied on pen and paper and drew up designs and plans for my builder and measured every available centimeter and was even able to install a bath and have adequate space for a clearly demarcated sitting area. Your micro apartment is very nice. May you enjoy it for many years.

[JS-tevj]

As someone living in space-conscious urban Tokyo, I'm a long time fan of NTS - but this is my favourite, most modest yet senseful apartment I've seen! Really love it. Thanks for sharing!

[dezmair]

i used to live around the corner from this building. This remodel is delightful - my only change would be to have incorporated a window seat for sitting at the dining table and double as a couch with storage under.

[Kara_]

Especially love the kitchen! The green, the tiles, the art tiles, the prolonged counter.
Very understandable to choose for storage space under the bed (which you would not have with a Murphy bed).
I would make a lounge podium instead. Still with storage space underneath, but with the possibility to sit durimg the day. And then use a foldable futon matress for the night.

[demolka]

I love it. I would use sofa-murphy bed combo and try to find another place for storage, but the style is on point!

[pranavshamkuwar]

Its a joy to watch, the video you are watching and liking, is also liked by a random person at the same time, across many miles.

[sianthesheep]

An incredibly spacious feeling apartment for its size! I love the green colour and all the unique touches like the hand coloured tiles in the kitchen/bathroom and the art piece that encloses the projector. I agree a murphy bed could be a possibility and might allow for a sofa but you would then lose the huge amount of storage under the bed.