Apartment 86/8 Birtley Towers, Birtley Place, Elizabeth Bay, is for sale though Penny Timothy and Greg McKinley. See  https://www.rwebay.com.au/5729402/

Being a top floor apartment, it is embraced by a glorious, moving panorama of everchanging views of Sydney Harbour and the eastern suburbs through its arched windows.

The owners, John-Eric Xavier and Rodney Hinde are selling their skyline apartment to pursue another design project of their own. Rodney is a qualified interior decorator and John-Eric is a qualified interior designer. Their firm, Xavier Hinde Interiors, has successfully completed numerous projects in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Waterloo, Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point over recent years.

John-Eric has a meticulous approach to interior architecture and design having gained his degree in Interior Design from RMIT in 1999. He has extensive experience in numerous areas of design. His expertise includes lighting, architectural hardware, joinery and kitchen and bathroom designs. Rodney graduated with his Diploma in Interior Styling from the International School of Colour and Design and spent over two decades working in the luxury world of visual arts, antiques, carpets, furniture and fine jewellery.

Together, their alchemy creates apartments with a quiet but lavish elegance and savoir vivre. They are both warm, inviting and dazzling. Their design philosophy echoes the famous nineteenth century English designer and poet, William Morris (1834-1896), who famously remarked, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

John-Eric and Rodney were taken by Sodersten’s 1934 chic Art Deco block and its grounds, named after the former mansion on the site.

Their professional design for apartment 86 is a master class in sophisticated neo-classical panache. It creates a homely welcome and sanctuary from the high-speed hum and thrum of our high-octane living.

Good design is not only vital to our culture, our sense of community and our happiness but also to our personal well-being.

They both say that “Birtley Towers is an exceptional building. There is a lovely sense of community here; the neighbours all look out for each other while respecting everybody’s privacy. And of course, this neighbourhood is perfect – we believe it’s the best part of Australia; it cannot be beaten for the convenience, the natural beauty, the architectural beauty, the fabulous shops and eateries and, of course, the people and wonderful sense of community. It’s quite diverse, but it is a true village, very sophisticated and very friendly.”

Yet behind every beautiful space is a workman somewhere in boots, reinforced pants and a high-vis fluoro jacket. John-Eric and Rodney have worked intelligently and meticulously. They have slaved to create a seamless design which has a soothing subliminal effect. They have composed a symphonic, themed, symbiotic relationship between each space.

Walls are traditionally panelled and painted in a soothing grey that compliments the original brass heritage window latches and other accessories. The darker French herringbone parquetry provides a plinth which enhances the colour of the views.

Good design makes the most of spaces and lets them breathe.

The note: “we have very much conserved the heritage aspects of the building; in fact, we have restored them to some extent.  We removed much of the modern joinery that had been previously installed and replaced it with far more sympathetic joinery.  In doing so, we restored much of the skirting, architraves, windowsills and cornices that had been removed. We also replaced the doors with traditional doors, some of which we really had to hunt for. The addition of panelling and a more period colour scheme has definitely highlighted the heritage aspects of the building. And after much searching we were very happy to find some antique brass door hardware that ties in beautifully with the building’s original window hardware. We didn’t alter the layout at all as it is faultless, as you would expect from such an acclaimed architect. And considering its age it’s amazing how workable it is for a 21st century lifestyle.”

Soft velvet couch and cushions complement a leather comfy chair and brass palm tree lampstands with gold shades in the lounge.

Beautiful brass wall scones play a silhouette of light on walls as silk curtains linger lazily nearby. An antique metal reinforced treasure chest doubles as a coffee table.

The bedroom finishes shimmer while the study indulges itself with a tactile, shark-grey shagreen desk, ideal for contemplation.

The whole scena recognises that it is more important to have style than merely be in style.

John-Eric and Rodney have sensitively adopted the ethos of the 18^th century English poet, Alexander Pope, who said “Build …  In all, Let Nature never be forgot. Consult the Genius of the Place… “.

Contact

Xavier Hinde Interiors

Phone 0421 019 080

20 Poplar Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010

Email interiors@xavierhinde.com

Website www.xavierhinde.com

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions