Interior design for terrace houses

Newtown Living Room Interior Design by Studio aem

Working on this stunning terrace property in Newtown was the perfect opportunity for Studio aem to immerse ourselves in old-world charm and be transported to the inner-west Sydney of yesteryear.  Drawing on our vast terrace home design experience, and building on the extensive joinery work already undertaken, we successfully transformed the uninspiring interior into a modern, functional home, blending the traditional and the contemporary in a way which celebrates the history of the property. 

As is typical of homes of this style and vintage, the rooms were small and lacking in warmth. Common walls on each side of the property posed an additional challenge, limiting natural light. The homeowners, a professional couple with small children, needed a peaceful retreat which reflected their personality, but also supported their busy lives. They engaged Studio aem, in collaboration with Studio Gestalt, to consult on decoration, furniture, and feature lighting, to maximise the small spaces and dated layout, and unify the home.

The existing neutral base of oak floors and black and white joinery gave us a great blank canvas to build on, so we focused on texture, layering, and pops of colour to bring the property to life. Scale played a part too, with versatile large pieces paired with daring and unique soft furnishings and decorative objects to create a sense of fun and contrast. 

Conceptualising modern house designs for small spaces can be challenging, particularly in high-traffic areas that serve multiple purposes. As the homeowners have small children, it was essential that the dining and living rooms could stand up to day-to-day rigours, yet also be bold and stylish, and retain the integrity of the home. 

Newtown Dining Room Interior Design by Studio aem

Stylish, yet practical, dining area

In the dining area, the pared-back timber dining table was chosen for its unobtrusive versatility. It can be styled according to taste, occasion, and use. This subtle base also allows the feature lighting to take centre stage, as it undoubtedly deserves. Bold vases and wall art were added to create interest and inspire creative conversation. The resulting room is chic and polished, and can easily perform double-duty for entertaining, children’s crafts, or a home office space.

Newtown Lounge Room Interior Design by Studio aem

The lounge: a seamless blend of old and new

The lounge represents a microcosm of all that we aimed to achieve for the home – a blend of history and practicality, supercharged to reflect family life. It may only be a small space, but this room embodies comfort and style. We focused on balancing colours and textures to create interest, and weaving modern and vintage concepts together, such as the cool stone coffee table and the luxurious, plush sofa. Again, we opted for bold choices for the smaller pieces, to enliven the space without detracting from the ultimate functionality.

Newtown Master Bedroom Interior Design by Studio aem

Luxurious master suite

The master suite was uninspiring, and needed a real injection of luxury. Practical storage need had to be interwoven with stylistic choices, so the room would not only look beautiful, but enhance the owner’s lives – a defining feature of small space interior design. Every design choice needed to form an essential element of the overall aesthetic, such as the custom designed wall-to-wall upholstered headboard and fan-inspired lamps, while neutral choices for soft furnishes enable the owners to update the room as their tastes and needs change.

Newtown Guest Bedroom Interior Design by Studio aem

A charming oasis for treasured guests

imilarly, when it came to transforming the unused spare room into an inviting space for guests, care was taken to keep it functional and beautiful. Furniture design for small spaces must take into account proportions and scale, so as not to be overwhelming or busy – especially in a room designated for rest and relaxation. While the upholstered headboard evokes opulence and luxury, the cool tones of the bedlinen have been carefully chosen to suit guests of all ages and tastes, making it a versatile space. The addition of quaint vessels on the bedside table is a thoughtful touch, while the vibrant artwork overhead contrasts beautifully with the pared-back aesthetic of the room.

The homeowners of this property had some fantastic ideas, and a clear vision of what they hoped to achieve, but they acknowledge that bringing it all together cleanly wouldn’t have been possible without the expertise of Studio aem, and our colleagues at Studio Gestalt.

To find out more about how an interior designer can help you create the home of your dreams, take a look at the services we offer here.