My Houzz: Calm Prevails in a Light-Filled Sydney Apartment (21 photos)

Photos by Ryan Linnegar

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Renjie Teoh
Location: Darlinghurst neighborhood of Sydney
Size: 678 square feet (63 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom

Teoh, pictured, found his apartment in mid-February 2014. “I couldn’t believe my luck. A location to die for, top-floor position, rather spacious, and, despite the apartment looking rather tired and dated, it presented great redesign potential and a chance for me to leave my architectural mark,” Teoh says.

Teoh loved that many of the original 1970s features were still intact. The restored Georgian-style cornices, architraves and four large sash windows were particularly alluring. Aside from the kitchen and bathroom, however, the apartment was laid in thick navy-blue carpet. The unit was also in poor shape due to years of neglect.

The apartment receives lovely natural light, one of Teoh’s favorite things about the home. “Whenever I spend time at home, whether on weekends or if I work from home, I just appreciate the way soft daylight filters through the tree canopy outside and in through the four large windows,” he says.

Side table and shelving: Ikea

The Ikea cabinetry system is designed in standard-width modules and is compatible with most other manufacturers’ built-in appliances, sinks and plumbing fixtures. This made it simple and more economical to fit into a space than a custom design, Teoh says.

The bathroom had a preexisting skylight thanks to its location on the top floor, which makes it a bright and airy space.