EMBRACING THE CURVES

Tasked with turning a straight-from-the-developer apartment into a warm and welcoming home, interior designer Greg Natale used a muted palette and curved silhouettes to soften—and add sophistication to—the space.

By Rachel Gallaher Photographed by Anson Smart

The penthouse’s interiors, created by interior designer Greg Natale, have the refined feel of an upscale hotel lobby. Soft curves and colors come together to create a space meant for relaxation.

Upon first visiting the two-story, three-bedroom apartment he had been hired to decorate, interior designer Greg Natale, of Greg Natale Design, felt underwhelmed. Positioned to overlook Sydney, Australia’s Walsh Bay, the penthouse unit had striking views, but lacked character and style. “It was a typical white-box, developer-style apartment that featured a pokey kitchen and a dog-leg stairway,” Natale says. “Overall, it had a cold feeling.”

Interior designer Greg Natale.

In the entryway, a Gebrüder Thonet Vienna Mos bench with an oak frame provides seating and a place to deposit backpacks and bags. Gold design objects sit atop the curved fireplace ledge, adding a touch of glam.

The clients—a family of three—asked Natale to bring some softness to the space and presented him with three specific requests: that he incorporate “plenty of curves,” use modern European furniture, and employ a subtle color palette.

“The palette merges soft pink and yellow with elegant white and gray,” Natale says. “I specified natural-oak timber floors laid in a herringbone pattern, which was used throughout the space, and we chose Carrara marble for the kitchen and bathrooms—the combination of these materials resulted in a clean, contemporary, Europeanfeeling residence.”

The apartment’s original staircase was removed and a new one—with a sweeping form—was placed in the living room, capitalizing on the double height space while creating an interesting focal point. In this room, curves are the dominating motif, from the stairway to the built-in fireplace to the furniture. Two crescent-shaped sofas, upholstered in a dove-gray fabric, rest atop a multicolored circular rug, creating a cozy sitting area that’s perfect for gathering. An asymmetrical light fixture and two pieces of framed art are the few angular elements in the room. Several brass accent pieces, including the chandelier, add depth to the composition.

Dining chairs and counter-height stools have rounded backs that continue the curve motif used throughout the house. The brass lighting fixture above the dining table adds angles to the mix.

Adjacent to the living room, a dining area and kitchen continue the curved-décor theme with an ovaloid table and a set of Gubi Beetle dining chairs, with backs and seats shaped in clamshellesque bends. A hand-carved Carrara marble island, with a monolithic columnar base on each end, is the sculptural heart of the kitchen. Four counter-height brass stools, upholstered in mustard yellow, tuck under the center section of the island, bringing a bright pop of color to the otherwise neutral space.

Ligne Roset’s quilted Ruché ottomans cozy up to the foot of the bed.

For the primary bedroom suite, the clients requested the ambience of a hotel. “With its organic lines and sumptuous furnishings, this area continues the apartment’s blend of luxury and comfort, in which curves and colors combine to create a sophisticated, serene space,” Natale says. Utilizing an open floor plan, this part of the residence includes the primary bedroom, a walkin closet, a small lounge area, and a bathroom, which is “subtly demarcated by the organic lines of a curved ceiling above and marble floor below,” Natale explains. “The marble’s gentle contours, nestled within the bedroom’s solid oak floors, create an oasis of tranquil white and gray tones, offset by brass accents and complemented by the surrounding hues of pink, gray, and yellow that echo the apartment’s palette.”

A pink Gubi sofa and two lounge chairs upholstered in white Mongolian sheepskin create a comfortable sitting area in the primary bedroom.

The primary bedroom’s ensuite bath is delineated by Carrara marble, but its openness keeps it connected with the rest of the room.

A guest room and the clients’ teenage son’s room are each done up in neutral tones, with color coming from bed linens, pillows, and artworks in shades of green, white, and beige. A terrace, located off the main living area, holds several clusters of outdoor furniture and groupings of large, circular planters, which offer intimate places to gather. Each seating area faces expansive views of Walsh Bay, with the glorious, arced Sydney Harbour Bridge visible from every angle—an experience that only adds to the home’s curve appeal.