- Interior
This home was built in the 1920s and recently received a renovation from one of Australia's most promising interior designers. Phoebe Nicol clearly has her status down pat. She is known for her boutique style and the authentic filter she expertly drapes over each space. Take a walk with us through this home with a successful vintage insert that was named Kings Road.
In Woollahra, Sydney you will find the studio of Phoebe Nicols. Together with her team of designers and architects, she strives to create interiors that promote authenticity and make residents feel special every day. Her spaces are personal without exception, without of course losing sight of the client as the focal point. Besides running her business, she founded The Vault Sydney with her partner Jeremy Bowker. In this showroom, the couple gathers an inspiring mix of rare furniture and expressive art. Both antique and contemporary pieces are featured here. There is a clear link between the two initiatives. Indeed, in all her interior design projects, you can clearly see that the slightly eclectic furnishings, artworks and joinery draw the line indelibly with average designs. Yet she consistently preserves a simplicity that holds all the factors together. By simultaneously working towards an enduring elegance, she appropriately balances out the playful touches. To realise her ideas, she faithfully collaborates with a small club of experts, consisting of artisans and experienced craftsmen. She keeps a close eye on the follow-up of every detail, at every stage. As a result, she guarantees a process that is as flawless as possible across the board, from the initial design concept to the final styling. 
Conceptually, not a single inch was overlooked
It was originally Bruce Delit who designed this property, in 1925. Then architect Alan Dukes already provided an extension once in 2001, and now the property was put in the hands of Nicols. A complete renovation was planned, but not without preserving some elements. The house had several references to the Art Deco style, which were carefully protected. The original staircase and cornices are the main examples. To complement them, the interior designer also added new items in the same aesthetic, such as skirting boards, architraves, and the fireplace. She then went to France to collect all the antiques for this project. 
To further enhance the effect of the architecture, she again looked for things within art deco and also midcentury. Yet the whole thing does not look outdated or dated, as there is enough modern counterpoint. The furniture pieces are timeless and the layout of the floor plan is so well thought-out and user-friendly that living comfort increases significantly. Conceptually, not a single inch was overlooked: a great success in other words. 
Phoebe Nicol lives up to her reputation with Kings Road. This renovation of house that is almost 100 years old did not come without challenges. By retaining all the right things and matching her own style with the historic charm, she delivered a result that finds support across many national borders. 
Photography by Dave Wheeler
Text by Cara Jacobs