Christian's moody monochrome makeover

Justine recently took some photos for Sydney based interior design and architecture practice, Nextspace and we couldn't resist putting them on the blog. Designer Peter Martignago has reconfigured this classic Bondi bungalow into a sleek and sexy house and owner Christian Edwards has brought it home with a restrained palette and designer pieces. We commend the boys on their collaboration in creating a stunning modern building.  But don't be deceived by the minimalist overhaul. Christian's home is brimming with heart and sentiment. And just a little bit of mystery...


A few hits of citrus add zing to the moody black and white and grey. 
The concrete look feature wall is a product called Pandomo which
goes on like plaster. Christian admits it's "expensive but worth it."
We agree. It's a fabulous look and is a great contrast with
 the original pressed ceiling and ornate chandelier. 
The low-to-the-ground Japanese style bed is from Spence & Lyda.
See http://www.spenceandlyda.com.au/ for really sexy furniture.

This light fitting came with the house. 
We love it's eighties oppulence!

The original hallway at the front of the house hints at what lays
beyond and frames the old shed.

This bathroom is just sexy. Christian says keeping the parquetry
floor for half the bathroom was a great decision as it's
nice to have that link to the rest of the house rather than
stepping straight on to tile. 
And it's always a shame to lose gorgeous parquetry.

Sleek furnishings like the sofa from Koskela and minimal
accessorising keep this room simple and stylish. 
But there is an incredible warmth of sentiment here. 
The photo by Rosemary Laing and the floor light below it
belonged to Christian's late brother. Christian refers to
that part of the house as "his little corner". 
Christian says that after turning all the lights off at night the floor
lamp continues to light up the whole room as he makes
his way to bed.
see http://www.koskela.com.au/ for more great furniture.
(and a fabulous coast shack available to rent)

Christian admits he chose the black because he
"wanted the kitchen to be monolithic" and because...well...
his mum never used to let him have anything in black. 
"Ever," he says. 
The laundry is hidden in there and also doubles as a
butler's pantry so the messy day to day things like making
toast and coffee are tucked away. This is minimalism after all.

  Keeping the shed was important to Christian as
"it tells the story of the house." Apparently the shed used to
belong to someone who loved to tinker with motorbikes
and fix things, so it's well equipped with a bench and vice. 
Christian was pleased to find it also came with "some really
cool ladders and an old-skool plane". 
As well as being a keen carpenter, the previous owner was
also fond of security.  Every door and window was wired
up and the main activation switch was inside the master
bedroom. Christian supposes this was what served
as the panic room!
Christian really started to wonder about the history
of this house though when he found a bullet casing as he
was pulling up the carpet. 



The artworks are by Christian's good friends Guy Warren
(the large one) and Stu Bailey and were given to him while
 both of them were still at art school. Guy's work is painted
on two patterned curtains that Guy and Christian
found at an Op Shop in Canberra, so Christian can't
help feeling he had a hand in its creation.

The table was an ebay find which Christian bought
 for nothing but worked hard on to get the look right.
"It was covered in a horrible laquer and looked very country
 kitchen despite being made from recycled pine," he explains. 
Christian left it in the rain and elements for two years
while working on the house, which stripped it of the
shiny finish and gave it a lovely grey weathered look.  He then
lightly sanded it to get a mix of grey and raw wood.
But his favourite thing about it is a crucifix that had been
carved into it by the last owners with what looks like a
compass point. A bit like those desks at highschool!

errr...sorry mum. 


Thanks for sharing your wonderful home with us Christian. 
It pleased the eye, brought on a tear, made us smile
and left us wondering...

The crew on this project were;
design Nextspace http://www.nextspace.com.au/
build Jimmy Eltenn
landscaping and deck Tim Hewitt & Ben Sutton