Inside the Newtown terrace that has been transformed into an inner-city sanctuary by Interior Stylist Jessi Deakin.
Sydney’s inner-west suburb of Newtown is known for its eclectic and alternative atmosphere with a usually lively nightlife and enviable music scene. Just four kilometres from the city centre, the bustling neighbourhood is dotted with thrift stores, boutiques, restaurants and rooftop bars.
The area is also known for its iconic and tightly-held Newtown terrace rows that line the streets, some of them dating back as far as the mid 1800s.
Moments from Newtown’s main strip, this double-storey two-bedroom 1980s terrace is a bit of a squeeze with its long and narrow floor plan. The owner, a young female entrepreneur who has resided in the home since 2018, sought-out the help of Interior stylist Jessi Deakin to maximise the space and create a relaxing haven.
The dimensions of the home meant Jessi had to carefully plan for furniture. “When working with terrace homes or homes with a small footprint, it’s key to find ways to maximise the space you have to work with by creating multi-functional areas,” Jessi says.
Without major renovations or redesign of the layout needed, Jessi instead worked with the owner to come up with custom storage solutions to make the most of limited space.
“The entryway has bespoke joinery, incorporating a coat closet complete with a mirror, pull-out shoe cabinet, storage bench and open shelving that doubles as a library to house an extensive book collection, as well as a display feature,” Jessi explains.
“We also designed the guest bedroom with multi-tasking in mind.” The wardrobe smartly doubles as a dressing table and a study nook, while the log bedside table can be used as a stool for the study spot.
The interior of the home was painted with Dulux Natural White, the floors were refinished and the joinery updated before Jessi added new furniture and decor to the home to create the laid-back Scandinavian retreat, boasting a palette of rich tones and layers of luxe textures that seamlessly create an illusion of spaciousness.
It was important to the owner that her home be an inviting space for entertaining. The living and dining area flow seamlessly onto the courtyard, where there is a ten-seater dining space set beneath festoon lights and surrounded by lush, tropical pot plants.
“I love the cosiness and connection of these two spaces with the outlook to the light-filled courtyard,” Jessi says. “I imagine this all opened up on a summer’s evening to extend the space while entertaining.”
With sustainability a large part of the brief, Jessi incorporated high-quality investment pieces that she says are built to last well beyond a season. “Instead of trend-focused purchases, we favoured ethically sourced, natural materials that embodied the homeowner’s eco-conscious values.”
Featuring the work of local artisans throughout the home, there is a range of considered furniture and wares. “We couldn’t go past the dreamy linen sofa designed by Aussie stylist Sarah Ellison.”
“A cohesive mix of materials was chosen to bring this brief together. Think natural materials like timber, marble, wool and linen with a hint of velvet for that extra touch of luxury,” Jessi says. The talented interior stylist balanced deep rich hues of emerald, navy and mustard with soft greys and warm whites throughout the interior.
“The use of colour is somehow energising and romantic, yet calming and grounding at the same time,” Jessi muses. “It’s like the interior invites you in, offers you a glass of red and great conversation while a really chill soundtrack plays in the background.”
Favourite piece in the home?
The beautiful, locally-sourced and handmade timber furniture suite in the master bedroom by Al & Imo Handmade.
Biggest splurge?
Joinery aside, the biggest splurge items were the oversized Armadillo wool rug in the living room, and the handmade solid timber bedroom suite. Worth every penny!
Greatest budget decorating tip?
Reusing what you can! We kept the existing Ikea floor lamp as it worked with the new scheme, and we used the client’s books as decor when styling coffee tables, side tables and shelves.
WORDS: KATY HOLLIDAY IMAGES: THE PALM CO
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