Interiors

A Delectable Revival Of An Original Sydney Shopfront

YSG are the masters of imbuing architecturally minimal homes with textured neutrals, interesting accents, and the perfect amount of contrasting colour.

‘Soft Serve’ epitomises this approach, introducing a material palette of patterned timbers (poplar burl, ebony-stained American oak, and Australian red cedar) with mother of pearl, corteccia stone, leathered quartzite, caramel Venetian plaster, and salvaged granite to personalise a Georgian former shopfront in Rozelle, Sydney.

Every detail has been meticulously considered, from the custom lighting and Japanese-inspired joinery, right down to a framed woven textile concealing the living room television.

Written
by
Amelia Barnes

Counter Black Fantasy quartzite kitchen island counter and backbench in Cortona Quartzite from Artedomus; Joinery Timber Veneer – Poplar Burl with solid timber American ash door Handles designed by YSG made by Jonathan West; Curtains in Kinnes and ‘Domain’ made by Simple Studio; Sofa Black Tie Island Sofa from Moebel; Coffee Table Cambia Ash, designed by YSG, made by Maiden and Co; Bowls Wobbly Bowl in Celadon by Felicity Ng, Stephen Bird ‘Relief plate with honey glaze’, 2020 from Olsen Gallery; Rug Designed by YSG; Wall Light ‘Plume’ from Moebel; Walls Marmarino Plaster; Handrail Solid Oak, designed by YSG, made by Jonathan West; Bench ‘Reeno’ Mini Bench in Pierre Frey ‘Opio’ from Grazia & Co; Dining Table Custom Silver Travertine Table designed by YSG, maded by Med Marble; Light Akoya Pendant in Ochre Yellow by RBW from Koda Lighting. Art Amanda Marburg ‘Goddess’, 2014 oil on linen, 125 x 90 cm, courtesy of Olsen Gallery. Maggie Brink ‘David and Rocks’, Oil on Canvas, 43.2 x 33 cm, represented by Reading Room (collection Rafaela Pandolfini). Hex Side Table in red glass from Spence & Lyda. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Curtains in Kinnes and ‘Domain’ made by Simple Studio; Sofa Black Tie Island Sofa from Moebel; Coffee Table Cambia Ash, designed by YSG, made by Maiden and Co; Bowls Wobbly Bowl in Celadon by Felicity Ng, Stephen Bird ‘Relief plate with honey glaze’, 2020 from Olsen Gallery; Rug Designed by YSG; Wall Light ‘Plume’ from Moebel; Walls Marmarino Plaster; Handrail Solid Oak, designed by YSG, made by Jonathan West; Bench ‘Reeno’ Mini Bench in Pierre Frey ‘Opio’ from Grazia & Co; Dining Table Custom Silver Travertine Table designed by YSG, maded by Med Marble; Light Akoya Pendant in Ochre Yellow by RBW from Koda Lighting. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Counter Black Fantasy quartzite kitchen island counter and backbench in Cortona Quartzite from Artedomus; Joinery Timber Veneer – Poplar Burl with solid timber American ash door Handles designed by YSG made by Jonathan West; Curtains in Kinnes and ‘Domain’ made by Simple Studio; Sofa Black Tie Island Sofa from Moebel; Coffee Table Cambia Ash, designed by YSG, made by Maiden and Co; Bowls Wobbly Bowl in Celadon by Felicity Ng, Stephen Bird ‘Relief plate with honey glaze’, 2020 from Olsen Gallery; Rug Designed by YSG; Wall Light ‘Plume’ from Moebel; Walls Marmarino Plaster; Handrail Solid Oak, designed by YSG, made by Jonathan West; Bench ‘Reeno’ Mini Bench in Pierre Frey ‘Opio’ from Grazia & Co; Dining Table Custom Silver Travertine Table designed by YSG, maded by Med Marble; Light Akoya Pendant in Ochre Yellow by RBW from Koda Lighting. Art Amanda Marburg ‘Goddess’, 2014 oil on linen, 125 x 90 cm, courtesy of Olsen Gallery. Maggie Brink ‘David and Rocks’, Oil on Canvas, 43.2 x 33 cm, represented by Reading Room (collection Rafaela Pandolfini). Hex Side Table in red glass from Spence & Lyda. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Casual dining area: Bench ‘Reeno’ Mini Bench in Pierre Frey ‘Opio’ from Grazia & Co; Dining Table Custom Silver Travertine Table designed by YSG, made by Med Marble; Light Akoya Pendant in Ochre Yellow by RBW from Koda Lighting; Vase Balloon Vase 01 by Louise Roe from Spence & Lyda; Plate Antique Scottish blue and white transferware dinner plate from Cheesoon & Fitzgerald.

Top shelf (L- R): Suvira McDonald wood fired bowl from The DEA Store; Michelle Connolly Artwork from Spence & Lyda. Top centre (L-R): Boucle table lamp by Éric De Dormaël for DCW from Spence & Lyda; Vintage studio pottery vessel with spout and blue oxide glaze from Rudi Rocket; Stephanie Phillips ‘Celeste’ Vase from The DEA Store. Bottom centre (L-R): Wobbly Bowl in Celadon by Felicity Ng; Antique Japanese hand-painted blue and white Imari porcelain charger plate from Cheesoon & Fitzgerald; Bettina Willner ‘Rhodoite’ stoneware sculpture from Saint Cloche. Bottom (L-R): Antique Japanese hand-painted blue and white Imari ceramic vase from Cheesoon & Fitzgerald; Mel Lumb ‘Halimeda 2041’ stoneware vase from Saint Cloche. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Casual dining area: Bench ‘Reeno’ Mini Bench in Pierre Frey ‘Opio’ from Grazia & Co; Dining Table Custom Silver Travertine Table designed by YSG, made by Med Marble; Light Akoya Pendant in Ochre Yellow by RBW from Koda Lighting; Vase Balloon Vase 01 by Louise Roe from Spence & Lyda; Plate Antique Scottish blue and white transferware dinner plate from Cheesoon & Fitzgerald.

Bottom centre shelf: (L-R): Wobbly Bowl in Celadon by Felicity Ng; Antique Japanese hand-painted blue and white Imari porcelain charger plate from Cheesoon & Fitzgerald; Bettina Willner ‘Rhodoite’ stoneware sculpture from Saint Cloche. Bottom (L-R): Antique Japanese hand-painted blue and white Imari ceramic vase from Cheesoon & Fitzgerald; Mel Lumb ‘Halimeda 2041’ stoneware vase from Saint Cloche. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Counter Black Fantasy quartzite kitchen island counter and backbench in Cortona Quartzite from Artedomus; Joinery Timber Veneer – Poplar Burl with solid timber American ash door Handles designed by YSG made by Jonathan West; Curtains in Kinnes and ‘Domain’ made by Simple Studio; Sofa Black Tie Island Sofa from Moebel; Coffee Table Cambia Ash, designed by YSG, made by Maiden and Co; Bowls Wobbly Bowl in Celadon by Felicity Ng, Stephen Bird ‘Relief plate with honey glaze’, 2020 from Olsen Gallery; Rug Designed by YSG; Wall Light ‘Plume’ from Moebel; Walls Marmarino Plaster; Handrail Solid Oak, designed by YSG, made by Jonathan West; Bench ‘Reeno’ Mini Bench in Pierre Frey ‘Opio’ from Grazia & Co; Dining Table Custom Silver Travertine Table designed by YSG, maded by Med Marble; Light Akoya Pendant in Ochre Yellow by RBW from Koda Lighting. Art Amanda Marburg ‘Goddess’, 2014 oil on linen, 125 x 90 cm, courtesy of Olsen Gallery. Maggie Brink ‘David and Rocks’, Oil on Canvas, 43.2 x 33 cm, represented by Reading Room (collection Rafaela Pandolfini). Hex Side Table in red glass from Spence & Lyda. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Handrail Solid Oak, designed by YSG, made by Jonathan West. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Cortana Quartzite from Artedomus. Vase from Spence & Lyda. Timna Taylor ceramic bowl from The DEA Store. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

The study. Floor sandblasted travertine flooring in ‘Chambon’ from Eco Outdoor; Pendant Doppio Grid Pendant Light from Spence & Lyda; Lamp Valerie Objects No. 2 Lamp from Spence & Lyda; Table Vintage Round Table from Curated Spaces; Vintage Chairs from Curated Spaces and reupholstered in Kvadrat ‘Byram’ by Rematerialised; Floor Lamp Vintage Teak Pyramid Floor Lamp from Rudi Rocket; Pottery Striped vessel from Rudi Rocket. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Side Table Hex Side Table in red glass from Spence & Lyda. Sculpture Wrought iron from Spence & Lyda. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

The ‘salon’ — a smaller lounge area opening to the courtyard. Floor Sandblasted travertine flooring in ‘Chambon’ from Eco Outdoor; Sofa B&B Tufty Time Sofa from Space; Chair Vintage Alky Chair upholstered Pierre Frey ‘Malou’ Fabric from Castorina & Co; Rug Custom Tapetti Rug designed by YSG; Coffee Table Custom American Oak designed by YSG, made by Maiden and Co, Vases Vintage Studio Pottery Lava glaze and Vintage Rare Violet West German Vase both from Rudi Rocket; Curtains in Metaphores colour Azur from Boyac made by Simple Studio; Doors Custom metal bifold doors designed by YSG. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Art Paul Rousso ‘The Colors of Sound’ 2020, mixed media on hand-sculpted acrylic 76 x 122 x 13cm, courtesy of Piermarq. Floor Sandblasted travertine flooring in ‘Chambon’ from Eco Outdoor; Sofa B&B Tufty Time Sofa from Space; Chair Vintage Alky Chair upholstered Pierre Frey ‘Malou’ Fabric from Castorina & Co; Rug Custom Tapetti Rug designed by YSG; Coffee Table Custom American Oak designed by YSG, made by Maiden and Co, Vases Vintage Studio Pottery Lava glaze and Vintage Rare Violet West German Vase both from Rudi Rocket; Curtains in Metaphores colour Azur from Boyac made by Simple Studio. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Dining room. Chair Molloy Chair from Cult; Vintage Chairs from Curated Spaces reupholstered in Kvadrat ‘Byram’ by Rematerialised; Dining Table Ten Table from Great Dane; Chandelier Custom Timber Chandelier designed by YSG, made by Maiden and Co; Cake stand Anne Demeulemeester ‘Ra’ cake stand from Spence & Lyda; Floor Sandblasted travertine flooring in ‘Chambon’ from Eco Outdoor; Stairs in honed Rocca Bianca from Artedomus. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Plates Anne Demeulemeester ‘Ra 17.5 plates from Spence & Lyda. Wine glasses Anne Demeulemeester ‘Grace’ white wine glasses from Spence & Lyda. Sculpture RR Enamelled steel sculpture from Rudi Rocket. Art Zhuang Hong Yi ‘Flowerbed Colour Change’ 2020, acrylic & rice paper on canvas, 90 x 70cm courtesy of Piermarq. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Main bedroom. Walnut bedside table Custom designed by YSG, made by Jonathan West; Bedhead in Misia Paris ‘Calusa’ from The Textile Company by Rematerialized; Rug New Marrakesh Berber Rug from Loom; Lamp Monolith Italian Style Reading Light from 1stDibs; Bowl Rounde Vide Poche by Henry Wilson in bronze; Clock Vitra Night desk clock from Living Edge; Bedding Fitted sheet, duvet and valance from In The Sac; Blanket by Cultiver; Pillow Custom Cushion in Pierre Frey ‘Arlina’ designed by YSG, made by Rematerialised. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Main bathroom (en suite). Sconce Anton Mini Sconce by Volker Haug; Flooring and stone skirting in Aren Bianco limestone from On Site; Vanity Corteccia marbler from Euro Marble; Cabinet American Ash vanity cabinet designed by YSG, made by Jonothan West; Vase from Saint Cloche; Soap dish from DEA Store. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Main bedroom. Walnut bedside table Custom designed by YSG, made by Jonathan West; Bedhead in Misia Paris ‘Calusa’ from The Textile Company by Rematerialized; Rug New Marrakesh Berber Rug from Loom; Lamp Monolith Italian Style Reading Light from 1stDibs; Bowl Rounde Vide Poche by Henry Wilson in bronze; Clock Vitra Night desk clock from Living Edge; Bedding Fitted sheet, duvet and valance from In The Sac; Blanket by Cultiver; Pillow Custom Cushion in Pierre Frey ‘Arlina’ designed by YSG, made by Rematerialised. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Table lamp Hay ‘Matin’ Table Lamp from Cult; Bedding from In The Sac; Throw and side table from Planet Furniture; Curtains made by Simple Studio; Amber glass jar from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald; Joinery Custom designed by YSG and made by Jonathan West; Handles from Henry Wilson; Eye sculpture from Saint Cloche Gallery; Face sculpture Michelle Connoly from Spence & Lyda. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Vanity ‘Pietra Verde’ Natural Stone from Euro Marble; Basin Mixer Astra Walker Wall Set; Shower Mixer Astra Walker Wall Mounted Mixer; Vanity Lights Flat White Wall Sconce from A Design Studio. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Spence and Lyda ‘Eos’ Outdoor Table and side chair. Bench upholstery from Missoni. Bolster upholstered in Pierre Frey. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

The front door’s original art nouveau-style steel-framed screen with its decorative floral swirls was restored and painted a deeper, dusty pink. Photography – Prue Ruscoe

Writer
Amelia Barnes
7th of July 2022

YSG’s transformation of this original Georgian shop front involved major structural changes and material updates across every room of the existing three-storey sandstone structure.

A previous 1990s renovation had provided an ‘austere, office-like appeal’ to the interiors, calling for a complete overhaul of the layout, joinery, and loose furniture, while maintaining the Rozelle building’s original features.

The brief was simply to transform the traditional characteristics of the heritage layout into a more pragmatic home for a family of four. In practice this was complex, taking three years to complete due to council approvals and meticulous structural alterations.

Removing the existing sandstone wall between what’s now the kitchen and dining area was integral to achieving the client’s desire for a more open home. ‘It was imperative to give the whole downstairs living area a sense of open connection. It took a lot of perseverance and patience [with council] to get approval, but the result makes it so worth it on reflection,’ says Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem, YSG founder and director. 

A cosy ‘sunken’ lounge area evolved to the left, featuring a daybed, coffee table and rug all custom designed by YSG. A framed handwoven fabric provides a beautiful focal point, while serving as a practical shoji-like screen that conceals the television from view when not in use.

Upstairs, a living room was converted into the new main bedroom and en suite. The quiet restraint of traditional Japanese interiors is evident across wooden framing devices created for the joinery and bed frame, lined with a tatami-like matting of vintage seagrass bound by timber. 

In the en suite, diagonal bands of rose-tinted limestone and mother of pearl mosaic tiles work to reflect light, tying in with a shimmering custom bedhead made from frayed oyster grey silk in the adjoining room.

Colours throughout the home complement the delicate blush tone emanating from the original stone walls, as well as the jewel-toned art nouveau-style stained glass windows. Aquamarine, citrine, and peridot define the elegant yet radical palette.

Every piece of furniture was brought in specifically to support YSG’s vision, with many vintage timber pieces sourced second hand. 

The culmination of numerous structural and material changes has given this home a ‘living’ quality, which Yasmine says appears to gently inhale and exhale. ‘Overall, the spaces swell and expand through pattern integration amongst both hard and soft furnishings, almost like a fresh breeze flowing throughout.’

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