The winners of this year’s Belle/Fanuli Interior Design Awards represent the best of the best in Australian interiors today.
Here we unveil the top of the class for 2024.
Winners of the Belle/Fanuli Interior Design Awards 2024
With thanks to our sponsors:
Best Commercial Interior: Brahman Perera for Henne Fiveways
Sponsored by Cabinetti
Sustainability and responsible practice are key pillars of fashion brand Henne, and interior designer Brahman Perera was instrumental in bringing this ethos to the label’s new Sydney store in Paddington.
Photography: Mike Baker
The architecture of the classic terrace building has been gently reconfigured and recontextualised without the need for dramatic demolition or intervention, with finger-parquetry floors salvaged from a neighbouring site and Australian native hardwood sourced for the pitted timber columns that punctuate the space.
Necessary inclusions of clothing racks, change rooms and point of sale are elevated by a varied palette of silk, wax-finished aluminium, perspex and leather, with citrus-green joinery and a bold red stairwell enhancing the sense of place.
“These added materials and colours are evocative of the bright and expressive landscape and environment that Sydney plays host to,” says Brahman.
Brahman Perera | brahmanperera.com.au
Photography: Lillie Thompson
Best Hospitality Interior: Studio Aquilo for Saint Peter
Sponsored by Elements of Byron
For the fit-out of the new Saint Peter restaurant in Sydney’s Paddington, which formed part of the larger Grand National refurbishment, Studio Aquilo looked to the visionary behind the world-class eatery: chef Josh Niland. “Inspired by his sustainable, fin-to-scale, ‘whole fish’ philosophy, we crafted a dining experience steeped in subtlety and symbolism,” says Studio Aquilo director Belinda Chippindale.
Photography: Kristina Soljo
Custom-rendered walls were specified to echo the organic beauty of oyster reefs, while richly veined stone resembles perfectly cooked fish flesh. A striking brass pendant brings to mind a fish skeleton, and ribbed wall tiles are akin to scales.
In answer to Josh’s request for a ‘dry’ aesthetic where the colours and textures of the beach and bush intersect, Belinda and her team selected green and deep clay-coloured leather upholstery and a hanging gantry adorned with seaweed and stacks of ironwood for the main restaurant and open kitchen.
The private dining room features waxed ochre walls and a marble fireplace to tie in with its heritage envelope.
Belinda Chippindale and Dimity Chitty | studioaquilo.com.au
Photography: Dave Wheeler
Best Residential Kitchen Design: Fiona Lynch Office
Sponsored by Fulgor Milano
As with other rooms of the 1930s residence by architect Marcus Martin, Fiona Lynch Office cleared the relics of previous renovations and set to work restoring the interior’s inherent beauty.
Photography: Mike Baker
Removing walls and doubling the width allowed the creation of a monolithic island crafted from Zena travertine and green Tugela marble – stone elements that “add weighty depth to [the room’s] soaring proportions”, says Fiona.
This now balances the existing stainless-steel cabinetry, complemented by Shiro Kuramata chrome chairs in the dining area. Generosity of spirit was also applied to the bespoke overhead lighting by Volker Haug, an Art Deco-inspired piece comprising brass cones in alternating clusters, which spans the island.
The kitchen feels monumental, timeless and wholly reflective of the designer’s formidable talent.
Fiona Lynch | fionalynch.com.au
Photography: Sharyn Cairns
Best Residential Bathroom Design: YSG Studio
Sponsored by ABI Interiors
Pattern and pigment are expertly paired by Yasmine Ghoniem of YSG Studio, who headed up the Mo Jacobsen project with an expansive new extension that occupies two-thirds of the home.
Photography: Kristina Soljo
Her masterful selection of materials, including granite, marble, porcelain, hempcrete, lime render and maple timbers, has created sanctuary-like appeal tailored to the owners, an adventurous Egyptian and a minimalist Dane.
Inclusions such as a winter lounge and a summer one, plus a hammam-style bathroom designed for two lucky teenagers, make it a sure thing for our Best Residential Bathroom gong as well.
Yasmine Ghoniem | ysg.studio
Photography: Anson Smart
Best Work With Colour: Jase Sullivan Design
Sponsored by Dulux
A sun-bleached, Mediterranean-inspired palette permeates every inch of this redesigned Byron Bay home by Jase Sullivan.
Photography: Mike Baker
From the powder-blue kitchen joinery to the peach-hued bathroom tiles and cheery pink scalloped umbrellas by the pool, the effect is retro-chic personified, and a vast improvement on the original dated mid-century home that the owners inherited.
Jase custom-designed much of the furniture for the Clarks Beach project, including a tri-toned sofa, deep blue dining chairs and coffee table, and wavy, striped bedhead. To this, he added vintage seating items reupholstered in vibrant fabrics, a mix of contemporary and vintage light fixtures and a collection of striking artworks. The result is a glorious beachy getaway with nods to the nostalgia of times gone by.
“I love Jase’s use of colour, texture and fabrics,” says the owner. “The level of detail is beyond what I could have imagined.”
Jase Sullivan | jasesullivan.com.au
Photography: Prue Ruscoe
Best Residential Interior: YSG Studio
Sponsored by International Floorcoverings Australia
Tessellated tiles, stained glass and carefully considered details have transformed a Victorian weatherboard in Melbourne and sent it straight to the top of our nominations for Best Residential Interior.
Photography: Kristina Soljo
“The home’s multiple timelines and Middle Eastern, Egyptian and Nordic references co-exist harmoniously with its Australian ties,” says Yasmine.
By stripping the house back to its original frame to build conjoined living spaces, a bathroom and laundry plus a master retreat, two thirds of the family home is a new light-filled addition.
Yasmine Ghoniem | ysg.studio
Photography: Anson Smart
Best Residential Interior (Readers’ Choice): Studio Johnston
Sponsored by Fanuli
This minimalist house has been transformed into a home of many moods with incisive changes to the floorplan and a material palette of warmth and wit.
Photographer: Anson Smart
Through the use of colour, textural materials and softly curved corners, the interior is turned from cold to bold, while retaining its strong architectural identity.
Stefania Reynolds, Project Director & Head of Interiors at Studio Johnston said, “There’s a colour story that connects the interiors and outdoor spaces cohesively. The once-drab galvanised spiral stairs were given new energy with a punchy mustard sprayed finish that relates to interior architectural elements such as pendant lights and tiles. That sense of fun was very important to the client.”
“The house is full of surprises. Arriving upstairs to see the view is a wow moment. There’s no hint of it at the entry, and that main view is framed through the timber-lined ceiling extending from inside to out.”
studiojohnston.com.au
Photographer: Anson Smart
Emerging Design Star: Julia Cox Co
Sponsored by Bird In Hand
Personal connection is at the heart of all Julia Cox’s projects, with her Princes Hill House a shining example. The owners’ tastes had evolved over time and their children had grown up, opening the door for a sophisticated new era of entertaining and exploring passions.
Photography: Mike Baker
An interesting and varied collection of Irish Georgian furniture, Italian Modernist classics and assorted artworks and objects – all collected over a lifetime – gave Julia a clear starting point, to which she added rich textiles, colour-blocked tiles, ornate lighting and a fabulous Vola tap in the clients’ favourite shade of red.
“Settled into their new home, the clients love the warmth and intimacy of the spaces, and the fresh ways of appreciating their art, books, furniture and artefacts,” she says.
It’s this flexible, tailored approach to design and an uncanny ability to blend luxury with comfort that has earned Julia the accolade of Emerging Design Star.
Julia Cox | jchq.com.au
Photography: Pier Carthew
Interior Designer of the Year: Fiona Lynch
Sponsored by Fanuli
Fiona Lynch’s creative approach to design and slew of wildly successful projects has made her practice a Melbourne institution. The multidisciplinarian is a trusted pair of hands with cultural and commercial projects and high-end homes, earning her our Interior Designer of the Year award and a call-out for the River House kitchen in Melbourne.
Fiona Lynch | fionalynch.com.au
Photography: Mike Baker
Hall Of Fame: Paul Hecker, Hecker Guthrie
Paul Hecker’s own home is on the dark side, which is ironic given the much-lauded interior designer’s command of light and colour, not to mention his legendary sense of humour.
Photography: Mike Baker
The founding principal of Melbourne-based Hecker Guthrie with architect Hamish Guthrie has a “20-year legacy of excellence across hospitality, residential, retail and the commercial sectors”.
Grounded by his extensive knowledge of design history, broad tastes and a love of the handmade, plus his enthusiasm for working with people to realise their dream spaces, Paul has excelled at creating interiors that feel comfortable on a visceral level while always being visually impressive. Hecker Guthrie’s jaw-dropping portfolio goes on for days, and there’s no more deserving recipient for the Hall of Fame honour than Paul.
His designs always speak for themselves and so, when we put him in the spotlight, he rose to the occasion with a look no one saw coming but everyone loves. Congratulations Paul!
Paul Hecker | heckerguthrie.com
Homes To Love