Homes

An Elegant Art Deco Apartment Rental With Water Views

Jill McCormick searched for months to find this 1920s art deco rental property in Sydney’s Elizabeth Bay.

The apartment is the perfect home for one, with a relaxed open floorplan, lots of storage, and a timeless interior – personalised by Jill, with fashionable flair!

The water views from the sunroom are just the cherry on top!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

Jill’s beachy Elizabeth Bay pad! Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

Vintage dining table chairs. Anchorage concrete dining table by Coco Republic. Vintage French tabouret sourced by Paired Store. Vase from H&M. Marble plinth coffee table by Harpers Project. Floor lamp by Few and Far. Vintage candlesticks. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

Jill McCormick in her home. Artwork by Claire Dubina. Vase from H&M. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

The serene space is filled with natural light! Vintage dining table chairs and candlesticks. Anchorage concrete dining table by Coco Republic. Vintage Murano glass bowl. Curvy vessel on left by Formantics. Floor vessel by McMullin and Co. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

Candles by Ann Vincent. Handmade vessels by Jill herself! Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

Bi-fold doors open the bedroom to the living space, or cleverly conceal it away. Left artwork by Ash Leslie. Right artwork by Claire Dubina. Marble plinth coffee table by Harpers Project. Vintage French tabouret sourced by Paired Store. Vase from H&M. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

Artwork by Ash Leslie. Vintage French tabouret sourced by Paired Store. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

Bedside table stool by McMullin and Co. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

The beautiful sunroom. Cushions custom made with fabric by Lucy Montgomery. Lamp from Life Interiors. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

The Blackstone apartments in were built in 1920, designed by architects Vennard and Allen. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Styling – Tess Thyregod

Writer
Lucy Feagins
20th of September 2022

Jill McCormick’s number one priority when looking for a rental property was natural light. She inspected several properties that lacked this crucial quality, until an art deco apartment in Elizabeth Bay came along. 

The property is part of a 1920s building, with a central lightwell allowing windows on two sides of every apartment. ‘This also creates great cross ventilation, so you always have a beautiful breeze coming through,’ explains Jill, national brand/sales manager for Mother Denim and American Vintage.

Jill knew she wanted to live in this apartment as soon as she walked in. Previous renovations had introduced a large, concealed wardrobe to the living room (‘key for a girl working in fashion!’) and the floorplan had been reconfigured for open-plan living.

A wall of mirrors on the opposite living room wall reflects light to create the illusion of a larger space. (‘Also great after a few drinks, when you’re working on some choreographed dance routines with some girlfriends!’ Jill says).

Bi-fold doors open the bedroom to the living space as required, allowing Jill to watch the sunrise from her bed each morning. 

A tiny, separate sunroom with ocean views sealed the deal for Jill. She’s converted this space into a bar area, with plans to eventually cover all the walls in art. ‘I eat breakfast here every day. It’s also the perfect spot for afternoon drinks or just sitting and watching the boats go by,’ she says. 

Jill has styled the apartment to enhance its existing features, introducing neutral pieces with a focus on texture and depth. ‘I’m obsessed with curves and soft edges,’ she says. ‘I feel the space has a cosy, feminine feel to it.’

A growing collection of ceramics and paintings by female Australian artists completes the scheme, including works personally created by Jill.

The apartment is Jill’s own calming haven in a charming pocket of Elizabeth Bay with a village-feel. Within a five minute stroll is the water, parkland, and some of the best restaurants in town. Living the dream!

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