Homes

A Creative Couple’s Art Deco Darlinghurst Apartment

The home of Chloe Borich and Julian Noakes is classic Sydney — an art deco apartment nestled in the treetops, above the busy streets of Darlinghurst.

The artist liaison and founder of NOA Label have made this apartment their ‘surprisingly serene’ home styled with work by emerging artists and a handbuilt couch.

After living in three separate properties in the suburb, Chloe and Julian feel like they’ve finally arrived home.

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
|
Photography
by
|
Editorial styling
by
Supported by Dulux

Chloe Borich and Julian Noakes in their Darlinghurst apartment. Gubi Semi Pendant. Weaving from Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre. Painting by Mia Boe (2020). Ceramic plate by Seala Lokollo (2022). Maison Balzac green glassware.

Weaving from Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre. Painting by Mia Boe (2020). Ceramic plate by Seala Lokollo (2022). Maison Balzac green glassware.

Maison Balzac green glassware.

Open shelving in the kitchen.

Martino Gamper Arnold Circus Stool in Pistachio. Lounge Lovers sideboard. IKEA coffee table. Artworks: Maps (2020) by Anna Harrison; Untitled Drawing 4 (2022) by Gregory Hodge; Samples (June) (2023) by Tia Ansell; weaving by Anna Fiedler (2022).

 

Couch designed and made by Julian Noakes. Martino Gamper Arnold Circus Stool in Pistachio. IKEA coffee table. Weaving from Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre. Painting by Mia Boe (2020). Your Boy #1, (2023) and Your Boy #2 (2023) by Marion Abraham, courtesy of the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf.

Gubi Semi Pendant. Deiji Studios bedding. Ikea bedside tables. Canto XI (1967) by Sydney Ball, courtesy of the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf. Untitled (Love Letters) #1 (2018) by Freda Davies.

 

Future (2016) by Polly Borland, courtesy of the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf. Uphold (2023) by Kirsten Coelho, courtesy of the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf. Untitled (Love Letters) #1 (2018) by Freda Davies.

 

 

 

Lamp by Lana Launay. Surf rack designed and made by Julian Noakes.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
Photography
Editorial styling
13th of February 2024

When inspecting this apartment for lease, Chloe Borich was personally greeted by the landlord with a glass of wine, and she quickly realised she’d found her new home.

‘Coming off of a busy street, it was surprisingly serene and even on an overcast afternoon light spilled through the kitchen windows,’  Chloe says. ‘I knew we were going to live here.’

Chloe is an artist liaison, writer and curator, and Julian Noakes is an engineer and the founder of NOA Label. The couple have lived together in three properties within 500 metres over the past six years, starting with the (sadly) quintessential mould-ridden Sydney terrace, before moving to a ‘party palace’, and arriving at this art deco apartment.

The one-bedroom apartment is reasonably compact but packs a punch, providing enough space for Chloe, Julian — and all the gear for Julian’s hobbies (surfing, fishing, and camping).

The renovated interior is Scandi inspired, presenting a relatively blank canvas to style exactly as they like it, including the sofa designed and made by Julian.

‘We were looking for a low profile design that was more like a daybed as we often have friends staying from interstate. We couldn’t find something we were happy with, so Julian decided to make one for us himself,’ explains Chloe.

‘Over many, many hours, he executed this beautiful product made from high grade birch ply that was laser cut in the Northern Beaches, varnished in his brother’s garage, and finally assembled at home, like you would a flat pack. The fabrics were sourced both locally and from Melbourne.’

Chloe’s job at Sullivan+Strumpf requires supporting artists through the conception, creation and execution of their exhibitions, and this passion is reflected on her walls. ‘Working in the arts, I’m inclined to invest in artwork by emerging and early career artists more than anything else in our home,’ she explains.

Her growing art collection features artists she admires, from Tony Albert, to Marion Abraham, Tia Ansell, Mia Boe, Anna Fiedler, Julia Gutman, Natalya Hughes, and Gregory Hodge.

Chloe describes the overall feel of the home as soft and ambient, providing a place to rest and reset, in the heart of Sydney.

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