Our clients moved from Sydney to Queensland during the pandemic. Deciding to stay on in Brisbane, they bought a small 35-square-metre apartment in New Farm and engaged us to create a calm, relaxing home that provided a retreat from city life.

The existing apartment was awkward and cramped. We removed the wall between the hallway and living area and relocated the kitchen counter to improve the functionality and use of space. A banquette at the end of the kitchen has prime position, with a leafy view through the corner windows evoking a treehouse feeling. We used a limited palette of oak floors, white walls and joinery, and grey elements to create unity and enhance the sense of space.

In the bedroom, we took a counter-intuitive approach and replaced the double bed with a king bed that maxes out the space between the wall and full-height robe. A long sideboard provides storage and the shelf behind the pillows becomes bedside tables.

Custom elements, including a double shower in the bathroom and a wine rack in the custom joinery unit, showcase how apartment living can offer luxury amid an inner-city lifestyle.