And the Freshest Look Award goes to: this project, in Bondi, Sydney, by YSG Studio for founder and principal Yasmine Ghoniem. The inspiration: Yasmine’s upbringing in Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. And the materials used, according to the studio? “Paint, 2Pac, and a whole lot of love.”
Join us for a tour of the cool and unconventional space.
Photography by Prue Ruscoe, styling by Felicity Ng, courtesy of YSG.
Above: The full flat is only 55 square meters—about 592 square feet. The studio employed a few tricks to make it feel spacious and more efficient, including white floors and ceilings, built-ins in every room (both shelves and seating), and a palette of “olive green, turmeric, and peach” that “link the spaces” yet set apart the kitchen and living areas.
The only hint that the flat is by the beach, according to the studio, is the surfboard by the front door.
Above: Yasmine at home. “Ratifying Newton’s law of opposites attracting,” according to the studio, “high chroma finishes mingle with raw instinct and dollops of warm spice tones.” Likewise, vintage rugs mix with geometric floors. (Look closely: It’s not tile but painstakingly painted original boards done by Creative Finish in Sydney.)
Above: The place is set up for success with shelf storage all over. Here, a custom wood unit hangs above the custom dining/living banquette.
Above: The kitchen leans into the olive green and peach palette: The joinery was custom designed by YSG; the base cabinets are painted in Deep Reed by Dulux. The counters and backsplash are Calacatta marble. Above: The upper part of the kitchen is tone on tone on tone; it’s painted in Camel Hide by Dulux.
Above: Yasmine and co. sourced an array of vintage textiles from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald, but the curtains are, surprisingly, not retro: They’re tablecloths from Zara Home, retrofitted into window treatments. Droopy tulips—in a wall vase by Felicity Ng—add to the wonky appeal.
