Home Tour: Timeless Elegance Meets Art Deco Charm

Perched high above Clifton Gardens Reserve with front-row seats to Sydney Harbour’s captivating scenes, this top-floor Mosman apartment is more than just a home — it’s a softly sculpted sanctuary in the sky. But after more than a decade of living there, homeowner Deborah felt the time had come for a full-throttle refresh.  

“She’d lived in the apartment for over ten years and was ready for a fresh change. She wanted a redesign that would better suit her needs, and aesthetic,” explains Benjamin Selke, director at Studio Pulp, the interior and architecture firm tasked with the transformation.   “She wanted to restore the warmth and charm of the apartment — bringing back its original splendour while incorporating natural elements and creating the perfect setting for her beautiful art and furniture collection.” 

The apartment is in a well-maintained P&O-style Art Deco building — defined by gently curved lines and blonde brick detailing — the apartment already had a quiet beauty and solid bones. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and dual living areas, the layout offered plenty of potential. Now, thanks to Studio Pulp’s thoughtful approach, it has been completely reimagined as a timeless, light-filled pied-á-terre: elegant, effortless and deeply personal.

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An Elevated Outlook

“It had this stark, almost commercial feel,” says Benjamin. “Dark high-gloss floors, sterile white walls, sliding Perspex panels… it lacked the soul and warmth the architecture deserved.” 

Studio Pulp kept the existing layout, focusing instead on smarter updates. One of the most impactful changes? “Removing those large sliding Perspex panels that separated the master from the curved living room,” Ben notes.  

“They were dated and disrupted the visual flow. Replacing them with timber-framed French doors and soft linen curtains gave the space elegance and flexibility — it now flows beautifully, while still allowing for privacy.” 

From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere has a quiet elegance. “You enter through a softly glowing brick hallway and climb several flights of stairs. By the time you reach the apartment, it feels like you’ve floated above the trees,” Benjamin says.

“Natural light wraps the entire space — windows on all four sides mean the apartment feels weightless, like you’re floating.” 

Art Deco Roots Meets Modern Rhythm

Studio Pulp was determined to honour the building’s Art Deco roots while respectfully modernising the interiors. “This wasn’t the highly ornamental Deco of the ’20s. The P&O style is more restrained, inspired by ocean liners — streamlined and elegant,” Ben explains. “We softened corners, introduced curved joinery, and echoed the building’s nautical forms throughout.” 

In terms of the materials used, it was all rich walnut timbers, brushed brasses, and tonal layers of greys and soft whites. “Everything was selected to feel timeless and calm,” says Ben. “The kitchen cabinetry is a beautiful misty blue grey; it adds a touch of femininity and connects with the sky and harbour beyond.” 

When it came to the lighting, it was a masterclass in restraint. “The previous scheme was quite harsh — lots of downlights in a grid,” says Ben. “We reworked it completely. Lighting now highlights the art and architecture rather than overpowering the space.”   Sculptural pendants from Bocci and Antoni Arola hover like clouds above key areas, while wall lights in the kitchen by Volker Haug add subtle punctuation. 

A Canvas for Art and Atmosphere

The client’s carefully curated art collection also helped inspire the design process. “From the start, we knew we wanted to create a quiet canvas for her art. Large, tonal works with cloud-like textures helped define the atmosphere. We kept walls soft and neutral to let them breathe,” Ben shares. 

The furniture and styling reflect a lived-in yet elevated approach, with a Carl Hansen & Son walnut dining table anchoring a nook in the curved living room and striking Cassina Cab chairs in vibrant blue. “It’s one of my favourite moments in the home,” Ben admits. “Previously, the dining area felt lost. Now, it feels intentional, grounded, joyful.” 

Ben says the team worked closely with Deborah to ensure the design was true to her vision but refined in its execution. “What I’m most proud of is how we transformed unresolved areas into warm, purposeful spaces. It’s the quiet magic that really sings,” he reflects. 

Reflecting on the finished space, Benjamin describes it as “a serene, elevated retreat — softly enveloped in light, with gentle curves, refined detailing, and a quiet sense of elegance that draws your attention outward to the ever-changing harbour beyond.”

Project Credits

• Interiors: Studio Pulp @studiopulp__
• Styling: Claire Delmar @clairedelmar
• Photography: Dave Wheeler @dave_wheeler
• Words: Bella Brennan @bellarosebrennan

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