Home Tour: Designer Living in Sydney’s Potts Point

Location: Potts Point, Sydney’s Inner City

Who lives here: Chrissi James and Tony Benjamin’s holiday rentals

Interior style: Each apartment is unique to the three furniture design houses

Favourite pieces: Sarah Ellison – the retro look of the Muse lounge in the Living Room, Cult Design – it’s a competition between the custom bed heads and the outdoor Palissade set in army green, and MCM House, for now it’s the khaki Joe lounge, the guys are constantly revolving pieces so it’s always a nice surprise.

Love the most: I love Sarah Ellison’s neutral colour palette it really is like a dream, Cult Design is outstanding in design fulfilling their motto Design First, and MCM House is, well, very cool, much like the fundamentals of their brand.

On the fringe of Sydney City, where locals revel in lauded foodie hangouts, late-night bars, and glamorous boutiques, is Potts Point's most stylish address, an iconic three-storey building on the corner of MacLeay Street and Challis Avenue. And its white façade and ornate design haven't gone unnoticed.

Previously owned by Justin Hemmes (of the Merivale group), Potts Point locals, jewellery designer Chrissi James and her partner, property investor Tony Benjamin snapped up the building hours before it went to auction. Inspired by a designer rental accommodation, with a curated selection of vintage furniture, 3 Rooms Paris by Azzedine Alaïa, Chrissi and Tony set about creating their version. The duo collaborates with Australian furniture design houses to transform the apartments into three stylish self-contained, short-term stay accommodations with a design-driven twist.

THE CONCEPT

"Three Rooms is a unique concept where you can touch, feel and live within a space designed by our furniture partners before buying their pieces for your own home. The bonus is your away on a getaway, too," explains Chrissi. "Our three partners are adored by everyday Australians, Cult Design, Sarah Ellison and MCM House. The credit to interior design is respectfully theirs. My only brief was to stamp each apartment with their own DNA."

MCM House, Cult Design and Sarah Ellison were each given an apartment to inject their distinct, authentic styles, using their furniture and artwork for guests to experience. And if they choose to, they can jump online and purchase from the store.

THE VISION

"Our vision was to provide a feeling of being at home as if you are in an apartment you, yourself, would want to live in. To offer a glimpse into an urban lifestyle where you can dine in the epicentre of a selection of Sydney's best restaurants," says Chrissi. "I handed each design house complete autonomy, providing a blank canvas after a retrofit to a building that had not been cosmetically touched in any way for almost 40 years."

The result. Three different apartments with a distinct style, different to each other, yet relatable and authentic.

APARTMENT I

This three-bedroom abode with a Victorian-style balcony, was handed to Cult Design to work their magic. Taking the blank canvas of high ceilings and architectural nuances and detailing, Cult Design created a luxe, sophisticated feel that features an inventory of their local and European designers. In the European-style apartment, each room has a different vibe. The dining room is filled with Danish design icons, while the two custom beds in the master bedroom and the selection of original artworks by M Contemporary throughout are a complete standout.

APARTMENT III

This apartment was the canvas for interior stylist and product designer Sarah Ellison, who injected a light-filled natural colour palette into the apartment. Using her signature warm, minimalistic approach, the three-bedroom apartment is defined by their boucle "Huggie Chair", the two-toned Luca console table and the retro style muse lounge. The curvaceous furnishing and sculpted features throughout give the home an urban designer feel, with a down-to-earth attitude that's distinctly Australian.

APARTMENT IV

Sitting within the building's heritage features, MCM House's effortlessly cool, natural look has a calming palette with an eclectic mix of rustic light fixtures and cool art. Their signature Joe Sofa, a dining table made of reclaimed timber, and their rustic timber armchairs and stools sit within the light-filled interior, and tying it all together is their curated textiles and artwork that hail from around the world. And this is how it looks for now as the team at MCM House are constantly revolving pieces.

DESIGNER LIVING

"The living rooms are all designed to be stylishly comfortable and homely with a genuine focus on function. The kitchens are all retrofit and equipped with brand new appliances," explains Chrissi. "Each furniture house has also partnered with respectful rug companies; MCM House – Cadry's, Sarah Ellison – Armadillo, and Cult Design – Nanimarqunia."

Yet, when it comes to what Chrissi loves most about these three apartments, it's the ethos and style of each design house, "I love Sarah Ellison's neutral colour palette. It really is like a dream. Cult Design is outstanding in design fulfilling their motto Design First, and MCM House is, well, very cool, much like the fundamentals of their brand."

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Sitting on the fringe of Sydney City, Potts Point is a stylishly creative neighbourhood that loves to entertain – from foodie delights and late-night bars to glamorous boutiques and art galleries. Once a thriving hub for Sydney’s Bohemia, Potts Pint has evolved into an enclave of juxtapositions that is slightly offbeat and funky.From the quiet residential streets of gorgeous Art Deco and Victorian apartments to the neon-lit streets of Kings Cross, Potts Point has it all, including an incredible café and dining culture with tantalising flavours from across the world.

THREE ROOM’S FAVOURITE POTTS POINTS HANGOUTS

For coffee: Primary Coffee, the neighbourhood’s best brews.

For breakfast: Room 10, located on the cobbled Llankelly Lane delivers the best breakfast around.

For lunch: Otto is located on the shores of Woolloomooloo wharf dining precinct overlooking the Sydney skyline. 

For dinner: Cho Cho San is a chic late-night Japanese hide out; an interpretation of the real Tokyo Izakaya, or Bistrot 916, a French inspired bistro popular with the locals.

For drinks: Dear Sainte Eloise is an exquisite, social wine bar boasting a well-rounded wine selection. 

To shop: Arida (conveniently located downstairs), Macleay on Manning, Becker and Minty, The Potts Point Bookshop and Yellow House Art Gallery.

PROJECT CREDITS

Interior Design: Cult Design, Sarah Ellison and MCM House

Build: SMLXL

Photography: Dave Wheeler and Prue Ruscoe

Words: Margaret Quilter

Booking Agents: Contemporary Hotels, Locay, and direct via Three Rooms Sydney

Other Credits: Artist Rina Freiberg, Saxon Quinn, The Visuals and lights by Cadry's Rugs, Armadillo Rugs, Fyber Carpets, Solis Blinds and Winnings Appliances