Cover The De Gournay Namban wallpaper in metallic tones makes a statement in the open-plan living and dining area
The De Gournay Namban wallpaper in metallic tones makes a statement in the open-plan living and dining area
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Australian interior designer Greg Natale designs a bold and beautiful Brisbane home inspired by the old world glamour of Italian palaces
From the grand arcades of the Colosseum to the baroque-style dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica, one of the most iconic elements of classical Italian architecture is its grand arches. So, when Australian interior designer Greg Natale saw a row of arches in the facade of his client’s home in Queensland, he was inspired to create a palazzo-style abode for the family.
“The family love Italy and have a personal connection to Florence as they run an art school there, so this inspired me to incorporate the arches into the interior design, giving the owners a little piece of Italy with a ‘modern palazzo’ feel,” he says. This glamorous abode is featured in The Layered Interior, a book recently published by Rizzoli featuring a stylish array of projects by the Australian designer.
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Australian designer Greg Natale, pictured in the Brisbane home
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Using these Italian influences as a starting point, Natale set about incorporating arched elements throughout the three-storey house. Aside from the arched hallways and alcoves, curved furnishings and joinery also echo the sinuous form of the building’s interior architecture to create a cohesive and multi-layered aesthetic.
“The arches bring grand and beautiful curves to the design and act as graceful framing devices for the different spaces that can be viewed between them. The use of grey stucco balances their dramatic lines with its cool, calm finish and prevents that ‘overkill’ factor,” he explains. “While the arches at the entrance and in the make-up area are lined with brass finger tiles to create a sense of occasion, elsewhere they are entirely stucco for a more minimal finish.”
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Above An Occi console from Fornasetti peeks at visitors in the entryway, while echoing the curvature of the arched portals, the Tom Dixon Plane short chandelier and the Celeste chair by Lara Bohinc
Above These shelves feature a pleasing colour-coordinated array of books
An Occi console from Fornasetti peeks at visitors in the entryway, while echoing the curvature of the arched portals, the Tom Dixon Plane short chandelier and the Celeste chair by Lara Bohinc
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With its eye-catching array of jewel hues and sprightly patterns, the house features a richly textured appearance that harks to the glamour of Italian villas.
“The layering encompasses everything from the curves and finishes of the interior architecture to the curated blend of vintage, custom and contemporary furniture, and the artful arrangement of accessories,” says Natale.
Above These vintage Minotti armchairs by Gigi Radice are among the mid-century pieces sourced for the home
Above The Knoll dining chairs by Eero Saarinen mirror the brick-red hue of the ceiling
These vintage Minotti armchairs by Gigi Radice are among the mid-century pieces sourced for the home
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At the bar, the arches of the mirror-backed cabinets are a response to the arched portals of the house. In the formal living room and dining area, a fluted ceiling provides another intricate layer of detail and a different play on curves, Natale explains. To create a cosy yet sophisticated ambience in the living room, the space is furnished with vintage pieces and custom designs; these include a vintage Minotti chair and a Gio Ponti-designed chair.
“I think the effectiveness of mixing textures, patterns and materials comes down to the importance of balance and the power of connection. Textured and glossy, geometric and organic, bold and subtle—all these can work together if they are balanced and if there are elements that link between them,” says the designer.
Above The Gucci Heron wallpaper catches the eye in the master bedroom
Above Gold trimmings continue the glamorous look in the dressing room, with a portal framing a view of the bathtub in the master bathroom
The Gucci Heron wallpaper catches the eye in the master bedroom
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Above In this bedroom, the Fornasetti Selection Procuratie con vista wallpaper from Cole & Son features an architectural design inspired by St Mark’s Square in Venice, while the Gubi Beetle chair and Gräshoppa lamp pick up the pink tones of the bed and bench from Theodore Alexander
Above The playful Cole & Son Chiavi Segrete wallpaper from the Fornasetti Selection collection features antique key motifs and hues that picks up the mustard yellow and gold tones in this bedroom
In this bedroom, the Fornasetti Selection Procuratie con vista wallpaper from Cole & Son features an architectural design inspired by St Mark’s Square in Venice, while the Gubi Beetle chair and Gräshoppa lamp pick up the pink tones of the bed and bench from Theodore Alexander
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Wallpaper is another dynamic way to bring a touch of wit to interior design. One highlight is the De Gournay wallpaper in the dining room. “The soaring cranes, set against a copper-and-gold background, create a dramatic mood in this special space. The fact that the shimmering metallic tones can be glimpsed through various arches on this floor adds to the room’s ‘showstopper’ feel, drawing you towards it,” says Natale.
Completing the dramatic scene are the Knoll chairs by Eero Saarinen, upholstered in a brick-red velvet fabric that draws warmth from the stucco ceiling above. Up in the master bedroom, birds appear again in the form of Gucci’s Heron wallpaper. “These birds provide a witty link to the gorgeous cranes downstairs, but in a lighter palette befitting the bedroom’s pale scalloped ceiling,” he explains.
Pendant lamps in aged brass from Apparatus Studio add a touch of fun to the kitchen
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In another bedroom, Fornasetti wallpaper, which features a playful version of the arched facades of the buildings in Venice’s famed Saint Mark’s Square, showcases how architecture, culture and decorative elements are interwoven in the house to create an impact.
In contrast to the exuberance of the wallpapered rooms, spaces such as the kitchen showcase a more understated aesthetic. Designed in tones of grey and black, the fluting in the ceiling and veins of gold on the white marble backsplash provide the decorative details in this culinary zone. With balanced touches such as these, the home never feels too overwhelming, even with its abundance of colours and textures.
Above The terrazzo pattern and monochromatic scheme create a calming yet striking look in the spa room
Above A pair of vintage Murano glass and brass mirrors flanks the entrance to the media room
The terrazzo pattern and monochromatic scheme create a calming yet striking look in the spa room
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Reflecting on the design process of creating this space from scratch, Natale says: “Following this design from my initial vision right through to the finishing touches certainly made the layering process more seamless and yielded a more cohesive result.”
The owners, too, love how Natale has transformed their house. “They were over the moon to see the design realised. They are painters themselves, and part of the joy for them of embracing this modern palazzo was getting to display their collection of art as well as their own works on its walls.”
Above A view of the sinuous staircase
Above A Willy Rizzo dining table sourced from 1stdibs.com is placed on the Delaunay rug by Greg Natale in the hall
A view of the sinuous staircase
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Credits
Photography: Anson Smart
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