A designer\’s touch adds comfort and style to small apartment living

Connors and Co small apartment interior design

Kate Connors, director and designer of Connors & Co., made revamping this apartment easy for its owners by cleverly implementing her Designer for a Day service. Armed with a floor plan and photos, Kate takes clients on a sourcing and shopping trip around her preferred suppliers, mostly based around James and Arthur streets in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. With a scheduled itinerary of showroom visits (and a coffee stop and light lunch along the way), it removes the stress out of decorating.

“This apartment was a great example of how successful the service can be, as we were able to place the majority of orders then and there on the day,” says Kate. “I then gave my clients a shopping list of smaller, less urgent items that they could complete themselves.”

The homeowners wanted Connors and Co. to bring a relaxed, cosy and charismatic vibe to their new city apartment, with comfortable, low maintenance and durable furnishings.

Connors and Co small apartment interior design

Connors and Co small apartment interior design

“Our clients have recently downsized from their large family home, opting for a sea (or more like river!) change from the Southern Highlands to the riverside suburb of Bulimba in Brisbane,” explains Kate. “We’ve selected earthy tones, mixed native and tropical prints, and layered all things wicker, wood and linen to create a sense of familiarity and make their new modern space feel more like home,” says Kate.

Combining a contemporary aesthetic with a hint of country charm, the apartment’s standout pieces include a round dining table from Provincial Home Living teamed with Mona chairs in Mocha from Cotswold Furniture, a miniature landscape painting by Sarah Elliott (from Estelle Elliott Designs) and the Canopy tapered lampshade from Cloth Fabric for the dining space. Custom-made shades in Lisa Fine Textiles and beautiful handprinted linens made in country NSW by Cloth Fabric work with each bedroom scheme.

Connors and Co small apartment interior design

Connors and Co small apartment interior design

On the terrace, Connors and Co. used custom-made outdoor cushions in Sien + Co woven outdoor fabric from Style Revolutionary, a slatted teak dining table from Early Settler, GlobeWest Granada Scoop dining chairs in Licorice, and the Eco Outdoor Hunter Easy chair.

“The terrace is such a beautiful oasis for the couple to enjoy their new subtropical environment,” says Kate. “Comfortable seating, privacy screening, plants and floor coverings are all elements that make this space somewhere they can enjoy all year round.”

Connors and Co small apartment interior design

Connors and Co small apartment interior design

Connors and Co small apartment interior design

Photography: Francois Baudet | Styling: Gabrielle Reinhardt

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