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Westleigh

Westleigh Wonder is a renovation on Sydney’s North Shore that focuses on improving everyday functionality, natural light, and flow through a series of modest but well-considered design moves. The brief from the client was clear: make the home feel brighter, easier to live in, and more connected both spatially and in tone.

The bathroom faced several key challenges in its original form. The layout was cramped, with the toilet placed centrally, limiting shower space and making movement awkward. Natural light was also poor, making the space feel even smaller. We reconfigured the layout by swapping the positions of the toilet and shower, which allowed us to expand the shower zone and improve circulation. A new skylight was introduced to bring natural light deep into the space, transforming it from a dark, closed-off room into one that feels light-filled and open.

Functionality was also addressed through improved storage. A larger custom vanity with built-in storage and a mirrored cabinet with internal compartments helped us meet the client’s request for more usable space without cluttering the room. Brass tapware and fittings were chosen for their warmth and ability to add subtle character, an elegant counterpoint to the soft, coastal-inspired palette of light greens, greys, and blues that runs throughout the home.

The kitchen continues this tonal approach. Graphic tiles and teal joinery introduce colour and texture, while timber handles and detailing provide warmth and link visually with the timber flooring and other natural elements. The tiled floor inset defines the working kitchen area within the open-plan space, offering a subtle transition without the need for walls or partitions.

One of the more technical challenges was resolving a level change between the internal floor and the external balcony. We addressed this by rebuilding the internal floor structure, allowing for a continuous, accessible transition from kitchen to living to outdoor terrace. This small intervention had a significant impact on how the space feels, improving both usability and cohesion.

Another constraint was the home’s low ceiling height. Rather than undertaking major structural changes, we proposed a tailored performance solution that preserved internal volumes while ensuring compliance, helping us achieve generous-feeling rooms without compromising proportion.

The study, finished with a soft teal carpet, acts as a small retreat within the home - a quiet space for work or rest, with built-in shelving and storage. Large-format windows throughout the home frame the surrounding views, including wide city vistas, and bring in consistent natural light.

The palette, light, soft, and cohesive, was intentionally selected to reinforce the home’s connection to its setting and create a calming atmosphere. Inspired by coastal tones and the lightness of the view beyond, the colour strategy links the spaces visually and emotionally, allowing one room to flow naturally into the next.

Westleigh Wonder is not a dramatic transformation, but a careful and personal one. It reflects the value of small, smart interventions, resolving functional problems, improving light and space, and creating a cohesive atmosphere that supports daily life. Every detail, from layout to material choice, was approached with a clear purpose: to make the home feel easy, calm, and connected.


Westleigh Wonder

The Ribbon House, Randwick

The initial client brief provided a clear directive: to renovate the kitchen, laundry, and bathroom of a 1930s house while preserving its authentic character and integrating a modern aesthetic. As a family of four, the clients envisioned an expansive living space with a seamless connection between the kitchen and dining area—ideal for entertaining and ensuring easy access to the rear outdoor space. Our design approach was deeply rooted in their lifestyle needs, incorporating their input throughout the process.

The existing kitchen was small, with the laundry and toilet inconveniently located at the rear of the property. To enhance functionality and social interaction, we optimized the new kitchen's layout, centering it around a spacious island that fosters connection while offering a direct view of the backyard. A large window above the sink was introduced to maximize natural light and ventilation. The kitchen's refined aesthetic features dark blue and grey cabinetry, an Olympia Quartzite Honed Block benchtop with a waterproof splashback, and satin brass diamond-textured handles. Thoughtfully placed pendant lights above the island serve both functional and decorative purposes, casting a warm glow while contributing to the space’s overall elegance. To create a striking contrast with the home’s original timber flooring, a grey Pandomo levelling compound floor was added.

As the project evolved, the client expanded the brief to include the renovation of the main bathroom and master ensuite on the first floor. Our contemporary design approach for these spaces was carefully balanced with the preservation of original stained-glass windows, ensuring continuity between the home’s heritage elements and modern updates.

A key transformation involved reimagining the staircase at the front entrance, which previously felt enclosed and lacked natural light. Our response was to introduce a grander, more inviting entryway by designing a staircase that serves as a central architectural feature. A skylight and statement pendant light were strategically positioned to enhance brightness and drama, with the handrail incorporating geometric motifs that echo the original Art Deco style in a contemporary interpretation. Its transparent form allows light to flow seamlessly through the space, further enhancing the home's openness.

Throughout the renovation, we employed unique materials to create an extraordinary experience. Waterproof wallpaper was used in wet areas for a distinctive touch, and reflective surfaces were strategically placed to offer dynamic perspectives within the home—for example, allowing views of the bamboo garden from the kitchen. Stained-glass doors were retained to maintain a delicate balance between the home’s traditional character and modern interventions. Additionally, the existing brick fireplace was modernized to harmonize with the refreshed interior.

By carefully blending heritage preservation with contemporary design principles, we successfully transformed this 1930s home into a refined, functional, and light-filled living space that aligns with the client's vision and lifestyle. The result is a home that celebrates both its history and a forward-thinking design ethos.

Photography: Lisa Loi

This project was also featured on Lunchbox Architect: 
https://www.lunchboxarchitect.com/featured/the-art-deco-house-nathalie-scipioni-architects-1930s-heritage-home-renovation-kitchen-bathroom-laundry-randwick-nsw-au

Rose Bay Apartment

Rose Bay Apartment – A Strategic Renovation for Resale

The client approached us with a clear goal: to transform an unrenovated three-bedroom, one-bathroom top-floor apartment in Rose Bay into a modern, market-ready property within a 12-week timeframe.

Our design focused on unlocking the apartment’s full potential through a contemporary open-plan layout, maximising natural light and creating a greater sense of space. We managed the project from concept through to construction, ensuring all works were delivered on time and aligned with the client’s resale strategy.

To complete the transformation, we provided interior styling to elevate the presentation of the apartment—resulting in a polished, high-impact space that was ready for market.

This project demonstrates how efficient design, practical execution, and attention to detail can quickly transform a dated space into a high-performing property asset.

Photography: Justin Macintosh

The Soffio, Vaucluse apartment

The renovation of this apartment in Vaucluse showcases a modern and stylish architectural design.
The objective was to reconfigure the layout to create a functional three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining.

The project aimed to maximize the potential of the existing footprint and comply with the constraints of the pre-existing perimeter walls in the apartment complex. The new design focused on relocating the kitchen and dining area close to the balcony, where the majority of ventilation and light was coming in, creating a seamless flow between the rooms. The master bedroom has been relocated where the original kitchen was.
Relocating the living where one of the original bedrooms was and connecting with the kitchen and dining in an open space provided the new space with cross ventilation and more natural light.
The renovation fulfilled all the client’s requirements, including a large kitchen, interconnected living spaces, and improved circulation, without compromising on space or functionality. The new design is proof of meticulous attention to detail, from the lighting fixtures sourced from Italy to the custom fittings and features such as the wallpaper and suspended range hood over the island bench. This unique blend of colours and materials exudes a warm and inviting ambiance.

The open-plan living room and kitchen area are the heart of the apartment, creating a seamless flow and connection. The kitchen, which serves as the hub of the space, is designed with practicality and ease of use in mind, featuring bronze and silver cabinetry that infuses a vibrant burst of color. The curved contemporary island bench provides ample workspace for cooking and entertaining, while the pendant range hood adds a touch of style. The Corian benchtop creates a seamless and modern look. It is made from a blend of natural minerals, making it an ideal surface for preparing and cooking, as it is easy to clean and maintain. 

This spectacular renovation has significantly elevated the apartment's value, producing a unique space. The resulting atmosphere is one of sophistication and refinement, a bespoke and captivating space that embodies elegance and creativity. 

The design and reconfiguration of the apartment promoted cross-flow ventilation through the living, dining, and kitchen spaces which effectively reduced the need for air-conditioning, thus having big cost savings for the client.

Photography: Lisa Loi

The Jacaranda Terrace, Paddington

The renovation was a part of a two-storey terrace house in Paddington. When renovating the bathroom, we aimed to utilise the space to create a modern layout with soft geometric shapes. We embraced the use of monochromic notions by including dark fixtures and accessories to create an edgy, sophisticated look. We ensured that an abundance of natural light was incorporated to provide a great source of visibility to the area and ventilation to improve airflow. 

The new rear roof extension fills the existing space with natural light and ventilation—an excellent conversion of an unused room. The brief was to create a well-lit and cozy kids' bedroom in the unused, inaccessible attic space. We designed it in a way to fit an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. Adding one traditional dormer to the front and a rear roof extension transformed the space into a bright and fun room.

Sara Vita Photography

The Jacaranda Terrace (Paddington Urban Conservation Area)

IN THE MEDIA | CO-architecture Feature - Talking Careers with Nathalie Scipioni

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