Interior designer Nina Maya reveals her flair for sophisticated terrace living with the Glasshouse, located in Sydney’s Paddington postcode.
It will come as no surprise interior designer Nina Maya has a background in fashion, for the way she carefully layers materials. An exemplar of the designer’s finesse is the Glasshouse; an inner-city jewel dressed in an exciting blend of textures, textiles and custom details.
In collaboration with Urban Future Architects, Nina Maya Interiors set out to design a new standard for terrace living on a 133m2 inner-city block, adding onto an original, architectural home. Sewing together a traditional cottage with a modern rear extension, the Glasshouse is the consummation of floor-to-ceiling glass, an abundance of light and rich materiality.
Presenting as a modest heritage abode from the front, the Glasshouse takes on an entirely new persona at the back. The rear contemporary, architectural extension is a complete contrast with the old, where the height of the home expands to three levels and includes a spectacular attic conversion.
Challenged by the size of the site, Nina Maya Interiors positioned a glass stairwell as the central spine of the three-storey terrace. This allowed the design team to open up the home considerably, transforming it from a two bedroom, one bathroom cottage into a three bedroom, four bathroom home with open-plan living and outdoor area. Both interior designer and architect also took a strong focus on sustainability, maximising natural light while introducing double-glazed windows, double insulation and strategic ventilation.
With the Utrecht armchair by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina in the fore, the bathroom features Eccentric tapware from Rogerseller and the Arch Wall Light by Douglas & Bec.
Nina Maya Interiors were intent on creating luxurious inner-city living through consideration for quality materials and craftsmanship, ensuring everything was handmade with custom finishes. This led to engaging a number of artisans; natural stone cutters and stonemasons, goldsmith and metal works, leather workers and glass and steel specialists. Together they worked with an elegant material palette of bronze, brass, marble, large format porcelain tiles, fluted glass and steel, as well as natural timber and textural fabrics. These materials are interwoven with subdued green, grey and salmon tones.
The selection of soft furnishings in the Glasshouse is no less refined, including the Mad Chair by Marcel Wanders for Poliform, the Jean-Marie Massaud Lounge, and the 637 Utrecht Chair by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina. The standard of design doesn’t stop here, with the Tribu Tosca sofa and armchair from Cosh Living exuding comfort in the outdoor area.
The Glasshouse is also made unique through Nina Maya Interiors’ selection and placement of lighting. INLITE lighting is discreetly integrated into the ceiling, plasterwork and walls, while Douglas and Bec’s Arch Wall Light adds personality in the bathroom. Technology in the home has been further integrated through the customised RTI control system, Amazon Alexa House Assistant and touch control of lighting, fireplace and audio visual system.
Nina Maya Interiors, in collaboration with Urban Future Architects, have designed a home to serve its clients with a sense of indulgence and functionality. The Glasshouse typifies a home where beauty lies in the customisable details.
The courtyard features the Tosca sofa and armchair by Tribu from Cosh Living.
