Melbourne designers K.P.D.O lift subtle cues from the eclectic postmodern movement and New York City living in their refurbishment of a penthouse in Melbourne’s CBD.
True to form, K.P.D.O have challenged the status quo in their overhaul of an inner-city Melbourne highrise apartment, realising the client’s vision for an a-typical penthouse that references the golden era of post-modernism. Taking it on as a blank canvas, K.P.D.O drew inspiration from the client’s affinity for the Memphis group, informing the courageous colour and materiality choices.
With this creative license along with K.P.D.O’s hand at highly personalised interiors, the outcome is a home that serves as both a gallery-like space for the client’s treasured artwork collection and a liveable, versatile family apartment.
A true entertainer’s delight, the kitchen exudes luxury with premium Gaggenau and Sub-Zero Wolf appliances.
The gold kitchen features the Hubble Light by Pietro Russo for Baxter and the Four Seasons Stool by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll.
Spanning the entire 19th floor of a prestige building by Bates Smart in Spring Street, Melbourne, K.P.D.O’s Penthouse II is the second penthouse redesign they’ve completed for the long-term client. The home is an Australian take on New York Central Park living, directly adjacent to Treasury Gardens with panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline. Comprised of a series of enfilades – interconnected rooms that open into the next – a sense is flow is established where each space has access to cityscape and parkland vistas.
The emerald green kitchen is a fitting taste of the idiosyncratic interior to follow. The kitchen exudes luxury with premium Gaggenau and Sub-Zero Wolf appliances, gold panelling and Arabescato marble, while a concealed bar clad in charcoal sandblasted oak is a dedicated space for the art of cocktail making, complete with Tom Dixon barware.
A vintage Halcyon Lake rug lines the main living area, complemented by the comfortable Easy Lipp XL sofa by Pierro Lissoni for Living Divani, upholstered Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia and MR Armchair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, both for Knoll.
The concealed bar is complete with a collection of copper Tom Dixon barware.
Chocolate trapezoidal wooden floors designed by Michele de Lucchi provide the perfect neutral foundation for adventurous artwork and furniture, with just the right amount of variation to make you look twice. K.P.D.O. have deliberately maintained a pared-back base palette with grey walls and sheer curtains in the living areas, creating a clear distinction between the private and shared spaces and allowing a platform for the fun furnishings to sing.
Colourblocked artwork and cushions – a defining characteristic of the postmodern era – create a visually alluring spectrum of colours that bounce off the houndstooth Marechiaro Sofa by Mario Marenco for Arlex in the home library. Other cult favourites in the space include the Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll and the Button Small Table by British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for B&B Italia.
The Cloud 37 Chandelier by Apparatus Studio and sculpture by Kate Rhode in the dining space, while the living room features a vintage Halcyon Lake rug, Easy Lipp XL sofa by Pierro Lissoni for Living Divani, Button Table by British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for B&B Italia and upholstered Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll.
The MR Armchair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll and Shanghai Tip Side Tables by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso, with a sculpture by Troy Emery on the Diapason console by Marzio Cecchi in the hallway.
Notable pieces in the separate living space include the Pecorelle chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Memory Chair by Tokujin Yoshioka for Moroso, Spun Table by Tom Dixon, Charles Sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, and Snoopy Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos. Artwork – True North by Isaac Julien.
The home library/television room features the Marechiaro Sofa by Mario Marenco for Arlex, Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, Button Small Table by British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for B&B Italia.
The Blow-up Chair and footstool by Maurizio Galante.
The private spaces command attention, further straying from the stereotypical luxury apartment aesthetic through the unconventional. Red lacquered doors frame the master walk-in-robe, leading you into a glamorous ensuite where a double vanity carved entirely from Norwegian Rose stone takes centre stage. Commissioned artwork by Anthony Lister paints a sensual picture in the powder room, enhancing the home’s artistic and elegant ambience.
It’s not every day that a project like Melbourne Penthouse II comes along. Confidently challenging the norm, K.P.D.O have pulled off an exuberant, character-filled home that not only levels up to its city views but is tailored to the family that live there.
The double vanity is carved entirely from Norwegian Rose stone in the master ensuite.
The powder room features a commissioned mural by Anthony Lister and the Tom Dixon Spun Table.
