​With new apartment developments rising around Portside, Hamilton, it was clear this building needed updating to remain competitive. The foyers and landings looked worn and tired, lacking the contemporary appeal that new residents were being offered elsewhere. The body corporate selected the theme of “Old Brisbane” to guide the redesign, aiming to celebrate the city’s heritage while refreshing the interiors.

 

Design Approach

​

I set out to create an old-world glamour feel inspired by historical Brisbane, while ensuring the spaces remained contemporary and functional. The design needed to respect the client’s request to retain certain existing pieces — the mirror, rug, and orange peel chairs — while elevating them through thoughtful updates. My goal was to balance nostalgia with modern elegance, making the foyers and landings welcoming, stylish, and aligned with the building’s riverside setting.

 

Solution / Interventions

​

• Historical imagery: Replaced non‑descript portrait canvases with nostalgic black‑and‑white photographs capturing early life around Portside and the Story Bridge. Each image was laminated onto ACM board, sized at approximately 1.2 x 1.5m, with two pictures installed per level across 15 levels.

• Furniture updates: Reupholstered the orange peel chairs in luxe fabric and applied gold powdercoating to refresh their look. Retained and updated the marble coffee table by constructing a new metal frame, giving it renewed elegance.

• Wallpaper: Collaborated with printers to custom design wallpaper for both walls, adding depth and character to the foyer.

• Seating: Installed a custom‑made fluted bench seat, providing a practical and stylish option for residents to sit, wait, or meet.

• Lighting: Replaced the oversized fabric “UFO” shade with refined glass pendants, dramatically improving the atmosphere and aligning with the glamour theme.

 

Outcome

​

The transformation brought a sense of heritage and elegance to the building, while ensuring the interiors felt contemporary and inviting. Historical photographs connect residents to Brisbane’s past, while updated furniture, custom wallpaper, and refined lighting elevate the foyers and landings. The result is a cohesive design that honours the “Old Brisbane” theme while positioning the building alongside newer developments with confidence and style.

​

If you have a commercial space that needs updating, then I'd love to chat with you about your ideas and help you achieve the new look for your business and building. 

​