Luxury Inner-City Penthouse

Styled by Heidi Cardelli

Gazing out across the panorama of Adelaide CBD to the hills beyond, an urban penthouse was given a high-end fitout with furniture from Early Settler. Professional stylist Heidi Cardelli (@heidicardelli_propertystylist) decorated the apartment to create a visual feast of luscious tones and tactile finishes. She explains her process of decorating this luxury inner-city penthouse.

“The size and sumptuous nature of the apartment dictated the brief for this job. My vision for the styling of this sub-penthouse was one of showcasing the lifestyle opportunities of such a prestigious property,” says Heidi, who worked with supplier coordinator Tim Copas from the Early Settler team.

The size and sumptuous nature of the apartment dictated the brief for this job… The end goal was to achieve a sense of tasteful understated luxury that inspires a desire to live well in the space.

— Stylist Heidi Cardelli

“The way we achieved that was by carefully selecting beautiful pieces of furniture to suit each space then layering and linking those spaces with beautiful art, accessories and soft furnishings. We even had one item of furniture specially made for the project.

“The end goal was to achieve a sense of tasteful understated luxury that inspires a desire to live well in the space. As this styling project was to prepare the penthouse for sale, my aim was to excite purchasers to buy and to help the clients achieve the maximum price for the sale of their property.”

LUXURIOUS LOUNGE

“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to get the scale and proportions correct in any given space, but especially in a property of this magnitude,” says Heidi. “Furniture was carefully selected and placed to suit the size of each room. It is amazing how a few inches here or there can make all the difference between something looking right or not. The key to making a styled space look warm and inviting is in all the human touches.”

Two Easton sofas and Alexi armchairs over a Dreamtime rug anchor the vast open expanse of the primary living zone, while the central dining zone takes cues from the marble coffee table with a matching Marbella dining table paired to perfection with sumptuous Max ivy green velvet dining chairs.

Furniture was carefully selected and placed to suit the size of each room. It is amazing how a few inches here or there can make all the difference to whether something looks right or not. The key to making a styled space look warm and inviting is in all the human touches.

— Stylist Heidi Cardelli

“I have formal training in Design and illustration so I like to approach an interior like I would a painting. For it to work, it must have all the elements of a good composition — proportion, scale, focal points and judicious use of colour, texture and tone along with form, function and flow. Easier said than done, I know!

“The addition and careful curating of art, accessories, cushions and plants help to create a story for the potential purchasers to envision how they might enjoy living in that space.”

SUAVE SITTING ROOM

The second lounge in the northern zone offers a stylish and sophisticated space with two Stitch sofas in vintage brown leather. Beside the Waratah parquetry coffee table and Diamond Trellis cream wool rug, the result is elegant and inviting.

I love all of the furniture we used in this property but if I had to choose a couple of favourites they would be the Stitch leather sofas and the Armand 4 door bookcase — so much so that I bought them for my own home.

— Stylist Heidi Cardelli

“From the foundation, we created decorative layers of sumptuous textures and artwork. We used a beautiful starburst mirror to create a sense of drama along with a bespoke table. Flowers, greenery and carefully curated accessories complete the sense of luxury. I also had cushions especially made from beautiful fabrics to give an added sense of personalised luxury.”

“I love all of the furniture we used in this property but if I had to choose a couple of favourites they would be the Stitch leather sofas and the Armand 4 door bookcase — so much so that I bought them for my own home.”

MAGNIFICENT MASTER

Floor-to-ceiling linen curtains, luscious indoor plants and sumptuous armchairs, cushions and décor unite to elevate the grandeur of this executive home, which includes a huge master suite delivering hotel-style luxury with the Channel upholstered bedhead, glass and mirrored side tables, the curvaceous Juno sofa and Sara velvet ottoman backdropped by the Adelaide Hills.

“I employed a number of tactics to create a sense of cohesion. It is important to choose a theme and keep that as consistent as you can, within reason. Keep to a base palette of neutrals, black and white for the key pieces of furniture with the addition of a couple of other colours for your cushions and accessories,” says Heidi.

My favourite rooms are the huge master bedroom and the expansive living–dining areas that make the most of the panoramic floor-to-ceiling views of Adelaide and the hills.

— Stylist Heidi Cardelli

“Texture is important too. The appropriate choice of art is essential for linking spaces and drawing out and reflecting the colour palette you have used. The psychology of colour can never be underestimated and is a great tool for creating a mood when used appropriately.”

“My favourite rooms are the huge master bedroom and the expansive living–dining areas that make the most of the panoramic floor-to-ceiling views of Adelaide and the hills.”

BLISSFUL BALCONY

Capturing a 180-degree panorama of the Adelaide horizon, the outdoor-entertaining area boasts a sleek and minimalist aesthetic with an all-weather powder-coated white Kace dining table and bench seat package. Coupled with a few potted plants to unite indoors and out, it offers the perfect place to relax in the open air with an after-work drink as the sunset paints the sky and the city lights up.

“The aim was to create an interior and outdoor spaces that make people feel calm yet inspired. The furniture has to be sympathetic to the style of architecture and colour scheme. Achieving a sense of flow and maximising the size of the space is key,” she says.

The aim was to create an interior and outdoor spaces that make people feel calm yet inspired. The furniture has to be sympathetic to the style of architecture and colour scheme.

— Stylist Heidi Cardelli

Picture PERFECT PACKAGE

The listing of this property on the real estate market came with the option for the purchaser to buy the entire contents (all furniture, art, bedding and accessories if they wish) included in the negotiated sale price.

“We are unique in the property styling market in that we create a truly turnkey approach to styling. I styled the space with on-trend colours, art and homewares being careful not to be too polarising. It is a balancing act of keeping it simple and not imposing too much of your own personality onto a space,” says Heidi. “When in doubt leave it out!”

Heidi Cardelli is an Adelaide-based property stylist who specialises in providing turnkey property styling services for real estate agents and developers. Whilst she mostly services the apartment and newbuild market, she also has experience across the suburban homeowner market. Heidi holds a Design degree from the University of South Australia and brings a wealth of experience in sales and visual merchandising to the styling process. You can view Heidi’s work @heidicardelli_propertystylist.

MORE IN-STORE AT EARLY SETTLER

Visit Early Settler online or in-store get more ideas for styling your own luxury inner-city penthouse or to achieve this opulent look in your home. And don’t miss Heidi’s styling of this 1890s Victorian home renovation.