My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

The living area, looking out to breathtaking harbour views, features the Bohemian 72 lounge chairs by Gabriella Crespi for Gubi; an Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia; custom sofas upholstered in calico from Ambience Upholstery; custom Fyber rugs; a Murano glass pendant; and lamps with plaster base from Galerie Chantala. An Oliver Watts artwork also features in this space, alongside a former AGNSW reupholstered bench from 506070.

Handelsmann + Khaw co-founder and interior designer Gillian Khaw invites est inside her harbourside home to talk about taking risks, leaning into and blurring the lines of a particular era and approaching design curation with a sense of humour.

Your Elizabeth Bay apartment is home to your two children, husband and fur-baby. How do you experience the space as a family, and individually?

Gillian Khaw: Despite it being a modern apartment, the apartment is laid out quite classically, with distinct public and private zones. There’s a real sense of the ‘parent’s zone’, and similarly, there are a few nooks throughout the house for the children to play in without disturbing anyone who may be enjoying some quiet time. We are able to exist on one level without crossing paths (if we don’t want to!)

What drew you to the house?

Gillian Khaw: The suburb, which we used to live in and felt nostalgic for, and the generous spaces of the apartment – which was built during a time when developers could afford to be generous. I suppose I also relished the challenge of reviving something so out-of-date. Our projects aren’t usually so extreme in the before and after, so I was excited about taking a risk.

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

In the kitchen — which makes one feel like a chef even when preparing the most mundane meal — the designer has used joinery by Silhouette Kitchens. Joinery handles are by custom by Livio Tobler.

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

A 2 Bowl Triangle pendant light from Anna Charlesworth; Standard chairs by Jean Prouvé; a Cassina Hill House chair by Charles Rennie Mackintosh; and an Alias Seconda chair. Atop the table sits the Ripple #2 jar by Kazuya Ishida. Parquetry floors are by Tongue & Groove and full-height aluminium doors are by Vitrocsa, with views to the landscaping by Katherine Land Gardens.

What did you set out to create in the interior spaces?

Gillian Khaw: Handelsmann + Khaw projects are often about enhancing the architecture, creating an atmosphere, and heightening a grandeur. The brief here was a bit different. There was a sense of utilitarianism that I required from it; the prettiness we usually bring didn’t seem appropriate.

Why did you lean into the 1980s and can you share some examples of the era-specific influences on the design?

Gillian Khaw: The building itself is unmistakably 80s; we inherited glass bricks and 45-degree angled walls, so there really was no other choice. However, I think when channelling an era, one can expand the range of influence forward and backward a decade, to the 70s and 90s, for instance. This blurring of influences is what would have happened in reality, and therefore stops the design from looking like somewhat of an installation. I enjoyed exploring the bad vs the good 80s — not everyone’s barometer on this is the same.

Talk to the experience of being your own client. Was there anything you were able to experiment with in this project that you would have had to normally reign-in?

Gillian Khaw: Not only was I my own client for this project, but my husband was as well, so I had to persuade him like I would a regular client on what I thought the vision should be. At the same time, I think one can take more risks on one’s own project because you alone bear the consequences.

I would say the shaped light fixture in the foyer was a risk I probably would not have taken for a client, but that I’m glad to say it paid off in the end. I would also consider a singular stainless steel kitchen bench with no room for stools quite experimental – you’d normally expect to see some stone and practical seating instead. This is now one of my favourite parts of the house.

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

In the library, a custom Fyber rug, vintage French woven stool, custom ambience sofa and artwork from The Vault. 

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

The kitchen also features a 506070 Medusa vase (on island) by Gaetano Pesci, round waxed vintage chopping boards and baskets from Simon Johnson. An Alessi 9091 kettle sits on the Falcon induction range cooker.

How did you approach the curation of furniture, objects and art in your home, including both established and emerging creatives?

Gillian Khaw: Approaching curation with a sense of humour is something I think is quite important, as is an openness to incorporating whimsical elements throughout a design. You can’t take it too seriously, otherwise you’d end up with a show home.

I love the French 1940s cabinet I brought back from France, because it reminds me of a year spent living there – and getting an absolute bargain at the flea market! I also love the Senufo Bird; he gets lugged around with us and decorated at Christmas time.

When and how did you begin your personal collection?

Gillian Khaw: I’ve never purchased something for a specific location, I’ve just accumulated pieces with no masterplan. What doesn’t suit the current house just leans against a wall somewhere or gets stored away. Some pieces are sentimental — bought on holiday together — while, others, such as the large Oliver Watts, are by our talented friends.

I believe that the nicest art collections are ones where you can trace the owner’s developing tastes over time and there is a mix of media. The collection should look as though it has naturally evolved, instead of being chosen by an art consultant at the end of a project. I suppose in this same way, I prefer interiors that look that way too.

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

In the hallway, plaster wall sconces from 1stDibs frame a custom-designed, cloud-like plaster platform that conceals upper-level sanitary pipes. The vintage bench is sourced from The Vault.

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

Offering a quiet moment of solitude, the powder room features a custom sink and hammam tap from Turkey. The mirror in the background is by Annie Paxton and the floor is Onsite Aren Bianco limestone.

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

The main bathroom features a sauna space, with accessories by Society Limonata, and a Ripple vase by Kazuya Ishida and 506070 bronze vessel.

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

There are some beautiful custom-designed elements in the home. As a designer, can you elaborate on the importance of custom design in your home?

Gillian Khaw: I think that technology has perhaps flattened our taste, as we are all seeing the same images and there is less idiosyncrasy in design. Custom elements distinguish your interior from others; there is a special allure in custom pieces because they are made just for your personal pleasure. It can be a large element – like a dining table – but I think the most charming custom elements are the small ones like hooks or handles.

What are some of your favourite details in the home?

Gillian Khaw: One of my favourite details is the timber burl- lined ‘dish room’. This was intended as a walk- in pantry, but when I realised that I wasn’t as tidy as I’d hoped, it soon became a ‘china closet’ or ‘dish room’.

While I may not use the champagne coupes daily, there is something lovely about glimpsing them every day. I do enjoy using the kitchen, the stainless steel makes me feel like I’m a chef, even when I’m just making toast.

At the end of a long day, what do you love most about coming home to this space?

Gillian Khaw: It has nothing to do with the interiors, but the apartment feels very connected to what is happening in the harbour. I wanted the balcony to be like the deck of a boat, so it is furnished with simple teak folding chairs and a teak steamer lounge.

When I’m sitting on the ‘deck’ there is always something to look at, whether it’s the yachts sailing back in from a race, or the navy doing some exercises; it always enthrals.

This feature originally appeared in est magazine issue 53: In the Kitchen.

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

The main bedroom features a duo of bedside tables from the collection of Bob Hawke and Blanche d’Alpuget, a Zanotta Quaderna bench, and an Alias Seconda chair. The bedcover is from Cultiver, and the rug is a custom Fyber Giacometti-inspired rug. Alongside the curtains from Simple Studio is an artwork by Bill Henson titled Untitled #52 (1998-2000).

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

My Space | Handelsmann + Khaw Co-Founder Gillian Khaw

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