An unexpected material palette transforms this unassuming apartment into a beautifully bold design statement

For designers who love the unexpected, a project brief like the one presented to Alliee and Rhi of Mori & Curll for their Hercules project was gold. Drawn to spaces that surprise and delight in their materiality and configuration, the pair were excited to sink their teeth into this one-of-a-kind apartment renovation. 

“Our client wanted a home he hadn’t seen before, using warm tones and lots of texture. He wanted the space to be inviting, moody and practical while utilising his small apartment to the best of its ability,” Alliee and Rhi explain. 

“We naturally gravitate towards materials that haven’t been used before or aren’t used often; anything ‘trendy’ that we do use is always applied in unconventional ways. For this particular project, it was the custom handmade terracotta fluted tiles, created by Earp Brothers, that drove the design.”

From tiles to transformation

Inspired by the terracotta tiles, a material commonly used in mid-century design, the pair developed a mood board featuring bold accent colours of red, olive, and yellow alongside organic shapes and textures.

“We wanted to incorporate plenty of subtle curves throughout the home across both furniture and materials, focusing on the textures of the terracotta with the addition of chocolate and walnut.”  

“We presented the client with material samples and concepts for all the selections and got their approval for the overall vibe of the space. After that, the client was happy for us to take over the project completely, giving us creative control. We are so appreciative that they had the confidence and trust in us to bring their dream space to life as it allowed us to push the boundaries.” 

Complete creative control is a wonderful, yet daunting prospect; thanks to years of experience and trust forged through collaboration, the pair found it easy to take the reins. 

“Fortunately, we were allowed the time to hunt, create and at times develop the materials that were the perfect fit for the project,” Rhi says. “At times clients get excited and want to see a completed concept a week after a consultation which doesn’t allow for new or different materials and furniture pieces to be discovered. In this project, we had that time to craft  a one-of-a-kind design concept completely tailored to our client that exceeded their expectations.”

Stand-out features include honey-coloured Italian glass pendants, designed by Sjoerd Vroonand and made in the Netherlands for Space Furniture, that have been hung above the dining table. A beautifully handcrafted onyx coffee table and side table by Unrivalled Interiors draw attention in the living room, while the handmade basins by Lindsey Wherrett Ceramics make handwashing an indulgent experience. 

Last but not least, the tiles — handmade, custom shaped and sized by Earp Brothers for Mori & Curll — clad the exterior of the kitchen and the bathroom walls. With their rustic appearance and deep brown and tan colouring, it’s easy to see why the tiles were chosen as the project’s main character.

“This project embodies complete trust between client, designer and trades; it is incredibly detailed. Without our trades, Perspective Constructions, and joiner, Best Kitchens, this project would never have been executed to the level achieved.”

Big things come in small packages

Mori & Curll are no strangers to the constraints of small spaces like the Hercules St apartment.

“Making impacts in small spaces has unintentionally become our signature. We are big believers that, just because you don’t have the scale some projects have, doesn’t mean you can’t go bold with colour, texture and pattern. We encourage people to have the confidence to go big in small spaces.”

The apartment is rich in personality, with each design element offering its own unique flair. One such feature is the scallop Corian detail in the ensuite, cut by the team at Best Kitchens. Though it’s a simple switch from traditional tiling to a scallop cut, it is evidence that small spaces can be impactful when well designed.   

“Our favourite elements of the project are the terracotta tiles we designed with Earp, as well as the Onyx furniture pieces that we collaborated on with Unrivalled Interiors. Our favourite space is the kitchen. It's proof you can achieve a highly functional design that is just as impactful as a large scale house. Careful selection of materials and a skilled joinery company can make just as big a statement,” Alliee says.

The Hercules project is Mori & Curll’s moodiest project to date. 

“Our client trusted us to create a home that was unconventional in its materiality, has unexpected boldness and still has all the functionality. We love mid-century design and its brave use of texture and colour; this project allowed us to really hone in on this and create a space for our client that they love.”

Learn more about Mori & Curll.