By Greg Natale
This stunning riverfront residence combines the dramatic lines of interior architecture with the layering of sumptuous finishes to create a “modern palazzo” that celebrates its owners’ deep connection to Italy. Inspired by arches along the house’s exterior, Greg Natale Design introduced this feature throughout the interior. Beyond a glass-walled entrance with black and white marble floors and black fluted timber walls, a series of arches unfolds in velvety grey stucco above smooth slabs of Nero Marquina marble flooring.
Enticing glimpses of rooms appear between the arches, such as the dining room, with its gold-toned de Gournay wallpaper. Here, chairs in brick-red velvet bring a burst of colour, which continues in the nearby kitchen stools and living room chairs, teamed with a mustard velvet sofa. These rich hues are joined by brass accents that appear throughout the house. Wallpaper brings glorious colour and pattern, from Gucci herons in the master bedroom to Fornasetti foliage in the pool room. Featuring lavish finishes like fluted joinery and marble baths, this spectacular house draws on classical elements to offer contemporary luxury.
Greg Natale, founder and director of Greg Natale, is a multi-award-winning Australian designer known for his innovative approach to creating highly detailed and uniquely curated spaces. His designs have featured in numerous local and international publications, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decoration, Vanity Fair, Vogue Living and Belle. Among the many awards to his name are Belle Interior Designer of the Year for both 2011 and 2014, and the 2021 Australian House & Garden Room of the Year. He has been named one of The World's Most Influential Designers by AD Mexico and a Design Visionary by Harper's Bazaar Interiors Middle East.
At the core of Greg Natale's intricately layered approach is tailoring to his client's individual tastes and needs. His passion for materiality, colour, pattern, and geometry motivates the designer to consistently explore new avenues and design genres through his work, weaving various references from classic to contemporary into his designs.
Greg has released three books on interior design showcasing his unique style: The Tailored Interior (published by Hardie Grant Books Australia in 2014), The Patterned Interior (published by Rizzoli NY in 2018) and The Layered Interior (published by Rizzoli NY in 2022). He continues to expand his business and currently has his own line of products available online and at the Greg Natale flagship store in Sydney, as well as leading homewares stockists in Australia, North America, Europe and Asia.