‘I fell in love fast’: A much-loved art deco gem brought back to life

For Lucy Glade-Wright, brand director at Hunting for George, her art deco apartment is an ode to heritage, art, and Palm Springs cool.

“The minute I saw my apartment, I fell in love fast,” she says. “Those curved windows and rooftop sealed the deal for me. I’ve always been drawn to art deco buildings – they have a certain romance about them. When searching, I knew where to find the best, and that’s how I found my home in Armadale.”

Glade-Wright purchased her apartment in the iconic 1940s building 10 years ago. Originally the site of an old mansion in the late 1800s, it was built in place of a block of proposed residential flats that locals were concerned would threaten the charm of the area.

“It has great bones, and I’ve been actively involved in the exterior transformation,” she says. “We were keen to restore the building to its former glory and have since painted and updated its colour scheme to be more in line with its original light colour. We also landscaped a Palm Springs-inspired garden at the entrance to complement the nature of the building.”

Taking design cues from the apartment building, Glade-Wright focused on cosmetic changes for her two-bedroom abode that befit the glamour and sophistication of its storied past.

“Luckily there were no major structural changes required, so I painted the interior, replaced the light fixtures, and installed new window furnishings to enhance the light and accentuate the gorgeous curves of the building,” she says.

While the kitchen operated efficiently, the bathroom required some work. “There was no storage and it was poorly executed, so I introduced large cabinetry and fixtures,” she says. “This helped to increase storage capacity and enhance the feeling of space.”

For the longtime art lover, the heart of the home is the living room that connects the kitchen, courtyard and hallway.

“I wanted this space to focus around my favourite artwork, White Wash, a photographic print taken by my partner of his favourite surf spot,” says Glade-Wright. “I love its feeling, colour and have an emotional connection to the subject matter. I knew it would set the tone for my apartment’s interior perfectly.”

Glade-Wright says her happy place is on the roof. “The rooftop garden is epic,” she says. “It is so peaceful and has incredible views of the city. It is perfect for parties, but really I use it mainly to lie in the sun and read books.”

This sunny and relaxing vibe extends inside, where she has created a modern coastal theme with a strong Palm Springs aesthetic.

“The garden reflects the art deco styling of the block with its low-maintenance palms and lush greenery that provide ground cover all year round,” she says.

“Inside I created a similar feel using artwork and timber. I kept styling to a minimum to allow the unique layout of the apartment to speak for itself and to maximise the smaller spaces. I chose a pared-back and neutral base then layered it with furniture and decor that celebrates a blue and green colour palette with subtle pops of colour.”

Now with a decade of memories behind her, Glade-Wright is moving on. “This was my first home and it is such a special part of my life,” she says. “Given the building’s iconic status, it is not only loved among the owners, but also the locals in the area. You can’t help but feel a connection to this building. It’s quite special in that way.”

View this property on Domain.