The Design Files: Inside the apartment of Mode Sportif designer Deborah Symond O’Neil

Who: Deborah Symond O’Neil (Mode Sportif) and husband Ned O’Neil

What: A fashionable apartment

Where: Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales

You’d expect the stylish owner of a luxury fashion and sportswear retailer to have a thoroughly fashionable life in all respects, and that certainly appears to be the case for the founder of Mode Sportif, Deborah Symond O’Neil.

She moved into this building six years ago, before shifting into the current apartment with property developer husband Ned O’Neil in 2016.

The couple were lucky to find an Elizabeth Bay home with high ceilings and plenty of space, where all that was required in alterations was to “add a door to the outside terrace off our breakfast room to make entertaining outside easier,” Symond O’Neil says.

The building is only seven years old, and Symond O’Neil’s brother previously lived in this apartment. When he moved to London, the couple pounced, moving in soon after.

The apartment is filled with natural light, and dazzles with an eclectic mix of new and vintage pieces, artwork and treasured collectibles.

The couple share a buzzing energy that radiates throughout the home, and they’re not afraid to play with bright colour and pattern.

Symond O’Neil says: “Colour is a real feature for us, and quirky pieces that we have collected over time become the focal points of each room.”

The floral and graphic artwork in the dining area by Marc Quinn is one of her favourites, and a real scene stealer. The vintage gold shell light (sourced by her sister Poppy, co-founder of Poco Designs) is also a special feature, casting sculptural shadows on the wall at night.

The only limitation of this bold apartment is the issue of wardrobe space. Symond O’Neil’s extensive collection of clothes has overtaken the third-bedroom aka “girl cave”.

While the lack of storage isn’t ideal, the dreamy location overlooking Arthur McElhone Reserve and Elizabeth Bay House means that even this fashion maven is happy to live with an unconventional storage solution.

How to source vintage online

• Search smart: The best vintage scores are not found by accident. Create Google and eBay alerts for specific brands or pieces.
• Be proactive: Build relationships with online stores and sellers and ask them to look out for or find specific things for you.
• Know the shipping charges before you buy: Be sure to contact the seller or the shop and get a firm quote on shipping before finalising your sale. Be wary of customs and import duty on expensive pieces, too.
• Play the long game: For Deborah Symond O’Neil, vintage collecting isn’t something that can be too planned. “It’s all about right place, right time, perfect piece.”