The Design Files: Inside an art-filled apartment with a winning view

Who: Irina Rybakov, owner of Pepite and partner Carlo Demaio, a social impact strategist

What: An art-filled apartment

Where: Northcote, Victoria

Hear all about intergenerational living on Somewhere Else:

Irina Rybakov and partner Carlo Demaio moved into this apartment block in 2011, and left in 2013 to spend a year in Berlin.

When they returned from Europe, they moved into a new apartment in the same beloved building.

The building is also home to many members of Demaio’s family – his parents, 96-year-old grandmother, and brother all have apartments in the block.

For some, this would be a nightmare, but for Rybakov and Demaio it is a dream. “Whenever another apartment comes up for lease, we’re always trying to recruit some friends to join our little compound,” Rybakov says.

The apartment has been continually updated over the years, based on changes to the couple’s needs and lifestyles. “Carlo has pretty much doubled the overall storage space, by creating custom shelving anywhere he could find,” Rybakov says.

Storage space is important for Rybakov, whose expansive collection of beautiful ceramics is on display throughout the apartment. She says because they moved into a new building, they were mindful of adding soul and character. She explains how they layered personal touches in the new spaces “to make it completely our own, and compensate for the lack of previous history and features an older home may have”.

The space is warm and casual, and the couple have balanced their contemporary items with authentic pieces.

The pair are self-described as “pretty minimalist when it comes to colour” and their home reflects this with a timeless and neutral palette.

Small splashes of colour pop out against an eclectic collection of artworks and objects, with Rybakov saying “they shine even more against a neutral background”.

While the inside of this apartment is beautiful, for Rybakov and Demaio, the view is the real winner, with third-floor views and a nightly sky spectacle of glowing sunsets.

The proximity to Merri Creek and the Northcote village is also a big plus, and as recent parents to two-month-old Mila, having a swag of babysitters within the same apartment block is the icing on
the cake.

How to personalise a new home

There’s a lot to love about a brand new home. Pristine paintwork, never-used-before appliances, and a blank canvas to call your own.

But what about character? There’s always a way to add personality, even in the most modern, minimal of spaces. Consider the following ideas:

• When choosing furniture, resist the urge to have everything match. Instead, bring together contrasting styles and fabrics to add interest.
• Look for ways to add texture, starting with the floor – a good quality rug is a game-changer, and completely transforms the feel of a room.
• Don’t hide your “stuff” away – display objects and trinkets, grouped by theme, colour or material to create a cohesive look.
• Artwork and lighting are the “jewellery” of interiors – the finishing touch. Invest in an artwork, framed print or feature lamp to complete the space.