The Design Files: Inside the colourful art deco apartment of Chrissie Jeffery

Who: Interior decorator / textile trader Chrissie Jeffery of No Chintz, and her husband Richard Banks

Where: Potts Point, NSW

What: Colourful art deco apartment

Known for her distinctive textiles and furnishings, sourced all over the world, Chrissie Jeffery of No Chintz champions interiors that are bold and richly layered with colour, pattern and artwork. It’s no surprise her own apartment in Potts Point is a study in brilliant maximalism.

The home Jeffery shares with husband Richard Banks is a culmination of years of collecting. The pair have been here five years, and though they haven’t structurally altered the apartment at all, they’ve certainly put their own unique stamp on the place.

Ultimately, this is a home decorated with bold, uncompromising confidence – and it shows.

Each room is painted a different colour, from brilliant emerald green in the living room, to a warm, deep grey in the sitting room, soft coral pink in the main bedroom and dusty blue in the guest bedroom.

Layered upon this bold palette, of course, is an incredible collection of textiles and upholstered furniture, documenting Chrissie’s many years of sourcing fabrics and soft furnishings from across the globe.

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“I suppose we are those people who have been buying furniture and art for over 25 years,” Jeffery says, adding that the greatest challenge for such seasoned collectors is getting the balance of placement and juxtaposition right in each room.

“We love colour and textiles, so combining all of this creates a eclectic mix. I love the challenge of making it all work. High ceilings, and the classic proportion of the rooms, does make my task easier.”

The apartment block was built in 1912 in the style of the American high-rise buildings of the time, and purchased a year later by the Alberts, an influential family in Australia’s early entertainment industry (Frank Albert was a founding member and director of the ABC). The Albert family owned the entire building right through until the late 1980s.

“I think that’s why it’s never been greatly altered. It’s listed as a historic building,” Jeffery says.

With its grand proportions and three bedrooms (four if you count the dining room) the couple’s apartment was originally used by the Alberts for their family and friends in the early years, and later rented out to some interesting Sydney personalities.

“It’s a great apartment, large and airy, and with high ceilings,” Jeffery says. “We love the space and it gives us great happiness to live here.”

The Design Files guide to layering pattern

Using bold prints at home can be daunting. Chrissie Jeffery offers these tips:

• A rug is a great place to start. Keep your white walls, but jump into a pattern on a rug, or individual armchair.
• Sometimes it’s easier to add more print than less. Patterned cushions and lampshades can look a bit weird if they are the only colour in an understated space.The more print you add, the more cohesive the space becomes.
• Printed textiles need not be used traditionally; consider stretching or framing small sections of fabric you love as an alternative to art.
• Be a little brave, because the safe choice is usually the wrong one!