For architect Eva-Marie Prineas, founder of Studio Prineas, repeat clients are more than friendly faces—they represent the rare opportunity for expression that comes with deep trust and a shared vision. When a young Sydney couple expecting their first child reached out to Prineas for their apartment redesign, it marked the third project Studio Prineas had undertaken for the design-savvy family—having previously worked with the husband’s parents and brother.

The blue painting—by emerging Australian artist Kasper Raglus—picks up on the soft, powder blue shade of the curtain and the cobalt armchair. " layout="bleed" credit="Photo by Felix Forest" photoUserId=""/>

“The family are very interested in design, which made for a lovely process,” says Prineas. “With repeat clients, there’s a lot of trust, so we had considerable creative freedom.”

The brief for the project was clear: Transform a generic, developer-driven apartment in Double Bay—a coveted harborside location in Sydney—into a warm, family-friendly home, working within a tight timeframe and controlled budget. “Our challenge was to rethink how to make minimal changes with maximum impact,” explains Prineas.

The apartment was built in the ’90s and it had typical developer-standard interiors—think limited ceiling heights, disconnected spaces, and dated, generic finishes. One of the biggest challenges was the kitchen, which had an “ugly” drop-down bulkhead and was partially cut off from the living room by a wall. “Removing that wall became one of our priorities,” says Prineas.

While the space presented obvious challenges, it also offered several hidden treasures. One of the most impressive finds was that the bathrooms had striking marble slabs with gray and gold veins.

“We realized if we retained the marble and complemented it by emphasizing the gold rather than gray, we could reinvent the aesthetic and give the bathrooms new life,” says Prineas.

A side table in the style of midcentury designer Albert Larsson sits in the bathroom." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Felix Forest" photoUserId=""/>

One of the main philosophies behind the renovation—which also guides all Studio Prineas projects—was the desire to do more with less. “Because of new regulations around waterproofing bathrooms in Sydney apartment buildings, we decided to retain existing tiling and fittings where possible,” Prineas explains. “This aligned perfectly with our ethos—thinking more and building less—to minimize waste and environmental impact, while still achieving luxury.”

Color and materiality played pivotal roles in the transformation. Inspired by the gold veins in the marble, Prineas regrouted the tiles with golden-yellow grout. She then introduced a vibrant, sunny hue to the bathroom ceilings—a technique the studio frequently employs to bring warmth and character to smaller spaces. The tiling on the bathroom vanity and new architraves offered more opportunities for bold yellow accents, complemented by warm timber tones and aged brass hardware.

“Once those layers came together, we decided to extend the golden color into the main entry area,” says Prineas. “The apartment faces northwest, and the afternoon light bathes the space in a beautiful, golden glow. It doesn’t feel yellow—it feels like a natural glow.”

The dining area features an August table by Australian design brand Jardan, a Cab chair by Cassina and blue Thonet Gmbh S 43 chairs. The yellow and red artworks are from Gemma Smith's Plural series (2023)." layout="" credit="Photo by Felix Forest" photoUserId=""/>

As a cool counterpoint to the golden warmth, Prineas introduced cobalt blue furniture and artwork, anchored by a soft, powder blue curtain that separates the entry from the living area. This curtain replaces an ungainly joinery wall that previously separated the two areas, softening the flow of the space and concealing an “awkwardly placed” window. “It allows the lounge to experience the full width of the apartment,” explains Prineas. “It’s a primary wall element, but it can move depending on how the space is used or how the light shifts throughout the day.”

The living area is characterized by a playful collection of furniture, including a Nuvola 05 armchair by Gervasoni, and an iconic Michele De Lucchi Memphis Milano Collection coffee table with a yellow top and striped base. The lamp is by French architect and designer Pierre Yovanovitch." layout="" credit="Photo by Felix Forest" photoUserId=""/>

In keeping with the “less is more” approach, Prineas cleverly overcame structural constraints with small yet strategic interventions. After discovering that the kitchen wall was structural, for example, the studio turned this constraint into an asset by reshaping it into a curved form. This new wall integrates seamlessly with a curved island bench, finished in a tactile microcement render.

“Rich materiality is crucial when reimagining a developer-driven apartment, such as this” says Prineas. “Texture differentiates the spaces and introduces authenticity in a way standard plasterboard just can’t.”

Another clever detail emerged from a design challenge faced when removing old architraves in the bathrooms: unsightly gaps were left between the frames and existing marble slabs. Rather than introducing a hefty material, Studio Prineas inserted slim mirror trims into these gaps, elegantly solving the problem. “This reflects our commitment to simplicity and minimal intervention,” she explains.

To unify the apartment, Prineas replaced mismatched carpets and tiles with timber flooring. Door openings—originally standard-height steel frames with faux Victorian architraves—were swapped for bespoke, deep-profile, full-height architraves, painted the same golden hue found on the ceilings. This detail not only creates a striking visual signature throughout the apartment, but it also elongates the doors, changing the perception of scale and height to make the spaces feel more bespoke.

A built-in daybed in a nook between the kitchen and balcony was designed with family interaction in mind. “Kids always like to play near their parents,” says Prineas. “This little alcove is perfect. Sliding doors behind a curtain open completely, allowing you to sit half-inside, half-outside. It’s a lovely way to connect to the balcony.”

The result is a calm, warm, and efficiently designed family home. “The apartment feels far more luxurious now, yet we didn’t need to rip everything out,” says Prineas. “We listened closely to our clients’ budget and timeline, creating a beautiful outcome without compromise. Luxury doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet.”

More projects by Studio Prineas:

A Sydney Couple Polish Up Their Heirloom Midcentury With Industrial Details

This Renovated ’70s Home in Sydney Is a Glowing Backdrop for a Couple’s Art and Furniture Collection

A Sleek Addition Hides Behind a Federation-Era Facade in Sydney

Project Credits:

Architect & Interior Designer: Studio Prineas / @studioprineas

Builder: Prepared Projects

Cabinetry Installation: Finch Projects

Photographer: Felix Forest

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