Harmoniously Orchestrated: Florence Court Art Deco Apartments Upgrade by Max Copolov.

There’s always an unspoken pressure cocktailed with a splash of excitement whenever one is tasked with a renovation project. Let alone, should the building that you’re tasked with is designed by a renowned architect—there is another level of expectation in which one must respect the former’s vision while implementing one’s own signature charm. In the case of Florence Court Apartments, initially designed by Streamline Moderne frontier Esmond Dorney, Melbourne interior designer Max Copolov is given an intricate pattern to alter while preserving Dorney’s creative visions.

Located in Middle Park, this project is a renovation of two adjacent units, adjusting them to contemporary living with new kitchens, dining rooms and bathroom. The direction gave permission for walls to be removed and openings to be shifted, allowing lighting and ventilation within which further fulfils the client’s brief. Of course, these changes would allow for a surprise twist in reliving the charms of the existing Art Deco and nostalgic aesthetic.

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Inspired by the “solid oak architraves, tessellated brick fireplaces original hearth floor tiling and leadlight glazing”, new materials selected were “sympathetic to the Art Deco Style”, says Copolov. Against a newly painted white wall comes grounded by unique orange, brown and cream floor tiles in the kitchen and dining. The kitchen, now retrofitted with up-to-date appliances is bounded by dark stained timber that is carried out to the dining and living floorboards. The splashback (including the stove and oven alcove) is dressed in glossy white tiles for a confident modern take. Marble benchtops are used on the kitchen counter for a luxurious feel.

On the contrary, the wet areas celebrated the aesthetic period the strongest. The original white micro-tiles are preserved, while the jade green and creamy yellow tiles of the trombone shower sets were retained and restored. Further ties to the past also meant replacing the former bulky vanity with a standalone porcelain pedestal basin, still keeping the heritage leaf while allowing the bathroom to breathe in space.

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While the high-level aesthetic offers a well-rounded outcome of the desired brief, Copolov—also a furniture designer—considered each fixture and unit crucial to settling the tone of the interior. These include stainless steel tapware, a stainless-steel take on the farmhouse sink (which I really love) and exposed shelving. A combination that carefully reminds patrons of the contemporary times while basking in the past. Selected plastered and sculpted detailed mouldings and door hardware emulate the beauty of the past. The original datum also carefully dictates the heights of the finishes, which in turn indicates the ideal hanging space for the antique-inspired lights to glisten warmly.

Harmoniously orchestrated, Florence Court apartments resemble a rewarding image that comes after developing a slightly forgotten film roll. Copolov lovingly captures what we adore the most about classic architecture, while the instant freezes of the final frame and pulls us into what we know as modern now.

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[Images courtesy of Max Copolov. Photography by Alex Reinders.]