Transcending trend

Interior design by Penny Del Castillo, Studio Del Castillo

From the designer:

 From the very beginning, this project was a true 'his and hers' dream collaboration – an opportunity to breathe new life into a full-floor penthouse that, while impressive in size and title, lacked the refinement and prestige our apartment owners envisioned.

He imagined an entrance foyer and a wine room that truly lived up to the penthouse name – elegant, welcoming, and tailored for entertaining.

She was initially focused on improving the kitchen’s functionality, but quickly embraced the luxurious materials and elevated aesthetic direction we proposed.

As an inner-city residence, the Docklands penthouse sits elevated, looking out over the surround. 

The home is reimagined as a finely curated sequence of spaces – each defined by material richness, spatial clarity, and an enduring sense of luxury. 

The redesign distils the essence of a 'designed' penthouse lifestyle, embracing refinement without excess, precision and restraint. 

While the apartment claimed the title of penthouse, its original iteration fell short of the prestige expected of such a residence. 

Our intervention corrects this imbalance, establishing a spatial language that is both assured and timeless.

Spatial recalibration & flow

The plan is liberated from its former constraints, with walls removed to dissolve separation and amplify the connection to expansive city views. 

Arrival is redefined through a sculpted entry sequence – fluted timber walls curve inward to soften thresholds, while metallic-flecked veneer wallpaper and custom lighting imbue the space with a quiet theatricality. 

Art niches punctuate the entry, reinforcing a gallery-like quality that extends through the home.

To the left of the entrance is a glass-walled wine room to keep the bottles in full view. 

Further in, a new card room features a Cavicchi poker table in timber veneer and brass, providing a dedicated space for the avid player/owners.

In the main living space, a monolithic stone fireplace with a brass flue serves as both anchor and threshold, mediating between zones while maintaining a visual throughline.

The kitchen, positioned as both a functional workspace and an extension of the living environment, is finely tuned – its concealed appliance station, high-performance silent exhaust, and meticulous storage solutions ensuring seamless operation without visual interruption.

The butler’s pantry, once isolated, now unfolds as a fluid and accessible support space.

Running along the east side of the apartment, the transformed master wing now has a generous suite with bedrooms, an oversized ensuite and new walk-in wardrobe with extensive cabinetry and a central marble-topped make-up table.

Materiality & craftsmanship 

The palette is restrained yet layered, with brass, timber, and stone forming a triad of materials that age with grace. 

Brushed brass softens under light, timber grain shifts with the changing day, and stone surfaces reveal their depth over time. 

There is an intentional interplay of tactility and reflection – surfaces that invite interaction and reward close observation.

Joinery is both functional and sculptural, integrating concealed elements to maintain the spatial purity. 

Lighting is nuanced, casting a soft glow that enhances depth and material contrast, reinforcing an atmosphere of understated refinement.

A timeless approach 

Every intervention is guided by longevity – material selection is underpinned by durability, while energy-efficient lighting and sustainable timber ensure a conscientious footprint. 

The result is a penthouse that transcends trend, where refinement and restraint converge to create a sanctuary above the city – an elevated expression of permanence and quiet luxury.

See the related kitchen story

Story by: Trendsideas