Wednesday 22 August 2007

Thomas Hamel

The apartment of Sydney-based interior designer Thomas Hamel and his partner, antiquarian Martyn Cook, was featured in this months Vogue Living (Australia). It definitely has a very masculine feel about it, and I'm loving their ensemble of mixed antiques and the neutral colour palette. This to me has an Australian feel (although not uniquely) about it - the furniture is from various parts of the world - and the colonial pieces definitely look right at home.


In the living room two gild Italian Neoclassical side chairs (c 1790) and a French bureau (c 1890) in front of an imported 19thC Chinese wallpaper panel.

A syrian teak and bone inlay coffee table on a woven leather rug from Nth Africa. Portuguese mahogany bureau (c 1750), flanked by a pair of Anglo-Ceylonese carved ebony armchairs (c 1880) on the back wall.

Four antique doors open up the living room to the sitting room. On the far wall is an English neo-gothic bookcase.

18thC chandelier hangs above the dining table, behind is an English George III neoclassical mahogany chest on chest.

English Goerge III giltwood mirror (c 1750) hangs above the fireplace. Wing chairs are French, and upholstered in linen.

Sth African mask sits on a wicker chest in the guest bedroom. The hanging lamp is Recency style.

The guest bedroom features a 19thC Anglo-Portuguese carved ebony bed which is flanked by custom-made georgian-style bookcases. The bed sits in a niche that was created to showcase a 1730's map of Paris printed on cork (what an ingenius idea!).

This article got me thinking this week about how many stunning homes we see featured in magazines around the world that are owned by gay male couples. I love that magazines feature interiors based on the style, regardless of whose they are, but I'm beginning to wonder why I have never seen an apartment owned by a gay female couple. Where do they all live? Do they not have equally the same style as their male counterparts?

14 comments:

The Peak of Chic said...

What a beautiful home. Yes it's masculine, but I would feel right at home here. And I love the colors they chose- a neutral palette done well! Interesting point about the type of couples that are usually featured.

Unknown said...

What a stunning French bureau!

Things That Inspire said...

Intersting observation about the gay male couples vs. gay female couples. I am trying to think if I have seen a home in a magazine that features a gay female couple....I cannot even think of one!

girl meets glamour said...

Great post. That guestroom bed is just gorgeous! So much detail in the rooms, thanks for pointing it out, cause otherwise I might have missed something :)

~Kate

ALL THE BEST said...

What great photos and I really love the dining room...just beautiful!

Suzy said...

I agree POC, I could live there too. Great selection of antiqes, and definitely a neutral palette done well.

Suzy said...

Patricia, It is lovely isn't it, in fact I really like that whole vignette.

Suzy said...

GMG - I love the guestbedroom too - I think I'd feel like I was staying at Raffles with that gorgeous bed! Wish they'd shown the master bedroom!

Suzy said...

ATB - I agree! I think that chandelier makes it pretty special.

Suzy said...

POC & Sarah - interesting that you've noticed this too...Maybe I should write a letter to Margaret Russel!

katiedid said...

Oh! Please keep those Vogue Australia posts coming. I wish we had it here in the states! :)

Suzy said...

Hi Katiedid - thanks, glad you liked the post. Are you sure you can't get a subscription through Amazon? Either way, I'm happy to post their features, its one of my favorite magazines!

LauraT said...

Hello Thomas,

Hope you get this comment...loved working with you this past two weeks. And your clients Garrett and his wife.

Saw a fabulous unique seaside chandelier at the Chicago Merchandise Mart today. You could use it in Florida.

Stay in touch,

LauraT

Interior Designer London said...

I was amazed by the designing. Imagine the change in designing within these five years. The world is growing at such a rapid rate. Really surprising! Nice work done by designers.