A Bondi Beach Penthouse Designed for Barefoot Luxury

The Lighthouse 511, a two-story, three-bedroom penthouse, is located at the top of the Pacific Bondi Beach, a distinctive multi-use development on Campbell Parade that includes residences, retail and dining, and the QT Hotel. Jonathan Richards of SJB Interiors collaborated with Hub Furniture to pull the penthouse's look together. 

"I really wanted this apartment to have that relaxed sophistication that you get at Bondi Beach, where you have this urban beach culture and this great mix of backpackers and high-end residents," Richards tells Vogue Voyage. "And it does have a cool elegance about it. It doesn't feel too uptight, the furniture is low, all the colors are light and pale, and there's a great sense of height and lightness, making the most of a spectacular view of the beach." 

The thoughtful collection of furnishings, accessories, and artwork draws on local pieces, international classics, and lesser-known designers, says Richards. "It's a curated collection rather than it being all of the same type and range, and that responded to Bondi as well: a mosaic of different types of styles which were brought together in their tones and colors and unified in their textural feeling."   

In the open kitchen/living/dining area, comfort is key. The Shanghai Tip sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola features a backrest with a tilting mechanism and deep, down-filled cushions. The "irregular, skipping stone shape" of the Phoenix coffee tables, also designed by Urquiola, complement the setting. The standing lamp is the Sorry Giotto 3 floor lamp by Catellani & Smith. The Atticus dining table from Andrew Lowe and the W dining chairs from Billiani make for relaxed meals.  Although the sculptural curved walls created a challenge for hanging artwork, they also have the effect of cocooning the interior and fostering privacy.