OPPOSITES ATTRACT

Auction houses, vintage stores and antique marketplaces tell a story of fascinating provenance in this Melbourne apartment.

-  CARLI PHILIPS

If I could live in a gallery I would," says John Manos, who lives with his partner, interior designer Simon Kais of SKM Design Studio, in this third-floor apartment in Melbourne's Toorak. Indeed, there are echoes of this desire in their home, with sculptures perched on plinths, oversize artworks spanning swathes of wall and paintings reaching nearly to the top of three-meter-high ceilings. While John, founder and managing director of creative agency MDM Design Associates, and Simon bought the boutique apartment, designed by Rob Mills of Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors, off the plan, they made extensive alterations so it is now unique to the block. Working with Rob, they redesigned the floor plan and changed fixtures and finishes to suit their way of life and with opportunities to display artwork in mind.

John, with his interest in old-world pieces, sourced antiques and vintage items, while Simon - who had worked in commercial sales at De De Ce alongside leading architects and designers leaned towards the more contemporary. "Our place is proof that there's no reason why pieces from different eras can't work together," says Simon. "It's important for general harmony."