Bait by YSG Studio
Full of colour, pattern, and texture, YSG’s Yasmine Ghoniem’s own home in Bondi is a feast for the senses.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Prue Ruscoe I Styling: Felicity Ng
Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
Located in Sydney’s glam beachside suburb of Bondi, ‘Bait’ by design firm YSG was designed by Yasmine Ghoniem as a ‘love nest’ for herself and husband Tom. Perched on an upper level, the couple’s abode looks out over their leafy street, moments from the beach.
Essential to the design was a home that acted as a retreat rather than an over stylised showroom. ‘At best, I’d describe our home as an expression of our authenticity,’ says Yasmine. ‘That said, bold concepts and resourceful detailing plus a tapestry of discordant textures and patterns would be the best way to describe my design approach.’
Yasmine took six months to renovate, surprised at her indecisiveness when, typically for her clients, she is used to making gut decisions. Part of this may have been to the limited space. The apartment is only 55 square metres; as such, the furniture was primarily built-in, including the L-shaped banquette in the living room, ‘the nucleus of our hub’.
However, one non-negotiable was the Saarinen Womb chair in the living room. ‘It was the first ‘big’ purchase I ever made when I moved to Sydney… Scale-wise, it’s a beast (albeit a very gentle one), but I figured it’s a better solution than planting a couch in the room!’ says Yasmine. ‘I love its merlot-hued mohair surface. It’s my go-to to flop on after work.’
Despite (or maybe because of) Tom’s colour blindness, vibrant colours and rich textures seem to be the overall theme to the apartment — alongside Yasmine’s love of patterns and art. She describes the colour palette as ‘Ground Spice’. ‘Olive green, turmeric and nutmeg are the binary shades that link the spaces with washes of high octane colours like peach in the kitchen, the mustard yellow ding table, and the vibrant blue in the bathroom.’
‘It had to be a place that invited you to melt into a state of complete relaxation the moment you swing open the front door,’ says home owner and YSG director, Yasmine Ghoniem. Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
The Womb chair Eeero Saarinen from Dedece in wine mohair was Yasmine’s first big purchase when she first moved to Sydney. Opal Cone Floor lamp by Tom Dixon and Arie Shelf by E15 both from Living Edge. Arie Shelf by E15. Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
“It had to feel like a retreat where feelings speak far louder than the furnishings. I don’t feel comfortable in over stylised homes. It’s a love nest.”
‘I grew up in the desert, so I think that’s why all my interiors are filled with colour and pattern. All the collectable curios and vintage textiles allude to my nomadic upbringing between Australia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with memories – old and new – intricately layered throughout.’ Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
‘The [kitchen’s] peach-toned ceiling makes it soar to infinity, and it needed this breathing space as it is a tight envelope with a lot jammed into it, but somehow doesn’t feel that way. Using the darker olive shade for the below-counter joinery anchors it.’ Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
‘It’s all about soft and hard textures that invite touch. Lots of different stone off-cuts were used to accentuate ledges and surfaces (a cost-effective way of integrating natural stone without having to commit to an entire slab),’ Yasmine continues. ‘The spice-hued antique kilim runner in our bedroom and the rug in the living room remind me of all my travels.’
The designer attributes the multitude of hues to her transient upbringing in the desert — also reflected in her cabinet of curiosities filled with collected items from around the world and vintage textiles adorning the walls. With little space to move her furniture around, Yasmine flexes her curatorial eye over the custom timber wall shelving and its overflowing mugs, glasses and trinkets, plus their ‘weird and wonderful ceramics and travel souvenirs’.
Unique pieces and features appear throughout, from the Kulchi bedroom runner brought by Tom when the couple first met or a framed scarf from a New Zealand artist Kushana Bush. One especially curious touch is the flooring in the kitchen and entry — ‘a rich tapestry of salmon pink tiles with white inlays’. ‘Upon closer inspection, each is hand-painted on original timber floorboards by long-term YSG collaborators, Creative Finish Sydney,’ says Yasmine.
Perhaps because of this, the kitchen is a favourite spot with its fresh and punchy palette. A peach-toned ceiling offers infinitive height while the darker olive cabinetry anchors the space. Plus, as Yasmine adds, “when we’re cooking or prepping drinks when entertaining, we’re still in earshot of the conversations, which is perfect.”
Overall, ‘Bait’ is a fun and refreshing take on what can be done in a limited space without sacrificing any personality!
‘It was an interesting experiment as it’s far easier designing for clients; I was surprised by my indecisiveness at times when I usually make instant gut decisions regarding material selections.' Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
‘There’s no hierarchy regarding the placement of pieces with dearer price tags. I love the natural stone pairings of the entry ledge, kitchen counter and bathroom vanity with more cost effective 2Pac joinery’s zippy shades.’ Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
Design details in the home of Yasmine Ghoniem. Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
Every inch of the 55 square metre apartment has been cleverly utilised in the renovation. Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng
“We loved the property for its beachside location (Tom’s a mad surfer), and I’m totally seduced by the ocean and its endless horizon. The lifestyle’s not too shabby either (not hard given I grew up in an urban desert, having spent my formative years in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia).”
Custom joinery by YSG made by Xpert joinery in Porter’s Paint Biscotti. Kartell Bedside table from Space. ‘Revised Ovington’ lamp from Space. Custom made bedhead by Materialised with vintage fabric from Cheesoon and Fitzgerald. Photo: Prue Ruscoe. Styling: Felicity Ng