Midcentury-Apartment in Brisbane

Iconic Thonet cantilever chairs feature in Brisbane mid-century apartment

Avian Apartment, set within an iconic Harry Seidler building in Brisbane, looks out over the skyline of the Australian city. Interior designer Alicia Holgar has given this luxury apartment an entirely new look, taking her inspiration from the Australian architect’s mid-20th century style. “The interior refurbishment echoed sentiments within the form and function of the architecture, and evolved through a play on curves, cantilevers, and art as an integrated expression of ingenuity,” the designer says. 

The sustainable approach focused on minimal intervention for maximum impact. At the request of the owner, some of the existing furniture has been repurposed. The renovation project included a fresh colour and material concept, new wall and floor coverings, and bespoke fixtures such as a TV wall and bookshelves. The blend of new, antique and custom-made furniture, cosy furnishings and specially selected works of art give the rooms real character. This has created a bright, elegant interior that reconciles innovation, craftsmanship and individual expression. “Warm minimalism and organic modernism envelope the fluid spaces through all aspects of the design and furnishings, creating a harmonious mood,” explains the interior designer.

The S 32 dining chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928, are a focal point. They combine the Thonet tradition of bentwood furniture and its distinctive Viennese canework with tubular steel, the use of which was revolutionary in its day. The seat and backrest made of canework in a bent solid wood frame embody tradition, while the tubular steel frame represents the present and the future. The chairs’ versatility has made them some of the best-selling cantilever chairs to this day. And here too, in Avian Apartment, they complement the custom designed dining table and tie in perfectly with the architectural elements of the mid-century aesthetic.

The S 32 cantilever chairs from Thonet are not just a visual highlight, but also high-quality pieces that have been built to last. Alicia Holgar is quick to appreciate this too: “Their elegant and ingenious silhouette paired with an impeccable contrast in materiality affords them a classic and contemporary timelessness.  They are a collector’s piece that will last a lifetime.”