When you can literally buy something; What do people with large interior budgets really want in a house?
The interior designer Thomas Hamel, who was born in New York and Sydney, is specialized in the re-designing of the houses of rich Australians-Waard ear they bring a calm elegance in their properties on the water in Sydney, recreational ski-lodges and luxurious penthouse suites in Melbourne.
His customer list contains Hollywood actor Russell Crowe to former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the Packer family to name just a few, where he calls an international luxury that immediately feels at home for these enthusiastic travelers.
A private 10-pin bowling alley requested by a customer. Image: delivered
According to Mr. Hamel, it all comes down to a tailor-made WOW moment and it is his task to refine what it is that each of these luxury houses makes different.
From built-in wellness retreats to tailor-made furniture designed with goal and intention, he is about making these A-list houses an unforgettable experience when his customers walk through the front door.
From Point Piper in Sydney to Brighton in Melbourne, he calls quiet luxury with some unusual requests.
“We were lucky to design houses for customers with exceptional vision and imagination, so that we can take on a number of beautifully unexpected and tailor -made functions,” Mr. Hamel told Realestate.com.au.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 800 450"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This pub in British style was fully built into a private home in Singapore. Image: delivered
Ultra-personal is a trend that he sees more when it comes to customer requirements.
“These personal spaces reflect a growing trend and longing for their houses to not only display their taste, but also to actively support how they live, entertain, relax and even play,” said Mr. Hamel.
“The more unusual the request, the more we enjoy the challenge,” he said.
Hamel speaks to us through five important design wow moments.
1. Indoor Pub – The Earl’s Sedan
A Pub in British style, fully built into a private home in Singapore.
An electric fireplace emulates the warmth of a traditional pub. Image: delivered
Rich woodion, leather upholstery and an electric fireplace were used to simulate the heat of a traditional pub – made more difficult due to the lack of gas fire systems from Singapore.
2. Bowling Alley and Games Room
With a love for entertainment in a multi-generational house, the customer asked for a private bowling alley of 10-pin.
An Entainer’s Dream: the private 10-pin bowling alley connects to a bar, cinema and pool table zone. Image: delivered
De Steeg is the heart of a larger entertainment zone, seamlessly connected to a customized bar, cinema area and a corner in the pool table, creating the ultimate destination for family pleasure and weekend tertainment, all without stepping outside.
3. Clothing room meets the hair salon and a private bar
For a particularly fashionable and stylish customer, a bandage suite has been made that made equal parts boutique, salon and retreat.
No bad fireplaces here. Image: delivered
Adapted cupboards houses everything, from couture dresses to a hidden bar cart, while a special salon area feels full daily care completely indulgent.
4. Private Wellness Center with Himalayas -salt wall
Wellness has become a central pillar of luxury life. One customer wanted a full-service retreat in their home, including a yoga studio, steam bath and a pink Himalayan salt wall, which adds both atmospheric light and health benefits.
A wellness-back trip from full-service from the comfort of home. Image: delivered
The design evokes serenity through natural textures, environmental lighting and seamless electricity.
5. Korean BBQ table with sunken seats
Inspired by the customer’s favorite restaurant in Korea, this custom made marble Korean BBQ table with integrated grills and sunken floor seats.
A tailor -made and built Korean BBQ table requested by a customer. Image: delivered
The family wanted to eat out the common, lively feeling, but still in the comfort of their own home. It is now entertaining the heart of their weekend.
The art of the curation
Arriving in Australia in the early 90s as a 20-IS interior designer, Mr. Hamel saw the chance to start his company in Sydney; The industry a very different landscape than what it is today.
“When I arrived in Australia for the first time, there was a limited stock of product and options for customers who re -design their homes,” he said.
Thomas Hamel is the director of interior design agency Thomas Hamel & Associates.
“I always showed my customers what happened in the world and what was important when it came to the design, and then we would look at the costs if we import and send items from abroad, because that was how we all did it then,” he said.
“In the 90s it was much more difficult to get international products, dust and lighting, but that has changed dramatically. The world has become more worldwide, and that makes my work more difficult to think of things that people have not seen before,” he added.
Hamel says that designing houses for the rich and celebrities amounts to the art of the curation. He searches for antiques, unique sculptures and works with emerging artisans for a point of difference. It is known that he brings some of his customers to Palm Springs where art insurance stores are located – and many collections that once belonged to rich retired Americans receive a reasonable purchase.
“Consignation stores are becoming a place of discovery; here I like to bring my top Melbourne and Sydney to customers to find pieces in front of their house,” said Mr. Hamel.
A Himalayan pink salt wall is part of a wellness retreat in full-service. Image: delivered
Mr. Hamel also shops such as Kazari in Melbourne and Orient House in Sydney for antiques from Japan, India, Bali and South Africa.
“I am known for a quiet worked look and I have never been too gimmicky,” says Hamel.
“It is nice to have a singing moment in the house, but you want everything to be harmonious. Everything needs calmness and has to achieve this successfully, it comes down to the insining everything and to make sure what is to see a story tells.”
#renovate #rich #design #guru #reveals #breathtaking #requests #realestate.com.au