When looking for an apartment to buy more than 15 years ago, Christopher Thompson and stylist Natalie James wanted something ‘a little different — far from a standard shoebox apartment.’

It took over a year of inspections across inner Melbourne until they discovered this gem in Prahran.

‘Tucked behind an old homestead, the apartment exuded a rare Tudor charm and an unmistakably homely feel,’ says Natalie. ‘It hadn’t been on the market for more than 15 years, and the moment Chris saw it, he bought it on the spot.’

Natalie loved the rarity and character of the one-bedroom apartment, which originally served as groundskeeper’s quarters for the main apartment block on site.

‘Opening directly onto a generous patio and backing onto established gardens, the space feels transportive — more reminiscent of Europe than Melbourne,’ she says.

‘That combination of history, privacy, and atmosphere made it feel immediately special.’

Preserving that feeling became central to Natalie and Christopher’s vision for the renovation. ‘Rather than altering the architecture, we focused on enhancing the atmosphere, allowing the space to feel timeless and placeless,’ explains Natalie.

The design direction was inspired by Arles in the Provence region of southern France, where the couple once stayed in a small hotel designed by French architect India Mahdavi.

Natalie recalls, ‘We had planned a day trip to visit our friend at the Rencontres d’Arles and ended up getting caught up in this magical photography festival and city, and by chance this dreamy hotel.

‘We were inspired by Mahdavi’s confident use of colour and beautifully considered joinery, and those references guided the renovation.’

The kitchen was refreshed to feel bright and confident, enhancing the golden glow that fills the apartment in the afternoon.

The bathroom was meanwhile completely reimagined to remove an original step-through raised shower. With limited space, every decision was carefully considered, resulting in a recessed medicine cabinet (carved into the brickwork and concealed behind a custom mirror), and a curtain instead of a traditional glass screen.

In the living area, Natalie and Christopher brought the original fireplace — which had long been hidden behind an old gas heater — back to life. ‘I love the simplicity with no mantle and a calm rendered wall,’ says Natalie.

Raising the door heights throughout further enhanced a sense of openness, creating a more seamless, airy flow across the apartment, with an impressive amount of storage designed by Studio Tom.

Working within such a compact footprint — a mere 35 square metres — was a constant balancing act throughout the renovation.

‘Adding even 100mm to the bedroom would impact the kitchen or bathroom,’ says Natalie. ‘We laboured over literal centimetres many times.’

Finding trades for such a small space also proved difficult, ultimately leading to a more custom, hands-on approach.

Natalie explains, ‘In many instances, Chris would simply say, “I can do that”, and then do exactly that. He undertook much of the work himself, from reshaping the fireplace to crafting the detailed architraves, and carefully matching new timber flooring with the existing boards. He also crafted the stone shower shelves.

‘As a result, the apartment became something he quite literally built, supported by the expertise of our brilliant tiler and cabinetmaker. That collaborative, considered approach allowed the project to come together with a level of care and intimacy that feels deeply embedded in the space itself.’

When styling the space, Natalie found herself referring to the sunroom in her childhood home — its soft carpet, layered wood tones, and printed linen curtains. ‘I can still feel how cosy it was, and I realise I’m always trying to recreate that sense of warmth and comfort,’ she says.

Functional and thoughtfully designed pieces serve dual functions, such as a side table that doubles as a stool, and a coffee table with storage that keeps the living area uncluttered.

Artworks and soft furnishings pick up colours used in the apartment joinery and tiles, mainly the kitchen counters in Laminex Coastal Sunrise and Pale Honey. Handmade Italian bathroom tiles by Cristina Celestino for Fornace Brioni, and terracotta tiles on the fireplace and splashback complete the scheme with a grounded, earthy richness.

After many years living in this apartment, Natalie and Christopher’s advice to other renovators — especially when working with a small space — is, to not cut corners.

‘On so many items we tried to find a cheaper alternative to our original selection, but the time spent on trying to make it right with an alternative was taxing,’ says Natalie.

‘Pick the expensive option if you love it!’

An edited version of this story originally appeared in The Design Files Magazine Issue 04. Subscribe to the biannual print magazine here.