Poised Above the Harbour | Potts Point Penthouse by Alexandra Kidd

September 25, 2025

High above Sydney Harbour, designer Alexandra Kidd transforms the Potts Point Penthouse into a serene sanctuary of timeless elegance. Sculptural Poliform pieces, warm timbers, and textured stone anchor the interiors, while subtle Art Deco nods add plenty of personality. Every detail balances comfort, sophistication, and enduring style.

Positioned high above Sydney’s glittering harbour, Potts Point Penthouse by Alexandra Kidd Interior Design reimagines harbourfront living with a balance of elegance, comfort, and a quiet nod to old-world glamour.

Crowning a historic Art Deco building, the dual-level residence required a response that honoured its legacy while embracing its expansive harbour views and the vibrancy of its surrounds. Kidd’s vision was to create a private sanctuary in the sky — calm yet confident, everlasting yet contemporary. A palette of warm timbers, textured stone, and refined furnishings grounds the interiors in understated luxury, while sculptural forms and accents of rust and orange subtly echo the home’s Art Deco roots. Art and styling add to this sense of place —weaving the clients’ existing collection with new commissions to form a connection between past and present.

Furniture selections play an equally pivotal role. Poliform icons such as the Saint-Germain Sofa and Kelly Bed anchor the home with poise, while the Le Club Armchair and Guest Chair offer a sculptural presence and enveloping comfort. In conversation with Poliform, Alexandra shares how she approached this project and shares her philosophy on enduring design and individuality in furniture, and the role iconic pieces play in shaping a home’s identity.

Q. What was your vision for the Potts Point Penthouse, and how did you want the interiors to feel?

Alexandra Kidd: Our vision was to create a residence that distilled the essence of Sydney harbourfront living: expansive, light-filled, and quietly sophisticated. We wanted the interiors to feel calm yet confident, timeless yet contemporary — a home that celebrates the daily rituals of city life while offering a private sanctuary above it all. A palette of warm timbers, textured stone, and refined furnishings grounds the space in comfort and understated luxury.

Q. How did the architecture and location of the home influence your material palette and furniture selections?

Alexandra Kidd: This multi-level penthouse is perched atop a historic Art Deco building, so it called for a response that respected its legacy while embracing the views and vibrancy of Potts Point. The harbour outlook inspired a soft, neutral base that frames rather than competes with the panorama, while subtle nods to the Art Deco lineage appear in rich orange and rust tones and sculptural furniture choices. Every selection was made to harmonise with the architecture and its lively context.

Q. What role does art and styling play in creating the mood of this space?

Alexandra Kidd: Art and styling were central to creating an atmosphere that feels both curated and deeply personal. The clients are avid collectors, so we integrated existing works with new commissions to create a dialogue between past and present. Styling was kept elegant and restrained, allowing statement artworks and bespoke pieces to punctuate the interiors with shape, colour, and narrative.

Q. When specifying furniture for clients, how do you balance timelessness with individuality?

Alexandra Kidd: We see furniture as part of the architecture, with a layer of poetry — it must support daily life while expressing individuality. Comfort is always central, and part of Poliform’s DNA, with pieces designed to be lived in as much as admired. Collections like the Saint-Germain Sofa or Kelly Bed offer timeless elegance, understated enough to complement any artwork or detailing, yet refined enough to anchor a room with quiet confidence. From there, we layer individuality through sculptural accents, textured finishes, or a statement armchair that captures the client’s spirit. This ensures a home feels enduring, personal, and deeply comfortable.

“We see furniture as part of the architecture, with a layer of poetry — it must support daily life while expressing individuality. Comfort is always central, and part of Poliform’s DNA, with pieces designed to be lived in as much as admired.”

—Alexandra Kidd, Founder & Design Principal of Alexandra Kidd Interior Design

Q. How do you see the role of iconic furniture pieces in shaping a project’s identity?

Alexandra Kidd: Iconic pieces carry cultural weight, and the Le Club Armchair is one of our favourites. Instantly recognisable, it adapts to each new setting to tell a fresh story. Here, its bold minimal form is softened by incredible comfort, bringing both weight and ease to the living space. It became a sculptural anchor, embodying the dual qualities we sought: sophistication without pretension, and elegance you can truly live in.

Q. How did you approach selecting and integrating key furniture pieces like the Guest Chair, Saint-Germain Sofa, Jane Bench, and Kelly Bed into the Potts Point Penthouse?

Alexandra Kidd: Each piece was chosen to balance form, function, and comfort within the penthouse’s design language. The Guest Chair, placed in the study, offers enveloping comfort and elegance, creating a space for focus or reflection. The Saint-Germain Sofa brings sculptural softness and laid-back elegance, framing the harbour view and acting as a natural gathering point in the open-plan space. The Jane Bench serves as a versatile sculptural element, functional as seating or display, while the Kelly Bed anchors the master suite with its timeless silhouette, combining strength, softness, and quiet grandeur.

Q. Looking ahead, what excites you about the way Australian interiors are embracing global design brands like Space and Poliform?

Alexandra Kidd: What excites us is the way Australian interiors are confidently blending the best of global design with our own local sensibilities. Brands like Poliform bring a heritage of craftsmanship and timeless design, while our unique light, lifestyle, and landscape inspire fresh, distinctly Australian interpretations. At AK.ID, we believe design has no boundaries — inspiration is everywhere, and more accessible than ever. This merging of international and local voices is creating homes that feel layered, personal, timeless, and truly unique.