Welcome back to Behind the Facade, where we peel back the layers of extraordinary homes to reveal the stories and craftsmanship that bring them to life. Today, we’re stepping into the world of Tom, a lawyer by day, a meticulous maker by passion, who transformed a gutted apartment into a minimalist masterpiece with the help of designer Nicholas Gurney. This isn’t just a renovation story; it’s a celebration of ingenuity, precision, and the quiet beauty of living simply in a small space.
Imagine a bare concrete shell, stripped of its former life as a one-bedroom apartment. For Tom, this blank slate was a chance to craft something uniquely his own. “I bought it from a developer converting one-bedroom units into two-bedroom units, but I didn’t need that,” he says. “I wanted a home that felt spacious, and a spot for my kids when they visit.” With those two goals in mind, Tom teamed up with Nicholas Gurney to rethink the layout entirely. What emerged was a fluid, purposeful design where every corner adapts to the moment.
The old kitchen is now a cozy TV lounge that doubles as a spare bedroom. The former living room has been transformed into a sleek, fully equipped kitchen. The original bedroom has become a secondary relaxation zone, perfect for lounging or pulling out a trundle bed for guests. “It’s about making the space work for me and the kids without feeling forced,” Tom explains. This is clever design at its finest, a compact canvas that breathes openness.
Tom and Nick’s partnership was a dynamic blend of expertise and personality. Nick brought the structural vision, utility, scale, and a layout that’s as livable as it is striking. Together, they handpicked every detail, from the long wall lights, a Nick Gurney signature repurposed from cabinets to walls, to the OSB board and birch plywood that define the kitchen’s minimalist charm. The paperock on the countertops is a Nick Gurney signature. But copper is Tom’s obsession. “Maybe I went overboard,” he laughs, pointing to the conduit pipes and bathroom plumbing he brazed himself.
Their collaboration was a true dialogue. Tom scoured the internet for inspiration, like the room divider he designed to dodge curtains, while Nick’s concepts, like the integrated fridge and pantry, got a Tom twist with custom drawers and a pocket door. It’s a space that feels both expertly designed and deeply personal.
For Tom, this wasn’t a quick flip. As a full-time lawyer, he balanced work, family, and a packed life while pouring himself into every detail. “Cabinetry is death by millimetres,” he quips, describing the precision demanded by a space with tolerances as tight as five millimetres. “A two-millimetre mistake is unacceptable to me.” The project stretched over years, not from complexity, but from the sheer dedication it took to get it right. “Sometimes, doing it yourself is the only way to make it truly bespoke,” he says, “it’s exhausting, but absolutely worth it”.
Tom’s dream was clear: a tranquil, minimalist home where every detail serves a purpose and sparks joy. “I love lying on the carpet, fan spinning, music playing Motown, jazz, or funk, anything with a strong bassline with the winter sun streaming in,” he shares. The copper conduit pipes, the flicker of fan blades against the light, it’s these simple moments that define the space. “This is my retreat,” he adds, and you can feel the calm radiating from every corner.
In a small footprint, efficiency is king, and Tom’s apartment delivers. “Everything has a purpose, often more than one,” he explains. The spare room triples as a TV lounge, guest bedroom, and storage hub, with hidden compartments for linens and clothes. Even the NBN and Wi-Fi gear tuck neatly into a cabinet. “I ground through concrete to hide the wall lamp wiring,” he says, all for that seamless, clutter-free look. Its form and function are in perfect harmony.
The materials tell a story of affordability, beauty, and craft. Tasmanian oak floors, oiled for texture and warmth, pair with natural white walls for an airy feel. Copper Tom’s signature adds a living patina that evolves. “I love how it changes,” he says. OSB board brings depth, birch plywood keeps the kitchen organic, and paperock on the surfaces offers durability with a unique flair. It’s a natural aesthetic that feels both timeless and approachable.
Tom’s philosophy is simple yet profound. “You have to embrace having less and find comfort in simplicity,” he says. It’s about mental clarity as much as physical space; every item earns its keep. “Cushion lovers don’t get my one-cushion rule,” he chuckles, but that discipline keeps the apartment serene. Minimalism here isn’t stark, it’s warm, intentional, and freeing.
The road wasn’t easy. “The relentless precision wore me out,” Tom admits, but the highs outweighed the lows. His favourite spot is this light-filled relaxation space where copper, floorboards, art, and sunlight align perfectly. The pantry, “my magnum opus of cabinetry,” boasts flawless gaps and a copper splashback. And the bathroom’s exposed copper plumbing was a DIY win after some soggy trial runs. “It’s a point of pride,” he beams, and you can see why.
Step inside, and the apartment wraps you in calm, cozy, comforting, like a living artwork. “It’s self-indulgent but grounding,” Tom reflects. It’s lighting magic skips harsh downlights for soft, reflected glows, think wall lights and under-cabinet warmth. “Saying ‘no’ to excess is key,” Tom notes, channelling that less-is-more ethos. If this home had a soul, it’d be calm, precise, maybe a touch Norwegian. Its message? “Relax.”
Tom hopes future owners will cherish this space’s beauty and effort. “It’s a testament to minimalist design form, function, and precision in sync,” he says. From hidden cables to flickering fan blades, it’s a home that invites you to slow down and savour the art of living well.
‘Behind The Facade,’ is your backstage pass to the world of architecture and homeownership. We go beyond the status quo to bring you candid conversations with architects and homeowners, discovering the inspirations, challenges and personal stories that breathe life into these structures. It’s architecture unmasked. Raw, authentic, and deeply human.