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Shona McElroy – Mirrorball
13/03/2026
A fairly dark, space-challenged penthouse in a 1920s Spanish Mission building, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, has undergone a magical transformation under the inspirational eye of owner and designer, Shona McElroy, principal of Smac Studio.
“The bones were there”, said McElroy. “I saw great opportunity in the water views, the high ceilings and its north-facing orientation, while the awkward floor plan, that had scared off other buyers, seemed like a bonus.”
First step was to fix the layout of the 93sqm abode. The kitchen was relocated from a dim, rear corner to the bright front of the apartment, to capture light and water views. Other major changes were the introduction of a third bedroom and second bathroom, plus a proper entry foyer. The original sunroom became the living area.
Walls of panelled mirrors were installed in the living room, dining area and entrance – a strategy that not only vastly increased the amount of light in each area but also visually stretched the apartment’s footprint. An additional bonus was the multiple reflections of city and harbour views.
“Wattyl Dhimba goes so beautifully in all the different aspects of the house – which can be rare for a white,” – Shona McElroy.
Taking inspiration from Haussmann-style apartments in Paris, renowned for their high ceilings and ornate mouldings, along with their penchant for blending a sense of serenity with grandeur, McElroy has created a home that perfectly balances classicism with modernity, colour with calm.
“Wattyl Dhimba, it’s my new go-to white – neither white nor beige,” – Shona McElroy
Large decorative cornices were added to accentuate the 3300mm ceiling height, while a dramatic Calacatta Verde marble has been used on the kitchen island, benchtop and window frame. “The marble’s veining, with flashes of burgundy, rust, green and turquoise adds personality without overwhelming the space,” said McElroy. “It’s bold, but controlled.”
McElroy has taken the same inspired, nuanced approach to her choice of paint colours.
For the main living spaces of the home, McElroy specified Wattyl Dhimba. “It’s my new go-to white! It’s a colour that isn’t white and isn’t beige. It goes so beautifully in all the different aspects of the house, which can be rare for a white.”
For the bedroom, McElroy wanted something warmer – and chose Wattyl Timidity. “It sits so nicely with our white curtains, creating a beautiful calm, warm bedroom space.” For the guest bedroom, McElroy chose Wattyl Copra, describing it as the perfect grown-up pink. In the bathroom, the designer selected Wattyl Fantasia – to bring out the vein in the marble. “The palette is warm, sophisticated, timeless and elegant.”
Wattyl Fantasia
Wattyl Fantasia
“I wanted my home to feel refined and deeply personal,” said Shona, “but as with any renovation, the process came with financial tension. I prioritised high-impact elements, like the marble island, then balanced costs with vintage auction finds.
I’ve called the apartment ‘Mirrorball’, as it feels like a total reflection of me. There’s nothing I would have done differently.”
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