What is a scullery and is it a luxury for only the very rich?

À la mode’ in the grand designs of prestige houses, a kitchen Scullery is rarely an option for most. Previously known as a Butler’s Pantry, apartment owners can only dream of having this luxury. Until now. Innovative, high-end developer, TOGA, have taken this much-coveted luxury and ingeniously incorporated it into a select few apartments in their new landmark development, Surry Hills Village. 

The SHV Scullery will allow fortunate residents to keep their main kitchen in a pristine state, putting messy jobs and dishes to the side until they have time to attend to them. With clutter being the enemy of any beautiful home, this extra space means a stream-lined aesthetic will be far easier to achieve. And the end result of mess-free entertaining of family and friends will have you showcasing your glorious apartment at its best. 

But there are more benefits than just improved aesthetics. Having a Scullery means there will be no more issues with not enough cupboard space. These handy home additions give you the extra storage space to organise your kitchen fantastically so there is no more necessity to squirrel items away in the depths of an already overfull cupboard. 

The Scullery is an incredibly versatile space, giving you the option to dress it as a bar when entertaining, thus creating a purposeful, organised and attractive space for drink preparation and self-service. Alternatively, the Scullery enables you to take care of all the noisy kitchen jobs such as blending, food processing, grinding coffee, etc, in a dedicated space separate from the living area, which is incredibly convenient when living in an open plan design. 

Esteemed interior architects, BKH Interiors, have created these splendid Sculleries in a select few of the exquisite apartments of Surry Hills Village, optimising both form and function. They are highly practical additions to these most elite of apartments and have been designed to be streamlined and beautiful despite their utilitarian purpose. 

To discover the exclusive Surry Hills Village Scullery apartments, please contact Emma Chappell of Cramer Property for more information or to organise an inspection of this outstanding development.

Presenting the Surry Hills Village Courtyard and Garden Apartment Collection

Representing the ultimate in apartment living, discover the exquisite Courtyard and Garden Apartments of Surry Hills Village, Toga’s extraordinary landmark development. 

With only a few oversized outdoor courtyard properties available, don’t delay discovering these sublimely beautiful homes. 

• Located within an iconic development that is selling out fast 

• House-like garden apartments with expansive courtyard space 

• Offering entertainer’s dream living - great for those with children and/or pets 

• Only 3 x Two Bedroom Courtyard Apartments available 

• Final One Bedroom Garden Gate Apartment with direct access to the Residents Only Garden 

• Featuring a multi-award-winning team of architects and designers 

• Impeccably landscaped by internationally awarded Aspect Studios 

• Exceptional finishes featuring Bohemian scheme with European timber floors and Corian kitchen island or Showgirl with Terrazzo stone floors and kitchen island 

• Development features European-style laneways, outstanding restaurants, Coles flagship store, artisan providores, boutiques and workspaces 

Surry Hills Village is a totally new development right at the beginning of Surry Hills’ Crown Street on the perimeter of the edgy suburb of Redfern, creating a gateway to these two historic suburbs and an iconic addition to Sydney’s most exciting place to live and play. 

Surry Hills Village is developed by TOGA, a renowned developer and builder who have been family-owned since 1963 and recently awarded an impressive 4.5/5 star iCIRT Rating. 

These prime properties are well under construction and on-track for completion Q3 2023, allowing you to move in well before next Christmas. Discover below the three exclusive Two Bedroom Courtyard Apartments (two of which also have prized scullery) and the final One Bedroom Garden Gate Apartment:

See Full Details Here

See Full Details Here

See Full Details Here

See Full Details Here

Why Redfern is fast becoming Sydney’s place to be

 

With its chequered past, Redfern can easily be overlooked in terms of Sydney’s places to explore. But come for a day and you will quickly become a Redfern convert, won over by this eclectic suburb’s individuality, thriving culture, bespoke boutiques and outstanding bar, restaurant and café scene.



Feel like a delectable bite to eat? Try Three Williams, Scouts Honour, Little Evie, Henry Lees and Bean and Berry for the quintessential café experience; indigenous-owned Tin Humpy for house-made pastries and hearty breaky bowls; Flyover Fritterie - Sydney’s first vegan fritterie and chai bar; and vibrant Vietnamese at Yellow Fever.

 

  

Explore the globe at these unforgettable restaurants - remarkable ramen at RaRa, La Grillade and Bistro St Jacques for French, Ron’s Upstairs for cool Mediterranean, La Coppola for pizza, Kepos & Co for marvellous Middle Eastern and Juan Bowl and Tea for Japanese. Then wrap it up with a sensational sweet treat head to Ciccone And Sons, where you can step back into the 50s and enjoy exquisite homemade fresh gelato.



For the best bar scene outside of London, go on the ultimate pub crawl from Bart Jnr, Arcadia Liquors, the eccentrically names Bearded Tit, Atomic Beer Project Brewery, The Dock, Hustle and Flow Bar, Noble Hops Bar, Misfits and the super cool DD’s cocktail and dining room out the back of The Sunshine Inn. And if you have a taste for gin, don’t miss Moya’s Juniper Lounge.

Stock up on gorgeous homewares at the DEA store, where you will find Japanese influenced earthenware to beautify your table and ceramics from Tom Dixon.

 

And if you are a fan of mid-century furniture, head to Rudi Rocket for super cool vintage pieces, then make your way to the gargantuan Mitchell Road Antiques for the best antique store in Sydney. Or for something utterly different, head to Redfern Convenience Store – “The Greatest Convenience Store on Earth.”

 

For exemplary art, check out the Vandal Gallery, showcasing some of the best emerging contemporary artists in Australia. 

Then pop across to 107 Projects, a cool not-for-profit community art space that’s home to loads of events, exhibitions and workshops. Then be blown away at Carriageworks, a multi arts precinct that offers weekly farmers’ markets, festivals, fashion shows and global art exhibitions. Finally head to the Aboriginal and Pacific Art Gallery for glorious indigenous paintings and sculpture.

 

Want some quality threads at a fraction of the cost, pop over to nearby Assembly Label Surplus Store. Then for an old school barber experience, visit Tommy J Barber. For all things Zen, head to Humming Puppy, a New York loft-style yoga studio. For the place that was voted Best New Independent Gym, get fit at Lift Performance Centre. Follow up with a dip at the outdoor heated Prince Alfred Park Pool, where you’ll also find basketball and tennis courts and outdoor fitness equipment.

And if you are so impressed you’d like to make the move on a permanent basis, check out our exquisite apartments on the verge of Redfern at Surry Hills Village.

Surry Hills Village: ‘Why I bought a penthouse off the plan during a pandemic’

Ask Mary-Jane Salier — known simply as ‘MJ’ — why she and her husband, Kris Gale, have bought a penthouse off the plan in the Surry Hills Village development during a pandemic and she’s matter of fact.

“Yes, it’s a tricky time, but I’m an optimist at heart,” she said. 

 “TOGA [the developer] does have an excellent reputation for delivering a quality product and I feel as though we know what we’re getting.” 

And MJ, who leads the international regulatory team for US-based communications company Verizon, and Kris, who presents Fire Up! on FBi Radio, aren’t the only “optimists”. 

The original eight penthouses sold out in record time*. But we are pleased to introduce the last remaining penthouse has been re-released by the developer. Available now (click to view)

*This original article has been abridged & updated with current 2022 information

Designing outdoor spaces for maximum liveability and lovability

Designing outdoor spaces for maximum liveability and lovability

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 7

With the weather warming up, the urge to spend more time outside is mounting. And some new accessories or items of furniture will allow you to make the absolute most of your outdoor area. So why not take the time to get your balcony space in ship shape and rejuvenated with a few of the great ideas listed below.



If you have an outdoor dining table or even a café table for two, brighten up for a beautiful summer with new seats pads (test them out for comfortability). Or looking for a super comfortable new outdoor seating arrangement, consider one in corner format to allow you to maximise on space and include your outdoor dining table as well. Wood is usually most space effective, but if you have a bit more room you may opt for wicker. Whatever you choose, add some super cosy cushions to the mix.


 

Summer’s colour scheme ideas to work with are pale pink offset against teal, cobalt blue and grass green (forget blue and green not working – they team together to brilliant effect), brass gold and charcoal, white with magenta and turquoise or moss/forest green and tan. Really though, colour is always uplifting and your favourite schemes will be perfect simply because you love them and they make you feel good. 

For the ultimate in relaxation, if space allows, consider putting up an outdoor hammock/swing seat. The rocking motion of hammocks and swing seats is guaranteed to lull you into a state of supreme serenity. Placed in a balcony corner or along its edge, this will provide you with a mini retreat space ideal for reading, a warm weather nap or contemplating life, love and the universe. Highly recommended! And if hanging seating isn’t your thing, a daybed is an awesome multi-purpose piece of furniture that will give you another place in which to retreat.

Love a good barbie? No matter the size of your outdoor area, there is a BBQ that is right for you. Choose from a large selection of gas, electric or charcoal barbies and always be sure to think safety first. If your BBQ has shelves or magnetic tool holder, all the better! Do check with your body corporate to ensure BBQs are allowable before you run out and buy one though.



Lighting is also a critical yet often overlooked element to your outdoor space. Just as you use them to set the mood indoors, don’t neglect to have some beautifully scented candles for use outdoors. The best ones for this purpose are ones that are semi enclosed, so wind won’t extinguish their beautiful ambient light.

 

Need somewhere to put outdoor bits and pieces? Look for treated wooden shelves in which to house candles, BBQ tools and pot plants. You can even set up one of the shelves as a mini bar equipped with outdoor glasses, your choice of alcohol and mixers. Also don’t discount metal shelves as there are some really beautiful designs available that bear up well to whatever the weather throws at you.

Want year-round balcony enjoyment? You may be able to apply to your body corporate to glass the space in with sliding windows to allow an open vibe if weather permits. This way you create a wintergarden multi-seasonal space. If you are not permitted by your body corporate, you can consider mounting a small outdoor heater and you will be amazed at how much it will warm the space. There is a wide variety on the market, including gas or electric models, so you can find the perfect one for your space.

And finally, plants add the natural beauty, tranquillity and oxygen that will complete your balcony to perfection. Remember to choose your plants based on the amount of sun that lands on your balcony and the time it shines directly upon your space. Choose herbs and berries to get the added benefit of being able to use them for your cooking. Our favs are Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Coriander, Thyme, Raspberry, Blueberry and Strawberry. Best sun loving plants that thrive in pots and planters and pack a powerful colour punch are Agapanthus, Bougainvillea, Lavender, and Petunias. Geraniums prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Always check with your local nursery as to how they will grow in your particular space. 

If all these ideas have got you dreaming of an apartment with a great balcony, see our divine selection below. These outstanding properties feature generous outdoor spaces and being off-the plan, will give you some extra time to save for your dream home:

Read more about this property here

Food fest - The Sydney suburbs that are a foodie's paradise

Food fest - The Sydney suburbs that are a foodie's paradise

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 6

There are several Sydney suburbs that are any food lover’s dream, where even the most finicky foodie will be able to eat to their heart’s content. Replete with artisan shops and grocers galore, Marrickville and Surry Hills get our vote as joint winners of Sydney’s Foodie Capital. This week we will start by taking to the streets of Surry Hills in search of gourmet fare. 

Long known as the one of Sydney’s hippest suburbs, here the foodie revolution steams ahead in full force. With a plethora of artisan providores, the quality and array of foodstuff on offer is outstanding. Cramer are big on supporting small business, and never has it been so important to shop small as now, as we are on our way out of lockdown. 

For the best in cheese, try Formaggi Ocello. One of the widest ranging cheese selections in Australia, there is something here for everyone. They also have an outstanding range of cured meats, handmade pasta, olive oil, nuts, condiments, biscuits and wine.

For ready-made pasta extraordinaire, visit Pasta Emilia where you can pick up organic pasta and sumptuous sauce. We recommend the truffle cream sauce with either the beetroot and chevre or pumpkin and ricotta house-made tortellini, but as there are ten varieties to choose from, you’ll find the one for you. Then for the perfect bottle of wine to complement your meal, Osteria Emilia offers an outstanding selection of Italian and Australian wines. And before you leave, be sure to pick up a jar of the Peperoncino Chilli Conserve and tub of Beef Ragú. 

The Soul Deli is a greatly morish café/deli. This little Korean powerhouse offers a range of products, both fresh and packaged, and gorgeous homewares make by Korean community members. With a vast collection of pickles, sauces, kimchi and home BBQ packs, you will not be able to leave this cool little deli empty handed. 

If you are in a rush and want a one stop shop to get all your delicacies, try Crown Street Grocer, where the selection is mind bogglingly good. Surry Hills has a number of really cool little grocers. The family-owned Maloney’s Grocer, New Indian House Surry Hills or Lucky Bamboo Asian Grocery are all stocked with excellent, exotic and exciting produce that will add spice, variety and excitement to your home menu plan. 

And don’t miss the Surry Hills Markets that take place on the first Saturday of every month. The 60+ stalls offer a fantastic array of artisan foodstuff, and you can even get in early and start Christmas shopping once they reopen. An important part of the community since 1981, shopping at this market not only provides you with fantastic produce and specialties, it allows you to support the makers directly.

Then if all else fails to please, we can’t go past the original Bourke Street Bakery without being drawn in by the wholesome, ‘Mama loves you’ smell of the baked goods that beckon. The Red Wine and Mushroom Beef Pie; Bacon, Gruyère and Leek Quiche; humble Green Olive and Rosemary Flatbread; and Ginger Brûlée and Chocolate Ganache Tarts are all mouth-wateringly good.

With covid turning even the least food obsessed of us into would-be gourmet chefs, having the best grocery stores and providores on call is now more important than ever. So, to live in the midst of the foodie action, check out our incredible village development, Surry Hills Village.