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DESIGN | An Apartment Reimagined in Queensland
DESIGN
An Apartment Reimagined in Queensland
Set on the Brisbane River, this three-level apartment was reimagined into a warm, refined home for a young family by designer Samantha Leigh. Stripping the space back to its bones, the renovation balanced sophistication with comfort, creating seamless spaces filled with her signature texture and warmth. At CULTIVER, we are drawn to designers who craft with intention—where every detail tells a story. Samantha’s layered approach blends classic and contemporary influences, with inspiration found in art, fashion, and fleeting moments of beauty. This project embodies her philosophy: that true luxury isn’t just about how a space looks, but how it feels to live in. Take the Tour.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
I run an interior design studio based in Brisbane, working primarily in residential and hospitality design.
What does creativity mean to you and where do you source your inspiration?
To me, creativity is the freedom to explore different ideas from a place of excitement and possibility. I draw inspiration from culture; design and art, fashion, books and films, and nature; travel and exploring new and old places. I have a habit of capturing a million and one photos, just whenever something catches my eye. My team often laughs when I share an image with them because it’s usually a tiny background detail that I am excited by.
How would you describe the aesthetic of your practice?
Our aesthetic varies from project to project, but there’s always an underlying theme of classic yet contemporary design, layered and detailed.
Tell us about this project, what was the brief and inspiration?
The brief was to creatively reimagine our client's existing family home, whilst feasibly adding an extra bedroom and ensuite. The original space felt cold and a little stark, so our primary focus was on introducing warmth and texture.
What are some of your most loved elements?
I love the master ensuite and walk in robe, there are lots of little details in both of those spaces, like the custom hand made architraves that required a lot of coordination to get just right. However, what I love most is the overall feeling we achieved in this home, it is calm, relaxed yet still looks polished.
What architecture and design styles are you inspired by?
I’m drawn to a wide range of design periods, and I love mixing contrasting elements from different eras. I wouldn’t say I follow one particular style, but I often find myself inspired by the detail and craftsmanship from past eras often leave me in awe.
What makes a house feel like a home to you?
Personal, warm, inviting and elevated without feeling contrived.
What does the term ‘luxury’ mean to you?
Elevated every day experiences. A clean house, music playing, good food, wine and company.
What are your daily rituals?
We have a 1 year old, so this is very much a work in progress. Ideally, a meditation to start the day, a morning walk to get a coffee with my son in the pram, squeezing in a podcast on the way back from daycare drop off and then its into the studio for the day. My husband and I love cooking, so we try to make sure our evening meal is something worth looking forward to!
samanthaleigh.com.au
Photography: @dave_wheeler
