FROM THE TOP

Taking his ue from the stunning view, property tycoon Zaki Amee ‘s Sydney home is comfortable and colourful Words Lucy Land 0 riginally from Sri Lanka, entrepreneur Zaki Ameer migrated to Australia at the age of 18. He previously lived in elegant Mosman, Sydney’s Lower North Shore suburb, known for its manicured storefronts, smart mansions and beloved Balmoral Beach, for seven years. However, the pull of the eastern suburbs of Sydney proved enough to make him swap enviable ocean views for a harbour vista from his Potts Point apartment, with his wife Nour Gazal Issa. “Rather like my stays in Dubai, I wanted to be in the most vibrant part of Sydney,” he enthuses. “My new address is close to Kings Cross, which is the entertainment hub of Sydney, yet boasts beautiful views of Sydney Harbour.” During one of their Dubai trips, Nour chose the decor and furniture for their new Australian home, without even seeing it. “One Saturday, she looked at a floorplan for 20 minutes, drew up the rooms and after two days of brainstorming, she had a complete moodboard,” he says, proudly. “Within 24 hours, she walked into a few stores, such as Marina Home, THE One, and Homes R Us, and bought everything, from our huge bed to the teaspoon that I’m currently stirring my tea with.” She even managed the shipping system from the UAE to Australia, while standing at a counter of a furniture store. Zaki’s previous home, where he lived before meeting his wife, was very minimalistic in style, with white and red being the predominant colours. In contrast, Nour injected personality into their Potts Point apartment, taking the stunning view as a starting point. “I showed photos of the apartment to Nour, and its incredible view wowed us — it was the reason we chose it.” Nour’s choice of colours were taken from the vista, such as blue (from the ocean), oranges and pale red (of the rooftops) and bright yellow (from the sunshine), while white provided the base. “White symbolises our pure hearts,” Zaki reveals. “As I’m island-born and Nour is a beach soul, we like a good mix of things, and we chose happy colours to reflect a happy life.” Their selection of furniture, meanwhile, reflected the couple’s heritage and interests. In their spacious living room, with its panoramic view of Sydney Harbour, their love of nature is reflected in the wood shelving system and large dining table, and in the artworks of colourful birds on the walls. There are bright Moroccan cushions on the oversized, neutral sofa, while a blue Moroccan coffee table, which anchors the room, also adds an Arabic touch. Two blue chairs, one at either end of the dining table, match the coffee table, bringing the separate dining and living areas together. A dog sculpture, a horse’s head artwork, a chess board and French armchairs are on show, too. “Our choice of pieces reflects our backgrounds, with Nour coming from Lebanon, a former French colony; and as Sri Lanka is a former English colony, our home reflects both of our cultures, combined with my Moroccan heritage.” Art was chosen to complement the light and moods of different spaces. For example, the darker hallway is given an autumnal feel, with a dark blue console and an orange painting. A second painting was bought at a charity event auction, and is filled with thousands of wishes, written in bright colours, by children under the age of 10. To create a calm space, Nour gave the home office a beach vibe, with a colour scheme of blue, white and taupe. “I’m a bit of a workaholic, especially as I work in two time zones Australian and Emirati,” Zaki admits. The master bedroom also offers a tranquil atmosphere, with its huge turquoise and off-white French mirror and window that frames the park and marina, while Nour has placed the bed strategically to maximise the views. “The quiet room is perfect for relaxing and simultaneously being creative”. It’s clear that Zaki and Nour’s home is a place of comfort and inspiration. Image(s) text: CC The apartment’s incredible view wowed us — it was the reason we chose it HOME COMFORTS My top ome decor tip is… Choose accessories and artworks that you and your family connect to or that reflects your personalities. My style rule is… Keep it simple and ensure there is space for creativity, conversations and flow of energy. Home is… A place to rest, refresh and be creative.