By Greg Natale
Greg Natale was engaged by a private client to design a game-changing private suite from which to cheer on the Geelong Cats AFL team at all home games.
Taking his cues from the Polo Lounge in New York City, Natale set about creating a sumptuous clubhouse feel with intricately detailed coffered ceilings and custom Tasmanian Oak flooring and joinery throughout.
Cambrian black granite bench tops and custom brass trim brings a luxurious touch. Ceiling lights, wall sconces and table lamps from Ralph Lauren cast a moody, intimate glow in the evenings when the stadium lights flood the playing field. Ralph Lauren cushions contribute a softening, decorative layer.
Ensuring that this suite be unlike any other, Greg Natale designed all furniture specifically for the space: stools, tables, lounges, banquettes, side tables and chairs with beautiful timbers, luxurious leathers and brass hardware.
Wallpaper from Greg Natale’s collection for Porter’s Paints underscores the owner’s allegiance to the Geelong Cats with the teams colours in blue and white as well as Cats memorabilia and rare team artefacts adorning the walls.
New steel and glass window partitions were designed to connect the outdoor terrace to the indoor spaces. Here a custom tessellated pattern was created in floor tiles using the team colours.
Greg Natale, founder and director of Greg Natale, is a multi-award-winning Australian designer known for his innovative approach to creating highly detailed and uniquely curated spaces. His designs have featured in numerous local and international publications, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decoration, Vanity Fair, Vogue Living and Belle. Among the many awards to his name are Belle Interior Designer of the Year for both 2011 and 2014, and the 2021 Australian House & Garden Room of the Year. He has been named one of The World's Most Influential Designers by AD Mexico and a Design Visionary by Harper's Bazaar Interiors Middle East.
At the core of Greg Natale's intricately layered approach is tailoring to his client's individual tastes and needs. His passion for materiality, colour, pattern, and geometry motivates the designer to consistently explore new avenues and design genres through his work, weaving various references from classic to contemporary into his designs.
Greg has released three books on interior design showcasing his unique style: The Tailored Interior (published by Hardie Grant Books Australia in 2014), The Patterned Interior (published by Rizzoli NY in 2018) and The Layered Interior (published by Rizzoli NY in 2022). He continues to expand his business and currently has his own line of products available online and at the Greg Natale flagship store in Sydney, as well as leading homewares stockists in Australia, North America, Europe and Asia.