When money is no object, what do the ultra-wealthy really want in their dream homes? Thomas Hamel, a New York-born, Sydney-based award-winning interior designer, has spent decades creating breathtaking spaces for Australia's richest residents, transforming their waterfront mansions in Sydney, luxury ski lodges, and penthouse suites in Melbourne into works of art.
Hamel's impressive client roster includes Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and members of the influential Packer family. His signature style brings international luxury with a calm elegance that feels perfectly at home for these globe-trotting clients.
According to Hamel, success in luxury design comes down to creating bespoke "wow moments" – his job is to identify and fine-tune what makes each luxury residence truly unique. From custom-built wellness retreats to furniture designed with specific purpose and intent, he focuses on making these A-list homes deliver an unforgettable experience from the moment clients walk through the front door.
Working on properties from Point Piper in Sydney to Brighton in Melbourne, Hamel specializes in what he calls "quiet luxury," often fulfilling some truly unusual requests along the way.
"We've been fortunate to design homes for clients with exceptional vision and imagination, allowing us to incorporate some wonderfully unexpected and bespoke features," Hamel explains. "The more unusual the request, the more we enjoy the challenge."
Hamel is witnessing a growing trend toward ultra-personalization in luxury home design. "These personal spaces reflect a growing trend and desire for their homes to not only reflect their taste, but to actively support how they live, entertain, unwind and even play," he notes.
Here are five of the most extraordinary design requests Hamel has brought to life:
**1. The Earl's Sedan: A Full British Pub Indoors**
One client wanted a complete British-style pub built inside their private residence in Singapore. The challenge was creating the authentic warmth of a traditional pub without Singapore's gas fire restrictions. Hamel solved this by incorporating rich timber joinery, luxurious leather upholstery, and an electric fireplace that perfectly captures the cozy atmosphere of a classic English pub.
**2. Private 10-Pin Bowling Alley and Entertainment Complex**
For a multi-generational family that loves entertaining, Hamel designed a full-scale private 10-pin bowling alley that serves as the centerpiece of an elaborate entertainment zone. The bowling alley seamlessly connects to a custom-built bar, private cinema area, and pool table nook, creating the ultimate destination for family fun and weekend parties – all without ever leaving home.
**3. Luxury Dressing Room with Hair Salon and Hidden Bar**
One particularly fashion-forward client requested a dressing suite that functions as part high-end boutique, part professional salon, and part private retreat. Hamel created custom cabinetry that houses everything from designer couture gowns to a concealed bar cart, while a dedicated salon area makes daily grooming feel utterly luxurious and indulgent.
**4. Private Wellness Center Featuring Himalayan Salt Wall**
As wellness becomes increasingly central to luxury living, one client wanted a complete spa retreat within their home. Hamel designed a full-service wellness center that includes a yoga studio, steam room, and a stunning pink Himalayan salt wall that provides both atmospheric lighting and health benefits. The design emphasizes serenity through natural textures, ambient lighting, and seamless flow between spaces.
**5. Custom Korean BBQ Table with Sunken Floor Seating**
Inspired by their favorite restaurant in Korea, one family requested a custom-built marble Korean BBQ table complete with integrated grills and recessed floor seating. The family wanted to recreate the communal, lively atmosphere of dining out while enjoying the comfort and privacy of their own home. The space has become the heart of their weekend entertaining.
**The Art of Curation in Luxury Design**
Hamel arrived in Australia in the early 1990s as a young interior designer in his twenties, recognizing an opportunity to establish his business in Sydney's very different design landscape.
"When I first arrived in Australia, there was a limited supply of products and options for clients who were redesigning their homes," Hamel recalls. "I always showed my clients what was happening in the world and what was important when it came to design, and then we'd look at the cost of importing and shipping items from overseas because that was how we did it all back then."
The design world has transformed dramatically since the 1990s. "Back then, it was much more difficult to get international products, fabrics and lighting, but that has changed dramatically. The world has become more global, and that makes my job more difficult to come up with things people haven't seen before," he explains.
Today, Hamel says designing homes for the rich and famous comes down to mastering the art of curation. He actively seeks out antiques, unique sculptures, and collaborates with emerging artisans to create truly distinctive spaces. He's known for taking some of his most discerning clients to Palm Springs, where art consignment stores offer treasures from collections that once belonged to wealthy retired Americans – often at surprisingly reasonable prices.
"Consignment shops become a place of discovery; it's where I like to take my top Melbourne and Sydney clients to find pieces for their homes," Hamel explains.
Hamel also regularly visits specialty stores like Kazari in Melbourne and Orient House in Sydney, searching for unique antiques sourced from Japan, India, Bali, and South Africa.
"I am known for a calm, edited look and have never been too gimmicky," says Hamel. "It's fun to have a zing moment in the home, but you want everything to be harmonious. Everything needs calmness, and to successfully achieve this, it comes down to layering everything within and making sure what is on display tells a story."
Through his work with Australia's elite, Hamel has established himself as a master of creating spaces that are both luxurious and livable, proving that when money is truly no object, the only limit is imagination.
