Interior designer Leslie Walford penthouse contents gross about $540,000

The decluttering of the Princeton, Double Bay penthouse of the late interior design doyen Leslie Walford has perhaps given price clarity.

It was listed for sale last month with $4.5 million-plus hopes through Christies International agent Ken Jacobs, but now the apartment comes with a $4.95 million asking price.

The contents of the Walford apartment were sold at weekend auction through Mossgreen. The sales tally suggest around $540,000 was grossed, including the buyer's premium, from about 400 household items.

The items represented five decades of accumulation by the noteworthy decorator to old Sydney money – and some later arrivistes.

They were listed by Walford's partner, Colin Davies.

The penthouse with 279-square-metre garden terracing sits atop the 1939 Art Deco building with northerly views across the harbour to Manly.

The interiors showcased the tastes of Walford, who retired just five years ago after an international career spanning five decades.

It was built with polished timber floorboards, high vaulted ceilings, ornate cornices, curved bay windows and french doors.

The initial Double Bay purchase cost $125,000 in 1975 from Sabrina Van der Linden.

The apartment, which comes with 500 square metres of space, was consolidated with another purchase in 1978 from the photographer Ann Riddell.

More Princeton penthouse photos on page 2