Innholdsfortegnelse for #6 i Best Homes

Although the existing Mornington Peninsula residence belonging to these homeowners was a dated holiday kit home, it offered an interesting two-storey New England-style front. The homeowners really loved the feel of this front extension and wanted to renovate the home and extend it to accommodate their needs. The owners wanted to level the walkthrough to the new works with an open, light and contemporary airy adaptation of the New England style. The task was to remove the elevated holiday kit home and create an extension, including a dining walk-through, into the great room, which features the family kitchen, scullery and highlight windows. This opens up to a north-facing swimming pool and glazed storeroom, which can be accessed from the family room and serviced from the scullery. On the southern side,…

The California House in Blackwood Park, Adelaide, has been uniquely designed to suit the elevated site and surrounding environment in the southern foothills. This Lares Homes design is a reinterpretation of the iconic mid-century modern style of architecture. The threebedroom residence is full of light and features an open floor plan, with a focus on opening up interior spaces and bringing the outdoors in. Each space is designed with purpose, using walls and screens to create areas that are at once separate and connected. The kitchen is expansive and the epitome of luxury, boasting Caesarstone benchtops and Miele appliances. Cooking and preparation zones are placed to the side, freeing up the island bar for entertaining friends and family. A unique butler’s-style pantry wraps around the back of the main kitchen…

These NSW Central Coast clients — working parents with two young children — chose Broadworth to design and construct a threebedroom, modest-sized home with just enough space for their young family. Architecturally, they wanted the home to reflect the local/ coastal materiality of weatherboards/ lightweight cladding, while having a contemporary form and roofline. They had renovated a home and lived in it, but their second residence was a project home that left them disappointed with the process and surprise costs throughout the build. They had previously built using in-situ construction methods but decided to utilise the modular system for their third house — their first modular home build — to benefit from the reduced construction time and a predictable budget. As they had just sold their existing home, they needed…

Rewarding though it was, the building of Longwood was challenging. Its rammed earth, timber and steel make it feel like a building from a bygone era, but it is brought into the present by modern Australian architecture, high-end finishes and artisans who took pride and passion in their work. The Mudgee home was built to an exacting 600mm grid. For instance, there are v-joints that run on both the x- and y-axis throughout the house, unbroken from the ground right through to the roofline. There is also a 2400mmhigh datum line detailed in blackbutt that runs unbroken around the entire exterior and interior of the house. The material make-up raised many structural issues that needed to be resolved. The use of rammed earth throughout the north-facing wall, which includes a…

Four separate living zones make the Ferny Hills Merricks an entertainer’s dream. Each area can be utilised separately or guests can “flow” between areas. The living spaces are generously sized, providing enough room for large groups of people. The home features a huge hostess kitchen with bay windows to the property views, a large pantry and appliance cupboard. The home was designed for a young family with an emphasis on maintaining functionality throughout the years as the children grow. Designed to suit a large rural block with fantastic views, rear decking was installed around the north side of the home, which provides the owners with a generous outdoor living and entertaining space. The bedrooms and study are on the south side of the house and all living areas are to…

FAIR DINKUM FEDERATION SERIES Featured here is the Caulfield, with a range of seven different sizes and floor plans. The 24-square (223m²) home is only $124,985 for the deluxe with lock-up package, including GST. Inside the home you will find four bedrooms, a living room, meals area/ family room, kitchen with walk-in pantry, laundry and two bathrooms. When built on a project-managed basis, the home takes approximately 16 weeks to construct, with a choice of weatherboard or brick. As the name suggests, the Harkaway Homes Fair Dinkum Federation Series Caulfield is an authentic-reproduction Federation home with a wide range of traditional features. These include high 3.6m external walls, 3m ceilings, a Federation roofline, integrated verandah, leadlighttopped box-bay windows, leadlight front-door frame with cricket-bat-entry door, Federation-line casement windows, Federation friezes and…

These homeowners wanted their new kitchen, bathrooms and laundry to reflect the period of their home and their love of traditional styling. They called on Patrick Raschella from Magic Kitchens & Furniture to help them achieve their goal. The all-white spaces have been designed to be true to the home’s era. “For the kitchen, we have incorporated a highly functional butler’s pantry, integrated appliances and the Hettich InnoTech drawer system with internal fittings to match,” says Patrick. “As a result, the homeowners are now excited to use their glamorous new space where everything is at their fingertips and within easy reach, making cooking and entertaining a pleasure.” Cabinet doors, panels and kickboard Solid timber painted with two-pack polyurethane Internal hardware Hettich Mouldings Solid timber Benchtop Reconstituted stone Handles Dorset Tempore…

Taking on a modern Shaker style, this kitchen, built by Max Saliba for Gallery Co, incorporates curved features that blend beautifully with the rest of the Art Deco-inspired apartment. The curved corner benchtops, cabinets and doors invite your eye to wander freely around the space and appreciate all the subtle touches. “We embraced the owners’ desire for their smaller stainless-steel appliances and coffee machine to become an integral part of the kitchen so they could explore their love of coffee,” says Juliet Black of Interior Designs. Centre stage, the beautiful veins of the vertical Calacatta Oro marble is juxtaposed by the stainless-steel island benchtop, which in turn makes the modern stainless-steel appliances unobtrusive and complementary to the overall feel. A discreet and intimate space, with separate sink and pullout bin,…

Imagine you have just finished hosting yet another amazing dinner party, everything from the crab-filled witlof leaves crowned with salmon pearls for entrée to the Bombe Alaska that lit like a towering inferno right on cue. What a night. You close the door on the final guest and return to the kitchen, basking in your own accomplishments. This euphoria is short-lived, however, as you survey the damage. Your benchtop looks like a battlefield and endless scraps litter every surface. Looking for a lifeline, you reach for the trusty kitchen bin, only to find it brimming with predinner preparation. You sigh as you watch the remnants of the Alaskan meringue gracefully cascading down the side of the bin towards the floor. The post-dinner clean-up begins. Alternatively, you could consider installing a…

We all like a little luxury ... and that extends to our outdoor living and entertaining spaces. When we step outside, we want to feel as if we’re taking a mini vacation. And when we gather around the outdoor dining table or take a dip in the pool, we want to be transported — even if it’s only for a short time, far away from the bustle of daily life. The owners of this garden in the southern Sydney suburb of Dolans Bay can enjoy that holiday-at-home experience any time they like, thanks to the construction expertise of Glenn Simpson Landscapes. When the Glenn Simpson team came on board, a basic design had been outlaid however as work progressed, changed dramatically to deliver this relaxed but luxurious garden. The home…

When it comes to natural Australian beauty, it’s difficult to surpass the world-renowned Blue Mountains region of New South Wales. “Borrowing from this amazing landscape was a pleasure,” says designer Steve Warner of OUTHOUSE design, who created this garden and outdoor room in Blaxland, a charming town in the lower Blue Mountains. But with this beautiful location came challenges. “A vital component of the design process was following the strict set guidelines when designing within a bushfire-prone area,” says Steve. “We had to design a garden that visually connects with the bushland but still achieves the required policy controls in a bushfire-prone area.” The client purchased their land as a clear block. It was originally part of a larger parcel of land and, quite surprisingly, was a private light aircraft…

A steeply sloping garden presents an opportunity to create something aesthetically pleasing and extremely usable — you just need to combine design expertise with construction excellence. This garden, located in Sydney’s northern suburbs, is a case in point. Designed by Julian Brady of Sitedesign Studios and built by Dekker Landscapes, under the guiding hand of company founder, Alex Dekker, it provides the family with the multi-functional outdoor retreat they desired. The goal was to maximise the space, creating a series of level areas that could be safely used by everyone. Outdoor entertaining was high on the family’s agenda and they wanted a garden that had a modern, but not clinical, look. The first level is a deck of hardwood timber that flows from the rear of the house. This is…

Gardens with a compelling classical undertone are always popular. There is something timeless about them and they have a restrained elegance that ensures they transcend passing fads and changing trends. This garden in Seaforth, north of Sydney, is a melodious mix of classic and contemporary notes that strike a pitch-perfect chord, thanks to the expertise of designer Matt Leacy, founder of Landart Landscapes + Pools. “The homeowners’ brief was to create a functional, free-flowing space for the family and their friends,” explains Matt. “Places to play, swim and entertain were a necessity. In terms of the design, it has a lot of classic elements with a simple, refined palette of materials and plants. There are definitely contemporary elements as well, though.” Creating a seamless indoor-outdoor transition, the home’s bifold doors…

Plants make a garden. They’re what draw us out and make us want to linger. This exquisite garden by Jane Jones Landscapes is a stunning case in point — it was also the winner of the Plants in the Landscape category in the 2016 Landscaping Victoria Industry Awards. A garden of loose informal design, it features lush mass plantings of contrasting foliage and texture to create year-round interest. “The primary goal was to realise a design that would enhance the then newly renovated Victorian home while complementing the owner’s lifestyle needs and artistic aesthetic,” explains designer Jane Jones. “The owner is an artist who desired a garden with pockets of varying interest constructed through layers of foliage and contrasting textural qualities.” At the rear, the house opens onto a large…

Surrounded by lawn and framed by a garden largely comprised of exotic plants, the new gazebo was an attractive destination, but something was missing. The garden needed a journey. Ben Harris Gardens was engaged by the owners of the property, located in the Melbourne suburb of Lysterfield, to reimagine their garden, making the gazebo — and how you arrived there — an integral part of the design. They also wanted more native plants and a natural water feature. The new garden uses a variety of Australian native plants, many of them bird-attracting, and exotics that complement the existing planting, but it’s the water feature that is the centrepiece. “Initially, the owners had the idea of a large pond, but after finding out that keeping fish was not important to them,…

Tiles to tough the elements If the name Monier sounds familiar, that’s because this company has been in the roofing business for more than 100 years. Monier recently revealed its latest foray into roofing solutions with the Elemental range, and this one is special. Inferred by the name, Elemental has been developed to withstand whatever nature can throw at it, including hail, heat, salt and storms, and its secret lies in the materials. Created from an advanced fibre-reinforced engineered composite material, which was developed from a technology commonly used in the automotive and aerospace industries, Elemental is perfect for Australia’s often harsh weather conditions. “Advanced composites are made from a process that sees high-strength resin reinforced with glass and subsequently compressed; this then cures and enables the material to harden…

Hamptons-style homes are undeniably in vogue and growing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. The gable-style roofs, detailed architraves, white picket fences and timber wall panelling have been on the silver screen for decades, evoking a sense of luxury and style. However, the look has been traditionally American, and introducing it to Australian shores hasn’t been a natural evolution. In part, this is because many Australian homes are double brick, while the traditional Hamptons exterior is timber slats. There are, however, similarities between Hamptons homes and old Queenslanders, with both styles set high on their land to allow breezes to waft through, and timber detailing and white trims, perhaps explaining the popularity of the style in the northern states. The good thing about emulating style, however, is that…

If you want to get the maximum use out of your alfresco living area, you need an effective form of climate control — and to get the best solution for your specific requirements, you need specialist advice. Shadeform specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of modern high-quality shade sails, blinds and retractable sails and awnings. For the ultimate in versatility, Shadeform has perfected its hugely popular Shaderunner retractable shade system. Drawing on its owner’s background in sail making for the yachting industry, Shadeform created a sturdy and stylish system with an attractive nautical appearance. The Shaderunner utilises Ronstan ball-bearing sailing pulleys, is supported by stainless-steel wires for strength and longevity, and its design ensures maximum flexibility. The Shaderunner is relevant to all styles of property, from the most contemporary…

Laser-cut outdoor metal art brings warmth and textural beauty to any exterior space — and if you’re looking for a focal point to enhance an outdoor design, a beautifully crafted wall plaque, light box, sculpture or planter is a stunning addition. An undeniable leader in the field is the multi-award-winning studio Entanglements. All pieces are designed in the Melbourne studio and the extensive range includes metal outdoor wall art, free-standing sculptures, light boxes, seating, decorative screens, privacy partitions, letter boxes, screen doors, planter boxes, garden edging, pergolas, patio heating and firepits. You can choose from Entanglements’ offthe- shelf collections or commission a custommade piece — and the choice of styles is just as diverse as the range of products. Design themes range from contemporary, coastal and resort living to Moroccan,…

Many people try to stand out from their neighbours, friends and competitors. This was one of the main driving factors for Craig Absolum, managing director of Crave Stainless Designs, when starting his business 15 years ago. Craig wanted to produce quality stainlesssteel products that would not only impress his customers, but also be a talking point. Crave Designs has certainly achieved that. Crave Stainless Designs’ products have become highly sought-after, with landscaping companies, builders, renovators and even large corporate clients wanting one or more of Craig’s designs. What appeals to those looking for something different in the water feature space is Crave Stainless Designs’ ability and desire to work to any measurement. From the start, Craig understood that one size does not fit all, which has been the key that…

This block in South Coogee, overlooking the ocean in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, featured a very old brick house that no longer took advantage of its enviable location. The solution was to knock it down so that the new homeowners could build their dream home, which they can enjoy for many years. “The site was steep and very narrow, which made it difficult to work with, however due to our many years of building experience, this was not the first time that we had to work with a narrow site,” say Nino Sanzari and Jon Vithoulka of Starr Constructions, who were entrusted with the build. The clients, a family of two adults and two children, envisaged a very luxurious, modern family home. Ultimately they wanted their dream home. Inspiration for the…

Aspect has a unique service, which sensitively blends individual design relevant to today’s lifestyles with practical construction expertise. With unparalleled excellence in authentic architectural diversity and more than a generation of experience, Aspect has become a benchmark in the prestige residential marketplace offering an all-inclusive service of building, interiors and landscape design as well as project management. Our philosophy at Aspect Designs is to combine detailed and innovative concepts with a strong and continual personal interaction with every client. In doing this, we create a superior product reflecting the client’s self-expression and individuality, Through our close relationship with our preferred builders and by co-ordinating all the vital links in the chain of constructing an individual home, we are able to produce a superior result and save you time and money…

The home provides a fantastic opportunity to capture abundant light. “Our objective was to create a contemporary design with a relaxed feel,” says Richard Gremmo. “There are finishes and inclusions that you wouldn’t usually find in a display home. We have more than 20 years of experience as a custom home builder, and we are well aware of the design concepts and inclusions that are both popular and also functional. We have worked hard to create an adaptable layout that can be easily adjusted to accommodate unique circumstances, such as narrow width lots and sloping sites.” The home has a substantial street presence, accentuated by two advanced native Brachychiton ‘Bottle’ trees. Welcoming wideformed stairs provide a subtle transition from the footpath to the entry of the home, framed by a…

“The Chifley is a beautiful design with a unique facade that stands apart from other homes. It has much to crow about, with its designer elements that come together in a beautiful and luxurious fusion,” says builder Matthew Hackett of Rawson Homes. The Chifley creates the perfect family space; its design offers a number of private areas to retreat to, as well as communal spaces where entertaining will be a pleasure. The indoor and outdoor areas of the home flow seamlessly from one to the other, allowing for relaxed and comfortable living, as well as generous airflow throughout. There is a well-planned alfresco area leading off from the open-plan living spaces inside, offering an additional area to entertain or relax in. “This abode is designed for large and growing families…

Contemporary living is all about creating seamlessly integrated spaces tied together by eclectic materials and functional design. This is exactly what Q&J Constructions has produced with this Aspendale, Victoria home. Clean lines to the exterior facade enable the home to fashion a mix of textures, including timber and brick, for an inviting look. When entering the residence one is greeted with stunning hardwood floors that expand through the first floor. On the ground floor is the spacious open kitchen/living and dining space. Crisp white walls and 3m-high ceilings add to the feeling of spaciousness, creating a continuous line for the eye to follow, while cleverly placed rugs section off each area for its own purpose. A stunning stone waterfall kitchen island benchtop sits at the centre of the kitchen, adding…

Striking, eye-catching and stunning are just a few of the adjectives that can be used to describe the creations of American Home Designs. Combining bold external appearances with practical and liveable interiors, designs by American Home Designs look and feel like something out of a Hollywood movie. All homes are made to suit your lifestyle and budget to give you the home of your dreams. When designing your home, an experienced design consultant works with you one on one, from concept to completion, paying close attention to vital factors to ensure each need is met and an efficient plan is designed for you and the way you live. The featured home is just one of the many inspiring designs created by American Home Designs. American Homes’ builder, Ritchie, built the…

Many things make this room special, but mostly it’s the enjoyment the owners get from it. To transform what was a dark room with no character into something spectacular was a challenge, but now, with the large opening in the brick wall, everyone wants to step into the kitchen the moment they enter the house. “This was important to the owners as they wanted a space they would enjoy themselves, but also where they could entertain guests,” says designer Alan Schull of Kitchen Shop Qld. “Functionality was also a key consideration and includes swing-up shelves for heavy appliances, inner drawers to save bending down, slide-out bins, and corner mechanisms to utilise those areas that are normally hard to reach.” The kitchen is now a central part of the home, with…

Steam cooking has been popular at top restaurants for decades, so it’s no surprise homeowners are after it too for at-home dining perfection. Enter Steel, a company that offers the only upright cooker in the Australian retail market with combi-steam technology built right in. Combi-steam cooking utilises a combination of regular oven cooking with the added use of steam. This provides an improved cooking experience by stopping food from drying out, helping to preserve nutrients and vitamins and delivering improved taste. You’ll save time and energy as heat transmission is eight times more efficient, so cooking times are reduced by up to 15 per cent. Steel’s entire range of steel ovens and cookers is available with this unique function. The interiors of the ovens are made from high-quality 304-grade stainless…

A Total Concept Landscape Architects was commissioned to design the swimming pool and gardens for this Sydney property more than 15 years ago. Recently, principal of the company, John Storch, was requested to incorporate two outdoor rooms, one an extensive cabana and the other, an entertaining area for adults. “The location of the entertaining area was set immediately across from the house and runs the full width of the property,” says John. The elevated area close to the indoor lounge and kitchen has been developed for entertaining, with pleasant views of the new cabana and fully tiled pool. “The cabana was set adjacent to the swimming pool to the rear of the property to visually maximise the lawn and garden,” says John. The underside of the cabana was used as…

A well-designed garden is one with good “bones” and an authentic sense of place. It fits seamlessly into its surroundings, makes the most of its assets, and it enhances the lifestyle of those who will be using it. Although a well-designed garden looks as if its creation was close to effortless, considerable knowledge (of soils, plants, materials and the like) is required — and if you have a waterside location, finding someone with the requisite expertise is essential. The owner of Nautilus, an award-winning property located south of Sydney on Burraneer Bay, approached accomplished landscape architect Brandon Wallis, director of Sitedesign Studios, because of his extensive experience designing waterfront landscapes. Such proficiency was critical as it was imperative the landscape design not only complement the remarkable residence, but that it…

This stunning pool proves that good things come in small packages, with a 7m x 4m pool transforming the backyard into a luxurious retreat. The owners engaged a landscape architect to design a pool and garden that integrated into the existing style and feel of the home, while being both aesthetically pleasing and functional. With its simple and modern design, the rectangular geometric pool satisfies the owner’s vision and complements the sleek lines of the existing home. The addition of a glass wall on one side transforms the pool into a visually stunning feature. The pool is tiled in black-glass mosaics, providing the perfect backdrop for the fully automated LED colour-changing lights. The lights reflect the luminous shade of the glass mosaics, flooding the pool in colour and adding a…

When the call went out to Japanese garden specialist Moto Kihara of Kihara Landscapes, this home was nearing completion. Original landscaping plans had been prepared by Jack Merlo Design, together with Orbis Constructions, but one of the homeowners is Japanese and wanted a genuine Japanese garden constructed by a Japanese garden professional. The newly built home includes a Japanese tea room, complete with imported tatami floor mats, which overlooks one section of the garden. It was here that Kihara Landscapes was asked to design and construct a very traditional Japanese garden — one the owner could look out on and enjoy when performing the Japanese tea ceremony. Kihara Landscapes was also charged with building the remaining outdoor areas. Other parts of the home have a more contemporary look than the…

For their property in Sydney’s south, this young family requested a new pool, entertainment area and sun shelter that would satisfy not only the family’s youngest members, but also provide elements for mum and dad to enjoy. “We designed an uninterrupted and integrated space that flows from the main home through to the garden,” says Brian Formosa of Design Pools. “The result is an innovative indoor/outdoor space that caters for the active kids while also offering generous spaces in which to unwind and relax.” Built on a large 1000sqm flat block, the modern pool that the family selected is rectangular in shape. Design Pools, which built and designed the pool, incorporated timeless travertine paving and coping, spotted gum hardwood decking and glass fencing by Pronto Glass for the finishing touches.…

If you want to garner some clever ideas for creating your own outdoor living or entertaining space, visiting a premium display home is a great idea. This is the recommendation of Graham Taylor, founder of Distinctive Landscapes, who is working with Masterton Homes to build the external living spaces for several of its impressive new display properties. “What we are trying to achieve with the Masterton display homes is to integrate different styles of landscaping and design so that people can get ideas for their own homes. When we are designing and installing the landscaping for a Masterton display home it is all about lifestyle, functionality, and showcasing a variety of styles to suit individual personalities,” explains Graham. The outdoor areas featured here are a case in point. One is…

We all know how important first impressions are. A nearly indelible impression is formed when meeting someone for the first time, and your home is no different. In the past, people would drive past potential homes and if the exterior was lacklustre, they’d usually keep driving. If you were lucky, they’d stop and take a peek inside. Nowadays, nine out of 10 people start their search for a property on the internet, meaning the first impression will dictate who will come and inspect the house. This makes your roof arguably the most important element of your home when it comes to first impressions. Stewart Bunn of First National Real Estate says a wellmaintained roof adds to the perception that the home is in good condition, and conversely, prospective buyers are…

When you’ve got high standards and three young boys, finding a dream home can seem like an impossible task. And that’s the experience Jenna and Paul were having as they hunted for their forever home in the Illawarra region, south of Sydney. Nothing they saw quite lived up to their vision of a family home, which was a special blend of classic style and practical layout for their growing tribe. “We’d been looking for a stylish home where the children could have free rein,” says Jenna. “Being within a reasonable distance of Wollongong was important but we wanted to be far enough away to make coming home feel like we were out of the hustle and bustle.” A VISION OF CLASSIC COASTAL CHIC Although having a functional, family-friendly home was…

This stunning futuristic home, designed by Michael MacCormick of MacCormick-Simonian Architects, consists of two living pavilions resting above a stone podium. It houses five bedrooms and provides magnificent views of Middle Harbour. The steel structure that tethers the pavilions morphs into a natural dramatic canopy, protecting the outdoor entertaining area from sun and rain, while also realising an inner area of landscaped garden. The use of open space and geometrically arranged natural cane reed under polycarbonate roofing creates a seamless ambience of natural light, harbour views and nature, blended with superb modern artistry. House of Bamboo supplied the cane reed and continues its tradition of providing natural, sustainable materials that are highly practical and versatile for imaginative shading and cladding projects. Here, cane reed, as with other House of Bamboo…

For an outdoor living space you can use year-round, you need the experts from Outrigger Awnings & Sails. Outrigger specialises in the creation of high-quality custom-designed shade and rainproof fabric structures for all domestic and commercial applications. Designs include retracting, batten and cantilevered awnings, awnings for carports and pergolas, as well as shade sails and outdoor blinds. Designed for strength and longevity, Outrigger’s impressive awnings are the ideal choice when you want year-round coverage in a high-wind area. Outrigger retracting awnings can withstand winds up to 100km/h while the company’s fixed awnings are rated for winds up to 140km/h. All awnings are custom designed and engineered by company owner Andrew Perry and fabricated in the Outrigger factory in Sydney, so you can be assured each product will be specifically tailored…

Glass is unquestionably on trend right now and is used in many of Australia’s best homes to create the light, open-plan living spaces we love. Whether it be feature glass windows, frameless shower screens, bifold doors or glass pool fencing, glass surfaces create a spacious, designer aesthetic. But how do you keep them all clean and looking like new? EnduroShield creates a protective barrier that stops contaminants from etching into the glass surface, which is quite porous. Instead, water and contaminants bead up on the protective treatment just like in a non-stick fry pan, and are then easily wiped off with a damp microfibre cloth and a mild detergent. In the bathroom, glass shower screens are protected from a build-up of soap scum and grime, decreasing the time and effort…

When it comes to garden edging, you need a product that is strong, versatile and weather resistant — and you can’t get anything that fits the bill better than steel. Greenlines Gardenware’s FormBoss range of low-maintenance steel garden edging lets you be the boss of your own garden design. Greenlines Gardenware offers a large array of easy-to-install domestic and commercialgrade steel edging solutions ranging from flush edges to 400mm-high retaining walls. You also have a choice of galvanised steel, ZAM (exclusive looking and ultra durable) or Corten steel (boasting a weathered finish), and various gauges to ensure the edging is of the appropriate strength for your project. FormBoss edging systems allow you to create curves and angles with ease, and thanks to the rounded top edge and hidden stakes and…

Retirement is the time to sit back and enjoy the finer things in life. Semiretired homeowners Peter and Lyn couldn’t agree more, and were at a point in their lives where they were ready to enjoy their new home, a retirement retreat close to the beach at Tamarama, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. “Their brief to us was to gain as much of the view as possible from all aspects, and for the concrete finish to be the best it could be in its extensive use throughout the building,” say Frank and Nando Sciacca, directors of SFN Constructions, who built the residence. The home was built on the site of what was an old block of three brick-veneer units with a tiled roof. Now in its place is a three-bedroom, threebathroom…

For this home, ACG Building took out the coveted 2016 HIA NSW HIA CSR NSW Home of the Year, HIA NSW Custom Built Home Over $5 Million and the HIA NSW Custom Built Home of the Year at the 2016 HIA-CSR NSW Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards. A landmark in Yowie Bay, the masterpiece property is a celebration of life and family and every aspect has been dealt with meticulously to the last millimetre. Construction included demolition of the existing property, footing and structural construction, a wet-edge pool, frameless glass panels, internal feature walls and hand-selected timber flooring. There is magnificent use of quality timber throughout. The main entry includes two large panels, which are perfectly parallel, reaching into the skies above. The waterfront property is superb in its…

Replacing a 1930s asbestos ‘dump’ in the waterside suburb of Sans Souci, in Sydney’s south, with a four-bedroom home was no easy feat for builders NJK Property Group or architect Darren Miller. However, the resulting family residence was so impressive that it has since featured on the television program Best Houses Australia and in the 2014 MBA of NSW’s Excellence in Housing Awards. It also recently sold for the record highest-selling price for a non-waterfront property in Sans Souci. The light-filled home, perfect for entertaining and with a large garage accommodating four cars, belongs to a couple and their young son and daughter. After the 80-year-old home was demolished, most of the new two-storey residence was then constructed with Dincel, a concrete-filled PVC wall system. A four-car basement and below-ground…

Casual living can also be urbane and cultured — this is where Hamptons style shines. This four-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-storey home is simple and sophisticated with exceptional attention to detail. Every aspect of the abode has been crafted with the end user in mind — a discerning buyer who enjoys comfort, classic good looks and character. There is also a little French provincial style in the mix — seen in aspects such as the use of curved wrought iron and the home’s earthy tones. In the kitchen, white Shaker-style cabinetry, silver curved handles, marble benchtop, glass inserts and feature lighting reflect the Hamptons style. Tucked behind this space is a butler’s pantry, so when entertaining, there’s no need to leave the party to clean up as you go. In the bathroom,…

Originally located next to the tragic Thredbo landslip site, Gunyang Lodge needed an impressive redesign, so architect and avid skier David Law was commissioned to rebuild this historic building. The project represented a fresh and positive start for the lodge. Cost was a major consideration and building the lodge off-site was not only the quickest way to see the job completed, but also the most costeffective solution. “Extreme challenges face anyone who builds in the winter months in Thredbo, but back in June 2005, building commenced in the comfort of our NSW Central Coast construction site in Somersby,” says designer and builder John McDougall of Parkwood Modular Buildings. Everything came together in November 2005 when the new, fitted-out Gunyang Lodge was transported in 14 sections from Somersby to Thredbo. Then…

Storybook Designer Homes is dedicated to producing beautiful residences. These projects are stateof- the-art, high-character design solutions at extremely competitive prices. Clients have the option of choosing traditional, classic, beach or modern styles and regardless of the building site — level, sloping or narrow — Storybook will create something special. Pictured are a few of the 2000 individual designs Storybook Designer Homes has created recently for its ownerbuilder clients. The process of individual design does not depend only on the floor plan and external shape of the house. Rather, it is the total desired impression inside and out. Storybook Designer Homes started out by providing products to satisfy the cottage and traditional market, but quickly realised there was a demand for more contemporary and coastal looks. Today, Storybook is proud…

This home is spacious, contemporary, clean and functional, with a sprinkling of luxury thrown in for good measure. For this retired couple, a home that ticked the opulence box was important. The clients wanted a residence that presented beautifully and accommodated themselves and their grown-up sons when they visit. Bellmarch Homes was the builder of choice to bring this client’s home to life, having been referred via other clients and selected because of its excellent track record building exceptional luxury homes in and around Sydney. The home is situated in Terrigal, NSW, a sought-after corner of the world. It is less than two hours to Sydney’s city and is a particularly beautiful stretch of coastline. It boasts a superb beach and excellent accessibility to outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming,…

For the owners of this Sydney property, Shaun Wright, senior designer at A Total Concept, has created a space that incorporates everything a family could want for both day-to-day living and weekend socialising at home. The rear of the property looked out onto a bushland reserve but had little privacy from adjacent neighbours, so A Total Concept bounded the entire area with a formal hedge garden. This created a concealed space in which Shaun was able to develop a stunning outlook from the kitchen and living areas of the home. The cabana services the pool users in the family and incorporates a small entertaining area for relaxing and enjoying the wall-mounted LCD television. The project boasts simple clean lines to integrate the home with the pool, cabana and garden area.…

Moving from their large family home with an established garden and swimming pool that required lots of maintenance, these homeowners selected this inner-city Sydney home due to the positive layout that creates a multitude of wall hanging space for their extensive art collection. “The brief for us was clear: they wanted a modern garden that was easy to maintain, while still acting as a backdrop to exhibit a number of sculpture pieces,” says designer Steve Warner from OUTHOUSE design. To transform the space into one that is decidedly crisp and modern, Steve, the OUTHOUSE design team and Simon Munn from Urban Garden, who constructed the space, first had to remove the oversized swimming pool that consumed the garden. “The pool had to go and the layout of the garden had…

The formal garden is always in favour. Defined by its sense of symmetry, confident use of geometric shapes and its respect for form and balance, the formal garden is a place of enduring elegance. A well-conceived formal garden will transcend changing trends and passing fancies, thereby ensuring the design never dates or looks out of place. The owners of this luxury property in Balwyn, one of Melbourne’s most exclusive suburbs, sought a garden designed in the classic formal style — something eloquent that would complement the grandeur of their two-storey home. Working collaboratively, Victorian Landscape Group and Hugh Gilmour & Associates designed a garden of timeless sophistication. The simple elegance of the garden belies the challenges that were faced. “As the property claims a corner block, maintaining privacy was imperative…

With its minimalist, Japaneseinspired planting scheme, inviting entertaining areas and elegant, clean-lined swimming pool, this outdoor sanctuary in the suburbs of Melbourne is a serene space in which to relax or gather with friends. Both the landscape and pool — which is the undeniable centrepiece of the design — were designed and built by DJ Landscapes & Pools and are the perfect complement to the modern home, which was designed and built by Stonehaven Homes. While the homeowners wanted the pool to be a feature, they didn’t want it to take up the whole garden, so DJ Landscapes & Pools designed a pool and spa that, together, measure 9m x 3.5m — a functional size that meets the family’s needs. The fully tiled, self-cleaning pool, which also incorporates swim jets…

On a stunning property on Sydney’s tranquil foreshore, this pool seamlessly blends with the home’s natural surroundings. Its timeless design represents the expertise of Pride Pools’ signature range. In conjunction with building project manager Doug Ditchfield, Pride Pools was able to present a classic and luxurious pool that blends effortlessly with the grandeur of the house. Each element was chosen with meticulous care to embody a natural flow to suit the remarkable location. Unique luminous blue tiles by Bisazza, laid by Pride Pools’ own tilers, cover the entirety of the pool and spa. Warm-white underwater LED lights by Aqua-Quip were installed to cast a radiant glow over the water, creating a magical ambience for those swimming at night. Gas heating by Astral Viron keeps the water at the most inviting…

The owners of a tired backyard in Sydney’s Neutral Bay wanted to transform their space into a tranquil haven, perfect for relaxation, while still providing room for their children to play. Enlisting the help of architect Chris Owen and Artesian Pools, the backyard was given a total overhaul and now features a new pool, stunning landscaping and beautiful stone retaining walls. For this busy family, functionality was a key element of the pool design. The new pool was constructed inside the original kidneyshaped pool, which was set at the rear of the property. The site had difficult access points so keeping the pool in this part of the backyard was the best solution possible and kept the largest grassed area for entertaining and children’s activities. A new rectangular pool, measuring…

Designed by Jade Pools in conjunction with the owners, this pool emerges like a tropical oasis out of the bush. The featured pool takes full advantage of the sloping backyard, with a raised spa spilling into the pool and a spillway over the pool flowing into a catch tank, acting as a natural waterfall. The pool was built into the slope, appearing to be elevated from the ground. Dark timber decking lines the perimeter of the pool and provides enough space for entertaining as well as relaxing. A small cabana is located at the rear, next to the raised spa, adding a touch of luxury. Built by Jade Swimming Pools, this sleek and modern design features a Polaris 280 pool cleaner, Thermo solar heating panels and a Davey CC28 sand…

In the world of roofing, it has always come down to concrete or terracotta tiles. They both have benefits and downfalls, so we’ve compiled a quick guide to distinguish between the materials to help you make an informed choice. CONCRETE If you’re after durability, concrete tiles are the way to go. Just like concrete bridges and structures, concrete tiles get stronger with age as they’re baked by the sun. Concrete tiles are made for harsh weather elements as well as being the economical choice. Made for Australian conditions, concrete tiles will not rust or corrode near salt water, unlike metal roofs. Concrete is also a great fire-safe option, making it a perfect choice for bushfire-prone areas. It’s important to note that concrete tiles are also versatile in terms of colour…

When designing your home, decks, pool and gardens, the finishing touches are often the stand-out features, the ‘accessories’ to your vision. So, what are you searching for? Quality and style, of course. Superb function, easy living, low maintenance, and absolute safety are high on your list of priorities, too. Look no further. Sentrel balustrades and pool fencing ticks all the boxes. Slender, vertically oriented cables are tensioned between either beautiful hardwood or powder-coated aluminium frames, to complement your design and finishes. Sentrel’s unique system and subtle cables virtually disappear against any backdrop, blurring the boundaries between inside and out. Indeed, these balustrade and stair panels are so beautifully crafted that they can make their way inside your home, too, unifying your total design even more. They are made at Bago…

This gorgeous coastal residence located in Blairgowrie on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is situated between the calm waters of Port Philip Bay and the wild winds and seas that roar northward from Bass Strait. The elevation of the home means it receives direct and constant exposure to the elements, especially salty sea-driven winds. This presented a challenge for the owners, who use the property as a holiday home. What they needed was an external cladding and decking product that would stand up to the punishing environment and require minimal maintenance. Bryant Alsop Architects of Hawthorn, Victoria, was tasked with the job of designing this project and immediately looked to Futurewood’s timber alternatives, CleverDeck and EnviroSlat. Both are WPC composite timber products, which are designed to withstand the extreme Australian climate. Where…

Imagine your swimming pool shimmering with the sparkle of a thousand flawless diamonds, adding elegance to your pool and surrounding area. For style, quality and entertainment value, it’s hard to go past the enduring beauty of Designer Beadcrete. With its patented glass bead technology, Designer Beadcrete adds a diamond-like shimmer and clarity to pool water. Designer Beadcrete contains a mixture of coloured irregular glass spheres and clear glass spheres. These are embedded in a unique cement mix that contains a number of patented additives. The result is a pool interior of absolute durability, which reflects sun and artificial light throughout the water, bringing a spectacular and elegant look to any concrete shell pool. Whether a pool is recently built or has become old and tired and could use a much-needed…

Rock-filled gabions are quickly becoming a must-have in residential gardens. They’re being used to build retaining and garden walls, and they’re being incorporated into myriad design elements, ranging from seating and water features to planters and fire pits. Often, they’re teamed with garden beds mulched with pebbles or gravel-topped paths, ensuring a coordinated look and giving the garden an appealing natural feel. A company with an enviable reputation as a specialist supplier of feature rock and river pebbles, Mawsons has branched into the gabion market, providing 60/100mm pebble and 150mm spall feature stone for use inside gabions. Mawsons can also supply the metal baskets (gabions) with a range of sizes available, including 300mm x 300mm x 1000mm, and 500mm x 500mm x 1000mm. Mawsons owns a variety of quarries from…