Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue #13 2021 i Best Homes

However, we all know a wood or gas fire doesn’t suit every home or every lifestyle. Ambe brings you the ambience and aesthetic of a real fire – without the mess or maintenance. The look you love, without the fuss. Streamlined for a modern, versatile appearance that works seamlessly into any interior – all Ambe fireplaces feature a pared back look, with clean lines, minimal detailing, and a love of linear. With sophisticated, flame-picture technology that urges you to relax and succumb to total relaxation. Design in Your Hands Every space needs a feature, something to define it, elevate it, and bring it to life. A great statement piece should speak to your unique style, capture attention, and draw you into the room. Ambe’s range of Electric fires does exactly…

Resting stylishly among lush trees, verdant parklands and leafy, treelined streets, Wallara ascribes to “The Three Rs”: recreation, respite and relaxation. The luxurious display home embodies the essence of Englehart Homes’ multi-award-winning brand. Focusing on natural light, spacious areas designed for easy family living, premium quality finishes and state-of-the-art technological advancements, Wallara is a modern marvel. Achieving the perfect balance between panache and practicality, this four-bedroom, four-bathroom home looks amazing and will perform exceptionally for years to come. Behind the ultra-modern facade, high ceilings oversee a natural palette of stone, timber, porcelain and pure wool. This is accompanied by a multi-room audio system, smart lighting and solar-powered electricity. Flexibility is inherent in the double-storey home’s design; it can be tailored to suit your lifestyle requirements and to optimise outlooks on…

Journey to Bexley North in Sydney’s southern suburbs and join us as we pick the brains of Nino Sanzari and Jon Vithoulka, Directors of Starr Constructions, the builders responsible for this functional, smartly-designed and stylish four-bedroom family home. Replacing an old, rundown dwelling, this knockdown-rebuild was expertly executed. The owners took inspiration from previous Starr projects and incorporated their own ideas into the brief, which stipulated a simple but modern and sophisticated single-storey home that was comfortable and inviting. Starr Constructions’ penchant for highly detailed construction solutions is evident from the moment the solid timber-stained front door, a feature that has serious star power in its own right, opens and you stride into the home. White and grey tones colour the interiors, creating an open and spacious look that engenders…

Having lived on the land for 10 years, the owners were happy with the prime Gold Coast location but not their home. It was looking tired and dated, and it no longer suited the way they wanted to live. Rather than sell up and look for another home, they decided to travel the knockdown-rebuild route and the end result couldn’t be more impressive. David Radic Prestige Homes, working to a design by Torren Bell Design, built for the family of four their long-awaited, much-anticipated dream home. Bold and beautiful, this two-storey waterfront home makes a definitive design statement and will see the family well into the future. The design has an industrial feel that the family really loves and impresses visitors. Of particular note are the polished and honed concrete…

Planned to perfectly suit the needs of the modern Australian lifestyle, this SHAWOOD-constructed, architect-designed home by Sekisui House, delivers an uncompromising level of comfort and sophistication. The home’s functional and organic design principles offer the ultimate lifestyle and promote a sense of wellbeing. With an emphasis on creating light and airy open-plan living areas designed for effortless entertaining, this expansive four-bedroom family home, located in the growing north-west Sydney suburb of Marsden Park, was designed to include multiple living and recreational zones to accommodate family members spending time both together and apart. “Displaying SHAWOOD’s unique pre-engineered technology and construction methodologies, this luxurious 283sqm Type SW06A home was designed using a philosophy that honours nature, quality and longevity,” says Scott Rudgley, Sales Operations Manager, The Hermitage & NSW Home Building, Sekisui…

This sophisticated two-storey luxury home in Palm Cove, Queensland was built on a sloping block that once formed part of a golf course. This posed challenges beyond the norm for Eastbuild Designer Homes, all of which were so expertly resolved, the project won Home of the Year in 2020 HIA-CSR North Queensland Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards, as well as a plethora of other state and regional honours. The client’s brief for this impressive home was to achieve maximum light with an emphasis on cross-ventilation, create a feeling of grandeur and spaciousness, include cantilevered decks and a pool, and, most importantly, capture views that would connect every room with the outside space. Eastbuild ticked each of these boxes, despite the complexities involved. As you wander through the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home,…

Following a meticulously executed, perfectly planned renovation, a dated 1980s Sydney home is now a stunning example of modern design. It was clear from the start that this would be no standard renovation project. The owners’ goal was to take their very tired home and not only update the exterior with an extension and refurbishment of the existing deck — a task that was to include the renovation of the pool area, the construction of extensive retaining walls and the establishment of new landscaping — but also the addition of a brand-new five-room guest house. The main challenge was to create a space that looked as though it had always existed. The homeowners didn’t want the guest house to look new or different to the main residence so the roof…

For those seeking the very latest in Australian design, Kett’s furniture collections offer quality, comfort and timeless style. Founded in 2017, Kett is a Melbourne-based design studio headed by leading Australian designer, Justin Hutchinson. Justin’s furniture career has helped define some of this country’s most loved landmarks and has been recognised both internationally and locally in prestigious exhibitions such as Melbourne Now, presented at the National Gallery of Victoria. In 2017, Kett released Johanna and Otway, the studio’s inaugural collections. These well-received collections marry crafted excellence with refined design and have proven extremely popular with discerning homeowners. The Australian landscape has always been the primary inspiration for the Kett team. Beloved locations on the Victorian coastline are the starting point for each Kett collection. The understorey of the giant forests…

The homeowners wanted their new kitchen, bathrooms and laundry to reflect the period of their home and their love of traditional styling. They also wanted there to be an easy flow between rooms, creating a calming sense of cohesion. By opting for all-white spaces the designer, Patrick Raschella from Magic Kitchens & Furniture, has ensured a seamless sense of connection, given each space a look that is light and airy, and pays homage to the era in which the home was built. For the stunning kitchen, Magic Kitchens & Furniture incorporated a spacious, highly functional and well-appointed butler’s pantry, integrated appliances and the Hettich InnoTech drawer system with internal fittings to match. As a result, the homeowners are now excited to use their glamorous new space where everything is at…

Some rooms are made for entertaining. That’s certainly the case with this breathtaking kitchen from Kitchens U Build, where hosting family and friends will truly be a breeze. This kitchen is open plan, yet still manages to feel like it holds its own in a room that is dominated by the gorgeous outdoor vista. Bold timber features complement the stretch of greenery just centimetres away from the outdoor dining area, making it feel as if you’re preparing meals in a treehouse. Clever window placement allows for an indoor-outdoor bench that functions as a servery for guests seated alfresco. This brings the outdoors in and also enhances the homeowner’s ability to host and ensures the cook doesn’t feel isolated as meals are prepared. White cabinetry was the natural choice to let…

In this impressive renovation, the team at 5 Star Kitchens has employed a classic monochromatic palette that exudes elegance and a look of enduring beauty. The result is stylish simplicity at its finest. Luxurious but not at all pretentious. The benchtop, made from solid Caesarstone, combines the best of both worlds. Not only is it striking to look at with its bold colours and unique patterns, the material itself is highly resistant to scratches and stains. Its durability, along with its smooth surface, makes it the perfect place to prepare food, share a wine with friends or entertain guests when hosting a sophisticated soirée. When paired with the adjacent white cabinetry and drawers, a pleasant monochromatic look is achieved — one that transcends fads and trends to be truly timeless.…

While “light and bright” is often the brief given to bathroom designers, dark and moody bathrooms are increasingly popular. In this feature, the Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi) shares four fabulous dark-toned designs. ACT designer Sonja McAuliffe (Archertec Interiors) used thoughtful space planning and a striking combination of materials in this luxurious master suite (above left). Graphite and charcoal tones create an intimate feel to the generously sized bathroom, while bronze fittings and timber veneer joinery add warmth. The gorgeous herringbone marble tiles offer texture underfoot and visual interest, while carefully selected luminaires spill warm light in all the right places. Sydney’s Gavin Hepper CDK Au (Concepts by Gavin Hepper) conquered challenging site and building restraints to design this elegant ensuite (top left). With a practical floor plan in…

Hardware & General first opened as a corner hardware store in 1960. Since then, it has expanded along Winbourne Road, Harbord Road and Pittwater Road in the northern Sydney suburb of Brookvale — and the company has added 20 specialist sales centres The company’s renovated and redesigned Brookvale bathroom showroom and adjoining tap showroom have an incredibly impressive depth of choice of brands and products in varying price ranges. This means products can be compared and contrasted before being locked in. What stands out the most when entering the bathroom showroom are the inspirational bathroom concept spaces, which are styled to reflect a variety of design styles to help you visualise your renovation and find the perfect products for it. Many members of the helpful, highly professional Hardware & General…

Ambe is the simple addition to your outdoor space that extends the outdoor season. Whether you’re after the subtle aesthetic of the ceramic range, or the warm glow of the infrared range – Ambe has you covered with all the comfort you need for long nights of entertaining al fresco. Installed overhead – Ambe stays out of the way, leaving you with more room for the important things - like the BBQ, plenty of seating, and of course, your collection of pot plants. Ambe electric outdoor heaters come in two variants, depending on what you need. Heat things up. Ambe Infrared Infrared Radiant heaters keep you prepared for unpredictable weather - reaching full temperate in just a matter of minutes with powerful, instant heat that warms you – not the…

Having worked closely with the homeowner on multiple projects in the past, designer Mike Cass, founder of mike CASS creative and design it landscapes, relished the opportunity to again join forces. This time the goal was to revitalise and modernise a tired 90-year-old property in Sydney’s inner west, both inside and out. “Our shared aim was to redesign and update the home’s interior and exterior spaces while remaining sympathetic to the period architecture and surrounding properties. In doing so, we also had to ensure we adhered to the regulations governing the heritage-listed suburb,” says Mike. “I chose a soft design approach; one that embraces curvaceous lines and takes its inspiration from the time the house was first conceived. There are both formal and informal edges and the proportion of the…

Many people spend all their time, energy and resources designing and personalising the inside of their homes but neglect their outdoor spaces. By making some clever design choices, however, you can capitalise on any outdoor area — and even turn it into a seamless extension of your home. When OUTHOUSE Design principal and founder Steve Warner received the design brief for this small-space project, it was clear that the terrace home, located in Sydney’s Inner West, had recently been transformed with a modern architectural rear extension. Sadly, when you ventured through the character-filled hallway to the rear of the home, you were greeted by a bland paved courtyard that was seriously lacking in style and substance. Even though the owners have a strong sense of style and character, this personality…

One of the many benefits of building in Sydney’s Hills District is the number of select large blocks that are available. And with a spacious site comes the opportunity to have a generous-size pool, which is exactly what these homeowners wanted. “For their acreage, the homeowners envisaged a large resort-style pool with wow factor, and something that would look amazing both during the day and also at night,” explains designer Gavin Bazley of Aquastone Pools and Landscapes. “It had to have a heated spa for year-round use, and it needed to be grand in scale to suit the size of the acreage property.” The 15m-long rectangular pool is a focal point of the home and allows the owners to swim laps for exercise, while the 2.5m x 2.5m heated spa…

Picture-perfect in every way, this breathtaking pool and landscape project was designed by Justine Carlile Landscape Design and built by Coolabah Landscapes & Pools. Such a beautiful end result was not just due to the meticulous attention to detail paid during the design and construction processes, however; astute product selection was key. The natural stone paving products are a highlight of the project and work to tie the landscape together. Bluestone was chosen for the steps leading up to the outdoor entertaining area and the surrounds of the feature cobbles at the base of the stairs. From here, a path of bluestone steppers leads to a second area paved in cobbles. This space — soon to become a shaded outdoor dining area — is covered by a timber pergola over…

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 both 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 are engineered and fabricated in the Outrigger factory in Sydney, so you can be assured each product will be perfectly tailored to the specific requirements…

For this family of five, creating a home where they could make memories was of utmost importance. But they didn’t want to just do it anywhere. Location was key, and luckily for Steven, his wife and their three young boys, all under the age of six, this magnificent plot in Sydney’s north provided something to write home about. At first glance, this site wasn’t exactly ideal. It features steep bushland, lots of rock ledges and a 12m crossfall over the build area, which means water and gradient issues. But, as it turns out, these limitations also gave the home something a little bit special and the homeowners wanted to use this as a springboard to work from. “The uniqueness of this project was its design to utilise the slope of…

Balancing traditional Hamptons style with modern-day functionality, this beautiful abode, the Brookhaven from Bellriver Homes, offers a wealth of space for year-round entertaining as well as multiple areas for quiet reflection. Featuring high quality finishes and stylish inclusions, this family home is tailor-made for modern living. It has five spacious bedrooms, each boasting an ensuite and walk-in robe, as well as generous open-plan living spaces, making the home a haven for effortless — and elegant — entertaining. The Brookhaven, on display at Narraweena on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, is the epitome of modern elegance, refinement and sumptuous living. The moment you set foot inside the home, the grandeur is apparent. From the high ceilings and impeccable detailing to the light-toned timber parquetry flooring and thoughtful design, which extends to an optional…

Sitting close to a popular beach and interwoven with canals, scenic walks and bike paths, Broadwaters Beach is one of the most prestigious suburbs on the Gold Coast. This home, nestled in the heart of the sought-after locale, was designed by Jared Poole of Jared Poole Design, built by David Radic Prestige Homes and has become the envy of the neighbourhood. Beautifully finished to the highest possible standard, the home was built for a young couple and their two children. The goal was to create a modern but very welcoming home while taking full advantage of the property’s canal-side location and the views of both the water and city skyline on the horizon. To give designer and builder a blank canvas with which to work, the dated dwelling that had…

The Darling Point Residence, one of Reform Projects’ latest builds, offers a relaxed sense of luxury in the heart of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. A one-of-a-kind family abode, the home features high-end detailing and a design that maximises its harbourside location. Reform Projects undertook a comprehensive extension and renovation of the luxury heritage home. This included building a state-of-the-art pool and spa, inviting external entertaining areas, a pool house with a fabulous kitchenette featuring a Subzero fridge that blends seamlessly with the wall-to-wall cabinetry, and a sky bridge linking the existing home with the opulent new building. Downstairs in the pool house, which is paved in limestone specially imported from Iran, you will find an extensive wine cellar featuring exquisite, handmade bespoke joinery and the capacity to store more than 3000…

This remarkable five-bedroom residence in tropical Far North Queensland overlooks the beautiful northern beaches of Cairns and commands an impressive view to Double Island off Palm Cove. It is also a testament to the design and construction skills of Eastbuild Designer Homes. In 2020, this project scooped the Renovation/Addition Project category in both the HIA-CSR North Queensland Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards and the 2020 HIA Cairns Awards. Lauded for its outstanding visual appeal and the exceptional high quality of the workmanship throughout, this multi-award-winning home shows just how successfully a dated home can be transformed when in the right hands. The client’s brief was to convert a rundown four-bedroom, one-bathroom holiday home into a contemporary, Hamptons-inspired beach house. The original home was used as a holiday let for visitors…

The Australian lifestyle is perfectly suited to beachy, light and airy Hamptons-style homes. It’s a look that is luxurious but relaxed, with volume and classic lines that allow for big family living and the indoor-outdoor lifestyle Australians crave. There are many ways to achieve the Hamptons-inspired home of your dreams — and a kit home is one of the easiest and most cost-effective. “Our typical Hamptons-style kit homes offer a large, spacious floor plan, suitable for big families — those wanting a luxury property, or those seeking lots of space,” says Keith Richardson, Director of Imagine Kit Homes. “Typical features can include four or more bedrooms, grand living and dining areas, multiple balconies, porches or wraparound decks, feature rooms such as a theatre room, study or home office, multiple bathrooms…

This opulent kitchen by Kitchens by Peter Gill offers the best of both worlds: beauty and functionality. From the sleek island benchtop to the spacious pantry, this renovation is the true embodiment of stylish practicality. Close attention to detail is evident in every corner of this space. Created as part of a larger renovation, the team at Kitchens by Peter Gill has completely revamped this kitchen by ensuring every design element works harmoniously with the next for a pleasant cooking experience. Opening the space was a priority for the client. To achieve this, Kitchens by Peter Gill removed the original built-in cupboards. From there, tall cabinets and a stylish bar area were added with the benchtop for a truly open-space feel. In addition to those changes, this renovation was designed…

Your kitchen should be a place of streamlined looks and classic yet modern style. With that in mind, it’s time to suit up and choose a room with tuxedo elegance, like this one. The black and white colour scheme sets a modern tone in this kitchen. Take as an example the black open cabinetry that, when combined with the striking dark splashback tiles and light-coloured grout, adds a touch of sophistication even to utility areas such as the butler’s pantry, a space traditionally associated with bland basics. The cabinetry in this kitchen is a thing of tailored beauty. The room is streamlined, with no handles jutting out to break the flow. Even the entry to the butler’s pantry is hidden thanks to clever design, with the doorway appearing to be…

In the south-eastern Melbourne suburb of Lysterfield, a four-bedroom family home received a dream new kitchen from the design team at Haice Kitchens. The first step in updating the kitchen was removing the family’s old dining table, which was replaced by a timber-look laminate island with a modern stone benchtop. Ensuring the family still has a place to gather over a meal, an extension juts forth from the island to form a dining table. The differing counter heights create a pleasant space to dine without losing functional prep area. A unique feature of this original piece is the recessed aluminium strips running horizontally across the face of the island. Finished in a matt black, the linear design feature ties it nicely to the dark kitchen joinery. Tucked back in line…

New surfaces in the bathroom — in particular glass shower screens — can become stained in a matter of weeks. A glass shower door with a white, cloudy residue that never seems to completely come off could become permanently stained. This is because the mineral deposits in the water multiply causing a chemical change that damages the material. Homeowners desperate to restore the glass back to its pristine condition may turn to harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaning cloths and lots of elbow grease, not realising they could be making the glass look worse. Your new bathroom’s worst nightmare is hard water. When the high mineral content in the water becomes evident as deposits, scale or surface build-up, it results in rundown bathroom surfaces with poor clarity that are costly to maintain,…

The world’s best gardens have a sense of belonging. They look and feel as if they naturally evolved in that place. Intertwined with that sense of place are the aspirations and personalities of the owners. Just as importantly, the most successful gardens are places for living. Picturesque views that can be enjoyed from inside the home aren’t enough — the garden has to entice you outside. This beguiling garden in Rye on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula ticks every box. It draws on the nearby sand dunes and indigenous coastal plantings for design inspiration. In particular, it employs the existing Moonah trees to frame garden views, blurring the lines between where the garden ends and the undulating dunes begin. The design was a collaborative effort between Ben McDonald, Director of Iluka Landscape…

Having commissioned a modern, architect-designed home with Japanese influenced interiors, the owners sought a landscape design to match — one that would have a koi fish pond and no time-consuming lawn to maintain. Adrian Swain, Director of ecodesign, worked closely with the project architect to develop a design that would complement the architectural style of the home and work with the sloping site. “We explored several different options for creating a strong sense of arrival and facilitating entry to the ground floor of the contemporary two-storey home. Our goal was to create a relaxing journey through the landscape that would take in the front, side and rear gardens,” says Adrian. “As the design progressed, we firmed up the landscape concept with overall layouts for the koi pond, site circulation paths,…

A Total Concept, a well-established, award-winning company based in Sydney that specialies in landscape architecture as well as the design of pools and cabanas, was engaged by the owners of this property to design, then manage this integrated pool, boat shed and garden — a small space that belies the complexity of the construction of the project. “We undertook the designs, obtained building approval, provided detailed specifications for all aspects of the project, recommended and organised the pool builder and landscape contractor,” recalls John Storch, Director of A Total Concept. “We then undertook the management of the project’s construction for our clients. “Being on the waterfront, the home only had access by inclinator, so the pool was excavated by hand and small machinery used, which had to be delivered by…

Artesian Pools was presented with an old existing pool in Sydney’s eastern suburbs that had been filled in. Now its owner wanted to breathe new life into it and use it for both swimming and as a design feature of the courtyard. Artesian Pools was required to use a very small space, approximately 3m wide, to create the rectangular lap pool. “This 7.4m-long pool makes great use of a very limited space — one with difficult access — and gives the homeowner a functional pool which, at the same time, is a feature of the house from every level and the cabana above the garage,” says Zeb Rodrigues, Director of Artesian Pools. “However, during its planning, the depth of the existing pool was not known and details could not be…

To create an alfresco entertaining space or swimming pool that effortlessly integrates into your overall outdoor design and complements the architectural style of your home, you need a carefully curated palette of hardscaping products and decorative features. Hewnstone, a family-owned and-run business, produces a large and diverse range of high-quality concrete and composite stone paving, walling and coping, as well as architectural products, which are suitable for any style of home or outdoor space. The Hewnstone team has more than 25 years’ experience in supplying the pool and landscape construction industries and offers a unique collection of premium, specialised landscape, pool and decorative products that can be mixed and matched to create a coordinated living space or outdoor setting. Offering both contemporary and classic collections, you can choose from a…

Urban Design Systems (UDS) creates its own unique range of decorative laser-cut concepts, which includes screens and sculptures. UDS lasercut concepts can be applied in many forms for both commercial and residential projects and the company works either in consultation with architects, designers and developers or direct with residential clients. UDS is passionate about good design and is driven to create products that can add intrinsic value to any outdoor or home project. It offers a selection of robust materials and finishes, which means you can add colour to your space with painted aluminium, enjoy the visual warmth and texture of timber-grained Weathertex, or appreciate the earthy and rustic elegance of weathered steel. SCREENING AND FENCING Laser-cut screening offers a creative alternative to conventional fencing and can be used for…

A leisurely trip to France might be out of the question for the foreseeable future, but living in a Parisian-style residence with all the charm of a French chateau is not as outrageous as it sounds. Feast your eyes on La Provence by Englehart Homes, a chic architectural gem that will leave you with a craving for creamy camembert-filled, freshly-baked baguettes with a side of sparkling Champagne. Featuring steep mansard grooves, double casement windows and effortless symmetry, this stately home has a masonry facade and classic detailing borrowed from traditional French architecture and reimagined with Englehart Homes’ characteristic flair. Like all Englehart designs, the floor plan is flexible (choose from three to five bedrooms and a bonus study/guest room situated to the left of the entrance foyer) and can be…

In a neighbourhood replete with luxury homes, this lavish custom-built residence stands out from the rest. An opulent home built by multi-award-winning Gold Coast builder David Radic Prestige Homes, it is an inspiring example of modern design. This five-bedroom home is also a perfect example of what can be achieved with a well-conceived knockdown-rebuild project. A knockdown-rebuild involves demolishing an old, impractical home in a prime location and starting with a blank canvas to design and build your ideal abode — one that is easy to maintain, boasts all the modern conveniences, caters to all your needs and makes optimum use of the aspect and views. In this instance, a 40-year-old home was demolished, ceding ground to a magnificent new residence in the sought-after location of Mermaid Waters. A prestigious…

A unique blend of 1960s architecture and modern industrial design has given rise to a contemporary family home with clean lines, a minimalist colour palette, award-winning polished concrete floors, warm timber accents and a breezeblock feature wall that provides privacy from the street. The single-level home, which was designed by Salt Construction Co. in partnership with building designer Peter McPhee, features bold, simple lines so it was imperative that the execution of every finish and detail be of the highest standard. This simple three-stacked block design was devised to allow the family to make the most of the Queensland weather. This manifests itself in a myriad of ways: the garden views from each living room, the ease of movement between indoor and outdoor living spaces, and a supersized daybed window…

Balgowlah Residences is one of northern Sydney’s most sought-after addresses, offering 17 apartments of exceptional quality and detail, and created with the discerning buyer in mind. Built by TQM Design & Construct, Balgowlah Residences is a boutique residential development. The premium apartments are spread over four levels and this includes a sub-penthouse and a whole-floor penthouse. Designed for those who want to live the good life, residents can retreat to their spacious sun-filled terraces, enjoy the coastal buzz, or entertain in style at home. Surrounded by breathtaking beaches and waterways, and with so many amenities at its doorstep, the development offers the ultimate in contemporary — and convenient — coastal living. Situated just 11km from Sydney’s CBD, Balgowlah Residences puts everything within easy reach, be it excellent eateries, shopping, outdoor…

A few years ago, young couple Lisa and Jason were becoming fed up with going to house auctions in inner Melbourne every weekend. The prices just kept going up and up and the compromises they were being expected to make were increasing. Then one weekend it hit them — they could build one of those “Harkaways” that they had long admired. Before long they had bought a knockdown property in a great location east of Melbourne and were sitting rogether in the showroom at Harkaway Homes’ head office, feeling a bit nervous about their sudden decision. Fast-forward to just 12 months later and they had already moved into their beautiful two-storey Gabled Victorian Traditional home in the suburb of Mont Albert North. Lisa and Jason’s house, which offers charm and…

Len Wallis Audio was given the opportunity to manage the audio-visual installation of this unique Sydney residence in Hunters Hill as part of extensive renovations carried out by the owner. With a flair for design and an eye for function and quality, the Len Wallis Audio team took on the challenging task of turning dreams into functional reality. This residence exudes a special presence. The main entry is via a bespoke bronze front door that might look at home in an ancient Aztec temple. Once inside, you find yourself mesmerised by the gallery-style entry hall which utilises Niles high-resolution ceiling speakers. Continuing on from the remarkable entrance into the main living area, the stylish space caters for both high-quality hi-fi playback and an immersive surround-sound experience for movie viewing. At…

The beautiful design of the Archer Gas Log Space Heater range will add style and value to your home. With its classic styling and natural log-fire look, these stylish gas heaters will complement any decor, whether modern or traditional. Most importantly, the range, which boasts a 5.4 to 5.7-star rating, has also achieved the ultimate in energy efficiency and high heat output. HIGH ENERGY STAR RATING The energy star rating system represents an industry-wide independent rating scheme that indicates how efficiently a heater operates — the more energy stars, the greater the efficiency. The Archer Gas Log Space Heater range is believed to be the highest star-rated product available in the world today. With this high energy star rating and its heat transfer efficiency, the range has the capacity to…

Blending the existing house design with this new kitchen was a recipe for success thanks to the skilled designers at Kitchens U Build. The owners of this space needed something special for their kitchen, but were cautious about it feeling out of place. They wanted to take the existing richly coloured solid-brick walls and timber floors, as well as the striking Tasmanian oak accents around the fireplace, and mix them together to create a kitchen that blended with the rest of the home while still feeling extraordinary — they did not want it to look like it was “just a kitchen”. They have certainly had their dream realised. The Kitchens U Build team let the brick walls be the hero, giving the room an almost industrial feel. The lower overhead…

This ‘70s-style home was previously broken into an L-shaped living and dining area with the kitchen as a separate room. Desiring an open plan to increase the sense of flow, the homeowners decided to knock down the walls to create a single, walk-through space. Taking the kitchen from being a room of its own and integrating it into the rest of the house meant a fair amount of repositioning. Aside from removing the dining room wall, the sink area and an entire run of cabinetry were also removed from their original position below the kitchen window. The sink and storage space were instead integrated into the streamline island, a new feature in this well-considered design. Adding the island enabled benchtop seating to be included on its other side, maximising the…

Today we regard our bathrooms as a place of retreat; perhaps the only place in the home where we can enjoy a little peace and privacy. Although we crave a sense of sanctuary, we also require functionality—and a look that reflects our personal sense of style. Bestlink International offers a range of handpicked, premium-quality products that will bring a unique flair to your bathroom and help you create the ambience you desire. For over 18 years, Bestlink has proudly offered elegant bathroom and kitchen products to those who appreciate exemplary quality and demand the highest standards. This includes the company’s own innovative brands such as Innova, Toto and Midea. Bestlink prides itself on its ability to not just meet the ever-changing demands of the modern consumer, but to stay ahead…

This quintessentially Australian garden is an inspired example of what can be achieved when a skilled landscape designer with an in-depth knowledge of permaculture is at the helm. Designed by Christopher Bissels, Director of Full Potential Landscapes, the garden embraces a home located in Mullum Creek Estate where sustainable, environmentally-friendly design isn’t just preferred, it’s mandated. “The brief was to design and create a sustainable garden that would produce some of the household’s food,” explains Chris. “One of the clients, Doug, is a very keen gardener and he wanted a garden with lots of space to grow edible plants, but he also wanted the garden to be aesthetically pleasing. The other client, Vanessa, wanted a pool that overlooked the garden; somewhere to relax and enjoy the landscape. We were able…

Built in the 1800s, this remarkable Italianate villa-style heritage home stood proudly in the neighbourhood but, sadly, the garden was nowhere near as grand. The owners looked to Myles Baldwin Design to devise a plan that would give them an elegant garden of which they could be proud — one that complemented the striking architectural style of the period residence but catered for the entertaining needs of the modern family. Ziggy Kabbout and the Eloquent Landscapes team were given the task of implementing this plan, and the end result couldn’t be more impressive. “The brief was to simplify the garden which had become over-run with bamboo and ginger,” explains Ziggy. “The owners also wanted to introduce spaces for outdoor cooking and dining. They wanted this achieved within a tailored design…

This enticing pool highlights the property’s magnificent ocean views while leaving abundant room for the family to entertain outside. Built by TradeMark Pools, the pool was strategically positioned on top of a sandstone cliff. Following the property’s boundary, the unique, wet-edge pool ends in an integrated spa. Together, the pool and spa look like a natural extension of the home due to the carefully chosen materials. The formed concrete walls echo the exterior look of the home, as does the bluestone paving and coping, while the custom 100 per cent Beadcrete interior gives the water a sparkling aquamarine hue. Rich timber decking provides a pleasing contrast in colour and shape, and the linear poolside walkways offer a point of difference to the pool’s rounded corner. An intelligent layout was required…

Relaxing with family and friends while enjoying a pool lifestyle in your backyard oasis is something you’ve dreamed of for some time. Why not make your life even easier by talking to your pool builder about a self-cleaning pool? A self-cleaning pool allows you to spend more time enjoying life while your pool cleans itself. Your pool will also be more efficient to operate and more enjoyable to swim in because of the increased circulation benefits. Owning a pool has never been this easy. You need to keep in mind, though, that not all self-cleaning pools are the same. The QuikClean range of in-floor cleaning systems features advanced technology, has been developed for tough Australian conditions and delivers proven performance in the most demanding conditions. The focus of a QuikClean…

Whether it’s a lively alfresco dinner party, romantic drinks for two, or curling up with a tea after a long day — setting the mood of your outdoor scene is very important. Mood is created by adding softness and creating an inviting atmosphere. Harsh overhead lights and spotlights are an instant mood killer. Instead, why not replace them with a series of lanterns, providing gentle, pleasant and flattering light. Scattering them around your sofa or outdoor dining table where people are interacting casts a nice, bright glow onto people’s faces, food and objects. Placing the lanterns on the edges of your outdoor setting creates a soft boundary of light and pulls focus to the inside of the ring of light, creating a feeling of intimacy and cosiness as you focus…

Shaderunner® Australia is experiencing its busiest year to date, and with distributors in every state, the Shaderunner® Retractable Shade System is fast becoming Australia’s market leader in retractable shading. Proudly Australian made, this system is custom-made to exacting standards using precision manufacturing to suit each individual setting. The system is easily extended using the simple endless cord system, and while the majority of systems are ordered with manual operation, Somfy remote-controlled operation is also available for the ultimate convenience. The Shaderunner® Retractable Shade System is constructed using the most durable marine-grade yacht fittings and Ronstan ball bearing pulleys, ensuring years of trouble-free shading with minimal maintenance. The Shaderunner® is manufactured from a variety of rigorously tested fabrics — these range from 95 per cent polyester mesh to waterproof PVC. Each…