Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue #14 2022 i Best Homes

Ambe brings you the look and the ambience of a real fire – without the mess, maintenance or fuss. Streamlined for a modern, versatile appearance that works effortlessly with any interior, Ambe Electric Fireplaces are pared-back with clean lines, minimal detailing, and a love of linear design. With sophisticated, flame-picture technology that encourages you to sit back and succumb to total relaxation. Make a statement Every space needs a feature – something to define it, elevate it, and bring it to life. And a great statement piece should speak to your style, capture attention, and draw you into the room. Ambe’s range of electric fires does exactly that, with a captivating display of dancing flames and plenty of design options – you’ll find the perfect piece to take the spotlight…

A freestanding 1940s original brick beach cottage in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, now dubbed CC House, has been masterfully renovated by Peninsula Projects working to a design by Rachel Hudson Architecture. The result is a spacious and welcoming light-filled family home that perfectly complements its enviable coastal location. Built for year-round comfort and maximum functionality, the transformed abode offers generous family living spaces coupled with private enclaves for when family members crave a little alone time. What’s more, the perfectly balanced mix of open-plan living and well-designed entertaining areas enables this amazing family home to embrace the best of laid-back beachside living. The brief for the home renovation was to maintain a classic beach-style aesthetic with the use of bespoke and high-end joinery, which Peninsula Projects’ Director Beau Jones and his…

Capturing the enduring elegance of the French provincial style but with a modern twist, Wildlife is Varcon Group’s latest bespoke addition to its collection of prestige homes. Wildlife is a majestic multi-award-winning, five-bedroom display home designed to showcase Varcon’s incomparable custom capabilities. The two-storey home’s impressive facade, with its eye-catching peaked roof, grand entrance embraced by wrought iron fencing, and delightful balcony, creates a truly mesmerising first impression. Upon entering the home through solid iron doors, the natural textures, along with the finest materials and fixtures — European oak parquetry flooring, feature chandeliers, marble benchtops — combine to create a home of superior quality and opulence. The striking flooring flows through the entire ground level, extending into a modern kitchen with a unique tiled splashback, a fully equipped custom butler’s…

It’s an all too common dilemma. You love where you live, but your home is no longer big enough for your family or it no longer meets your lifestyle needs — often, it’s a case of both. Having happily lived in Mosman on Sydney’s Lower North Shore for many years, the family decided to opt for a full internal house renovation and extension, rather than buy a bigger, more modern home in a different location. To achieve this, they turned to JG Bathroom & Home Renovation. “In preparation for the new work to commence, we dismantled all existing joinery and removed the chimney. We added a new roof and rectified existing drainage problems — a ventilation system was also installed under the house,” explains Jan Gade, Director of JG Bathroom…

First impressions count and the facade you choose for your new home is like your greeting card to the world. The facade conveys your personal style, hints at the look and feel of the interior spaces concealed behind the front door, and gives your home a sense of place. Just as importantly, ensuring your home has the right kerb appeal can significantly increase the value of your property. Facade selection is a critically important decision but it is too often left to last. When you decide to build a new home, your focus is always first directed to the layout of the design, how the home will fit the block, how many bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas the home will have, the configuration of the kitchen, where the windows will…

Storybook Designer Homes knows that good design is everything — it determines how a home will look, function, and feel. During its more than 30 years in the business, Storybook has developed a highly creative and experienced design team that has created more than 2500 beautiful custom home designs. Its founder, who has more than 50 years’ experience in the building and design industry, is still heading up the team which provides a full range of services, including drafting, 3D, video production, estimation, permit processes, kit production, and the provision of information to clients in a low-pressure way. Storybook Designer Homes is renowned for creating high-character custom home designs with associated “kit supply”, complete technical drawings and budgets. As a custom design business, pre-design meetings and a thorough initial consultation…

The owners of this heritage home on Sydney’s Upper North Shore were about to embark on a significant renovation so they approached Len Wallis Audio before the plans were finalised. As avid music lovers, their brief to Len Wallis Audio’s Senior Systems Integrator, Christian Lambros, was to build a room that sounded like a dedicated home theatre but did not look like a conventional theatre, which tends to be dark and somewhat formal. Instead, they wanted the room to be a bit brighter and have a more casual feel. Essentially, a high-end media room that would also work for everyday use. The room they chose for the transformation featured several large windows, a day bed and a fireplace, none of which could be moved. Although this was an aesthetically pleasing…

With its sophisticated Hamptons-inspired facade and imposing double-door entry, the Palace Regent makes its magnificent presence felt from the very first glance. As you step into the impressive foyer, you’re eased into the feeling of luxury with the warm tones of the timber flooring perfectly complementing the cool white of the walls. A fireplace in the private lounge at the front of the home paints a picture of relaxed nights curled up with a glass of wine by the fire, and hosting friends for glamorous dinner parties in the adjoining formal dining. Past the eye-catching staircase lies an expansive open-plan kitchen/family/meals area. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that span the width of the home, this space is flooded with natural light and provides an uninterrupted view of the sweeping grounds. Spacious…

This contemporary kitchen was designed as part of a renovation. The new design by Peter Gill of Kitchens by Peter Gill blended the dark timber chopping block and chairs with the warm-toned timber floors and white cabinetry to create a harmonious yet striking appearance that makes a real design statement. The natural light that pours in from the large windows in the living area, combined with the kitchen skylight, allows the carefully chosen materials to really shine. An LED strip light rebated into the underside of the upper cabinets allows extra benchtop light. Just as importantly, the design is ergonomic with separate cooking, preparation and washing zones, minimising the traffic throughout the space. The cabinet fronts have been custom-made to have 20mm stiles and rails instead of the usual 70mm,…

Byzantine Design is a collaborative space that is recognised within the design community for its authentic approach to providing creative solutions. Owner Dara Shashoua and her colleagues Laura Tomasi and Robyn Shrives have, collectively, over 60 years of experience and they draw upon this knowledge to go above and beyond. “We pride ourselves on building loyalty through exceptional service and nurturing strong ongong relationships. We also bring together a community of like-minded design lovers,” says Dara. About six weeks after opening the store in Melbourne, Dara flew to Sydney and fell over while walking through a shopping mall. That fall was the catalyst for Dara’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. While many encouraged her to close up shop, she refused, determined to keep her dream alive. Instead, she hired a team…

This new-build champions texture and warmth with a variety of wood finishes set against an otherwise pared-back palette. Aside from the visual warmth, LVI electric radiant heaters provide actual warmth and are stylish, low maintenance and easily installed. With a versatile open floor plan and large sliding doors, this home design balances a feeling of lightness with the depth of the materials used, which includes wood and concrete. Clean lines further highlight the texture in the materiality, allowing the delicate details of the vertical roof bracing to create visual interest in the otherwise subdued space. The heating solutions provided by LVI electric radiant heaters echo the simplicity of the home design, with true radiant heat emitted from each unit — all without the noise and air movement usually associated with…

In business since 2014, Buildmat manufactures superior sinks and supplies premium architectural products for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Starting with the kitchen sink market, Buildmat has expanded its range to include the supply of premium quality products to provide an innovative range for designers and homeowners who want more than what the industry has been offering. A 100-per-cent Australian-owned and -operated online retailer, Buildmat is based in Melbourne and lives by the motto, “If it’s not a product we will have in our own home, then we won’t be selling it.” From bathroom basins and tapware to laundry tubs, faucets, mixers and even the kitchen sink, this premium manufacturer is an award-winning business with plenty on offer. Handcrafted from 304-grade, 1.5mm-thick stainless steel — on average more than 0.5mm thicker…

Ambe is a simple addition to your outdoor space that will extend the outdoor season. Whether you’re after the subtle design of the Midnight Series, or the warm glow of the Sunset Series – 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, of course. Easy to install, and simple to operate, Ambe’s range of outdoor overhead heaters will help you get more out of your outdoor space – when the sun goes down, the night lives on. Heat things up Ambe Sunset Series Ambe’s Sunset Series was made to keep the party going – warming and illuminating your space, just…

This breathtaking coastal garden was designed for a family with three children and four dogs. They wanted an outdoor space for entertaining, but more importantly, they wanted a garden that would merge seamlessly with its surrounds in the Mount Eliza Woodland area on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. When the clients approached garden designer Alison Watson of Outdoor Designs, they asked her to create a design that would pay homage to the area and cater to the family’s love of spending time outdoors, relaxing or socialising. “They sought a garden with a casual, timeless coastal feel. The front garden was to be welcoming, open to form a connection with the natural surroundings, and include a new driveway using the existing crossover,” says Alison. “The clients also wanted an entertaining space that could…

Offering complete protection, a retractable pool enclosure will transform your lifestyle and ensure you get the maximum enjoyment out of your pool or spa. TPEC Pool Enclosures are custom designed to suit your specific requirements and optimise your outdoor living space. Constructed of materials that can withstand the rigours of any pool environment, TPEC enclosures will not only improve your lifestyle, they will stand the test of time and add value to your property. TPEC retractable enclosures are the ultimate solution for any pool, making it possible to use it no matter what the season, and when the weather allows, your pool or outdoor area can be opened within minutes. This makes a retractable enclosure the most versatile and stylish solution for enclosing a pool, spa or outdoor area. Other…

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…

Urban Design Systems (UDS) creates its own unique range of decorative laser-cut concepts, which includes screens and sculptures. UDS laser-cut 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…

This superlative showcase of classical styling, lavish proportions and the finest finishes delivers the ultimate in contemporary family luxury living. Tall rendered walls protect the grand approach and formal front gardens of this monumental four-level home in one of Toorak’s premier streets. Englehart’s signature heart motif appears in wrought iron detailing at the front gate and makes further appearances inside. From the recessed entrance, grand timber doors open to a magnificent reception hall with opulent marble floors, a sweeping curved staircase, 3.3-metre-high ceilings and a magnificent domed leadlight skylight that captures the eye and draws it up. Grand framed openings lead to adjoining formal lounge and dining rooms. Tall elegant windows invite natural light through the expansive formal living and dining rooms. A white marble fireplace is a focal point…

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…

The Elwood 234 is a stylish, cleverly designed single-storey home with space for everyone in the family. This home boasts four spacious bedrooms, including a master with a generous walk-in-robe and an ensuite that features a double vanity — perfect for busy mornings. The expansive kitchen offers abundant storage and a large walk-in pantry, making life just that bit more convenient. You also have the option to upgrade your walk-in-pantry to a butler’s pantry, complete with a sink and additional shelving. The kitchen flows through the open-plan dining and living areas which seamlessly connect to the alfresco. The Elwood 234 also features a media room which you can upgrade to include a sports bar that connects to the alfresco — the ideal option for entertaining. Another plus is the location…

A true visionary is how one could describe Melissa Leenman, the proud owner of Belle Heath, a guest house located an hour’s drive north-west of Sydney in the magnificent Hawkesbury region. An adults-only retreat, Belle Heath has proven a great success, as a guest house and an events venue. “We knew we could run a guest house,” explains Melissa, “but we are very happy that it has become busier and that it is expanding into different areas. It fulfils the creative in me.” And creative she is. Belle Heath, known for Melissa’s signature style — namely, lots of white, pretty backdrops and an over-arching sense of simplicity — is now a very popular photo shoot location for fashion, furniture and homeware companies. Also on offer are small day-only events such…

We’ve all become familiar with traditional heating methods — from gas to wood-burning and even electric — but have you heard of infrared heating? Herschel is leading the way when it comes to this innovative technology, which is gaining popularity with many consumers. Herschel infrared works by heating your home the same way the sun heats the earth. Through far infrared energy, the fabric of the building and all the things inside it warm up. This turns the surfaces of your home into part of your radiant heating system, delivering a consistently warm and comfortable environment. Unlike convection heat which heats the air and moves it around the house, radiant heat travels through the air and is absorbed by the furniture and materials in the room. Once the objects and…

The brief was simple: to create a home for a family of four on an elevated, exposed site. It was to have well-proportioned forms and spaces, a connection with nature, and a sense of tranquility. The idea of ‘sanctuary’ was core to the brief, leading Innovative Building Services to explore the use of curves, light and architecture as sculpture — also how to bring the landscape within the interior. The street frontage faces a busy intersection and arterial road; also, the home is bordered by three large houses that are all elevated above it. The intent was for the house to nestle snugly between these structures and to take curvilinear cues from the adjacent street, yet visually stand on its own. The journey to the home from the street was…

In building this impressive two-storey residence in Riverview on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, Davina Homes covered all the aspects to deliver the perfect family home. This bold and contemporary architecturally designed home is replete with features, from the soaring ceilings and open-plan living spaces to the staircase with skylight windows and the high-end European appliances throughout. Upon entry, you are welcomed into the home with a floor-to-ceiling three-metre door that leads you into the kitchen. This, in turn, opens up to an outdoor entertainment area overlooking the bespoke in-ground pool. As you climb the stairs, you pass through the atrium before making your way towards the bedrooms. The luxurious master bedroom is a masterpiece of its own with a gorgeous bar and seating area where you can take some time…

As part of a total home renovation, ThinkDzine Interiors, under the guiding hand of Director Dean Welsh, was tasked with creating a new family kitchen and two new bathrooms. “The owners wanted the kitchen to be the centrepiece of the living area,” explains Dean. “By changing the shape of the back area, squaring off the window and doors, and creating a new access point to the balcony, we were able to create a more welcoming, open space for the kitchen and dining area. “The clients love to entertain and they wanted to have the fridge, pantry and cooking zones hidden from view for a streamlined look when guests come over. This was achieved by placing them in the gallery section of the kitchen space. The use of the retractable door…

With a rich history spanning more than 110 years, Belling is one of the only range cookers to still be produced in the United Kingdom. Along with its tradition also comes innovation, as illustrated by the new offerings in the Colour Boutique range. There’s the bold but suave Mojito Mint, the enticing natural shade of Porcini Mushroom, and the rich tones of Kingfisher Teal, adding to the other colours on offer such as Peach Blush, Chilli Red, Floral Burst and Day’s Break, which is a beautiful blue that is as clear as a summer day’s sky. You can take your pick from these diverse colour choices, all of which are available across Belling’s new Colour Boutique Richmond Deluxe range of cookers. This versatile range boasts market-leading features, including a ground-breaking…

Today, our bathrooms are a place of retreat. Somewhere we can savour 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 precise ambience you desire. For close to 20 years, Bestlink has proudly offered elegant, on-trend 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. Made from high-quality ceramic, Innova’s matt black and matt white basins and toilets are beautifully designed and finished to give your bathroom a modern look that is the…

Heather and Sarah, the design duo behind Oak & Orange, pride themselves on designing dream homes for the modern family that are both practical and beautiful. Here they take us behind the scenes of the breathtaking bathrooms in their latest build — Dream Home 7 Coastal Farmhouse. “We love letting others in on our hot tips and believe gorgeous family homes should be low maintenance and easy to clean, leaving you more time to spend with your loved ones,” they say. “With every new house we design, the desire to create a liveable space that not only functions well but looks amazing too is central to our planning. It’s a worthwhile exercise to spend a little extra time on your bathroom design plan to ensure it functions well for your…

John Storch, a landscape architect and principal of A Total Concept, was commissioned to design the swimming pool, cabana, outdoor entertaining room and gardens for this Lower North Shore Sydney property, which is home to a young family of four. “The cabana was set adjacent to the pool to the rear of the property. This was to visually maximise the lawn and garden, and to allow views from the cabana backward towards the home and outdoor entertaining room,” says John. “In turn, this allowed us to take advantage of the level changes across the property to develop an elevated lawn area adjacent to the residence, thereby creating transitional zones between the home and rear spaces, and adding interest to the design. “The existing verandah area was too small for comfortable…

When it comes to living the good life in the Emerald City, it certainly doesn’t get better than a waterfront property overlooking the glorious Sydney Harbour. For these fortunate homeowners, who wanted a pool for exercise and entertaining, positioning their new pool to take advantage of their stunning water views was an easy decision. However, how to make best use of their limited space took more consideration. The angular design of the pool was a collaboration between them and Sandberg Schöffel Architects, and it was then expertly built by Artesian Pools. “We had very limited space and a very steep drop down to the harbour below,” explains Zeb Rodrigues of Artesian Pools. “The architect designed a compact pool of just 4m x 2.5m that makes the most of the views…

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…

Living in Australia means outdoor entertaining throughout the year, and perhaps the most important element is the dining setting. Gathering with loved ones around a table, sharing a meal and creating memories is an essential part of our weekend entertaining and treasured holidays. “Some of our clients imagine having all their family and friends gather together in one place, and are on the hunt for a grand table to fit as many people as possible,” says Cosh Living’s CJ Cornish. “This is a lovely image, but big is not always best. “If you have a generous outdoor space and entertain often, a large dining table is a great option. If you have a smaller space and entertain just a few times a year, it may be worth considering a pair…

The Shaderunner® Retractable Shade System is ideal for a wide variety of applications around the home, from outdoor entertaining spaces and patios to swimming pools and courtyards. With a vast array of fabrics and colours available, the Shaderunner® complements all architectural styles, from contemporary homes in the suburbs to traditional country residences. The architect owners of this lovely home in Adelaide’s leafy Eastern Suburbs recently created a beautiful raised outdoor deck that perfectly complements the Modernist house. To provide protection from the elements and maximise the use of this perfectly positioned space, a fully retractable Shaderunner® shade system was installed, extending from the house out over the deck, with the running wires then extending even further to posts in the garden. While most Shaderunner® systems are manufactured from a durable…

This spacious, modern and striking abode, built by Gremmo Homes, displays incredible attention to detail in its structure, palette and textures. The home also makes exceptional use of the acreage property, with expansive ceiling heights, custom-designed aluminium windows, and large doors to optimise the views. In the alfresco area, the operable roof makes for a clean, contemporary finish and is complemented by structural angles created by timber cladding. Clerestory glazing draws light into the dwelling, and stackbond brickwork (PGH Mowbray Blue) extends from the outside to the inside of the home. This creates a sense of cohesion and helps to harmonise indoor-outdoor living spaces. Stackable sliding doors open from the kitchen, which is fitted out with premium Miele appliances, and indoor dining room to reveal the informal outdoor eating area…

Designed and built by McLachlan Homes, Northbry Lodge, a multi-award-winning plantation-style home, sits in a tranquil setting with to-die-for views. Approaching from the north, the curved Blue stackstone wall and sandstone retaining captures the eye, as does the home’s extensive roof span. “The grand port cochere offers a sense of arrival, taking advantage of the hip scissor roof trusses and 4m-high raked ceilings finished with feature timber and soft shadow lines,” says Sally McLachlan of McLachlan Homes. “The long covered walkway, with its stained timber decking, leads you to the rotunda. This space mirrors the porte cochere, but with the addition of water features and tropical landscaping. “Stepping through the custom pivot door into the grand foyer, you are greeted with a vaulted timber-clad ceiling, large fixed-glass windows, feature timber…

We all deserve a little luxury in our lives, which is why Wisdom Homes has introduced the Manor Collection — a series of exclusive designs built with superior quality, distinctive style, and an abundance of space for those who demand excellence. Discover a bespoke, custom-designed selection of luxurious homes conceived with large, multigenerational families in mind. Offering numerous living areas and five double bedrooms in each design, every home in the Collection is the epitome of luxury family living. You also have a higher level of inclusions and a huge selection of elegant design features so that every home can be personalised to suit your unique lifestyle. The first in the Manor Collection series, The Manhattan 56, offers luxury living with a raft of customisable options. The ground floor is…

A Hamptons interior encapsulates relaxed yet sophisticated coastal-style living. Classic Hamptons interior design is dominated by fresh whites with signature blue accents and natural materials dotted throughout. An elegant look is achieved by the layering of textures and incorporation of classic design details, such as wall panelling and staircases with ornate balustrades. The Vella 250 display home, built by Stroud Homes Gold Coast, presents a fresh interpretation of traditional Hamptons design. The white kitchen makes more than a passing nod to Hamptons tradition with its Shaker-style cabinets, large island bench and feature pendant lights. The splashback also boasts subway tiles, which is another classic touch. Inside a Hamptons home there is always a beautiful balance of light, bright spaces and warm, grounding timber floors — a look replicated on the…

Located on Lamb Island, a peaceful isle just a short ferry ride from Brisbane, this contemporary owner-built kit home makes the most of its highly sought-after locale and calming water views. The block slopes towards the road and the water beyond, both factors the Imagine Kit Homes’ design team needed to consider and use to best advantage. A large covered deck spans the full width of the front of the home. To ensure an unobstructed view, whether sitting on the deck or looking out through one of the home’s three large glass sliding doors, the balustrade is of frameless glass. The expansive glass doors of the living room, above which there is a highlight window, can be opened to encourage the flow of cooling breezes and make indoor-outdoor entertaining an…

When winter arrives, it takes a great deal of willpower to leave the comfort of your home and brave the cold. That’s why everyone loves curling up next to a fire with a good book and glass of wine — or snuggling up with a special someone to watch your favourite show on Netflix. There’s nothing quite like lighting a fire at the end of the day and hearing the sound of the wood crackling as it ignites. There’s just something about heating a room the old-fashioned way that brings even more warmth than the fire itself. This, and a fireplace’s architectural appeal, can make any home feel more cosy and welcoming. Sculpt Fireplace Collection, an Australian owned company, specialises in architectural, wood-burning fireplace products that will bring warmth and…

Theatre at Home delivers the most comprehensive, all-inclusive home theatre package available, including everything you need to create an incredible cinema experience in the comfort of your own home — all without the need for complex installation services. Watch your favourite movies and TV shows in ultra-high definition with the latest surround sound formats that make you feel like you’re in the middle of the action. And the experience doesn’t stop there. Theatre at Home packages offer everything you need to make your room feel like a home theatre. Theatre at Home has been designed and engineered in Australia by the team at Life Style Store. To do this, the team drew on over 20 years of experience working with the world’s finest brands, and the combined knowledge of more…

This contemporary, family-friendly beach house, built by Lawson & Lovell on the Balmoral Slopes adjacent to a popular local coastal walk, boasts a luxurious, minimalist interior with abundant storage. Only the finest materials were used, including American oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, and simple paneling to selected walls to provide subtle detailing. The entry level consists of a large study (which conveniently converts into a guest room) and a generous bathroom that serves as a guest powder room. The entrance connects to an open-plan kitchen with a walk-in pantry to conceal appliances and equipment. The spacious floor plan provides for relaxing and entertaining. It is also elevated and open to the north-facing treetops and pristine beach vista. Covered wraparound balconies extend the interior entertaining areas, a highlight window provides treetop…

The previous kitchen was L-shaped with a breakfast bar and there was just one way in and one way out! It was a difficult design for a growing household, so Magic Kitchens & Furniture was tasked with creating a new, functional space where multiple members of the family could cook at the same time. Working in conjunction with Backman Builders, who carried out a full renovation of the home in the Melbourne suburb of Essendon, Magic Kitchens & Furniture revamped the kitchen to create a treasured and practical family hub. Storage was essential in the redesign, and incorporating a walk-in pantry made all the difference in this space. Beautiful, detailed cabinetry offers space to store small appliances out of sight and keep the main cooking area clutter-free. Besides the wonderful…

The kitchen is the heart of the family home, and often one of the first rooms Darren James Interiors will design. Darren and his family wanted a galley-style kitchen with a walk-through scullery, coupled with a breakfast sitting area for casual seating and meals. Adequate kitchen storage is essential for all families, and this was achieved here through the inclusion of many drawers. Balance and scale in any design improves the aesthetic of the space, so instead of heavy overhead cabinetry, an eye-catching curved rangehood feature was designed, as well as a simple floating shelf wrapped in stainless steel and painted in an industrial two-pack. The generous benchtops — so important in the kitchen space — are Staron Solid Surface, ensuring a durable, quality finish. The colour chosen was Bright…

True or false: When you open your pantry you feel at peace. If this statement is not quite ringing true — if every time you open the doors you’re greeted by a jumble of items that takes you forever to search through — it’s time to invest in some pantry storage from PEKA. Based in Switzerland, PEKA is an international brand and a market leader when it comes to clever home organisation. Recently, Australian company Nover introduced these smart storage solutions to the local market, and it’s not hard to see why. PEKA offers a range of successful products that Australian homeowners and designers are falling in love with. To begin with, let’s take a look at PEKA Pleno Plus. This is a modern organisation system that allows you to…

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…

A stunning line-up of kitchens vied for State and National titles in the KBDi Designer Awards in 2021, with the category proudly sponsored by Multitap by Insinkerator. In this feature, KBDi introduces the member who took out the coveted title of KBDi Australian Kitchen Designer of the Year and showcases her spectacular project. Maddalena Fiorasi studied architecture in Venice before working in Europe for several years. When she moved to Australia, Maddalena pursued her passion for residential design, studying at Sydney’s Enmore Design Centre. Her dedication to her studies was acknowledged with a student award in 2018 and earned her a complimentary membership (and serendipitous introduction) to the Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute of Australia (KBDi). Both KBDi and its Education Partner TAFE NSW were delighted to see this connection…

Landscaping is a vital consideration when building a new home; and it’s required by most councils and developers as a necessary part of the approval process. This, along with a desire to offer people a truly complete home and finished landscaping service, is what lead award-winning Sydney home builder, Wisdom Homes, to launch its own pool and landscaping company, Wisdom Pool and Landscapes, in 2011. Having both companies work in tandem to design and build homes, pools and outdoor spaces enables the teams to create a well-coordinated, custom-designed indoor-outdoor lifestyle for each client and ensure a treamlined building process. Wisdom Pools and Landscapes offers a myriad of options when it comes to swimming pools, including custom concrete pools and a range of fibreglass packages. It also has pool renovation experience.…

Set seamlessly into its picturesque rural surroundings, this freeform pool sits on a hill with an enviable outlook. Natural stone paving and timber decking have been chosen to complement the style of the pool and gently place it within its coastal environment. Castlemaine random stone paving was the perfect choice for this project, with its warm, earthy tones of brown, gold and terracotta. It’s sourced from the original Castlemaine stone quarry in Central Victoria, one of only a few local quarries still producing. This iconic stone has been mined since 1953 and has truly stood the test of time. It’s a popular choice due to its durability, gorgeous colouring as well as its availability in so many forms. It’s also slip-resistant and salttolerant, which is why this unique stone is…

Lunch on the deck, dinner under the stars, drinks with friends by the pool … having a well-furnished, beautifully decorated outdoor living space makes each of these scenarios so much more appealing, and it provides an additional “room” you can use when entertaining. As with most things in life, buying the best quality you can afford is always a good idea. With outdoor furniture, buying quality is about comfort and style; and it’s about choosing something that is strong, durable and easy to maintain. Schots Home Emporium has developed a stellar reputation for its outdoor furniture collections. For a modern or industrial look, the range of concrete furniture — benches, coffee tables, dining tables, stools … even a sofa — is truly diverse. For those who prefer the warmth of…

As temperatures drop it might be tempting to retreat indoors — but you really don’t have to leave that beautiful outdoor room space you’ve so lovingly created just because it’s winter. After all the hard work you’ve done to create the ultimate entertaining space, it would be a shame to desert it for a portion of the year. Bring inside comfort outside with the HEATSTRIP range of outdoor gas and electric heaters proudly designed and engineered in Australia. In a market filled with unsightly and bulky outdoor heaters, it’s refreshing to see a company so passionately providing innovative, stylish and energy efficient outdoor heating solutions. From freestanding to wall mounted, there is a HEATSTRIP for every application. The new HEATSTRIP Elegance with remote and app (THER-A) is an elegant heating…