Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue#19.1 2016 i Home Design

With the focus on a contemporary space, the home features primarily neutral tones, with accessories and materials like timber creating warmth Busy schedules mean sacrifice, typically in the form of the simple things like enjoying the sunlight, playing with the kids outside or simply breathing in some fresh air. Designing a home around the natural elements solves this dilemma, and is a clever way to utilise the outdoors and bring its essence inside the home. Aspect Designs created the concept of this Bella Vista, Sydney, home, which revolves around the idea of producing areas and levels that cater for informal and formal areas as well as indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces. “The brief was limited to accommodation requirements and to produce a lifestyle home centred around the water features of…

The gated community of Emirates Hills is home to Dubai’s elite. Named after its equally luxe LA counterpart Beverly Hills, the exclusive neighbourhood is filled with contemporary homes that accept nothing but the best. Created by boutique firm Nikki B Signature Interiors, this villa showcases the pinnacle of modern design with a Middle Eastern twist. A spacious 1391m² area comprising five bedrooms is on offer, providing interior designer Nikki Bisiker with a blank canvas on which to enact her vision. This villa is filled with contrasting colour palettes, materials, textures and patterns that all come together, ultimately creating a harmonious residence while giving each room a distinct personality. The dining room is full of luxury accents and materials. Revolving around a yellow–gold palette, hues of navy blue in the dining…

When renovating a kitchen, it’s common to feel frustrated by a lack of space and fearful of cramming too much into too little. But clever planning, forward thinking and good design tell another story, as this kitchen demonstrates. “We have achieved more than everyone expected with the existing space that was provided for us,” says Katia Slogrove, lead interior designer at Germancraft Cabinets. “If anything, the space has become bigger.” Some walls had to be removed to accommodate the client’s desire for a scullery and the same footprint had to be followed as the flooring couldn’t be replaced, but the end result was well worth the effort. When closed, the sliding door completely conceals the scullery, while the glossy white walls and 2-pack cabinets keep the space looking light and…

The owner wanted to completely renovate the house, resulting in a stunning kitchen that is a modern design statement and the central hub of the home. The ability of this space to transform from a welcoming, entertaining hub during the day to party central at night makes it a prime example of luxury, diversity and versatility. Regularly catering for up to 15 guests on a weekly basis, the owner required a larger-than-normal oven and wanted to be able to stay connected with guests while cooking. The Caesarstone table with LED backlit illumination is the hero of the space and an amazing visual centrepiece. The kitchen can now transform to fit any mood, no matter the occasion. The large integrated oven provides the efficiency needed for entertaining, but does not interrupt…

Living a greener existence is playing an increasing role in many segments of life, from the design of our homes to the materials utilised to create them. Melbourne-based Cantilever Interiors is a company that prioritises eco considerations when creating spaces for clients, producing stunning results that don’t skip on the details. Dubbed the K2, this eco kitchen was created from multiple sources. “A lot of the design ideas at Cantilever come quite organically,” says founder Travis Dean. “We knew we wanted to design a kitchen with sound environmental credentials that didn’t look like a typical ‘eco’ kitchen — high on philosophy, low on design detail.” Featuring PEFC-certified blackbutt and plywood alongside a recycled stone benchtop, this space revolves around a neutral Australiana palette inspired by the landscape. A hint of…

1 The Cosentino Group has developed Acqua Fraccaroli, a limited-edition colour in collaboration with renowned Brazilian interior design architect, Brunete Fraccaroli. Acqua Fraccaroli commemorates Silestone’s 25th anniversary and represents nature, health, happiness and wellbeing thanks to its vibrant blue–green hue. This new tone stands out for its brightness, strength, cheerfulness and freshness. Inspired by the designer’s childhood memories where strong, intense colours were always present, the bluish-green creates beautiful and striking spaces or harmonious and relaxed environments. Like all Silestone colours, Acqua Fraccaroli offers high resistance to scratches, stains and impact, low fluid absorption and a 25-year warranty from Cosentino. Photography by Carlos Piratininga. silestoneoceania.com 2 Designed by Italian architect Guido Canali, Smeg’s first Speed Oven incorporates all the features of its regular appliances but marries convection cooking with microwave…

HOME DESIGN TALKS WITH VEROSOL’S MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, ANDREA TANG Home Design What are the current trends in window treatments? Andrea No matter the season, consumers always love using colour to create a contemporary look and feel. Colour in cushions, rugs and window furnishings added to organic and natural backgrounds gives your home a seasonal lift while still allowing an earthy, comfortable feel. Blinds are becoming a striking feature in the design of the room, lifting the mood and character instantly. The majority of buildings today are built with glass facades and offer natural light and an outside view. As a result, motorisation is being used more as the size of windows increases. Motorisation is also becoming more affordable and will continue to increase as tech-savvy consumers use smartphones and…

1 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN Designer Staircases can design and build a bespoke staircase in your new or existing home. This modern yet enduring example becomes a centre point in the home with the right design elements balanced between form, function, texture and material. It features on-trend glass balustrading, a timber handrail and brushed-finish stainless-steel posts available in square or round. The timber emits warmth, the glass retains an open atmosphere, and stainless steel creates a contemporary, high-end finish to the feature staircase. designerstaircases.com.au 2 STEPPE UP The Steppe Crystal Chandelier range is perfect for those who want a bit of crystal in their life but don’t have the height or space for a full-size chandelier. The Steppe is covered in precision-cut, high-quality Asfour crystal balls and pieces. Available in eight-light…

A graphic designer and a legal professional in their previous lives, Johan and Nia began their creative pursuit through a platform many of us use — Instagram. What started as a personal endeavour soon grew, with many fellow design lovers jumping on a bandwagon that shines the spotlight on the simple things. “Johan first trained as a graphic designer, but decided it wasn’t for him, so he retrained as a plumber,” says Nia. “I worked in the legal sector for a few years, but it wasn’t until I was on maternity leave that I really pursued a creative change. I started a lifestyle blog, spent a lot of time Instagramming and that’s when we both realised we had an audience that appreciated the same things we did.” Going on to…

We all know we will need to address myriad functional questions requiring solid, pragmatic answers when renovating or building. How many bathrooms do we need? What tapware do we buy? What bathroom tiles? And on it goes for the year or two of design and construction. While sometimes overwhelming, these are the less-significant, easy questions to deal with. The far tougher and more important questions — with longer-lasting, broader impact — are all too often overlooked, remaining unasked and unanswered. Among the critical questions, few seemingly ponder or discuss this one: what sort of legacy do you want to leave for yourself, your family, your community and the world? For many homeowners, legacy is synonymous with the narrow and most obvious dictionary definition — an economic legacy or windfall willed…

What was originally an old fibro house could not be more different to what now stands in its place. Located in Sydney’s Inner West, the new residence was created by Starr Constructions for a family of five and offers space and luxury on tap. “The original home on the site was very old and ready to come down,” says director of Starr Constructions, Nino Sanzari. “We demolished the home and started with a blank canvas.” Beginning from scratch is not a luxury many are afforded, but with this fresh outlook comes the ability to create a dream house. “Our clients wanted a contemporary home with a feeling of warmth,” says Jon Vithoulka, director of Starr Constructions. “It was important the living space was large and connected to the kitchen with…

Your house should be a reflection of your style, and there’s nothing better than coming home to a space that is truly yours. Working with Melbourne-based American interior architectural firm Toni Franchi Design, the husband and wife who call this unique space home created a design that is opulent, stylish, and a reflection of who they are. Toni was tasked with revamping the kitchen and living areas, which are generally considered the most important spaces within the home. Serving as the centrepiece of the design, the kitchen combines Talostone Statuario veined marble to create a signature look that’s modernised with stainless-steel accents. Duropal timber cabinetry in Walnut Lyon brings warmth into the kitchen, contrasting with the richness of the marble benchtop. “These finishes were chosen to work as beautiful display…

It’s always amazing to witness the big differences small changes can make. Apart from redirecting the existing plumbing through the kitchen, no major building works were required in this kitchen, and yet the end result feels and looks like a massive transformation that has brought this space from the late ’90s into the 21st century. With a client brief focused on “clean lines and minimalism with as many drawers as possible”, the appliance–pantry cupboard combination is just one visible example of stellar success. Every nook and cranny has been utilised as storage, neatly concealed by handle-free cabinets. It’s hard to imagine this kitchen succumbing to mess, which is important given the open plan leading directly into the living room. This is a timeless design that won’t need to be touched…

As the heart of the home, it’s always sad to see a kitchen that’s struggling to keep up with the rest of the house. Sure, it’s a lot easier to change a few cushions and add a lick of paint here and there, but it’s essential not to neglect the one room every member of the family is guaranteed to use. Shaynna Blaze decided to work with Granite Transformations to bring new life into her 20-year-old kitchen which was headed straight towards a quarter-life crisis. With all the surfaces beginning to peel away, a wobbly island bench and outdated appliances, an update was clearly needed. “The kitchen needed to make better use of the space with extra storage, a larger island bench and integrated laundry and integrated laundry facilities,” says…

Boasting a semi-commercial feel with dual cooking zones, this culinary-focused kitchen has been expertly arranged to ensure the space facilitates the couple’s desire to cook together. An extension from the outside space, the colour palette, finishes and the layering of textures results in a warm and inviting space where the couple can do what they love most — cook. darrenjames.com.au Wynnstay House is home to architects Rob McBride and Debbie Ryan of McBride Charles Ryan, and has painstakingly been built by the couple over a number of years. They ensured every detail is precise and in context with the rest of the home. The kitchen is the latest addition, and Corian was selected because it is malleable and robust. Matching the water theme of the interior, the island bench alludes…

HOME DESIGN CHATS WITH KYLIE DAVIS, MARKETING COORDINATOR AT CHARLES PARSONS Home Design What are the current trends in window treatments? Kylie Wide-width sheers are being requested more due to the trend of large, high windows in open-plan living. Digital printing is at the forefront of design trends, and this is reflected in many of our new sheer designs. Digital printing transfers designs onto fabrics like nothing has before. This new technology gives a clarity that has not been possible in interiors, opening up a world of possibility for new looks in interiors. Soft drape fabrics (also referred to as triple weave) are increasing in popularity. These fabrics are great for residential applications due to the soft hang and dim-out properties. These fabrics can be used without a lining for…

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but the stomach is certainly the way to one’s heart, so make sure you’re well equipped with the latest tools for alfresco cooking. For those working in an intimate space, it’s essential to work out what you need and what you don’t. Then look at compact models and dual-purpose pieces. Alternatively, if you’ve got a big backyard with space for an alfresco kitchen, it’s equally important to make sure you don’t fill up the space unnecessarily with things you don’t need. Most importantly, don’t forget to think about what you enjoy cooking, because at the end of the day, nothing tastes better than food made with love.…

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In the heart of the French countryside near the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a London family has created a home away from home. The detached house and grounds remodelled by David Price Design feature a new extension, terraces and additions inspired by the rich colours of the Mediterranean. The traditional interior palette in this part of France has tended to be cooling white walls with colour introduced by the furniture and fittings, but this home’s new owners wanted to be a little more daring and contemporary in their treatment. “When we first bought the house, the rooms already had very individual colours,” says the owner. “While I loved the idea of colour, the palette was a little too pale and peachy for our taste, so we decided to be bolder and…

The modern home is becoming increasingly tech savvy, and not solely for entertainment purposes. Convenience is a huge drawcard, too. Whether you’ve got a spare room by way of the basement or have a full house and hectic schedule, decking your house out with the latest tech solutions can create flow and make life more enjoyable. This existing 6.9m x 3.9m basement room in Sydney’s Bexley North was once an unloved junk room for a family of six. But it was always the homeowner and father’s dream to have a home cinema equivalent in sound and picture to that of a commercial one. Not only has Len Wallis Audio combined forces with builder/theatre designer Andrew Fenton of Trade A Management to turn this dream into a reality, but it’s big…

Full of life just like his paintings, there is certainly nothing dull about Graham Jones. After leaving school in year 11, he spent the next 23 years as a jack of all trades. He performed on television programs such as Bandstand, wrote for wine, architectural and housing publications and self-published an autobiography, No-One in Particular. “My wife Ella and I spent three years living in Germany working in hospitality for the US military before returning to Melbourne to manage a hotel in Toorak,” says Graham. He also managed shoe company, Windsor Smith, and was national marketing manager for ODI, an international business consulting company. At the age of 40, Graham and his wife started Graham Jones Design, which, over the next 20 years, would receive more than 85 Victorian and…

After arriving in Australia from the US, newlyweds Laz and Melissa set out from Melbourne to explore the east coast of Australia. By the time they reached Palm Cove in Queensland, they were smitten with the Aussie way of life. They settled in Northern Queensland for a number of years, but eventually relocated to the Gold Coast. A canal-front lifestyle beckoned, and after some initial trial and error attempts to find a builder who could relate to their vision, they were introduced to Jim Taylor from Unique Homes. Jim specialises in building custom-designed luxury homes and, with the clients working in close consultation with his in-house design team, developed a floor plan that suited them perfectly. The home is approached via a paved bridge bordered either side by a tranquil…

The owners were after a Hamptons-style kitchen, but wanted to add their own individual flair. Maximising space and storage as much as possible was essential to maintaining an open feel, which the butler’s pantry facilitated. The large island bench is the focal point of the kitchen, and with a beautiful, glossy Caesarstone benchtop, it is perfect for socialising and meals. The neutral colour palette is fresh and inviting and opens up the kitchen. The space is fully functional and practical for everyday living, and the high-quality cabinetry and integrated appliances speak for themselves. This kitchen adds a touch of elegance and complements the newly built residence in a surrounding rural area. It is now the heart of the home and a space you can truly appreciate. Designer Darren Briffa for…

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY The classic white kitchen will always be popular, but some deeper shades of grey are making an impact in Australian kitchens. Think almost-black browns and greys in cabinetry and/or benchtops and statementmaking black or coloured appliances. WHITE HOT White kitchens are holding their ground, but they’re being warmed up with beautiful timber detailing. Planked timbers and striking veneers take the edge off an all-white kitchen, adding warmth and interest with varying tones and patterns. STATEMENT SPLASHBACKS An enormous range of tiles is widely available today, with something to suit every style. Magnificent mosaics, recycled glass and replica timber appeal to many, while Moroccan-influenced or geometric-patterned tiles are musthaves for others. For those still keen on grout-free glass, new technologies allow homeowners to incorporate photos or artwork…

There’s nothing like marble to make a space feel luxurious, solid and timeless. Marble wall tiles provide the perfect canvas in which to frame the fixtures — the natural variations in the veining are a sublime backdrop to the classic symmetry of the vanity and adjacent windows. Both the toilet and vanity are hung from the wall to open up the area as much as possible. Even the bathtub, which is fixed to the floor, was selected as the base gives the illusion of suspension. Other space-creating features include the custom-made frameless shower cubicle, the high-gloss tiles reflecting multiple LED downlights, and the recessed shower shelving. Storage is a vital ingredient in any bathroom design, and the double vanity and four-door mirrored cabinets above provide ample room to house bathroom…

More than 180 guests from around the world attended the International Green Interior Awards in Sydney. Attendees included finalists, suppliers, industry professionals, students and friends. Australian Living developed these unique awards in 2012 to sit within its suite of platforms that facilitate and promote sustainable building practice. To deliver these awards, Australian Living partnered with Universal Magazines, Australia’s largest niche media company. The International Green Interior Awards welcomed entries from interior designers, architects, interior stylists, interior consultants, students, graduates, manufacturers, building designers, sustainability consultants, developers, building owners, tenants and homeowners. OVERALL WINNER AND LENDLEASE OFFICE (LARGE) WINNER: GOOGLE HEAD OFFICE, SOUTH AFRICA, BY BOOGERTMAN + PARTNERS, SOUTH AFRICA This was a well-thought-out sustainable project inspired by the contextual fabric of Johannesburg. Jeans were collected from staff members to create the…