Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue#21.1 2018 i Home Design

London-based Welsh designer Bethan Gray combines traditional craft practices with innovative design technology and natural, sumptuous materials to create timeless pieces of furniture and decorative items that will stand the test of time and become family favourites and future heirlooms. Bethan’s creative inspiration is derived from a rich family heritage that sees her utilising traditional crafts from the east and west. She believes much of her creative leanings, and more specifically her love of natural materials and decorative craft, can be traced back to the influence of her grandfather, a research forester who moved to Wales from Scotland and filled his home with self-made wooden furniture and knick-knacks. “I love solid wood, leather and marble and the unique patterning that comes with them. Every piece of stone I use is…

IT HAS A RELAXED VIBE, WHICH ECHOES THE FEELING THIS NEW MEXICO TOWN EVOKES. IT’S REFRESHING. IT’S A LITTLE BIT ARTY. AND IT PAYS HOMAGE TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT For those who love good design, taking a peek inside an interior designer’s home is like Sunday brunch in the sweet sunshine, cocktails at sunset, or discovering there was another chocolate in the box after all. It’s a real treat to be both savoured and enjoyed, and getting a look inside interior designers Paul Rochford and Michael Violante’s stunning house provided just that. The couple’s 1930s Santa Fe-style home has lots of warm natural light. The interior is filled with a mix of global treasures, curios and works of art. It has a relaxed vibe, which echoes the feeling this New…

we love THE FLAVOURS OF MOROCCO MIXED WITH CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE When a well-respected interior designer and her sustainability consultant husband decide to build their own contemporary home, you have the perfect marriage of aesthetics and energy efficiency. Designer Frances Cosway says they wanted to create a home that was extremely liveable, but at the same time ticked all the boxes for sustainability. Their meeting of sensibilities, eco awareness and good design has created a home that is vibrant and welcoming, with plenty of room for a young family. The five-bedroom three-bathroom residence is located in Hampton, in Melbourne, and was constructed by Blue Chip Builders. The new build is a far cry from its predecessor, a neglected circa 1940s home that was bereft of any of its finer architectural detail.…

When Daryl Braithwaite isn’t riding on “The Horses”, the team from My Little Pony aren’t gallivanting across rainbow fields on sparkly adventures, and punters aren’t being entertained by the racecourse, horses are often overlooked. Polly Epov isn’t interested in fictional ponies or hit singles from the ’90s; she’s more concerned with capturing wildlife in its natural state. Specialising in photography, she also dabbles in charcoal drawings and acrylic abstracts, but it’s her latest photography series, 11 Horses, that has us champing at the bit. Revealing the freedom and vulnerability of Australian thoroughbreds, her black and white photographic art collection was a labour of love. “Thoroughbreds are often thought of as wild and unpredictable or as athletes on a racetrack,” explains Polly. “My collection shows the softer, more vulnerable side of…

This Hawkes Bay bach has a great location at Waimarama Beach but the previous kitchen was hugely dated, with 1960s cabinetry. As part of the renovation to the whole bach, the owners wanted a kitchen that was a mixture of both traditional and Scandinavian styles with the inclusion of concrete benchtops. Durability was also a top priority, with easy-to-care-for products essential for the holiday home. The inclusion of an island benchtop has created a perfect casual dining area for both kids and adults. The island’s placement was important and needed to ensure a seamless indoor/outdoor flow to the large decks outside. A shared scullery and laundry has been created behind the kitchen, providing storage for linen and extra food when the family is in residence. The use of timber here…

Our wishes to “go green” or live a sustainable life can often go straight into the “too hard” basket. When people hear the term sustainable home, images of tiny houses and other eco-dwellings in the middle of a remote forest often come to mind. But making a house eco-friendly — and a chic one at that — can be so much simpler. You do not need to pitch a tent in the wilderness or sell all your belongings and move to a hippie commune to make a positive impact on the environment. Neil Armstrong said it best with the words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” — and this couldn’t be more relevant in today’s mass consumer society.…

Furnishing your space using fabrics, and updating your walls with interesting new colours and patterns is what I like to think of as the pizza topping to your pizza base. Fabrics and wall coverings help bring an area to life, adding a final bit of jazz to a room. Updating your home’s fabrics or walls is also one of the easiest ways to create a fresh look. A new cushion or lick of paint goes far in terms of sprucing, but it doesn’t break the bank or take too much effort.…

When it comes to choosing wallcovering for your exterior, it’s imperative you opt for materials that will be waterproof as well as withstand whatever the elements throw at the walls. According to Melanie Stevenson, marketing manager for Porter’s Paints, the paint you opt for on your exterior needs to have the right ingredients. “There are different paint resins for interior or exterior use,” she explains. “Always choose the correct coating, because an interior product will surely fail if used externally.” Other excellent materials that work beautifully on the exterior of the home include tiles. “Tiles are a good choice for wall finishings because they require little maintenance over the long term,” explains Michela Sofo, head of marketing at Olde English Tiles. “They don’t need to be constantly repainted, varnished or…

Laminate floors are an affordable and stylish alternative to timber boards and look like the real thing. Mimicking the look and feel of timber, laminate is successful at creating a warm and homely feel, particularly the new Majestic collection from Quick-Step. It boasts the warmth, character and richness of traditional timber flooring without the price tag. The range enjoys a 100-per-cent waterproof surface with genuine innovative bevel. “The combination of oak and long, wide floor planks lends a luxurious touch to any interior,” says Oke Nollet, design director at Quick-Step. For an immediately comfortable, cosy and welcoming flooring option, you can’t go past carpet. The practical and aesthetic appeal of a carpeted space is especially popular in bedrooms. “Carpet, particularly wall to wall, changes the look and feel of a…

“Home owners and architects have become far more mindful of sustainable building design,” says Mandy Saliba, marketing manager of Safetyline Jalousie. “With this, we are seeing a growing demand for window systems with increased thermal efficiency and insulated properties. There is also an emerging trend for acoustic-rated windows. Congestion and noise pollution are increasing as our cities grow in density and spread further. New homes and developments that are located close to busy roads and under flight paths are required to use windows that meet specific acoustic requirements in order to block out unwanted external noise.” TYPES OF WINDOWS SASHLESS WINDOWS “Sashless windows provide the best of both worlds,” says STEGBAR’s Christine. “They look like a fixed window but can be opened to allow in the fresh air and provide…

Renovating a home can be a very time-consuming process, full of compromises. If the house is old and the bones of the project are wrong to start with, it may be better to detonate and rebuild instead of renovating. However, if knocking down your existing house is not an option and you want more than a cosmetic renovation, it’s vital to be realistic about the process and outcome. Many homeowners enter a renovation project not fully understanding what they’re taking on — I’ve heard it said many times that it takes a strong relationship between partners to survive a renovation. The first thing to understand is that renovating can often cost more and take longer than building a new house. However, it will depend on several factors including the location…

GARDEN GLAM Le Jardin, or “The Garden”, is the latest collection from Melbourne homewares heavyweight Lightly. The contemporary collection includes homewares, soft furnishings, lights and planters, and was inspired by the secret gardens dotting North Africa. Marrakesh, the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains all lent inspiration to this in-house collection, which can be seen up close and personal at 3 Glasshouse Road, Collingwood. lightly.com.au FOLLOW US facebook.com/homedesignmagazine @homedesignmagazine_au BLUSHING BEAUTIES Amp up your kitchen’s aesthetic appeal with the new Accents Rose Gold range of toasters and kettles from Morphy Richards. The stylish appliances will turn a drab kitchen into a showstopper in no time. “Rose Gold is right on trend. It’s a finish that exists somewhere between fashion and luxury,” says Candice Cooke, marketing manager for Morphy Richards, Australia. The…

When we first came across Rowena Martinich’s and Geoffrey Carran’s work, we were completely awestruck. Their designs, which include large-scale artworks and two diverse practices of vibrant Abstract Expressionism and Representational painting, are unlike anything we’ve seen before — so we had to know more. “Martinich&Carran really started with a painting,” says Geoffrey. “It was a collaboration between us while we were doing a studio residency and exhibition, ‘Fluoresce’, that Rowena curated at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2012,” he says. “From this point, we began to explore other applications of our two distinct styles and developed a range of products for our online store.” Geoffrey describes much of his work as “mainly representational”, each painting dealing with a recognisable subject. “There is always a tension between immediacy and…

we love THE DARING USE OF YELLOW AND BLACK IN THE BEDROOM 10 HOUSE 2 (HOME DESIGN VOL. 10 NO. 2) Photography Craig Bryant Photo Part of Montpelier Place, an exclusive housing estate in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this amazing house was designed by Tzannes. The first level of the home is defined by three main living areas, all joined by an easily accessible sun-drenched courtyard surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The formal living and dining room features a modern gas fireplace and a generous balcony that runs the full length of the living room, with impressive views over Manly Beach, and all the way to Palm Beach. Beyond the living and dining rooms, the kitchen boasts an enormous walk-in pantry, a large stone-topped island bench and ample space for…

This chic, minimalist home offers a breath of fresh air in a built-up, concrete-heavy area of Taichung, Taiwan. Surrounded on all sides by medium-density buildings, this abode, which was designed by Sam Huang and built by his own architecture and design studio, T.M Design Studio, is a beacon of beautiful compact design amid a concrete jungle. The home has a double purpose, hence its apt name Dual Concepts. It functions both as a home for Sam as well as a studio for his business. Trialling an intriguing concept of combining home and work space for the purpose of working efficiently, while also endeavouring to spend more time with his family, Sam’s dream of working and living in the same space came to fruition when he found and renovated this old…

Blurring the line between outdoor and indoor living is undeniably in vogue, and with Australia’s sunny temperament, it’s practically a necessity — especially if you’re lucky enough to be a stone’s throw away from Sydney’s iconic Coogee Beach. This federation semi in the idyllic seashore suburb had previously undergone a renovation in the ’90s, but it was dated and didn’t bridge the gap between indoors and out. In need of a space that optimised their beautiful location, the owners called on Sydney-based firm Luchetti Krelle. As the owners are a sociable family with three small children, it was important these factors were considered in the home’s redesign. “The owners work hard, play hard and are very well-travelled and design savvy,” says interior designer Rachel Luchetti. So globalised in fact, they…

When investing in a piece of furniture, parting with your hard-earned cash means you want the best. And it could be time to welcome one such furniture brand to the party, because we’re predicting Brisbane-based Buywood Furniture is about to be the next cult brand Australians will be lusting over. The company provides affordable, trendy pieces for every room of the house. The best bit? Each piece is designed and handmade right here in Australia. Lee Kenny is the creative mind responsible for the sleek and functional pieces we love so much. Meticulous, explorative and genuine, Lee sure knows how to bring the wow factor to a room. Purveyor of modern Australian glamour, he started out as a craftsman, a pursuit he fell in love with from a young age.…

Using the sun to power your home can help reduce your electricity bills and your carbon footprint, giving you access to a renewable and clean source of energy. You may not pay much attention to the sun in your daily life — except when it’s a scorching-hot day or you need to protect yourself with sunscreen — but it certainly has the power to fuel your lifestyle tomorrow. “Now, more than ever before, customers are looking not just for a solar system, but a fully integrated home solar and energy storage solution with back-up power,” says Chris Williams, CEO and founder of Natural Solar. “Smart battery solutions such as SonnenBatterie give households far greater flexibility into when and how they use their electricity, while at the same time hedging against…

Tiles are a low-maintenance flooring option and have been popular for decades, centuries even. Back when the Roman Empire was in full swing, Mark Anthony, Nero and the rest of the ancient crew could be found donning their best sandals as they glided over intricate mosaic-tiled floors. While these types of floors were relegated to the wealthiest members of Roman society, tiled floors are an affordable option in the 21st century. Their main benefits include: Durability: Unlike carpets and floorboards, tiles resist fading and are one of the hardiest flooring options on the market. Water resistant: Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, the water-resistant qualities of tiles can be enjoyed around the rest of the home, especially for those with children and pets, who add to the moisture content of your…

What makes an investment in your home a smart one? For starters, it should add to the value of your property when the time comes to sell. A smart home investment is one that makes your home more desirable to potential buyers, and high-quality windows and doors are among the best investments you can make. “With new technology and advances in glass design, windows and doors have become bigger, better and more energy efficient than ever before,” says Milan Nikolich, Dowell national marketing manager. “There are many factors that can influence a customer’s window and door selection. Questions to ask are what purpose will they serve, and will they satisfy the customer’s need for comfort, light, views, aesthetics, security, open living, et cetera.” From the nitty-gritty fundamentals to the hottest…

we love THE POCKETS OF FLOWERS AND GREENERY THAT BRING THE SPACE TO LIFE An outdoor space that so effortlessly provides a feeling of harmony to its visitors is a special thing. Built in Japan for the Gardening World Cup 2016, this garden by Paal Grant Landscape Design — in collaboration with Yamamoto Landscapes Japan, builder Mayhew Netherway and landscape contractor Kazuta — does exactly that. Paal Grant Landscape Design’s intention here was to base the space on a mandala, a spiritual symbol often used in Buddhism or Hinduism and commonly thought of as representing the universe. A mandala is a tool for spirituality, one that helps its user create a sacred space. It is believed to aid meditation and wisdom. Specifically — and in its most basic form —…

1/ CONCRETE FOR THE WIN Concrete Resurfacing Systems offers a variety of services to help both residential and commercial clients. Whether you require protective epoxy flooring, polished concrete or designer concrete overlays, it provides concrete treatment services to achieve the finished look and function you want and need for a particular project. Some of the services include concrete grinding and concrete floor preparation, protective and industrial epoxy flooring, decorative concrete toppings and polished concrete flooring. With more than 15 years’ experience in the industry, the company sources products from around the world to ensure the best systems and products are available to discerning homeowners. The showroom is in Melbourne. polishedconcretemelbourne.com.au 2/ SIT PRETTY There is one thing we can all agree on when it comes to chairs: comfort is key.…

When a designer is at the top of his or her game, an unmistakable sense of confidence, ease and spirit is evident in every detail. Such is the case for Chris Carroll. An aspiring writer in another life, Chris completed work experience at Who Magazine at the age of 24, when he decided reporting wasn’t enough. Armed with an interest in design, he disrupted the interior world with a unique, charismatic and ultimately easy way to spruce up the home. “I thought I wanted to get into entertainment reporting, but on my lunch break one day I picked up a copy of Real Living magazine,” says Chris. “It was love at first sight and from then on I knew I wanted to work in the world of interiors. Shortly after,…

Infinite Design is the name chosen by Michelle Macarounas for her gorgeous studio, found nestled among art galleries in Paddington, Sydney. Her career spans TV set design, commercial fit-outs and residential projects, although she spent the first part of her working life immersed in marketing and communications before taking the big design plunge. “With a long-term passion for design and having studied it in both Paris and Sydney, I eventually decided to move my skill set from marketing to design and initially worked in TV set design and commercial fitouts,” says Michelle. “It was in 2002 that I decided to open my own design company and began freelancing in Sydney and the US.” Luxury and the elegance of European design, combined with the relaxed casual ease of the Australian aesthetic,…

we love THE FUSION OF BEACH CHIC, RETRO AND MODERN INFLUENCES The large doors open up to the outside entertaining spaces, where there’s an outdoor table to cater for alfresco dining or lazy Sunday breakfasts with the family This exquisite three-storey residence is home to a young family of four who recently relocated back to Melbourne. The home is a classic mélange of beach retro with lots of contemporary flair — it’s all about comfort and style with a modern edge. Interior designer Aaron Wong from Alexander Pollock has injected plenty of charm into the original four-bedroom home, which was in dire need of a generous design overhaul. It is now a playful colourscape of textures and finishes. “We’ve incorporated a vibrant and colourful palette that’s consistent with the fun…

This stunning residence is one of the Hale ‘Alani collection of homes within the private club community of Kohanaiki, along Hawaii’s Kona coast. Once the pristine playground of Hawaiian royalty, the region is imbued in ancient and cultural history and framed by rugged mountains and the shimmering blue sea. The home has three generous bedrooms with three bathrooms, along with a two-bedroom guest section. The architect was Khoi Le, Glazier Le Architects, and the home was built by Armstrong Builders, LLC. The residence reflects interior designer Bridgid Coulter’s passion for exotic far-flung lands and her respect for environmental sensibilities, as well as her understanding of lifestyle nuances. Bridgid says the home was designed as a model residence for Kohanaiki, tapping into a demographic of eclectic world travellers, people who enjoy…

Thanks to a swelling population, it’s difficult to find houses that truly embrace, and are reflective of, their surroundings. But for those fortunate enough to be cocooned by all the great outdoors has to offer, it’s only fitting such homes mesh into the landscape, embodying the spirit of nature. Rachcoff Vella Architecture has taken a cattle farm in the Mornington Peninsula and turned it into a residential property that takes country living to another level. Initially consisting of multiple farming sheds and barns, architect Tony Vella used this retreat as a test to determine the viability of the site for a more substantial farmhouse. “Much inspiration was drawn from farming vernacular and the surrounding rural architecture. Having a non-restrictive client allowed the creative team to unleash their ideas”– Tony Vella…

It’s no secret the right window treatment and door can make a world of difference to a home. A handsome house with a shabby door and windows is like a winning smile with a chipped front tooth — it draws attention for all the wrong reasons. Beyond keeping up appearances, though, doors and windows also contribute to a home’s security and energy efficiency. Enter The Woodworkers, the largest stockists and manufacturers of solid timber joinery in Queensland, also supplying the hardware, screens, shutters and auxiliary products necessary to integrate fine joinery into your home. Their goal is to exceed your expectations but not your budget through their extensive range. “I stumbled into joinery because I starte d doing some small developments and was unimpressed by what was available in the…

Finding the balance between superior air movement and low levels of noise can be difficult to man age. Whispair, an Australian brand that specialises in the design of premium-quality rangehood systems, utilises revolutionary technology called KleenAir, which doesn’t rely on finding a balance between air movement and noise. With Whispair, you have the choice between two remarkable solutions. The first utilises on-board EC motor technology to eliminate motor noise from the fan unit; the second completely removes the powerful fan motor from the canopy and places it away from the kitchen, considerably reducing operating noise while still achieving a high level of extraction. Designed and assembled in Australia, Whispair utilises unique S-Flow baffle filters, energy-efficient LED lighting and an ultra-reliable MasterMind electronic system. A rangehood is designed to extract heat,…

The quest for luxury is an interesting one. We tend to think of it as living in a state of opulence, spending frivolously to reach our goal of lavishness. Luxury, however, isn’t just exuberance. Spending abundantly can be one way of achieving luxury, but it’s certainly not the only way. A luxurious lifestyle can also be the result of other smart choices, such as maintaining a home of quality, sustainability, functionality, inspirational engineering and style, as well as ensuring a space is filled with items that are well made, beautifully crafted and environmentally conscious. Here is our pick of styles and products that ooze elegance and luxury.…

DAIKIN’S US7 It is 40 degrees in the shade and your house feels like a sauna, even with the fans on. In a perfect world, we’d all live in well-designed homes with excellent cooling features, but that’s not the reality for most. On those extreme summer scorchers, some form of mechanical cooling is a tempting option. An increasing number of Australians certainly think so, and the number of air conditioners in Australian households has more than doubled in the past 10 years. The problem is, air conditioners are energy guzzlers and their increased use, especially during heatwaves, is placing a burden on energy supplies. Thankfully, the legends at Daikin have introduced the US7, featuring a 7-star energy rating which is also the highest-rated and most energy-efficient split system on the…

PORTER’S PAINTS What do you recommend as a good starting point for choosing wall coverings, both inside and out? Browse through magazines or create a Pinterest page — start creating a scrapbook of images of rooms that appeal to you. What should homeowners consider before selecting wall coverings for their interior walls? Cost, time and taste. Are there textures, colours or styles that you would recommend for certain rooms? Kitchens, family rooms, hallways and stairwells benefit from products suitable for high-traffic areas. That would include suitable paints, like a Porter’s low-sheen acrylic, or a vinyl wallpaper. Bedrooms have less traffic, so that’s where you can use things like grasscloth wallpapers, which are delicate, or matt paints. Do you think homeowners are becoming bolder and embracing more interesting or diverse styles…

“Home owners are trending towards larger (taller and wider) openings,” says Athina Solomou, national marketing manager of Trend Windows and Doors. “This is largely driven by architecturally designed homes that blur the boundaries between inside and out,” she says. “Consumers are also becoming more aware of energy efficiency, searching for the perfect balance between architectural-design style and year-round comfort.” Athina says there are four key considerations when deciding which door style is right for you: lifestyle, architectural style, function and location. “Your home is the ultimate reflection of who you are and typically the design decisions and the products you choose to go in your home reflect the lifestyle you want to lead,” she explains. TYPES OF DOORS SLIDING DOORS “Sliding doors are a popular choice for smaller openings and…

Many Australians dream of one day building their own house by the beach so they can enjoy a relaxed coastal lifestyle. However, building and maintaining a beachside property comes with unique challenges due to the harsher weather conditions that you don’t experience living inland. Once you have decided you are ready to embark on the adventure of building your ideal beach house, certain factors need to be taken into account, particularly with regard to building materials, design and regulations. You will find that maintaining a beach house can be more difficult as you will face issues such as corrosion from exposure to wind, salt and moisture, plus the impact of high winds. Using the right materials and design elements can help protect your home and assist in the long-term maintenance…