Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue#21.2 2018 i Home Design

Like most things from Switzerland — à la chocolate, cheese and wrist watches — Michel Charlot’s industrial designs are transcendent, especially his incredibly popular U-Turn lamp. A self-confessed “bon vivant and grumpy perfectionist”, Michel hails from the cultural melting pot of Lausanne on Switzerland’s Lake Geneva. Born in 1984, he grew up in the shadow of the city’s Gothic architecture, lively museums and artistic locals. Today, he casts his own impressive shadow over the industrial design world with his dynamic and utilitarian pieces. Michel studied industrial design at ECAL University (Ecole Cantonale d‘Art de Lausanne), graduated in 2009 and went on to work with English designer Jasper Morrison before opening his own practice in 2011 and returning to the university in a teaching capacity in 2013. The designer also teaches…

EAST VILLAGE MARKETPLACE Designed by Koichi Takada Architects, the East Village Marketplace in Sydney has been created to let nature in and express its organic beauty. East Village combines the best elements of a marketplace with the design sophistication of a modern retail centre. It’s just 3km from the Sydney CBD, in a safe, convenient environment and with more than 690 on-site parking bays. eastvillage.com.au; koichitakada.com HUNTING FOR GEORGE EXPERIENCE STORE The inaugural Hunting for George experience store opened in Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong, Victoria, in October 2017. More than just your average homewares shop, the bricks and mortar locale offers in-store styling advice, workshops and events, in addition to the brand’s homewares collection and giftware. Interior design Therefore Studio fashioned the colourful and textural space to align with…

we love STREAMLINED KITCHEN DESIGNS WITH HIDEAWAY STORAGE SOLUTIONS Offering unique character, style and the opportunity to live among a piece of local history, purchasing an older home over a modern dwelling is an obvious choice for many. But when your home is more than 200 years old and the only major works it’s had is by way of a 1980s townhouse conversion, you’re likely due for an update. This was homeo wner Vanessa’s dilemma. After 20 years living and working overseas, Vanessa and her husband wanted to return to a spacious and modern Sydney home — a place where they could comfortably raise their two young daughters. As it stood, their house was none of these things. Located on Sydney’s lower north shore, the townhouse was dark and cold,…

Shape is one of the elements of design that most often presents itself in interior trends. The hard and sharp lines of the ’90s have all but left our homes and a new “gentle geometry” is well and truly working its way into Australian interiors. The Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute loved the “softer side” of many of this year’s Designer Award entries. KBDi share three of their favourite finalists: DARREN JAMES CKD AU Queensland designer Darren James had great bones to work with in this architecturally designed abode. The clients loved the existing curved walls, vaulted ceilings and timber detailing of their newly purchased home, but they were less enamoured with the uninspired kitchen and its 1990s vibe. Darren reworked the architectural details, opening up the kitchen with a…

we love THE GENEROUS ISLAND BENCH It can be a big step to remove walls, but the results are invariably for the better. With this design, it made the difference between a storage-bereft box and the kitchen that now stands — and delivers — for its supremely satisfied homeowners. They can now entertain over a magnificent five-metre-plus island bench made to accommodate multiple chefs as well as welcome regular drop-in diners. Fulfilling a long-desired wish for superlative storage, an awesome pantry was installed, purpose-built to match the integrated fridge, featuring motorised internals for easy access to high drawers. The extra space also allowed the benefit of matching prep areas on either side of the cooktop, bookended by sleek Miele ovens to create a calming symmetrical composition. Handle-free drawers and cabinetry…

Having endured a bathroom that didn’t effectively utilise the available space, the homeowners wanted the new design to not only make the most of such a valuable asset but also capitalise on water views. To achieve the brief, the bathroom was completely redesigned, with the entrance door altered and the linen closet removed, maximising the layout. The view from the bathroom was better utilised by ensuring unobstructed access to the windows — a move that is capitalised on by the thoughtfully positioned freestanding bath. The storage is streamlined and elegant, with handlefree drawers in an oak finish in perfect harmony with the Travertine tiles, creating a spaciousness that is enhanced by the frameless shower screen. High-quality fixtures are the figurative cherry on top, generating a look of luxury and timeless…

Do you enjoy stoking a crackling wood fire or the ambient warmth of a bioethanol burner? Perhaps warming your toes by a gas heater or suspended fireplace is more your style? The heating option that’s right for your home will of course depend on your personal preference, the size of the area to be heated, how much of the space is enclosed, as well as the shape and height of the roof. Functionality is key and aesthetics are important, too. Contemporary heating options are often a focal point within the home. With a diverse range of styles, facades, fuel sources and materials available, there are lots to choose from. You home heating unit can be single or double sided, freestanding, inbuilt or suspended from the ceiling. If you don’t already…

Selecting a site on which to build your home is more than just about the old real estate adage of location, location, location. A home is more than a piece of merchandise. Unless you’re an investor in the market and plan to build, sell and move on, finding the ideal place to build and live is an important decision for so many reasons. Creating a place to call home where you may want to raise a family or live close to family and friends requires much thought and research to ensure your home will be somewhere you’ll want to spend many happy years. When looking for the ideal site, there are some questions you need to ask yourself before you take the final step to secure your piece of paradise.…

ELEMENTALS COLLECTION From Sydney-based interior designers Kate St James and Catherine Whitting of St James Whitting comes the Elementals Collection, a new rug range with four unique designs spawned by the designers’ travels around Australia and the world. Made from plush New Zealand wool with lustrous bamboo accents, these hand-tufted rugs will inject personality into any room in your home. stjameswhitting.com STOMPING GROUND Designed by Studio Y to look at least a century old, Stomping Ground in Collingwood, Victoria, is a bar and exposed brewery reminiscent of 1920s watering holes. The steampunk aesthetic is hard to miss, with vintage-industrial finishes, replica tram seats and central fireplaces setting the scene. stompingground.beer;studioy.com.au/projects TERRIFIC TERRAIN Celebrating a decade of vertical floral conquests, Tait has released the limited-edited Terrain GardenWall. Simple, modern and stackable,…

Stanislas Piechaczek, or Stan to his mates, is a French-born artist living down under. His recent collection for Curious Grace has us eager to learn more about this up-and-coming creative. “I have always expressed myself creatively. For a long time, drawing and poetry were the artistic ways I used to exteriorise my feelings, but it never quite sounded and looked the way I wanted,” says Stan. “I was looking for something to give them life and dimension and that is when I discovered painting.” The self-taught artist says he’s still learning and experimenting with art every day, which keeps things exciting and interesting both for himself and for his captive audience of fans. When asked to describe his artistic style, Stan proudly admits it could be characterised as “naïve”. Composed…

For homeowners Rowan and Kate Pollard — a professional married couple with two young boys — reviving a heritage home on a modest plot, within a limited time frame, was a project that turned out to be well worth the effort. This is especially true for Rowan, who was the developer for his own home. “The driving purpose of the renovation was to take a cramped and cellular Victorian home and somehow transform it into a modern and spacious family abode with room for guests to come and stay, and zoning to allow for comfortable extended family living under one roof,” explains Kate McMahon of McMahon and Nerlich, the architects behind this south Melbourne rejuvenation. The original home was modest with separate living and dining spaces, some of which were…

“WE SAW THE PROJECT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THE POSSIBILITIES OF MODERN SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL DESIGN TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND THE CITY”– Felix Leicher If you walked into this modern, light-filled home, it would be hard to imagine the building was constructed more than 110 years ago. This 1905 Canadian residence saw a 10-month transformation from a run-down, sagging structure into a five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom contemporary home with the help of Felix Leicher, architect and owner of Toronto-based development company bakultur/ca. “We saw this project as an opportunity to showcase the possibilities of modern sustainable residential design to the neighbourhood and the city,” says Felix. With the owners’ brief of creating an environmentally friendly and modern home, and a background in creating ambitious spaces, Felix and his team set out…

we love THE LUXE MINGLING TEXTURES AND TONES OF THE STONE BENCH Light, clean and contemporary, this minimalist kitchen takes the best bits from a busy culinary zone and a creative entertaining space to effectively blend two distinct kitchens within one generous room. Most visible is the entertainer’s half, with the room’s depth allowing for an oversized stone bench designed for social dining experiences. The wealth of space encourages easy movement, while the opulently large wine fridge makes for a stunning and utilitarian centrepiece. The plethora of luxury appliances that are both good looking and intelligent contribute to the modernity of this kitchen, while organic materials such as stone, timber and glass are a nod to Nordic simplicity. Hidden behind a reflective sliding door, the butler’s pantry makes it easy…

HOW CAN I USE A MACERATOR AND GREY WATER PUMP IN MY HOME RENOVATION/IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS? A macerator pump can be used to add a secondary bathroom, ensuite or powder room anywhere in your home, while a grey water pump can be used to relocate your kitchen sink or dishwasher into your next island bench or butler’s pantry. Grey water pumps can also be used to move your laundry into a more convenient area and even add a new standalone bathtub in your bedroom ensuite. Macerators and grey water pumps are cost-effective alternatives to traditional plumbing, perfect if you have a limited renovation budget. Plus, they can be hidden inside cupboards and behind walls, so there’s no need to break your floor and disrupt the overall aesthetic of your existing space.…

Why go to an expensive commercial spa centre when you can enjoy all the therapeutic benefits of a luxury day spa in the privacy and comfort of your own home? Fully Australian owned, Decina baths are designed and manufactured here in premium sanitary-grade acrylic, which is resistant to scratches and chemical cleaners, to maintain a high gloss white finish. Only the latest in spa jet technology is used, with ultra-low-profile fittings or flush C-Lenda jets that complement natural contours without compromising on internal bath space with unsightly and uncomfortable protrusions. Each Decina Spa Bath features whisper-quiet heat boost pumps, which re-use spa pump energy to maintain the perfect water temperature during bathing, so you can enjoy a longer lasting spa experience. Air controls allow you to control air pressure to…

Colour is a fascinating thing. In reality, the perception of colour is a very scientific process and not a particularly simple one at that. Our perception of colour is influenced by the wavelengths of light we experience; these wavelengths of light reflect offthe object in sight, which then hit the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye. From here, photoreceptors send messages back to the brain translating them and enabling the brain to interpret colour. The colour perceived in an object is not actually within the item you are looking at. It exists purely in the reflected light and how your brain perceives it. Of course, humans share some common receptors that help us group and categorise those wavelengths so that we can, for the most part, settle on…

When designing a room, one of the most important elements tends to get overlooked: lighting. Not only used so we can see clearly at night, lighting can dramatically transform a space, whether it be to create a certain atmosphere or highlight a special area in the home. Well-placed lighting has the power to change the way you feel when you walk into a room, whether more alert, relaxed, comforted or welcome. It can even affect our mood and how we interact in a space, so it is a really crucial element to get right from the start. THE IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTING When planning your space, it is important to think of its function before you go ahead and purchase your lighting. Is this a place you would like to sit…

ed’s fave THE JUXTAPOSITION OF THE COLUMNS AND FURNITURE “It was a dream blank canvass. The massive columns were where I started, the mixtures of the different woods and metals were the basis of the entire project”– Kelly Hoppen Larger-than-life UK-based designer Kelly Hoppen has opened the doors of her exquisite West London two-storey residence to share its amazing transformation. Known for her design flair and love of all things taupe, Kelly has created a dramatic home that pushes the boundaries of convention and that’s vibrant, luxurious and unashamedly unique. The 836m² home has six bedrooms, three bathrooms and plenty of living areas, some private and intimate, others voluminous spaces for entertaining, taking the concept of open-plan living to a whole new level. Starting fresh with a largely gutted building…

An artist and self-taught renovator, homeowner Aaron spent many months reconfiguring and renovating an old, bluestone block of four apartments in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs. He created a remarkable home for himself by combining two of the units. He knew that he would require assistance when it came to renovating the kitchen, so he called SpaceCraft Joinery for its expertise and objectivity. Aaron’s brief was to create a large contemporary-style open-plan kitchen with a warm colour palette, textural tiling and open shelving. He wanted a large island bench to act as the central hub for entertaining and big family gatherings, with lots of drawers and storage space. Unfortunately, the area chosen for the kitchen faced into the home. Being close to an external doorway, it severely restricted the layout and available…

The owners of this Merricks North home had clear ideas about what they wanted: a bespoke bathroom that would be both eye-catching and remarkable. This bathroom design strikes just the right note. By removing the enclosed shower cubicle and replacing it with a stunning walk-in shower, the narrow space immediately looks and feels more spacious. The pebble-backed in-wall bath and shower shelves incorporate clever LED lighting to add further breadth to the room, as well as functional storage. Strong visual cues are created by the highly textured timber laminate vanity, which contrasts with the strong colour palette to balance the space, and the beautifully profiled freestanding bath. Its perfectly curved form echoes the basin with a stamp of confidence. The whole design is brought together by the high-gloss tiles, which…

NEVER A WALLFLOWER A beautiful wall light or sconce can completely change the mood of a room or hallway. Instead of a ceiling full of downlights, which can end up flooding the space with harsh light, versatile wall lights can be used to softly brighten a space. By pointing them in different directions, wall lights can change the focus of a room. Point them upwards to softly illuminate the walls and ceiling or move their light downwards to highlight your favourite hanging artwork or sculpture. Hallways and stairwells are perfect places to install wall lights as they can provide drama and impact to a space that is usually overlooked. They can also be used in bedrooms that need soft lighting to ease you into the land of nod. Just remember…

Everyone loves picking out a new sofa or comparing paint swatches but when it comes to the practical side of interior design — drawers, hinges, door systems and the list goes on — eyes start to glaze over. However, the arrival of new technology has given hardware and fittings a new lease of life, providing systems that offer homeowners greater accessibility, are aesthetically striking and improve the quality of day-to-day living. It seems the duller side of design is enjoying something of a renaissance. Here, we’re shining the light on the architects and suppliers that are revolutionising hardware and fittings, one drawer at a time. KITCHEN FIT-OUT To design a truly livable and functional home, you have to consider both the little things and the big. In short, the details…

WHAT IS A SMART HOME? A smart home works to ensure a seamless integration of intuitive technologies into today’s connected environments and homes. This includes home automation of security alarms, CCTV surveillance, access control, IT networks, smart wiring, electrical, solar, energy management, smart lighting, air-conditioning and home entertainment via simple to use control systems that are iOS and android compliant. HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE HOME TECHNOLOGY FIELD? A keen interest in business and a passion for everything tech led me to pursue a career in the home technology space in 1997. With the industry in its early infancy back then, I soon recognised an opportunity in the market for a company that specialised in the integration of building and technology. In 2007, I decided to bring the dream…

Admittedly, a sloping site is generally more challenging than a flat one. It usually means creative thinking and design solutions that embrace the site are required. Case in point is this Mount Claremont property in Western Australia, a 50m-long, 10m-wide site with an east-west orientation that slopes steeply to the rear of the property towards the garage. The design solution? A host of distinctive courtyards, all different in their own way. When Cultivart Landscape Design visited the site for the initial consultation, the house was still under construction so some imagination was required. “My clients requested a ‘garden’ as opposed to a hard landscape devoid of plants, but they still wanted a contemporary, well-structured feel,” explains landscape designer Janine Mendel of Cultivart Landscape Design, who designed the courtyards. “They have…