Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol.18 No.5 i Home Design

Recently, I completed three years of living in my current Sydney house. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long as there is still lots to do to finish the renovations. During that time, so many events have taken place, including acquiring another house — which also needs updating, meaning life is always busy on the homefront. For some, choosing to live in a particular house for a long time is a considered decision, but it’s never really been that way for me. I tend to find somewhere — usually with renovating in mind — and stay there a few years, moving on to the next project once the job is done. It’s not always the best way to live as it’s like being on a building site, but I…

Over the years, sisters come to share a lot of things — toys, shoes, clothes, the family car and even friends. Yet something special binds them together, and for Maddie and Becc — the force behind Studio Twocan — it’s a life-long love of creativity. Initially embarking on slightly different paths, their passion for design and creativity remained constant, keeping them close despite their differences. Organised and pragmatic, Becc pursued graphic design and went on to work for a number of prominent brand strategy, graphic design and retail design studios. Maddie, on the other hand, completed a Bachelor of Sculpture and Spatial Practice at the Victorian College of the Arts. In fact, Studio Twocan’s popular Cement Ceramics collection is an extension of one of her final projects. Inspiration for evolution…

When creating a home, there’s usually only one person making the decisions, but this wasn’t the case for a father and daughter who had very different visions for their family home. The pair called on the expertise of design and architecture firm CUBO, who were tasked with producing a traditional Japanese space that was artistic and European in style. So what’s the solution to this conflicting design dilemma? Utilising traditional Japanese techniques to ensure both styles are without compromise. Located in Nagoya, Japan, the home is perched in the largest and fourth-most-populous city in the Chubu region of Japan, which plays house to a massive 21.72 million people. In an area where high-rise living and small properties are the norm, creating a space that is essentially and unmistakably yours is…

“I was given a lot of freedom to design and bring them the end result, which is very pleasing to the eye” – Marylou Sobel Located in the prestigious Sydney suburb of Bellevue Hill, grandeur is commonplace in the Eastern Suburbs, with unique architectural and classic properties dotting the streets. But for this Italianate-style home, it was time for a much-needed update that revolved around balancing the European aesthetic of the property with a modern take from interior designer Marylou Sobel. Although ‘classic’ is often revered as a good thing, there’s a certain excitement that comes with shaking it up and adding a bit of spice to a property that’s traditional in style. For a family of five, paying homage to the original architecture of the home was critical, which…

How long have you lived in Queensland? Fifteen years. What are five phrases (or words) that you think best describe design in this state? Daring, luxurious, loud, grand scale, outside the box. What type of lifestyle do your Queensland clients enjoy? Definitely the outdoor lifestyle — almost everyone has a barbecue or an alfresco entertaining area, which is completely fitted out with an outdoor kitchen for entertaining or simply just to enjoy the Queensland weather with their family. What’s your favourite place in Queensland (either to work or for relaxation) and why? Main Beach or Palm Beach on the Gold Coast where I can walk my dog and relax after a hectic week in the office. How would you describe the Queensland design scene? The Queensland design scene is always…

we love THE CURVED STEEL PANELS THAT HUG THE ENTRY OF THE HOME — A SIGN OF GOOD THINGS TO COME With its thunder grey façade framed by steel panels, the interior colour scheme evokes the same neutral shades that are highlighted by natural materials Queensland’s tiny town of Mount Nebo is home to just 433 people — the type of place where you can really experience the quiet that goes with living in a location dominated by trees, terrain and fresh air. For a family of three, building their ‘forever’ home was on the cards for a while, owning the 120 acres of land for 10 years before putting design vision to paper. The gift of starting from scratch allows for a truly collaborative process between designer, builder, architect…

Reflective of the Sunshine State’s laidback culture, the Queenslander is an architectural design that many Australians hold dear. Best described as a wooden house on stumps, this distinctive style of architecture is also characterised by wide verandas, lattice and a pyramid-shaped red tin roof. An expert in this iconic style, Garth Chapman Queenslanders was chosen for this knockdown–rebuild project on an idyllic block in Queensland’s Mount Tamborine. While the brief seemed pretty straightforward for a specialist builder of Queenslanders and homes on stumps, it also included American colonial architecture in the Cape Cod style. Fortunately, the detailing of this style is sympathetic to the Queenslander, featuring verandas, steep roof pitches, cladding, French doors and doublehung windows. The timber flooring and internal detailing is also comparable. The land on serene Mount…

design tip ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS PARAMOUNT TO ACHIEVING THE HOTEL LOOK. HERE, A MONOCHROME PALETTE IS CONTINUED WITH ACCESSORIES INCLUDING THE CUSHION AND INCENSE HOLDER. THEY TIE THE LOOK TOGETHER AND MAKE THE SPACE MORE THAN JUST A PLACE FOR ABLUTIONS “Bathrooms have become places of indulgence and restorative time, and this is a global phenomenon,” says founder and executive director of apaiser, Belinda Try. “It’s apparent in private homes, resorts, urban hotels and apartments — the bathroom is a space for pleasure and rejuvenation.” Featuring luxurious fixtures and finishes and plush bathware, hotel bathrooms are the ultimate indulgence and their style has become the benchmark for the modern bathroom. With technology encroaching on our every moment, life has certainly become more hectic, and there’s a greater need for…

Spend more time outdoors this season Plants are an essential element when it comes to creating an aesthetically pleasing space you will want to spend time in. Leading Australian landscape designer and best-selling author Paul Bangay certainly knows a thing or two about using plants to enhance your outdoor living experience. “I always take my inspiration from the architecture,” says Paul. “If it’s a house with lots of hard edges and straight lines, I tend to use lots of layers of hedges and ground covers. If it’s a rambling old house, then softer, spilling beds of informal plants are more appropriate.” The most popular styles are city gardens, however, romantic country gardens are beautiful for those with a little more space at their disposal. Based on a softer aesthetic, country…

GET METAL A popular choice for modern homes, aluminium frames require little maintenance, are durable, secure and come in a large range of colours at reasonable prices. However, as aluminium is a conductive material, it provides poor insulation. This means the window or door frame can be the cause of energy loss. A good way to overcome this is through installing thermally broken aluminium frames using polyamide thermal strips. Combined with double or triple glazing, the thermal break works by creating an insulating barrier inside the frame, which reduces the transfer of energy. “Windows and doors account for up to 45 per cent of the energy consumption in your home,” says David Morehouse of Technoform Bautec Australia, an organisation that specialises in manufacturing thermal break solutions. “The main benefit of…

Melbourne-based design team Bliss and Bonnie Adams prove sometimes, less really is more. In a market flooded with choice, there’s something refreshing about the paredback, pure-marble homewares offered by the sister act. Their design philosophy will make you think twice about overlooking the simple things, and their pieces allow you to enjoy a space rather than overcomplicate it. For Bliss and Bonnie, launching Marble Basics seemed like a natural evolution of their skills and interests. “I was always designing something growing up,” says Bonnie. “So I knew I would be a designer.” A sign of good things to come, Bonnie went on to complete a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Monash University while Bliss studied media and communications at Melbourne University. After a brief foray in the television industry, Bliss…

The mountainous suburb of Buderim, Queensland, is perhaps the least likely place you’d expect to find an ultra-modern home that sticks out like a sore thumb — in a good way. There’s no Bali-inspired interiors or Buddha statues present in this residence. Instead, a black and white exterior conceals a house packed full of colour, over-the-top glamour and style. With a dramatic monochrome exterior playing off against surrounding greenery, it’s clear this abode is all about the drama. Designed by Mark Gacesa of Ultraspace, the home’s isolated location was deliberately chosen. “Even though it was always going to be tricky because the land is a steep slope, it seemed perfectly situated on a ridge with falling water running off from either side of the house’s location,” says Mark. “I was…

“The house is entirely convincing as a 200-year-old building refurbished to modern standards … But it was built in the 1990s by a local architect” – David Price This stunning Provençale house is set in extensive grounds — exactly the kind of property that has helped create the area’s reputation as a sun-kissed rural idyll that’s the perfect location for a holiday home. The house itself, revealed at the end of the long and winding driveway, stands at the centre of a 12-hectare plot with a stunning south-facing pool to its left. A number of outbuildings to the right serve as guest rooms and the manicured lines of tended olive trees are located on the surrounding lawns. But the property is also deceptive in some aspects, with more surprises to…

How long have you lived in Queensland? I moved from Sydney in 1997 to start my career with Designer Kitchens. What do you like about living in the Sunshine State? Brisbane provides a business owner with work–life balance. It is big enough to create a steady workflow, but not so much that you can’t get away from the office to spend time with friends, family and enjoy some of the great things Queensland has to offer. What are five phrases (or words) that you think best describe design in this state? Minimal, open, indoor–outdoor living, neutral palette and environmentally friendly. What type of lifestyle do your Queensland clients enjoy? There has been a trend in the past five years of clients putting more energy into creating entertaining spaces. Not only…

How long have you lived in Queensland? I have lived in Queensland all my life. I was born and raised in Ayr, North Queensland, and moved to Brisbane when I was 17 and have lived here ever since. Why do you like living in Queensland? I love living in Queensland because of the relaxed, comfortable lifestyle. I also love the climate and warm weather here. What are five phrases (or words) that you think best describe design in this state? Relaxed, comfortable, colourful, outdoor living and generosity of space. What type of lifestyle do your Queensland clients enjoy? The majority of our clients enjoy an easygoing and relaxed lifestyle. What’s your favourite place in Queensland (either to work or for relaxation) and why? North Stradbroke Island — I love that…

There’s nothing quite like the buzz you get from turning a tired, 10-year-old kitchen into someone’s dream design. This project required a complete gutting of the existing space in order to open it up and allow it to become the natural nexus of the home. Knowing how important it was for the client to have a flow-through area, where all family members and guests have the space to eat and interact, an island bench for both work and play became a necessity. Once the space for this was designated, the rest of the design centred on functionality, storage maximisation and understated style. To enhance functionality, all the most frequently used appliances — the fridge, oven and microwave — were placed in close proximity to each other and near two large…

The owners wanted their kitchen to be a beautiful, inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy. It was important for the kitchen to be designed effectively in proportion to the large, adjoining living room, which meant utilising the height played a significant role in achieving this. Shaker-style cabinets with custom moulding and panels add a traditional touch to the space and provide extensive cabinetry. A butler’s pantry was also designed within the kitchen for extra storage and meal preparation space. The large island bench has a stunning quartz marble benchtop and is perfect for entertaining and sharing meals, while the herringbone subway tile splashback further enhances the classic style and is an interesting design element. This kitchen has a nice balance of form and function for a family…

This beautiful bathroom uses monochrome details and traditional touches for a classic style. The cement encaustic floor tiles create an exotic and delicate effect, while the black and white colour scheme displays a unique heritage quality. Having been hand-made one by one, each tile is an artwork, and when placed together, creates the most interesting design across the floor. The wall tiles are Italian hand-made matt white in a unique size (130mm x 396mm) and laid in a stretcher bond style, just like bricks. The unique finish and size, along with the cement-coloured grout, work beautifully with the exotic floor, while pops of green add colour and brightness to the monochrome palette. The shutters, simple detail on the bath and the hint of timber provide a touch of the Orient…

The perfect oasis, a cabana offers a space that is purely designed for relaxation and taking the time to unwind. In this case, a cabana was placed away from the pool to ensure striking views of the natural surroundings. Senior design manager of A Total Concept Landscape Architects + Swimming Pool Designers, Shaun Wright, was commissioned to incorporate a cabana on this North Shore, Sydney, property for the owners, their children and guests to enjoy. THE CONTEMPORARY, AUSTRALIAN-STYLE CABANA INCLUDES FEATURES SUCH AS 900MM X 900MM SANDSTONE STEPPING STONES, POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS AND AUTOMATIC WINDOWS “Not all cabanas need to be adjacent to pools,” says Shaun. “This cabana was set separate and elevated from the pool to take advantage of the magnificent district views. I also set this cabana to…

While the barbecue has been integral to the Australian way of life for quite some time, alfresco kitchens have become a lot more sophisticated. With outdoor kitchens and rooms serving as one of the hottest design trends right now, alfresco dining has been taken to a whole new level. The evolution of the humble pergolacovered patio into a fully functioning outdoor space (complete with barbecue, fridge and dining area) has transformed the way we eat outside, making eating outdoors the preferred option for many Australians. Though the traditional barbecue is still a favourite, many of the units on the market today can be used to cook anything from pizzas, roasts and vegetarian dishes to seafood and desserts, opening up a range of possibilities for alfresco dining. When designing an outdoor…

The statewide winners of the 2015 Architecture Awards from South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria have proven to be tough competitors for their New South Wales counterparts, which we covered last issue. Recipients of the Named and Architecture Awards have gone on to be considered for the National Awards, which will be announced in November. With such outstanding projects showcased, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, so here we present to you the crème de la crème of the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) category. Located in the foothills of Glen Osmond, South Australia, the Plane Tree House by Architects Ink truly captured the jury’s attention. “The Plane Tree House is brutal and rich, tough and intensely considered, raw and refined in perfect quantity,” said the jury. Further south in Tasmania,…

Architects often have a bit of a whinge about how undervalued they are as a design commodity. They say, “If only the people out there knew how we could change their lives for the better. Can’t they see the value we bring to their daily life is huge compared to the dollars we cost?” As a fellow architect, I sympathise, because a good architect can change people’s homes and lives in an affordable and valuable way. But as we all know, there are good ones and bad ones, and it is the bad stories that seem to proliferate. One of my missions is to get the good stories out there. However, there is one group that is more undervalued than architects and more undervalued as a design commodity in the…

MOOOI — NEW YORK Coinciding with New York Design Week earlier this year, Moooi opened its very first showroom in the United States. Located in the upand-coming NoMad area, Moooi neighbours the iconic Chrysler and Empire State buildings. The interior is defined by a characteristically raw concrete structure and flooring, which act as a creative platform to showcase designer products and furnishing layouts to inspire. Even before the opening of the brand’s Manhattan showroom, Moooi had established a strong connection and great following out of America, so a physical presence was inevitable. moooi.com FANULI — MELBOURNE Situated within the heart of Melbourne’s Chapel Street, South Yarra, Fanuli’s doors opened to the ever-trendy city earlier this year. Not being able to hold out any longer, Fabio Fanuli acquired a generous showroom…

When moving into an apartment, many insist that new-car feeling is present, from the finishes to the furnishings. But for this London-based client, converting a century-old apartment back to its former glory — quirks and all — came first on the design agenda. With a space located on the first floor of an apartment building in the Turkish village of Hamit Bey, Istanbul, the worldly client sought to establish a homely residence as a replacement for hotels during business trips. “The client has been in the textiles business for years and had been working on and off in Turkey since 1980,” says Yasemin Arpac of Ofist, the design studio tasked with the project. “His base home and family is in London, but he travels all over the world and has…

The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, is located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, meaning this apartment offers 360 degrees of the best of both worlds — scenic and people-watching views. Taken on by Susan Knof of KNOF Design, the apartment was remodelled and converted into a new 3600 square metre space that is calm in nature but big on style. The penthouse was originally two apartments that were made into one to suit the international family of four whose design brief was for an open-plan home that contained plenty of light. The concept of natural light formed the nucleus of this build, meaning the colour palette and design aesthetic essentially revolved around the sun. “Making the most of the light throughout the day meant the interior scheme was predominantly created…

The people at Germancraft Cabinets are more than just designers. Since opening in 1991, they have developed an excellent reputation in Queensland through word of mouth for their award-winning team of designers, high-quality products and great customer service. The company offers one of the best showrooms in Queensland, and customers are guaranteed to fall in love with its unique and sophisticated designs. Featuring stateof-the-art kitchen and bathroom displays, the showroom helps you think outside the box and create something distinctive. Germancraft Cabinets’ new bathroom display features three fully designed bathrooms that showcase the latest trends, luxurious design features, unique finishes, stone benchtop thicknesses and hardware. With everything designed and manufactured in-house, the company’s quality control is exceptional and every client has full access to view their joinery during the manufacturing…

The owners wanted a warm, inviting kitchen that would suit their growing young family, but could still be used for entertaining. The kitchen was relocated to the back of the house to take advantage of the water views and have access to a large new deck. As the owners regularly host functions, a separate butler’s pantry was essential in creating adequate storage and preparation space. The stripped, exposed brickwork is the defining feature of the space and influenced the selection of the pared-back Shaker-style cabinets, exposed sliding door and rustic pendant lights. The use of decorative moulding under the benchtop enhances the traditional look of the marble-effect quartz benches, while the softness and warmth of the stripped brickwork makes the kitchen a welcoming space for family and friends. The spectacular…

Today’s bathroom designs are increasingly drawing inspiration from Mother Nature, bringing the outside in to create an organic, relaxing atmosphere. Exclusive to Tradelink, Raymor — one of Australia’s most long standing and trusted bathroomware brands — has everything you need to create your own beautiful, natural bathing haven. Now, Raymor is releasing a whole new portfolio of products, which have been selected for their style, innovation and price points, meaning you can achieve this awe-inspiring look for your bathroom. Light, white and lush greens comprise the palette chosen for this bathroom makeover, which takes full advantage of the clean lines and simple proportions of the new range from Raymor. This stunning bathroom features an array of inspiring natural design elements with its beautiful open-plan layout opening onto a garden area…

Working to a design by Scenic Blue Design, Iconic Landscaping has built an outdoor room that makes entertaining a breeze in summer or winter. “What the owners needed was a wellproportioned outdoor room with lounge and dining areas that would be of sufficient size for large family gatherings, yet flexible enough for intimate casual dining,” says Nathan Boutros of Iconic Landscaping. “Equally important was ensuring the new structure would feel like an extension of the home and that there would be a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces.” The outdoor room provides everything the family needs to relax and entertain — an outdoor kitchen, a television, beautifully furnished dining and lounge areas, lighting and ceiling fans for hot summer days. To provide privacy, there are timber batten screens.…

1 NORDIC COOL Danish by design, the Skovby SM11 dining table is perfect for contemporary family living. An ideal work desk by day, the standard six-seat table easily extends to seat up to 12 using an innovative system of hidden folding panels. Made and designed in Denmark by renowned furniture maker Skovby, SM11 combines classic Nordic good looks with the same uncompromising craftsmanship, functionality and environmental standards that go into each of the designer’s pieces. Available in a range of solid timbers and finishes including lacquer, laminate, white oil and a traditional Danish soap finish, Skovby tables are available from Danish Red. danishred.com.au 2 LITTLE BY LITTLE Xavier Furniture’s new petite collection of Campaign pieces is evocative of luxurious travels and times gone by. Good design will always be popular…

TEMPLE & WEBSTER EMERGING DESIGNER AWARDS 2015 @ CHINA HEIGHTS GALLERY SURRY HILLS, SYDNEY LA TRAVIATA WITH KING LIVING @ SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE HAYMES 80TH BIRTHDAY @ PENTHOUSE AT THE IVY, SYDNEY DECOR + DESIGN @ MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE…