The IDEA Awards shortlist has just been revealed and while there are several fabulous categories it was the colour one that caught my eye. A reminder of the incredible power of colour in shaping our emotional response to a space, the shortlisted projects are as sophisticated as they are inspiring. Impressively, industry stalwarts Kennedy Nolan and Fiona Lynch both had two projects shortlisted each.
Kew House by Fiona Lynch: Rich jewel tones create opulent magic in this grand Queen Anne property in Melbourne’s Kew. “Partnering earthy tones to enhance the secluded mood of the original home’s traditional features with a newly built light and airy rear addition, two different experiences are clearly defined, balancing saturated depth and weightlessness,” says Fiona Lynch.
Dream weaver by YSG with styling by Felicity Ng: “The mood is revelatory and futuristic, with an upbeat dose of Pedro Almodóvar’s cinematic eccentricity. There’s a Pantone party of oversized landings, deep piled custom rugs and stone surfaces,” says current interior design darling Yasmine Saleh Goniem of this playful penthouse apartment that overlooks Sydney Harbour.
Ballarat House by Kennedy Nolan: “The design of this house was generated in response to the view – a strength and a constraint. The defining quality of the site was its lakeside frontage, which presents a continually changing view as light interacts with water and sky. The brief was to design a place that would be comfortable through the extremes of Ballarat winters and summers,” says Kennedy Nolan. We love the bold use of colour and 1970’s influences – has lime hued carpet ever looked so good?
Arch and Scallop House by Space Grace & Style with stylist Rebecca Jansma: “The intensity of materiality and colour together in one space is unique to this Jan Juc home and met the client brief, which was essentially to ‘design them something they’d never seen before!’”says IDEA. From mismatched marble to scalloped details and plenty of colour, I’d say they nailed the brief!
St Kilda apartment by Fiona Lynch: “Presenting as a treetop retreat in St Kilda, this project features swathes of rich and receding green hues, including painted joinery, stone, furniture and linen curtains, conveying zones of verdant energy and tranquil harmony. Above all, they expand the apartment’s compact footprint visually towards the newly planted balcony and eucalyptus branches beyond,” says Fiona Lynch.
Amarot with stylist Olga Lewis: Another rich, jewel-toned beauty, Rodanthe is a classic Victorian home with a contemporary twist. “Designed to reflect the personality of its multi-generational inhabitants in bold and unexpected ways, the contemporary rear extension juxtaposes the ornate detailing of the original dwelling and results in a home full of rich colour and unique character,” says Olga Lewis.
Erskine House by Kennedy Nolan: “Kennedy Nolan’s interventions in this home had physical and spatial qualities but were also designed to be highly legible so as to make an impact. To do this, the architects used a distinctive colour palette, introduced texture wherever possible and made bold graphic gestures to serve as a counterpoint to the austere Victorian fabric,” says IDEA. We love the aqua blue and mustard tones offset by the use of pale timber.
