Tag: affordable

Categories
Architecture Design Designers

Is this the best house in Australia? Houses Awards 2020 announced!

A humble beachside restoration in the Gold Coast suburbs has been awarded the 2020 Australian House of the Year. Chosen by a panel of industry experts, Cantala Avenue House by ME is a modest home, rich in thought and consideration.

The house is significant in the way it evolves the idea of an antipodean coastal home. With strong considerations towards sustainability and affordability, it rejoices in the idea of simplicity with a design that mirrors the no-fuss nature of the Australian home.

Celebrating their 10th year, the Houses Awards have set a benchmark of excellence in Australian residential architecture. Seeking to uncover emerging talent and celebrate the industry’s leading designers, the Awards recognise the ability to challenge architectural norms and explore the true meaning of “home”.

Within the broader context of the world’s current challenges, Cantala Avenue House teaches us to reflect on what is truly important and what we really need to live well. “Architect Matthew Eagle has solved ordinary design problems in an extraordinary way, reconsidered the suburban status quo and pushed boundaries, literally and figuratively, all within a reasonable budget.” said the jury.

Matthew himself says: “The existing dwelling is extruded to the east and north establishing a private north-facing courtyard and re-engaging the public components of the dwelling with the street and wider neighbourhood. Planted courtyards permeate the plan providing access to light, ventilation and nature.”

The home champions the capacity for modest residential architecture to significantly impact the way we live in Australia. Despite being sited within an unremarkable yet incredibly familiar suburban context, this alteration and addition of a ramshackle 1970s-era house offers its neighbourhood a welcoming communal space.

The new brickwork entry sequence, planting and seating under a mature poinciana tree presents a skilful navigation of the balance between public and private spaces, with the public zones of the home being pushed to the street edge. The experience of the dwelling is expanded to encompass the street, demonstrating how design interventions can genuinely build community and neighbourhood.

The jury said the house is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional beach shack – carefully avoiding replication, it is a playful and refreshing reinvention. It has civic respect, yet individualism. Standard or everyday materials and accessories, and the reuse of the existing structural systems, reveal the architect’s masterful ability to create architecture where it might otherwise not exist.

Equal priority has been given to indoor and outdoor spaces, appropriately embracing the subtropical climate. Both the existing plan and the new addition are punctuated with planted courtyards to maximise natural light and ventilation while minimising heat from the harsh western sun. 

Presented by Houses magazine, the House Awards is an annual program celebrating Australia’s best residential projects.

Architecture Media’s Katelin Butler said, that in her decade-long standing, there has been an undoubted evolution in Australian residential architecture as well as an emergence of a distinctly Australian design sensibility that responds to our climate and specific social culture.

Cantala Avenue House is joined by many outstanding architectural works this year. The 2020 Houses Awards winners are:

  • Australian House of the Year – Cantala Avenue House by ME (Miami, QLD)
  • New House Under 200 Square Metres – Fitzroy North House 02 by Rob Kennon Architects (Fitzroy North, VIC)
  • New House Over 200 Square Metres – Subiaco House by Vokes and Peters (Subiaco, WA)
  • House Alteration and Addition Over 200 Square Metres (Joint Winner) – Ruckers Hill House by Studio Bright (Northcote, VIC)
  • House Alteration and Addition Over 200 Square Metres (Joint Winner) – Cantala Avenue House by ME (Miami, QLD)
  • House Alteration and Addition Under 200 Square Metres – Bismarck House by Andrew Burges Architects (Bondi, NSW)
  • Apartment or Unit – Cremorne Point Apartment by Studio Plus Three (Cremorne Point, NSW)
  • Garden or Landscape – Vaucluse Garden by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture with Bates Landscape (Vaucluse, NSW)
  • Sustainability – Waratah Secondary House by Anthrosite (Waratah, NSW)
  • House in a Heritage Context – Fitzroy North House 02 by Rob Kennon Architects (Fitzroy North, VIC)
  • Emerging Architecture Practice – Lineburg Wang (Brisbane, QLD)

Photography: Christopher Frederick Jones

Be inspired by the 2020 Houses Awards shortlist

For 10 years, the Houses Awards have shone a spotlight on Australia’s most outstanding homes, celebrating ambitious design and the very best in residential architecture. Today, we’re sharing just a…

2019 Houses Awards: Winners include a farm & tiny unit!

The latest architecture and interior design awards to be handed down, the 2019 Houses Awards feature an array of phenomenal Australian talent across a variety of projects including a Daylesford…
Categories
Bedrooms Dining Furniture Styling

8 Picks from Castlery: quality furniture without the pricetag

Want quality designer furniture without breaking the bank? Who doesn’t, right? I want a sofa where I will have enough left over for all the cushions I’ll be drowning it in!

Well, Castlery is here to deliver. A newbie on Australian shores, these guys cut out all the middlemen, warehouses and shopfronts. The result? Quality furniture that comes with an honest price – no high markups, no unnecessary extra costs. It means you no longer have to choose between quality, design and price!

Here are some of my favourites from their latest offerings.

Aaron Bed

Fabric bedheads are all the rage right now, and the Aaron bed with its sleek asymmetrical stitched pattern is a perfect fit for any bedroom style. ($999)

Otis Dining Table

Step aside rectangular dining tables – the Otis dining table is here to add some soft industrial vibes with its solid oak top and black powdercoated metal stand. This table is perfect for making a statement at your next dinner party. ($1,499)

Albert Bookshelf, Low

Simple, modern and with heaps of storage space. What else do you want from a bookshelf? The shelves are made from solid rubber wood and feature a clever lip at the back to prevent any of your precious books or vignettes from falling overboard. ($449)

Seb Dining Bench

Add some casual dining vibes to your dinner table with the Seb dining bench. The curved corners soften the Scandi feel and the solid acacia wood with dark grey upholstered cushion create a warm and inviting seat for your tush. ($289)

Naomi Sofa

The curves on this sofa are alluring, the tapered birch wood legs beautifully feminine. This would be at home in an Art Deco living room. ($879)

Alfred TV Console

So industrial, so cool – the Alfred TV console is linear, clean and modern. It has plenty of storage space with its four soft closing drawers, so you can quickly throw in anything lying around before the guests show up. Oh, and the interior is a dramatic red – almost like a classy Louboutin in furniture form! ($829)

Hunter Coffee Table

This one will tug at your French Country heartstrings. Made from reclaimed pine that is salvaged from shipping containers and palettes, the honey coloured coffee table is both beautifully functional and environmentally friendly. ($549)

Roselyn Chair

What a brilliant pop of colour, just perfect for the warmer months. This chair features timeless cross stitching details which not only make it look elegant, but super comfy too! ($269)

Visit Castlery online and in store at Sydney’s Alexandria for their full range – they’re also offering free shipping for a limited time, so be quick.

Want more great furniture?

Categories
Expert Tips Homewares House Tours

Interior inspo: 2 different rug looks in Jen’s living room

Sponsored by Carpet Call

If there’s one thing I get asked about a lot, it’s rugs and if there’s one thing that drives me nuts when I see people getting it wrong, it’s rugs! So when Carpet Call recently asked me to road test a couple of theirs, which are really affordable, in my own home, I was happy to share the results. Because if there’s one rug rule I trot out time and time again (and I have of course picked this up from the experts over the years, and they unanimously agree!), it’s that bigger is always better!

I’m a big believer in using rugs, especially if you have hard floors, like we do. I love the look, practicality and blank canvas of a hard floor, but you can’t beat rugs for adding comfort under foot, colour, pattern, texture, or all of the above, depending on your space. They’re also fantastic for zoning tricky open plan layouts.

The problem with larger rugs — ones where you can get all of the furniture on it (or at least a leg of each piece of furniture — is they can be really expensive. So what I’m really happy to show you with these two Carpet Call rugs, is that the affordable option can look pretty great.

I picked the patterned Dolce design from their modern range because I thought it would tie in nicely with my navy lounge, and boy, did it?! The reason it cost less than half what the wool rug I usually have there did, is because it is synthetic. But don’t turn your noses up! This makes it really stain resistant and easy to clean, and as I know a lot of you have kids, this is a major consideration. It looks so good, feels lovely and soft under foot and is nice and thick for sound insulation if you’re thinking about downstairs neighbours in a unit. If you prefer to splash out on natural fibres for your main living area, consider this kind of hardwearing rug for your playroom, kids’ room, entry or dining room.

With this Dolce rug, it obviously makes a big statement so my advice with a rug like this is to keep everything else quite plain. Any other patterns will fight with this. On the plus side, this rug is a great way to inject interest and colour into a room quickly and affordably, especially if you’re not brave with wall colours or are in a rental and can’t change paint or other furnishings like blinds.

For a completely different look, I wanted to show you the other extreme: a plain, cream coloured shag rug; the Risis design, which is one of their bestsellers.

This one is so soft underfoot. And it won’t shed, unlike wool rugs, which can shed for weeks (months even!). With a plain rug like this, you still get texture because of the longer pile, and you can afford to have more pattern and colour happening in the art, for example, or cushions.

Two things I really like about Carpet Call’s rugs are the free delivery and the fact they come in really big sizes; many are more than 3 metres long as the largest option. So remember, buy the biggest you can afford! And do mark out your proposed size on the floor in masking tape to give you a great idea of how it’ll look in the room. This can make buying online a little less daunting!

Of course, you can also pick up a rug from one of Carpet Call’s stores where you can see them in person and they’ll let you take three home for 24 hours to see how they work in your space before committing.

Shop Carpet Call’s rug range online

Categories
Homewares

H&M Home available for first time in NSW as Sydney store opens

As much as I anticipate new affordable fashion mega brands coming to Australia as much as the next girl, these days I have to admit it’s homewares that get me even more excited!

So I’m delighted to report that the opening of H&M’s Sydney flagship store in Pitt Street Mall this Saturday (31 October) coincides with the launch of H&M’s latest Home collection for summer.

This will be the first time customers in NSW will be able to buy H&M Home, with the range being stocked in the Pitt Street Mall store and in Melbourne’s GPO store.

These photos should give you a little taster for what you can expect and the prices are REALLY good!

Sadly the homewares aren’t available to actually buy online but you can browse them here.

Categories
Designers Interviews Styling

Interior design from just $60 an hour? Meet The Stylesmiths!

There’s a new, affordable service in Australia, promising to be your interior design matchmakers!

Richard Misso and Samantha Eades created The Stylesmiths to bring accessible interior design to everyone in Australia
Richard Misso and Samantha Eades created The Stylesmiths to bring accessible interior design to everyone in Australia

The Stylesmiths, Samantha Eades and Richard Misso, are all about accessible design; creating authentic interiors to suit your budget. They want to shake up an industry that’s traditionally been reserved for an elite few and make the experience of interior design simple and fun.

So, how does it work? They select the best Stylesmiths designer for your budget and work by the hour, charging a straightforward rate. For you this means no commissions, no markups and no fuss. The process starts with a one-hour in-home consultation for $60, then you can buy a designer’s time by the hour, from $60 an hour for a junior through to $150 for a senior with a five-hour minimum purchase.

Project by Stylesmith Sam
Project by Stylesmith Sam

The Stylesmiths have a national database of vetted interior designers and architects that are amongst the most talented in Australia and they send the perfect one for your project to your home, office or retail space. They work by the hour – no markups, no hidden fees. From vintage markets to high street stores, the Stylesmiths bring you exclusive trade discounts and trusted talent.

Project by Stylesmith Diana
Project by Stylesmith Diana

“Charging a straightforward hourly rate and taking the ego, commissions and markups out of the equation, we pair you with a professional Stylesmiths designer who creates your dream space on any budget, unleashing their talents,” Richard says. “We meet you at your doorstep after hours, on weekends or on site.”

Samantha is an award-winning interior designer and Richard is an industry supplier and editor of Design Addicts Platform. They saw a gap in the market and, inspired by a business model Samantha discovered while working in New York, they set out to bring accessible design to Australia.

Project by Stylesmith Diana
Project by Stylesmith Diana

The Block judge Neale Whitaker says: “The Stylesmiths is an innovative addition to the Australian interior design industry. Maximising interaction between designers and potential clients, The Stylesmiths reflect our ever-increasing interest in style-conscious, cost-effective design solutions.”

For more information.

Categories
Furniture Homewares

Our best picks from Ikea’s new SPRUTT storage collection

Moving into my new home today (that has no built-ins… agh!), the release of Ikea’s storage collection SPRUTT, really couldn’t have happened at a better time!

SPRUTT towel holder $24.99 and SPRUTT basket $6.99 each
SPRUTT towel holder $24.99 and SPRUTT baskets $6.99 each

Modern in design, super functional and not to mention low in price, the SPRUTT collection is all about making those busy and chaotic times of the day easier.

Featuring lots of fun and graphic styles, some of my favourites are:

YBiQKQZ7PEI8Q9pZj45gMz_9LXlTafZkDV13Emz1tbU,oAPaPrNUKAxm7dYzYy1cbR24iDIJ5Dbd149LuJPE6lc
SPRUTT cabinet with drawers

The SPRUTT cabinet with drawers, which at $149 features nine labeled drawers so there’s no need to go scrambling for essential items.

qryziKr_PqSwYS-wSyCBKAQs2ngrr7QeopE6eyGFHKY,fatUiglyjCZXGoy-Wn4WESJ9q-96QfNp-F2zA2WrXdM,xDJG-0Gb_Zr3lGJ5Epws_hcKK03nS3xlMiSWDO8N838
SPRUTT baskets

The SPRUTT baskets, which start as low as $1.99 for a two pack and are a super easy way to keep laundry, shoes, makeup or toiletries organised. Jen can see all kinds of nursery uses for many of these items too!

xobjdtL8vR9O7T-QDvFksWebe30k4Lqi28yV-dosMkw,sOU5JD4Ib2oK70ezo7Bb4KCjBpp0qxN4b4akkm0vLRM,MvMt_dehi_h-WpvygBRpd4vni4pm2LGuHB3rpFGwG3A,3R0m56GP7e0pe7Ci2cXHQeuXPUK-sO7ssHTSTmGEpdY,qUJ2EkOHy4I3xVAi0-ZmBBeUzWk4mbzeRe-3iUrCHjE
SPRUTT shower curtain

The SPRUTT shower curtain for $12.99, which has bright neon pockets making it easy to store bathroom essentials right where you need them.

3Gt3w-IlgQu6dZIB9oAw1U7_XZI9kcdKV0CTkKCcdtI,l5pq3dSMwezPAyr3NyfhKCN6w9SAiH7eXjTXEliOhag,6M4ene9CalaNFLmJM1341JLuj1nVSr4uUXpRCURCQtE,0ITH90WCqB79quivu0VJkL7E1VrJ3QjF68Bub_XfjaA,ihM-UzcsVnBI5mT0lTpblIzaTLAXEuNg9OD1_AsnOT0
SPRUTT knob rack

The SPRUTT knob rack with 25 knobs for $39.99, an ideal spot for getting workday outfits ready for the morning or hanging up outdoor clothes.

There’s so much more to choose from too! In stores from this week. Browse Ikea online here.

Categories
Bedrooms Homewares

Exclusive: Typo branching into bed linen next month

You can now pick up some sheets with your stationery as Typo extends its homewares offering into linen, launching its first collection next month.

Typo_Q3_2015_Deck_YourDigs_007_crop

Available online and in select Australian and New Zealand Typo stores, it includes fashionable and affordable quilt covers, sheet sets and pillowcases, all designed to be pared back with their signature printed cushions and throws.

Typo_Q3_2015_Deck_YourDigs_005_crop

As we head into autumn, the colour palette is about soft pastel tones with mint and yellow mixed in with neutral hues such as taupe, charcoal and white, allowing the most novice of home decorators to create a fresh and vibrant living space.

The new collection will allow Typo customers to refresh their space completely or add items to update it, with the range offering an abundance of new room décor and accessories, including floor mats, textured vases, printed wall hangings, dreamcatchers, light boxes, twinkle lights and brightly coloured candles.

Typo_Q3_2015_Deck_YourDigs_067

“We created the collection after seeing a gap in the market, particularly among university students and young adults, for unique, fashion-driven bedding and room décor at an affordable price,” explains Typo’s head of trend, Jessica Granberg. “The range is all about bright, vibrant colour mixed in with more neutral tones to create a positive, calm and relaxing space to study or unwind after a hard day’s work.”

Typo_Q3_2015_Deck_YourDigs_046_crop

Staying true to Typo’s value-driven promise, prices start at $24.99 for a cushion through to $149 for a queen quilt set, allowing customers to create a stylish and unique living space without breaking the bank.

Available from next month. Watch this space for more details on the exact February launch date.

Shop Typo online.

Typo_Q3_2015_Deck_YourDigs_062

Categories
Bedrooms Competitions Kids Rooms

Win a bedroom set for your little one from Cotton On KIDS

Cotton On KIDS’ latest room range – their third stylish, fun and affordable bed linen and accessories collection – is possibly their best yet, and we have a set to give away to one lucky reader’s kid!

room_christmas_2014_0557_CMYK_FA

The collection, available now online and in selected stores, includes bed linen in a range of fresh and colourful prints and an abundance of new bedroom décor and accessories. Customers will be spoiled for choice with reversible quilt covers, matching sheet sets, decorative cushions, as well as timber wall hooks, plywood shadow boxes and cloud- shaped chalkboard wall decals.

room_christmas_2014_0515_CMYK_FA

Little girls will be delighted by pastel hues, polka dots and watermelon cushions, while boys can steer the ship of their bedroom design with nautical-themed cushions, bold prints and bright block colours. Or you could mix it all up and be less gender typical! In fact, all styles are designed to be mixed and matched, with items from the third collection mixing in perfectly with the first and second ranges, allowing kids and parents to re-create any bedroom and style it their way.

room_christmas_2014_0551_CMYK_FA

“The aim of the collection was to steer away from traditional girl and boy bedding options to ensure it was a combination of bright colours, fun patterns and most importantly, a collection that kids and parents will both love,” said Cotton On KIDS general manager, Natalie McLean.

The 100 percent cotton bed linen capsule is available in a range of designs suitable for single, double and queen size beds, ensuring everyone in the house, including toddlers, teens and even the big kids, can have fun revamping their bedroom.

Shop online.

WIN

We have a room set to give away including:

1 x Sweet spot doona cover

1 x Pop musk fitted sheet

1 x Sweet stop pillow case

1 x Midnight black pillow case

1 x Mike Monkey.

To enter, please complete the form below by 5pm on Sunday 11 January 2015.

[gravityform id=”13″ name=”Cotton on KIDS” title=”false” description=”false”]

Categories
Interiors Addict

Typo launches homewares brand The Hall

Typo is launching a new homewares label, The Hall, next month. The new brand will launch online and in select Australian Typo stores, offering eclectic, colourful and affordable wall art, cushions, throws, candles, dining sets, storage products and gifting solutions.

The Hall Collection (7)

The Hall’s series of capsule collections will make it easy for anyone to mix and match. Head of Trend Jessica Granberg, says: “Our designs are inspired by artisan handicrafts and we have used a variety of different textures, prints and materials to create an eclectic range that you won’t find anywhere else.”

The Hall Collection (15)

Prices start at $6.95 for a scented candle up to $59.95 for a cable knit throw, creating an affordable solution for anyone moving into a new home, looking to update their space, or searching for that special gift.

The Hall’s first collection will be available online at thehallshop.com and in selected Typo stores across Australia from 18 June 2014.

Categories
Interiors Addict

New IKEA Stockholm range has premium design and materials without the big price tag

IKEA’s latest premium range, STOCKHOLM, has arrived in Australian stores, featuring a stylish collection of statement pieces for the home in surprisingly luxe materials like velvet, walnut and full grain leather.

STOCKHOLM so3 Sandbacka green-processed

STOCKHOLM is designed to add a warm and homey feeling through stylish design that embodies the finest quality furnishings and absolute comfort. The collection is inspired by principles of democratic design: good design and smart solutions at a competitive price; clever and comfortable products, created with high quality materials.

Continue reading “New IKEA Stockholm range has premium design and materials without the big price tag”