Tag: apartments

Step inside St Kilda’s $30 million dollar penthouse!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 31, 2019
No Comments on Step inside St Kilda’s $30 million dollar penthouse!

Luxury developer GURNER has just revealed plans for its impending St Moritz development in Melbourne and if the first-look is anything to go by, it’s set to be rather phenomenal. With an average price point of roughly $3.5 million dollars, the St Kilda project is being designed by architect Fender Katsalidis (together with Koichi Takada Architects) alongside celebrated interior designer David Hicks with Jack Merlo on landscape duties.

Penthouse — The ridiculously high-end penthouse will have uninterrupted views of the bay

“We believe the luxury end of the market has been waiting for something like this to come along, with significant depth and demand for the right project offering the right level of luxury,” says GURNER founder and director Tim Gurner of the project that will occupy 14-16 The Esplanade, St Kilda. The first of the three buildings, Pacific House, is set to launch to the public in the middle of this year with 45 residences up for grabs at an average price point of $4 million dollars.

Penthouse bathroom and bedroom — The penthouse’s expansive bathroom and bedroom

Reflecting the bespoke trend, the purchase price will include a full customisation package giving purchasers the ability to work directly with David Hicks and Tim Gurner to create their dream homes. Think bowling alleys, infra-red saunas and steam rooms, cigar rooms, poker rooms, art galleries, sound-proofed home offices and even recording studios. “Literally anything is possible at St Moritz,” says Tim.

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the development is the creation of a $30 million dollar penthouse to sit atop the first building, Pacific House. Boasting 650 square metres of internal space together with a generous 175 square metre terrace, the penthouse will have six bedrooms, a seven-car private garage, direct lift access, four living rooms, an in-home sauna, gym and a show-stopping pool that will sit wedged between two levels of the home.

“This penthouse has been designed to be the best in Australia and arguably one of the best in the world. We initially designed the penthouse with a floorplan of over 1,300sqm and an even bigger price tag however the early feedback we have received from our local and international clientele was that a penthouse of this size would be too big even for them,” says Tim.

Occupying a space somewhere between a home and hotel, the complex will also feature 5000 square metres of private amenities and permanent staff that will provide residents with personalised and discreet service. “We want our buyers to feel like every day is a holiday as they are spoilt in ultimate luxury by the precinct’s loyal staff and are surrounded by a setting that rivals the best hotel and resort experiences in the world,” says Tim. One Powerball??

For more | Melbourne downsizers trade mansions for luxe apartments

Tags apartment, apartments, architecture, design, interior design, interior designer, interiors, luxury, melbourne, penthouse, real estate

The Block

Buyer’s advocate dishes on The Block 2018 auctions

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 29, 2018
4 Comments on Buyer’s advocate dishes on The Block 2018 auctions

Buyer’s advocate Greville Pabst from PropertyDuo helped facilitate the purchase of four out of five apartments from last night’s Block auctions. Here he shares his thoughts on the auction results and the 2018 series overall.

What a transformation we have seen at the Gatwick Hotel this past few months. The famous hotel used to be dilapidated with its beautiful internal art deco features hidden away but thanks to The Block contestants, the Gatwick Hotel is now the crown jewel of St Kilda. The expensive revitalisation is kick starting the revival of the area’s former cool, edgy but elegant self.

It really is a fairy tale ending, and I felt quite emotional and proud to facilitate handing the keys over to three independent buyers who bought four of the five apartments – one buyer purchasing the two magnificent penthouses for what him and I agree was a bargain.

I was able to obtain four of the five Block apartments (something that has never been done in the show’s history), because of my deep understanding that selling and buying property is all about making the perfect match between the vendor and buyer. On behalf of buyers, I source and buy property that ticks all boxes for them – their functional needs and blue-sky dreams. For vendors, I advise on how to get a property ready for auction day by prepping and marketing the property to the right demographic, as I do for The Block contestants each season.

For example, the St Kilda buyer is a smart investor who knows St Kilda has a high rental yield, but is a cool yet elegant person so the furnishings and finishes needed to meet expectations. This year we also saw original owners wanting to retain a piece of their past. My job is to know who will fall in love with a property and help them secure their dream.

The two sisters for whom I bought apartment number two (Courtney and Hans’) took ownership from their mother in 1999, who had owned the hotel for 46 years. They worked at the hotel from the age of 14. They’re such strong women and what they’ve done for the community is outstanding. I am honoured to have represented them. We agreed that they had to have an apartment that faced Fitzroy Street, where all the action is in St Kilda and the original street address of the Gatwick Hotel. This was the one that was the real Gatwick for them which is why they didn’t want the penthouses, because they’re new.

Greville inside one of the apartment terraces — Greville inside the terrace designed by Hayden and Sara

Apartment one has the dream kitchen, a space that means there is no such thing as too many cooks in the kitchen. My client is in love with the large dining and living room and celebrated the purchase that will return exceptional capital growth.

And who doesn’t want to own not one but two penthouses. Congratulations to my buyer, those rare expansive terraces are going to host many fun and memorable moments and will always be extremely desirable and grow in value as the views are ‘unblockable’.

Defying the current market, contestant’s expectations were certainly exceeded. It’s great when we see everyone win. My buyers absolutely felt like winners too.

Greville is CEO and executive chairman of WBP Group and one of the buyer’s advocates on The Block. He is a regular commentator on Sky News and the daily papers such as Herald Sun, the AFR and The Australian, helping everyday Australians make better property decisions.

All our Block coverage

Tags apartment, apartments, auction, Greville Pabst, melbourne, property, real estate, the block, The Block 2018

Architecture Design Interviews

Melbourne downsizers trade mansions for luxe apartments

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date September 6, 2018
No Comments on Melbourne downsizers trade mansions for luxe apartments

It’s a movement we’ve noted before but it seems that affluent Melbourne downsizers can’t get enough of the bespoke, architecturally designed apartment trend and this gorgeous new example again proves why.

Lounge and kitchen — One of Melbourne’s new luxury ‘Millswyn’ apartments

Designed by prominent architect Rob Mills and located in South Yarra’s Domain precinct, each of the ten ‘Millswyn’ residences features all the conveniences of a traditional home but in a low-maintenance apartment setting. Each residence boasts a private lock-up garage and landscaped courtyard, soaring 3.2 metre ceilings, Italian marble and a 25 square metre walk-in wardrobe. And with that line-up, who wouldn’t want to downsize?

“Space is the first and foremost luxury of Millswyn. What makes this project exemplary is its sense of scale. There is an order, a structure and a hierarchy – everything is in its place,” says architect Rob Mills of the boutique development that is nestled among South Yarra’s leafy streets inside an original Victorian Italianate mansion.

“When entering a Millswyn home, your eye flows over the surfaces and leads uninterrupted to the landscape outdoors. It’s a sensory experience that is visual and acoustic. It’s the grand sense of space that is of the utmost importance,” says Rob of the apartments that boast internal areas ranging from 207-299 square metres and external areas from 26-99 square metres. Incredibly, the largest master bedroom is a significant 30 square metres which is half the size of an average two bedroom apartment!

Kitchen — The kitchen features rare Arabescato Vagli marble throughout

Retaining much of the original building’s heritage façade, the apartments have been cleverly designed with privacy in mind too. “Residents benefit from complete privacy – each home stands on its own, with a private entryway and windows that face out on to secluded courtyards,” says Rob.

The project has been developed by Pask Group who identified a gap in the market. “Families and downsizers who demand luxury and space want the best of both worlds; the size and scale of a traditional home, with the convenience, location and amenity of an apartment. Millswyn’s position in the tightly held Domain Precinct offers this, being just minutes from Melbourne’s CBD and the Botanical Gardens, while retaining the sense of privacy, peace and community of one of Melbourne’s premier suburbs,” says Pask managing director Dean Pask.

All of this luxury doesn’t come cheaply of course. Apartments at Millswyn start from a cool $4.095 million and are available now.

For more | More luxury Melbourne apartments

Tags apartment, apartments, architecture, design, downsizer, downsizing, interior design, interior designer, interiors, melbourne, millswyn residences, rob mills

Architecture Design

Aussie design giants unite to create unique apartments

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date June 7, 2018
No Comments on Aussie design giants unite to create unique apartments

When Woods Bagot and Hecker Guthrie unite, we sit up and take notice. Two of Australia’s leading architectural firms, their latest collaboration has seen them create Elwood House, a group of 30 boutique luxury apartments in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Elwood. And what caught our attention are the interesting interior features – there’s not a bland, neutral scheme to be seen with exposed feature brickwork and full-scale stone kitchens that give the spaces a solid, timeless appeal.

It’s not the first time the two companies have joined forces with their 2011 Carlton apartment project Garden House taking out six major property and design awards. “In our eyes, Garden House was a truly successful collaboration between designer, architect and developer. Elwood House being our second collaboration, and with the change in location, we wanted to bring an even greater level of refinement to the project. The challenge is always in creating beautifully designed spaces, that are also timeless, and that allow the purchaser the potential to truly personalise their home,” says Hecker Guthrie director Paul Hecker.

And as with the last development, Elwood House embraces the idea of a house rather than an apartment with each apartment boasting large living spaces that open onto generous bedrooms, balconies and bathrooms – the largest apartments are 170 square metres in size and all of them feature expansive terraces.

Selling predominantly to owner-occupier downsizers living in the local area, the apartments also boast natural stone floors and kitchen benchtops, American Oak timber cabinetry, Gaggenau appliances and double pantries. Each apartment also includes thoughtful design features (that allow for flexibility of use) including a large bespoke American Oak wall unit that provides storage as well as a hideaway marble bar and built-in study desk – all hidden behind closable doors.

“It was important to remember that while a lot of the buyers were downsizing from a family home they were also expecting an upscale of amenity. Downscaling to Elwood House doesn’t mean compromising on the things that matter,” says Paul.

Bathrooms feature clever private terraces (to encourage natural ventilation) and natural stone alongside weathered brass fixtures and ‘his and her’ custom-designed stone basins. “Getting the details right is of upmost importance, as every single element – big and small – has a bearing on whether you exceed a purchaser’s expectations or not. We always want to surprise our clients with an outcome better than they imagined,” says the project’s developer Michael Piccolo.

With one, two and three bedroom apartments available across four levels, the building’s exterior delivers on the aesthetic front too with exposed concrete, slim bricks made in Denmark and irrigated balcony planter boxes overflowing with greenery.

The apartment block's exterior — The Elwood exterior – a beauty salon and restaurant reside below

Photography: Trevor Mein

For more | Small apartment tips

Tags apartments, design, hecker guthrie, interior design, interiors, luxury apartments, melbourne, real estate, woods bagot

Designers House Tours

From shoe factory to Melbourne’s hottest apartment complex

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date October 31, 2017
No Comments on From shoe factory to Melbourne’s hottest apartment complex

Once home to a series of shoe manufacturers, soon-to-be-built apartment complex Pace of Abbotsford beautifully and authentically blends old with new.

Paying homage to Abbotsford’s distinctive manufacturing past, the residences will be anchored by the retained art deco facade of the iconic Saint Crispin House (a factory from years gone by). Carefully preserved, the building will be reinvented with one, two and three-bedroom apartments, multi-level townhouses and three-level residences.

Once inside, residents will have a choice between a light or dark interior colour scheme. Modern yet timeless interiors will evoke a light and airy ambiance with timber flooring, high ceilings, double-glazed windows and streamlined kitchens finishing off the look.

Crowning the building will be the rooftop garden with spectacular 360-degree views of the CBD, a 20m infinity pool, gym, lounge and dining area. Two large setbacks on lower levels will offer additional outdoor communal areas, as well as a residents-only library.

A collaboration by Pace Development Group with architects SJB, construction is due to start any time now, with the final project to be completed by mid-2019.

For more information | More homes we love

Tags apartments, design, interiors, melbourne, Pace Development Group, Pace of Abbotsford, Saint Crispin House, sjb

Designers Interviews Kitchens

The kitchen is the hero of these new Melbourne apartments

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date May 30, 2017
No Comments on The kitchen is the hero of these new Melbourne apartments

While it’s often said that a kitchen has the power to sell a home, the new Toorak development The Springfield has taken that idea and built an entire block of apartments around it, recognising its pull for potential buyers.

One of The Springfield’s fabulous kitchens

“The kitchen is one of the first places that people inspect and need to know functions well. It is very like the idea of the fireplace in a home as it’s the place where people come together. There is warmth and there is a magic about it that draws people back. Some of the fondest memories we have are of our mother’s favourite recipe and the chats that occur around the island bench. When all this comes together with a strong aesthetic and a high degree of functionality people find it easier to make the decision to buy,” says the project’s architect Tisha Lee of K2LD Architects.

Tisha cites our collective obsession with food as a key driving factor in the kitchen renaissance too. “In recent times, we have seen a large media focus on the art of cooking and bringing restaurant style menus into the home. Several of our own key restaurants in Melbourne (Movida, Grossi, Chin Chin) have published books and television programmes such as Masterchef make it seem trendy and accessible to the average person to be able to engage with and enjoy the art of entertaining around the kitchen,” says Tisha.

But it’s not just our love of cooking, it’s the way we now live that truly puts the kitchen at the centre of the home. “The open plan nature of living has also influenced this change as well. Now the kitchen is a key part of the entertaining area and as such, the kitchen needs to not only be beautiful and inviting, but also highly functional and practical,” says Tisha.

The Springfield kitchens certainly deliver on the aesthetic front which isn’t surprising given they were designed in collaboration with the high-end Italian furniture manufacturer Molteni & C Dada. Featuring honey-coloured timber, concealed finger pulls, a lavish five-metre-long marble bench top and Gaggenau appliances, they also boast full-scale Butler’s pantries. But these details don’t come cheap as some of the kitchens in the development are valued at nearly half a million dollars!

The Springfield boasts expansive, luxurious bathrooms too

“I love the attention to detail and how the practical is also made attractive. For example, the sink is complete with options for cutting, draining and sorting. It is so large that roasting pans and pots fit in with ease and never need to be left just sitting on the bench. I also like the provision for simple items such as spice holders, cling wrap containers and cutlery trays which take our ordinary objects and make them look beautiful on display. The warmth of the timber veneer is also something to celebrate making the joinery itself sit like a like crafted piece of furniture within the space. And of course, I love the exceptionally long marble island bench (five metres) where you can cook and entertain people at the same time and feel like your own Masterchef!” says Tisha.

For more.

Tags apartment, apartments, architect, architecture, design, interior, interior design, interiors, kitchen, kitchen design, melbourne, the springfield, toorak

Interiors Addict

Trend alert! Purpose-built loft-style apartments hit Melbourne

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 6, 2017
No Comments on Trend alert! Purpose-built loft-style apartments hit Melbourne

With its roots in New York City, the converted warehouse has been a strong design trend for many years now but it’s recently taken on a new incarnation in Melbourne. From the Helio development in North Melbourne to Supply Co Richmond and Wills Place and Elm & Stone in the Docklands, designers are no longer converting old warehouses but are building purpose-built lofts from scratch instead.

“Elm & Stone is one of the first genuine loft developments to be built in Melbourne and definitely a first for Docklands. We prototyped multiple variations of this design to deliver the height and space that you might find in a converted warehouse, whilst capitalising on the great design benefits, of secure, elevated, north facing, apartment living,” says David Allt-Graham, general manager of residential at MAB. There’s no doubt that lofts provide functional living zones, additional height and space and a grand sense of openness, adding to their appeal over regular apartments in dense urban environments.

“Those seeking a sophisticated, inner-city pad will gravitate to Elm & Stone for its industrial-chic aesthetic and proximity to the city,” says David of the apartments that feature split levels. The flexible mezzanine space could be used as a living area, children’s play space, extra bedroom or studio.

The development showcases some great design features too including spacious balconies, with built-in planter boxes, so that residents can add to the building’s living façade. There are a plethora of great communal spaces too including a zen garden, pool and BBQ area, gym and library.

mabc8986_elm-stone_ed02_12-bed-loft-stack_a3cmyk — Elm & Stone exterior

“We’ve been working in the Docklands for nearly 20 years, and with major Australian businesses like NAB, Medibank and the ANZ relocating to the precinct, we’re seeing a trend of younger buyers seeking quality, contemporary, yet affordable accommodation options nearby. However, this cohort of buyers are definitely vocal in what they expect in a development – community, connection to nature and a sense of style is a must,” says David.

Check out Elm & Stone here.

Tags apartments, design, Elm & Stone, Loft-style apartment, melbourne, property, Property trend, trends

Designers House Tours

Brooklyn Apartments to bring a taste of NYC to the Gold Coast

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 22, 2015
1 Comment on Brooklyn Apartments to bring a taste of NYC to the Gold Coast

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Taking its name and inspiration from the most populous of New York City’s five boroughs, Brooklyn Apartments will bring edgy architectural design to the Gold Coast, by effortlessly blending open style warehouse living with modern urban design trends.

Positioned in the hub of Varsity Lakes, the residential tower designed by the Howard Group and Alceon, will consist of one and two bedroom apartments and three bedroom penthouses split over two-levels. Each individual apartment is designed to be a blank canvas, with occupants able to bring their own personal vision to life.

The warehouse apartment design is unlike anything available on the Gold Coast. Sleek designer galley kitchens and finishes are offset by high concrete ceilings, exposed feature brick walls, generous balconies, landscaped communal spaces and skyline views.

On the ground floor, there will be a wi-fi equipped central courtyard, offices, eateries and bars; offering residents and locals a range of convenient amenities in the one venue. One floor up and residents will be welcomed into an urban garden, a semi-private oasis that invites individuals to sit-back, relax and enjoy the exceptional six-storey atrium green wall. Then, up on the top floor, the quintessential ‘New York’ rooftop terrace with its bbq’s, spas and seating is the ideal setting to entertain friends, watch the stars or enjoy panoramic views of Lake Orr and the Burleigh Heads skyline.

Brooklyn’s unique architectural design, high rental returns, convenient location and entry price point (from $319,000) make the mixed-use development a highly desirable investment choice. Construction is about to commence, with the first apartments ready to occupy mid-2016.

For more information.

Tags Alceon, apartments, Brooklyn Apartments, construction, design, gold coast, Howard Group, interior, residential, Varsity Lakes

Designers

Central Sydney apartments that feel like an exclusive oasis

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date December 1, 2014
No Comments on Central Sydney apartments that feel like an exclusive oasis

With a dramatic sandstone cliff as their backdrop, the new Maxwell Place apartments designed by Smart Design Studio in collaboration with Mirvac are white, angular and dramatic.

Sitting low and long, the 49 apartments feature deep triangular balconies, a nod to the saw tooth roofs of the Federation-era Tramsheds that sit close by. Situated in the inner Sydney suburb of Glebe, Maxwell Place is the second last precinct in Harold Park by Mirvac and the only one located on the eastern edge of the future park. Designed to create a connection between Harold Park and the distinctive Victorian terrace homes above, vehicle entry to the apartments will come via a new shared laneway off Maxwell Road.

Smart Design Studio’s inspiration for Maxwell Place owes much to the beauty of the sandstone cliff that forms its eastern boundary, providing a sense of privacy and seclusion for residents. Extensive ground-level landscaping, combined with the building’s unique setting between cliff and park, will add to the sensation that these residences are an exclusive oasis.

“We thought the cliff was beautiful and we took that as our inspiration to create a building that was like an abstracted cliff face,” says William Smart, founder of Smart Design Studio. “But the building also had to talk to the other side of Harold Park and the Glebe terraces above, so we have a quiet, private side facing the cliff and a side with expansive park views.”

Harold Park is located 2.5km from the Sydney CBD and on completion will include approximately 1,250 apartments and terraces. More than 35 per cent of the site has been dedicated to the City of Sydney for future parkland.

Residents are now living the in the first Harold Park precinct, Locarno, and Precinct 2, Eden, is nearing completion. The third precinct, Maestro, is under construction and Chevalier, which was launched in September, has also recently commenced construction. An exact start date for Maxwell Place is yet to be released.

Tags apartments, architecture, design, harold park, interiors, Maxwell Place, mirvac, residential, Smart Design, Smart Design Studio, sydney

Designers House Tours The Block

Darren Palmer gives new apartment complex his designer touch

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date October 16, 2014
No Comments on Darren Palmer gives new apartment complex his designer touch

The Block Glasshouse isn’t the only apartment complex interior designer Darren Palmer has been spending time at recently! This Saturday, he will head up the launch of a signature development in the heart of Moonee Ponds.

20140909_MooneePonds_MaxDoyle_31

A first for Darren and his design studio, MoPo is a 126-apartment development with luxury indoor and outdoor retreats he has conceived and designed. As the project’s ambassador and designer, he will be speaking with prospective buyers and attendees, discussing his vision for the development and showcasing bespoke furnishings and designs that will feature throughout.

20140909_MooneePonds_MaxDoyle_505 (16.09.14)

I don’t know about you but I am loving that colour palette!

The public are invited to go along and meet Darren and receive a signed, free copy of his interior style guide Moments of Potential.

When: This Saturday 18 October 2014, 12 noon to 2pm

Where: On-site display apartment, 333 Ascot Vale Road, Moonee Ponds, VIC.

Accord Property Group have brought together internationally recognised architectural firm Peddle Thorp and Darren in a residential development they say sets a new benchmark for living in Melbourne’s inner north. Luxury inclusions and communal spaces have been set as the norm across every aspect of MoPo’s 11 levels of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The development also features a striking, hotel-like lobby, rooftop terrace and enclosed sky lounge.

Development manager Anthony Ongarello says: “Darren’s involvement has generated significant momentum for this project. As a developer, we welcome the challenge to bring a diverse and considered offering to the market. We’ve stepped it up by engaging a world class architectural firm in Peddle Thorp. The floor plans have been created to appeal to an owner-occupier. It’s a building that people want to live in and Peddle Thorp have gone over and above to deliver exactly that.”

As part of Moonee Valley Council’s requirements, respected street artist STABS has been commissioned to create a mural to activate the front façade of the building.

One-bedrooms from $335,000, two-bedrooms from $570,000 and three bedrooms from $675,000. For more information.

Tags accord property group, apartments, architects, darren palmer, interiors, melbourne, moonee ponds, mopo, peddle thorp, STABS, street artist, the block

Expert Tips

7 DIY hacks for small apartments

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date September 25, 2014
No Comments on 7 DIY hacks for small apartments

By Marcus Lim

Maintaining and decorating a home is expensive and incredibly time-consuming, and living in a small apartment adds the hassle of space constraints. Finding room for items other than the bare essentials can seem impossible, especially in a shared home.

Here are some inexpensive hacks and tips to make your home more comfortable, appealing and inviting, which are guaranteed to maximise scarce living space.

1. Hack your bathroom storage

Hanging cosmetic storage is a nifty DIY hack for shared bathrooms. Invest in some hanging cosmetic bags to free up shelf and bench space in small bathrooms. Buying different sizes and shapes will keep your items organised and separate from your housemates’ belongings. Consider hanging them on the bathroom door or the towel rack. If hanging bags don’t suit your bathroom space or you don’t like the look of them, try placing the cosmetic baskets in any free nooks and crannies that may be around the bathroom.

Tip: Invest in hanging bags that have a shabby chic design to make the bathroom look cosy and lived in, rather than ones that resembles a traveller’s hanging cosmetic bag.

2. Hack your privacy

Are you in desperate need of some privacy in your home but don’t wait to sacrifice the minimal light coming in? Putting frosted film over sections of windows is a simple way of blocking your home out from street view and neighbours and a far cheaper alternative to buying curtains or blinds. Try Frost & Co.

Tip: Window film is particularly useful for inconveniently placed bathroom windows, without having to block out the sun and light coming into the room.

3. Hack your light

Refuse space wastage. Don’t borrow/spend money on a standing light or lamp. What’s nice to look at, simple to set up and dirt cheap? Fairy lights. Hang them to suit your convenience; above your bed, across the ceiling, or even multiple strings of lights around the room. If your apartment has an outdoor area, fairy lights are a great way to brighten the space up and create a festive vibe when having guests over.

Tip: Hate having to get up to turn off the light when you’re already tucked into bed with a good book or movie? Position the fairy lights with the switch close to your bed for maximum convenience.

4. Hack your kitchen storage

Only have enough kitchen counter space for a kettle and loaf of bread? The back side of your pantry doors are perfect for extra kitchen storage. Simply nail in some hooks to hang a small saucepan, wooden spoon, measuring cup – you name it! Alternatively consider hanging your utensils up high on the walls or on other structures if the space allows for it. This will free up lots of space and achieve a beautiful rustic look.

Tip: If you’re unable to use the inside of the pantry door to hang utensils, you can also use the surface to attach a cork board, whiteboard or chalkboard, and stick up lists and other bits and bobs that you don’t have space to hang up elsewhere.

5. Hack your kitchen sink

Another DIY trick to save space in the kitchen is to purchase a cheap over-the-sink cutting board and strainer. This will free up counter space whilst cooking and will make cleaning up easier.

6. Hack your bedroom

Investing in a console table that fits over your bed is the ultimate DIY space-saver. Position the table at the end of your bed or against the wall. To re-purpose the table, simply remove the items and position it over your bed to do work or watch a movie on your laptop.

Tip: To save money, purchase a secondhand console table and paint it a colour of your choice.

7. Hack your decor

Feel as though your home is dull and depressing but don’t have the funds or time to go searching for beautiful decor? For a true DIY project, simply clean out used glass bottles and mason jars to fill them with candles, flowers or any other odds and ends of your choice. This is a cheap, quick, and sustainable way of brightening up your home and making it more inviting. Your guests will love it.

Tip: Line up the filled bottles/jars on the window sill for a summer feel.

Carry out one or more of these DIY hacks and watch your home instantly become less crowded and feel more inviting, for a minimum cost and effort.

– Marcus Lim is the founder and CEO of local services marketplace Oneflare.com.au, connecting Australians with 40,000 businesses across Australia.

Images courtesy of Oneflare.com.au

Tags apartments, design, interiors, small apartments, small bathroom, small kitchen, storage

House Tours Styling

Spence & Lyda transform the Viking by Crown penthouse

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 17, 2014
No Comments on Spence & Lyda transform the Viking by Crown penthouse

In a collaboration that was destined to create the ultimate in luxury living, furniture and homewares retailer Spence & Lyda teamed up with property developer Crown Group.

Asked by Crown to style their brand new, three-bedroom penthouse (which sits on the top floor of their soon to open Viking by Crown in Waterloo, Sydney), Spence & Lyda have focused on bringing the outside world in.

“When I first walked into the apartment, I was drawn to the living room and the outdoor space,” says founder, Fiona Spence.   “We were standing there as the sun went down and I was struck by the amazing quality of natural light. We worked with the apartment’s own elements to bring that light in.”

To furnish the modern 212 sq m penthouse, Spence & Lyda selected an eclectic combination of one-of-a-kind pieces; including an old Javanese wooden cart refashioned into a coffee table, woven wicker chairs sourced from Denmark and porcelain lights hand thrown in Melbourne.  Art by Guy Maestri and Camie Lyons from the Olsen Irwin Gallery is a focal point on the walls, with many homewares and furniture pieces from Spence & Lyda dotting the space.

Viking by Crown features 110 apartments, a stunning 25-metre pool, a fully equipped gymnasium and a ground-floor terrace cafe.   The residential development, which will open the first week of October, is located at 30-36 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo, 5km from Sydney’s central business district, 5km from Sydney Airport and 9km from Bondi beach. The penthouse will open for VIP viewings from mid-September and will be open to the public from early October.

For more information.

Tags apartments, crown group, fiona spence, penthouse, spence & lyda, styling, sydney, Viking by Crown, waterloo

RENO ADDICT

Stylish apartments for sale in Melbourne’s iconic Yorkshire Brewery

Post author By Kathryn Bamford
Post date June 12, 2014

The past definitely meets the future at one of Melbourne’s most historic icons, the Yorkshire Brewery, where some seriously exclusive homes are already for sale.

There is an exciting new development brewing (sorry for the pun, but I just had to) called The Yorkshire, which will cover 4,500-square-metres, house 700 residents and be a catalyst for the Collingwood area. There are options of apartments or townhouses and trust me, having had a look around, both are extremely schmick! Just check out these pictures from the display suite.

The very talented folk at SMA Projects and Hayball have definitely paid homage to the industrial heritage of the site’s most prominent feature, the brewery tower. The whole development has been planned around the tower and the site is surrounded by several existing laneways that lead into a landscaped piazza called Yorkshire Square. This will eventually be home to a café, wine bar and deli (so Melbourne, right?). There’s even going to be five whole-floor apartments in the tower, which it was surreal to be standing in, considering until recently, no-one had been it for 20 years.

I was in absolute awe when I stepped foot into the display suite. A gorgeous contrasting colour palette with dark wooden floors, stone bench tops, greys and whites. The most exciting feature (well I think so anyway) is the guest suites, which are for the exclusive use of residents and are designed to accommodate visiting family and friends, offering them their own hotel room. How handy would that be? There will also be a fabulous rooftop sanctuary, kitchen BBQ area, private dining room, library and health club (including a yoga space).

If you’re interested in checking out this new development, a display suite is located on site at 84 Wellington Street, Collingwood and is open Tuesday-to- Sunday. Construction has commenced and is due for completion at the end of 2015.

Tags apartments, collingwood, featured, hayball, melbourne, sale, sma projects, the yorkshire, the yorkshire brewery

Interiors Addict

Belle and Mirvac collaborate to style Glebe display apartments

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 24, 2013
4 Comments on Belle and Mirvac collaborate to style Glebe display apartments

Mirvac and Belle magazine have teamed up to create a series of pop-up display apartments at the new Harold Park development in Sydney’s Glebe, with the first one created by the magazine’s interior design editor, Steve Cordony.

Tags apartments, belle, featured, glebe, greg natale, harold park, mirvac, neale whitaker, popup, steve cordony, sydney, the block