Whether it’s the sleek modern look or a nod to Australia’s brick architectural heritage, contemporary brick homes are increasing in popularity, matching the design desires of architects, designers and homeowners alike.
Ebony brick – Perimeter house
Once associated with older homes, the humble brick has gotten a makeover. It provides flexibility with on-trend colours, elegant finishing and textural options for interiors and exteriors. “Concrete face bricks can make a statement with stunning design elements,” says Nathan Martyn from Adbri, Australia’s leading masonry manufacturer. Adbri’s concrete bricks are Australian made, making them a good option for building or renovating projects. Their newest series of coloured concrete brick products are 100% colour-through to reduce chipping and increase longevity.
Bricks are versatile and can be used to create a number of innovative looks from mid-century to contemporary. Homeowners trying to achieve a fluid design in their exteriors can choose anything from shapely furnishings, softly curved walls, round windows to arched doorways and stairways. Curved architectural detailing like this promotes a sense of calm and beauty to the home.
Used internally, exposed face bricks can embed a sense of permeance, security and style. Adbri has multi-design options so you can personalise by introducing speciality laying patterns. Reflect your inner aesthetic by creating a feature wall, a fireplace or highlighting an entry point. Utilising the material within the exterior and interior design of the home creates a cohesive, modern look throughout.
Ivory brick – Carwoola house.
With new colours ranging from stunning white to moody dark greys and blacks, as well as a made-to-order option, there’s a colour to suit all styles of houses from the clean lines of contemporary minimalist to the relaxed style of modern coastal.
A smooth, rendered finish suits a modern contemporary home, a lightly textured shot-blast finish is perfect for a raw and natural finish, or a highly detailed exposed aggregate honed finish that offers a luxurious crushed stone appearance can completely change the look and feel of a wall.
Ebony brick – Perimeter house.
The bricks are also energy-efficient, durable and require little to no maintenance. Their strength helps guard against a range of environmental elements that homes face today and provides a stunning curbside appeal.
It’s hard to believe that 2020 is just around the corner, but with the new year comes one of the things we really love – trend predictions. And when it comes to trends, the Houzz platform is always an interesting place to look. From the end of the ‘official’ kitchen area to the rise of cheeky leftover spaces and terrazzo as a foundational material in the home, read on for Houzz’ top eight home design trend predictions for 2020.
1. The ‘unkitchen’ kitchen The kitchen remains a constantly evolving space when it comes to design trends, and it’s still the most popular room to renovate according to Houzz research.
Of late, Houzz is starting to see contemporary kitchens integrating small touches of furniture-like elements that complement the rest of a home’s décor. At the extreme end, we will see more and more kitchens that disappear completely into bespoke cabinetry, so their functionality is hidden away when not in use.
2. The cheeky extras Got an extra 1.5m space at the end of your kitchen renovation floor plan? Houzz is starting to see homeowners no longer decide between a pantry or more bench space if they have spare meterage. Instead they are extending into the space, building in integrated study nooks, kitchenettes and banquettes. This trend began in 2019, with study nooks searched on Houzz 26 per cent more than the previous year.
This kitchen features a study nook at one end. Image source: Houzz
3. The rise of curves and arches This is a trend we’ve reported on, but it seems that our collective penchant for curves and arches just keeps growing. Designers and architects on Houzz are introducing curves to add a feminine touch and create softness in spaces otherwise filled with hard surfaces.
Architectural elements of the home will embrace rounded edges through circular windows, arches and curved walls as advances to technology allow architects to challenge structural boundaries.
There are myriad curves in this room. Image source: Houzz
4. Terrazzo Again, not a new trend but with searches for the material having increased by 28 per cent on Houzz this year, it’s predicted to truly reign in 2020.
Terrazzo, a composite material that can be poured in situ or pre-case, and formed from chips of marble, quartz, granite or glass, has mostly been seen in bathroom splash backs until now. But, in the new year, we can expect to see it used in bench tops and homewares, with the chips becoming larger and colour ways becoming bolder.
Terrazzo makes quite a statement in this kitchen. Image source: Houzz
5. Metal cladding With an increasing focus on technological innovation, the desire for greater sustainability, the need for safety and always-changing realisations about wellbeing in the home, one of the biggest trends on Houzz is the rise of metal cladding. With recent issues with combustible materials, already we are seeing professionals on Houzz readjust to these new demands, so goodbye rendered brickwork and timber slats and hello copper, zinc and steel.
Metal cladding gives this home a unique finish. Image source: Houzz
6. Muted colours Beige, stone, soft eucalypt greens and earthy browns will be strong interior colours in 2020, following their popularity on Houzz in 2019. Those hues are seen in natural materials such as sisal, jute, hemp, unbleached, undyed wool, clay and natural stone.
There is some solace for those that love colour, however – Houzz tell us that strong colours with added shading will be on trend, such as merlot, peacock blue and spicy pink.
7. Homewares made from biomaterials
The common concerns about climate change, sustainability, the harm of single-use plastic and environmental pollution will push professionals to innovate even more in the years ahead, developing new recycled and recyclable materials for homewares & decor.
The 2019 Houzz & Home Australia study found that integrating “green” materials was a high priority for 22 per cent of renovating homeowners; a 3 per cent increase from 2016.
The mirror frame in this picture was made from discarded wood. Image source: Houzz
8. Wellbeing & bioliphic design Biophilia means ‘love of nature’ and this, combined with our focus on wellbeing, will form a strong design focus for 2020. Lamps that adjust their intensity according to natural circadian rhythms, decor that seriously integrates plants, soothing palettes and low-VOC paints, plus architecture designed for wellness are just some examples of the trend.
Houzz is already seeing this emerge with many designers and homeowners introducing natural light from windows and skylights; focussing on exterior views and access to nature; and using water sources as fountains, ponds and water features, that can be seen, heard and touched.
