“The concept with Nood Co was to create a contemporary product brand with duality. To take a masculine building material and present it as feminine as possible,” says Matt Di Costa, co-director of the stylish Perth-based concrete basin company Nood Co. Prior to launching the brand, Matt studied architecture, had a career as a polished plasterer and was a contestant on The Block too. “Given my background, concrete and design was a logical business,” he says.
Nood Co basins feature in this bathroom by Lynne Bradley Interiors
And while many former Blockheads rely on the TV association when forging careers after the show, it’s something Matt has avoided with the brand that he founded with friend Chris Walker – preferring instead to let the product speak for itself. “We are very honoured to have been a part of The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,” says Matt.
Launching in 2017, with a furniture and basin range, Nood Co has since simplified its offering which now includes 65 basins that range from surface mount to wall hung, pedestal and freestanding designs. But what truly sets the brand apart is its use of colour – the Nood Co designs are available in 14 on-trend shades including blush pink, peach, mint, teal and more.
“When creating the range, the goal was to create pieces that complemented other pieces in the bathroom space so they had to be restrained and carefully coloured. Less is more kind of vibes,” says Matt of the brand’s minimal, contemporary aesthetic.
The 50’s inspired Herbert basin is one of Matt’s favourites. Bathroom by Alessia Design and Build.
Bathroom by Two Style Interiors
Good looks aside, Nood Co delivers on the quality front too – the brand’s concrete composition is strong and features a solid colouring system which results in basins that are 100% coloured throughout. “Nood Co concrete has admixtures in the composition that give it its natural water tolerance. This means that we only seal with a penetrative sealer in a very minimal way. The resulting effect is a basin that never has to be resealed, and will never delaminate, which is real breakthrough for concrete and makes us unique to all others.”
Bathroom design by Naibu Design
Nood Co also boasts solid eco-credentials – its concrete harbours zero chemicals, the Nood tint is chemical-free and the basins are waxed with 100% organic wax. Interestingly, the basins take 96% less embodied energy to make than their ceramic counterparts. “Our concrete is VOC-free also and we offer recycled packaging and donate to Carbon Neutral Australia to offset our carbon footprint,” says Matt.
The brand’s latest basin colour, lilac, was chosen by its design community
It’s certainly a winning formula given that the brand has countless overseas stockists, its products have sold in 42 countries and its site is visited annually by 112 countries. “We have more products in the works and a big showing at Denfair Sydney later in the year. We also have some other surprises coming, particularly for the design community. I can’t say too much but expect us to keep pushing the boundaries and to keep it fun!”
Modest in size and rural in sensibility, this home in Albury’s East Street blends natural and modern aesthetics. Kerstin Thompson Architects took inspiration from the surroundings and all that nature has to offer when designing this single-storey evocative and finely crafted, climate considered house.
“The client had chosen the site many years earlier because of its sweeping views to Mt Huon. The design of the house frames and captures these stunning views,” says Lynn Chew, of Kerstin Thompson Architects.
An environmentally responsive building envelope, it can open up or shut down via sliding cement sheet screens, louvres and windows. These features allow the home to adapt to the extremes of Albury’s climatic variation.
“Adjusted to the slope of the land, the house is arranged along two terraces, an upper and lower one, which organise functions and differentiates between a warmer north side and a cooler south side,” Lynn continues. “The stepped floor, in combination with the roof angle, create living spaces that are shady in summer, sun-filled in winter and completed by magnificent views south towards Mt Huon.”
In a desire to capture its rural setting, the material palette is robust and direct, with concrete, bricks, and cement sheeting used for for interior linings and joinery. A restrained palette of darkly stained plywood, raked cement-sheet ceilings and matt sheen concrete floors further enhanced the spaces.
Keeping in mind the material palette, the architects knew that timber would complement the aesthetic of the home perfectly. Having worked with Big River Group before, they used Armourpanel Blackbutt hardwood lining on the doors and walls, which injected warmth into the home. The Blackbutt panelling is also a fire resistant wood, responding to the bushfire prone location.
“The timber walls and joinery are a feature of the residence. Not only do they complement the concrete and cement,” Lynn explains, “they also visually connect with the colours of surrounding bush environment.”
The natural masterpiece has already won awards, taking home both an AIA National Award and an AIA NSW Award in 2020.
Designing homes in the conservation area of Sydney’s Haberfield comes with its challenges. ‘Treehouse’, with its precise detailing and a sensitive approach to the streetscape, has captured a flawless combination…
Designer homes: 8 magazine-worthy homes you can stay at
We’ve all been stuck indoors much more than we ever expected this year, and since then we’ve seen a spike in interest in interior design and architecture. But have you…
Equal parts earthy and stylish, the Concrete Nation range of bespoke concrete baths and basins are some of the most beautiful we’ve come across. The creation of husband and wife team Jason and Kate Lett, who design and manufacture the range in Queensland’s Burleigh Heads, the brand is a favourite of upscale interior designers and architects both here and abroad. It’s not hard to see why!
The Pod collection
“The focus of our brand has always been to showcase the natural beauty of concrete. We don’t want perfection, but rather a perfectly imperfect finish that can only be achieved with handmade products. Our handcrafted products tell a story and are more than just a sink or a bath but rather a work of art,” says Kate, who hails from America and has a background in fashion design.
Kate met her New Zealander husband Jason when he was playing rugby and working for a builder in the US. In 2013, after the birth of their first daughter, the pair moved to Australia and combined talents to launch Concrete Nation together.
The gorgeous Valencia bath has put the brand in the international spotlight.
Eschewing trends, the brand believes the more earthy tones are the perfect complement to a natural product such as concrete. “Rather than creating products in the latest trendy designs or colours, our goal is to be innovative, push the boundaries and create designs that are unexpected,” says Kate who, with her fashion background, understands the unique ways that colour, texture and design intersect.
Jason and Kate Lett
And while Kate brings design acumen to the business, it’s Jason that delivers on the technical front, having completed a course in fibreglass reinforced concrete when living in America. “He was so taken with the endless possibilities of concrete and began to dabble in it in the US,” says Kate of the time before launching the business.
Super strong and highly durable, the range is constructed from the aforementioned fibreglass reinforced concrete making it half the weight of pure concrete and 10 times stronger due to the addition of glass.
Arc basins in mango
The Concrete Nation palette was developed through using different percentages of oxides that are mixed the whole way through the concrete, ensuring the colour runs through the whole product and isn’t just painted on top.
The company has solid sustainability credentials too with a commitment to offering ethical, high quality products that are safe for the consumer and the environment. “We use zero VOC concrete composition as well as zero VOC natural oxides. Almost all of our materials are sourced from within Australia, reducing transport emissions too,” says Kate. Last year, the company made the decision to switch to renewable energy with its manufacturing facility and headquarters now operating solely on solar power. It also has a recycled filtration system that reuses wastewater and reduces waste.
The Tropez basin in snow white
In the beginning, the company offered custom bench tops, vanities and dining tables for local residential and commercial projects, but the duo always wanted to expand.
“We soon realised if we wanted to grow the business beyond the Gold Coast, we needed to create products that were easier to transport. We recognised that there was a void in the market for unique bathroom products. At the time, there was absolutely nothing like it in the market and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” says Kate.
The gloriously textured Malta basin in nude
Since opening, Concrete Nation has expanded its product offering and colour range and now has stockists and distributors all around the globe. “We are currently working with some of the best interior designers and architects for upscale residential, commercial, multi-residential, hospitality and retail projects. In a disposable society, our products are designed to stand the test of time.”
The Concrete Nation showroom in Burleigh Heads, QLD
Another look at the Valencia bath; this time in a delicious mango hue
“Concrete bunker” Sydney apartment takes out top gong
The inaugural Design Files Design Awards were handed out last week with Matt Woods Design taking out the ‘Interior Design’ award for its beautiful Sydney apartment project ‘Perfect Storm’. Dubbed…
Nestled in the Sydney coastal suburb of North Curl Curl, this 20-year-old bathroom got a stylish upgrade recently by interior designer Deanne Crowther, of Bathrooms by Oldham. And while there was nothing ‘wrong’ with the former space, the new bathroom is not only more functional but it’s much more beautiful too.
“Our client wanted to update their ensuite while retaining its layout. They wanted a concrete inspired bathroom whilst keeping it soft and warm,” says Deanne. A modern, timeless look ensued courtesy of a trio of gorgeous finishes; concrete, brass and American oak.
BEFORE
AFTER
One of the major contributors to the transformation is the tile selection – smaller white tiles were replaced with concrete-look 600mm x 600mm porcelain ones. “Choosing a large tile throughout the bathroom gives the illusion of a bigger space,” says Deanne.
The tired white cabinetry was usurped by a custom American oak vanity and new mirrored shaving cabinet. “Underneath, we designed a custom concrete bench top with brass plug and waste,” says Deanne.
The new vanity features a custom concrete top and aged brass tap ware
Internal power points feature inside the new mirrored shaving cabinets
The metallic finish is repeated throughout the space via Wood Melbourne aged brass tapware as well as a nearby in-wall toilet cistern that features a brass flush plate. “The aged brass will change over time giving the bathroom an ever changing look,” says Deanne.
The vanity unit also houses concealed strip lighting on a sensor – a luxe ‘extra’ that is useful for late night bathroom trips. “It adds an element of luxury and highlights the design features in the space. It also runs under the wall hung vanity which makes the room feel larger,” says Deanne.
Storage niches were installed on both sides of the shower providing a place to store things within the shower, and a space to add decorative pieces on the other side. And aside from a new niche, the shower area now features a luxe brass rain shower head.
BEFORE
“Ultimately I love that we created the ensuite our client desired. The coolness of concrete combined with antique brass accessories and American oak joinery achieved the warmth and softness she was after.”
Former Perth Blockhead Matt di Costa’s concrete brand Nood Co, has just released a new range of furniture, basins and tiles, proving that the nation’s love of the material is going nowhere fast! Nood’s subtly coloured, curved concrete items, particularly sinks, have proven extremely popular since launching 18 months ago.
Nood Co basins in The Norsu Home with Perini Tiles, Sussex Taps and Ingrain Designs vanity
Matt, who is the lead designer with a team of nine creatives, says he’s excited to provide Australia with its first range of concrete furniture with real world use. And it’s all designed and manufactured right here too. Revolutionising what we knew of the ‘boring’ building product, he’s added colour, curve, design, lightness, transportability, and real world use with a warranted sealing process.
New Nood Co Pill and Cube basins
“All of the concrete is designed and manufactured in Australia, something we are really proud of. That helps us retain the quality, and shorten lead times for our clients,” he says.
“The idea of Nood was to feminise concrete. We spent three years developing a concrete manufacture process that allowed for thinner, more contemporary design, and to give Australian and international designers a new way to present concrete, in all environments. A new consciousness in concrete is here.”
There are now more than 70 concrete infused products in the range, from dining tables, coffee and side tables, stools, basins, wall and floor tiles, to mirrors, sofas, sideboards, homewares and more.
Matt and wife Kim appeared on The Block: Sky High in 2013, selling their apartment for $1.455 million, pocketing a tidy profit of $250,000.
In timing with the new range, Nood have launched their first East Coast pop up shop (79-81 Fitzroy Street St Kilda, VIC).
Inspired by the unpolished colours, textures and patinas found in industrial architecture, Caesarstone’s latest collection evokes a New York loft and includes three brand spanking designs. “Caesarstone’s new Metropolitan collection rethinks the brutalism of concrete incorporating textural effects, aged patinas, and oxidized accents for the first time ever in quartz surfaces using innovative proprietary technology. The result is an urban look of concrete with a more experimental, refined and romantic expression,” says Caesarstone vice president of marketing Eli Feiglin.
Caesarstone’s new Topus Concrete design
“The new 2018 colours are created with the view towards the upcoming trends and our vision of consistently meeting and anticipating different interior design schemes and palettes. They represent our steadily evolving journey as leaders in premium surfaces,” says Eli of the three new designs – Airy Concrete, Topus Concrete and Excava.
Caesarstone’s new Excava design
The new collection has been designed to reflect the textures of manufacturing – think oxidised steel, poured plaster and raw concrete – and it’s also the first time that weathered patinas have been achieved in quartz. The variations in appearance certainly look like the real thing.
Airy Concrete
Perfect for concrete lovers, this new design is a versatile light grey colour that features dark grey and white areas. It has an authentic rough concrete finish making it indistinguishable from the real thing, but with all the easy care features of Caesarstone. This is possibly the most versatile of the new designs and will complements most tiles or shades of timber.
Caesarstone’s new Airy Concrete design
Topus Concrete
Similar to the Airy Concrete design but with a blush undertone, this new design is inspired by topological strata and combines nature’s mineral formations with the rugged patinas of industrial materials. It also features a rough concrete finish and while a perfect foil to the pastel interior trend, it looks equally at home paired with dark timbers and black elements too.
Caesarstone’s new Topus Concrete has a pink undertone
Excava
This finish is no doubt a response to the statement stone trend. The design is intended to mimic the intriguing patinas of casting and oxidising, combining the authentic features of rust and concrete – the finished result features shades of copper and dark brown. Equally, it’s made to look like the geological decay of stone, weathered by time and nature and has a rough concrete finish also.
We recently replaced our ancient old patio and made over our backyard with some beautiful EuroStone pavers from Adbri Masonry. And I learned the hard way, the importance of looking after them properly to keep them looking as good as the day they were laid! A few dropped icy poles and barbecue drips later, my beautiful patio was looking a little bit rough around the edges. This is when I remembered someone mentioning they could be sealed; something I’d neglected to get done. The good news is, you can do this easily yourself. I’ve now done it (all by myself!), so I can testify.
Photo by Jacqui Turk
Adbri have so many great DIY videos on their website, starring their ambassador, TV landscaper Jason Hodges. He’ll even show you how to lay your own pavers, but we felt this was a bit beyond our skills (or lack thereof!) and paid some experts to do it. This next video shows how easy it is to seal your own pavers, which is what I wish I’d done straight away.
Luckily, things hadn’t got too bad for my patio and after giving the stains a good scrub with a specialist paver and concrete cleaner, I was able to seal them. I chose a wet-look sealer because I thought it would be nice to bring out the exposed aggregate in the pavers a bit more. Probably the hardest part about sealing pavers is waiting for the right weather; not too hot and not likely to rain for a while, because you need two coats, whichever product you choose to use. You need to apply the sealer to dry pavers and then allow drying time between coats.
I used Berger Jet Dry Active Clean and Berger Jet Dry Stone & Paving Sealer Wet Look, which I bought at my local Bunnings. I used a short nap (4mm) roller (as per the directions on the can) on a pole. Each brand’s product will have slightly different application instructions.
Nothing a bit of elbow grease won’t fix!
Clean and ready to seal!
It really didn’t take long and it isn’t hard work. And once the second coat was complete, and dry, I really liked the slight sheen it gave and the way it brought out the look of the aggregates a bit more. It was a subtle change aesthetically though, and more about protecting them so they’ll stay looking good.
AFTER sealing they look slightly darker with a slight sheen and the aggregates a bit more obvious
I feel such a relief now I know it’s done and we can enjoy the rest of the sunny weather outside without stressing over every bit of dropped food (hello, toddler!).
My biggest advice though, is to do this as soon as your pavers are laid so they are still in 100% perfect condition.
There you go: I hope you’ll learn from my mistake and look after your pavers!
Let’s face it, one of the best things about upgrading from apartment to house, like we did this year, is having a back yard. Not only has it been amazing for Seb, who even stopped wanting to go to the park for a while because he loved hanging out there so much, but as an extra outdoor room for us grown ups. Being a Pom, I really appreciate the outdoor lifestyle Australia affords me, so I was excited to have a decent sized paved area down one side of the house as well as a grassed lawn at the back. Only problem was, it looked like this:
BEFORE
Hot or what?!
But now we have this lovely oasis:
In the before photo, you’ll note the old and wonky, red-toned pavers (I actually hate anything red-toned in interiors and exteriors, hence my plan to paint our red brick grey eventually!), the fence that could fall down in a stiff breeze and the distinct lack of furniture. That table for two from our old apartment balcony wasn’t really cutting it!
We thought about a deck for ages, until we got a quote ($30 to $40k) and then we quickly forgot about it. Then one day, a press release from Adbri Masonry landed in my inbox and I suddenly thought: why have I never considered pavers?! It’s like everyone assumes you need to build a deck these days. But what’s wrong with pavers? In fact, there’s a lot right with them! They’re super durable, come in loads of colours, shapes and sizes, and you can lay them in myriad different patterns. Not to mention they’re a great safe option in bushfire zones. I quickly settled on their EuroStone product in a 400x400mm size and loved the mid-grey colour of Zurich. It almost looks a little Terrazzo and we all know how on trend that is right now!
As with most things, you can lay these kind of pavers yourself (Adbri have plenty of how-to’s with TV’s Jason Hodges on their website) but we lacked the skills and the time, so we got in the professionals. All up, it was about $4,000 of pavers (including a path across the front of the house and around the side to the back yard) and about the same again in labour. A snip compared to decking!
DURING: Cutting pavers
It took about a day to complete and thankfully, they were able to lay the pavers on top of the existing ones which saved us having to either remove them ourselves or pay someone else to. I absolutely loved watching the process as it all became so neat and uniform!
DURING
I am so thrilled with the end result. The area looks so much bigger and more modern and when we paint our red brick exterior grey and our pergola white, it’s going to look even better! It was like giving our entertaining area a brand new, clean slate to work with. I couldn’t believe how much difference it made! And now I think of it, a timber deck wouldn’t have really suited the look of the house anyway. And I love knowing this will last for years if properly maintained. And I’m all about long term in this house! Bigger, lighter, neater and more modern: what’s not to like?
AFTER!
But of course, we needed some furniture now we had a space we wanted to entertain and spend time in ourselves. I was so impressed with the range of styles available at Early Settler this summer, not to mention the quality. Whether your home is traditional, country, or ultra modern, with a small or large outdoor area, they really do have something to suit everyone. I thought about the stunning marble-topped outdoor dining table with black legs for quite a while before eventually conceding it was too modern for our space. I love our sweet, flower-filled garden, and it’s something we were really happy to inherit from the previous owner. So I decided on white and the Kanto dining table. I just couldn’t get past its handy legs on castors and it was a great choice for us because we can easily move the table around, in and out of shade, or to create more room for Seb on his trike when we aren’t using it. Genius!
AFTER
The timber top of this table is just beautiful and I think the white legs really modernise it. The Cate dining chairs are so cool. I love that they stack, they’re super easy to clean and they look modern without being too out there. They come in a variety of great on-trend colours too.
AFTER: This chillout area is getting so much use!
As well as a decent-sized dining table, we wanted a small relaxation area to just lounge with a morning coffee or an evening wine, look at the garden, listen to the birds or watch Seb on his play equipment. The Cantina chairs were a very quick choice and I love them. You can actually curl up in them with your book and there’s space for Seb to sit with me on the same chair. We finished it off with the matching Kanto coffee table (also on castors) so we have somewhere to rest out drinks and books! I really love that we can easily move the two tables on wheels, the lightweight, stacking dining chairs and the lounge chairs easily. This creates a flexible space and we can move everything to one side with minimal effort and allow Seb to scoot around the paved area, or when we need to sweep up leaves etc.
I absolutely love this floral outdoor cushion
Just like indoors, outdoor areas need accessorising too, and Early Settler have a great range of faux plants (like the palm behind me in the picture and the convincing succulents on the table ), outdoor rugs and cushions, linen, trays and more, to add those finishing touches.
Faux succulents and napkins from Early Settler
The sun umbrella, which matches the outdoor cushions, is great for shading Seb’s sandpit on sunny days and is easily moved around the garden
When we spoke to our neighbours about going halves on a new fence, thankfully they were all for it! So not only do we have a much better backdrop to our new back yard, we also have more privacy for our entertaining area thanks to a higher fence.
BEFORE fence
So while we haven’t done any major landscaping and there’s still plenty we’d love to do out the back (and will do, one day) we are over the moon with the new look and functionality of this space thanks to new pavers and furniture. And just in time for summer too. We’ll be out here on Christmas Day with our families, enjoying it to the max!
Many of the Early Settler pieces in my back yard are currently on sale! Shop online.
To celebrate three decades in the engineered stone world, Caesarstone have introduced five new designs to their already impressive line-up.
With exposed concrete and the industrial vibe all the rage now (if you don’t believe me, take a look at the latest reveals on The Block), Cloudburst Concrete fits the bill perfectly with its white-on-white, tonal cloud-like patina. The rough look (not actually rough!) surface finish will pair fabulously with rich timber or even stainless steel.
If you are in the market for something moodier, the Canon Terra offers a dark grey concrete and terrazzo fusion highlighted with specks of black; add some brass tapware to create a look that’s totally industrial luxe. Frozen Terra is Canon’s lighter cousin, with the same beautiful black basalt highlights on an off-white base.
On the natural stone side of things, Turbine Grey is the next generation in modern granite, featuring mid-to-dark grey veins contrasting against a white background; a great alternative to the much-loved marble options.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with white – Intense White’s bright white is modern, crisp and fresh, at home in any style.
The new designs are available through kitchen retailers nationally and are on display in all Caesarstone showrooms.
With the industrial aesthetic still going strong, it makes sense that there remain plenty of concrete homewares and furniture options to purchase. To be honest, I thought the concrete trend would have had its day by now but it’s lovely to see the material reworked lately in some fresh and surprising ways. Whether combined with metallics or wood, or produced in a rainbow of different colours, check out my top picks from what is proving to be an enduring material.
Nood Co Kevin Stool: Available in seven gorgeous shades (including several sorbet tones), these coloured concrete stools are propped up by hardwood legs making them light but sturdy too. $360.
On The Side Lotus Pot (tall): This brand do fabulous things with concrete and this beauty is no exception. $275.
SLAB Big Diamond pendant in dark concrete: Gilded with a choice of copper, gold or silver inside, this geometric pendant light is cast in very dark grey concrete. Swoon! $550.
Zakkia Ink trivet in grey: Handmade and mixed for a marble effect, this concrete piece is the perfect way to dress a table — just pop a vase or candle on top. $35.
JWDA concrete lamp dark grey & steel: Designed in Stockholm, this minimalist black concrete and steel lamp was inspired by traditional oil lamps. $400.
Let’s face it, we saw a LOT of concrete in homewares last year. So much in fact that it perhaps started to lose its initial appeal as something new and unique. And we also reported that not all concrete is created equal, with some products not standing the test of time.
I never knew I wanted a blush pink sink. Until now.
But Matt and Kim DiCosta’s new Nood Co has impressed us. Their team have spent the past 18 months designing, testing and refining real concrete. Their huge range encompasses everything from indoor/outdoor dining tables to sinks and vanity sets, and coffee and side tables to mirrors, stools homewares. And will you look at that colour palette? Divine. There are seven stunning colours: Ivory, Pastel Peach, Blush Pink, Mint, Copan Blue, Mid Tone Grey and Charcoal.
While concrete is traditionally thought of as tough, masculine and industrial, Nood Co have added colour and curves. They’ve also worked hard to solve many of the past problems of concrete. The designs are feminine and contemporary, the concrete is thinner and stronger and they’ve set a new standard in water tolerance and abrasion resistance.
Product designer Matt says: “When we sat down to structure Nood Co, we wrote an honest list of why concrete hadn’t effectively joined the world of furniture yet. It was bulky, heavy, untransportable, it wasn’t sealed effectively enough to match consumer expectations. A lot if it was fake (faux) to look like concrete but had no real quality of finish/integrity. No one had made it beautiful, affordable, functional, transportable. We changed all of that.”
Kim and Matt
Along with improved product standards, Nood Co has made the shopping experience much easier. They offer free delivery to all capital cities in Australia, on any product. “Our concrete pieces are lighter and much, much stronger than anything else on the market, so we are able to transport these pieces anywhere in the world. With that luxury, we decided to offer free delivery to create ease for our customers. The Nood team are avid designers and furniture shoppers themselves and understand how important a smooth shopping experience is.”
Matt says that for concrete to be accepted as a legitimate furniture item, it has to be usable in all styles of interiors, in all rooms in a house and to suit all moods. “Curves are the uniting design feature of Nood Co’s collection. All square corners have been removed. Everything is thin, silky and sleek. The products are sealed to deal with kids, spills and house parties. They are real world products, with a showroom finish.”
Shop online at www.noodco.com.au They’re offering 10% off everything for our readers until the end of February. Enter the code NOODADDICT at checkout.
Trends in bathroom design tend to come and go, much like clothing, fashion or hairstyles. When renovating your bathroom, it is always best to be focussed on creating your dream bathroom, not necessarily working with the hottest bathroom trend in the marketplace.
Having said that, the top bathroom trends for 2016 can have timeless appeal if you follow good design principles as you go. Today, we are talking about some of our favourite bathroom trends and showcasing some amazing pictures to go along with it, hopefully to inspire your next renovation!
Concrete and Textures
As we showcased at Interiors Addict’s recent #BathroomAddict event, you don’t have to be conventional with your tile choice. Go big, bold and beautiful instead. This creates warmth and depth in an otherwise sterile room and can create a feature in a room that sometimes can lack personality. The amazing concrete tile we used in our Lindfield bathroom makeover creates such a rich, gritty texture, keeping the bathroom modern and edgy, while still being completely functional and practical.
Hotel Styling
This is one trend that isn’t going to dissipate fast. Hotel-style bathrooms can be identified by their luxe appearance, using the finest of finishings, effortlessly combining textures and colours to create a warm and rich room, still modern and clean. Inspired by your favourite deluxe hotel, whether it is The Belaggio or 1 Hotel Central Park, New York, or in the case of this Bondi bathroom makeover, The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. Pick and choose the best features from these bathrooms, whether it is the vanity, tile colour or the black trim, and make it your own — in the space you have.
Totally Decadent Bath Tubs
Large tubs have been on trend for bathrooms for some time now. Gone are the days of the shower-over-bathtub in a new renovation, and instead we are seeing bath tubs getting bigger and better than ever, becoming a total feature in a room. However be practical and consider the floor space you have. Will it overwhelm the space and would your family use a shower more? The bathroom is one of the most utilised spaces in your home.
Patterned Tiles
Whether it is a Moroccan style makeover, using a patterned Turkish tile, or whether it is using tiles to create patterns like chevron and herringbone, pattern is one of the biggest design trends in a bathroom right now. It is also an excellent judge of renovator – patterned tiles, particularly geometric patterns, are difficult to do, so if your renovator is working with this kind of pattern, you know they are worth their salt.
At the base of it all, any bathroom renovation is about creating your dream bathroom for you – whether it uses some of these trends, or none of them. It’s about making sure that your home is somewhere you want to come home to.
–Andrew Stenos is managing director of Integriti Bathrooms, who can project manage your entire bathroom for you. Integriti are currently renovating Jen’s bathroom and powder room. Look out for the reveal on the blog in October!
All photos shown are of Integriti Bathrooms projects.
It’s been a strong interior design trend for a while now and it’s easy to see why – concrete is the perfect complement to industrial-themed interiors. But not all concrete is made equal. We got the lowdown on all things concrete with Kylie Peculis of Studio Fiveo3, a design studio that specialises in high-end concrete furniture and homewares.
While you may not be concerned when purchasing a small concrete accessory for the home, it pays to be informed when it comes to bigger ticket items like furniture or benchtops. “When investing in a quality concrete piece you should ask what it is actually made of. While it may seem like a silly question, a lot of products on the market today are more plastic than concrete and sometimes they’re simply rendered timber,” says Kylie who warns that these types of products are likely to crack, chip and show wear very easily.
And it’s not only the material but the quality of the sealant that is key. “Concrete is a porous material similar to stone and will therefore naturally stain so sealing is essential. We use only the best sealers made specifically for concrete bench tops in the kitchen making them resistant to the harshest of stains,” says Kylie who warns that no sealant provides absolute protection and you need to remain vigilant.
“Our number one advice when caring for concrete is that you need to clean as you go. If you spill something, wipe it up. The sealer is only there to give you a buffer period to prevent the concrete from staining,” says Kylie who recommends the use of trivets and coasters as heat and sharp objects can damage concrete’s protective coating.
Of the latest concrete trends, Kylie says that the look is a departure from the past where bench tops and outdoor tables looked as cold and heavy as they felt. “The latest trend sees concrete as more lightweight than thick and heavy. We’re also seeing a move toward curved pieces instead of straight, angular ones,” says Kylie whose company makes gorgeous concrete pieces that combine the material with timber, steel and glass.
If you’d like to touch and feel Studio Fiveo3’s designs, Kylie has also just opened a showroom called The Architect’s Wife which showcases her own designs and other Australian designers too.
After a feature on The Block and an array of magazine covers, Prudence Caroline Oliveri had enough courage to quit her day job as a make-up artist, and give painting canvases a red-hot go. However, practicing art full-time was not enough. So, she decided to create a homewares line, which launches today!
With three core collections, the products are a combination of materials that make her heart sing: “velvet, concrete, textured cotton, leather, brass and colourful art!” Most distinctive is Prudence’s textiles range, which is digitally printed with her original artwork. “There are three cushions, a monster floor cushion and a throw. The prints I’ve used on the textiles are of my favourite artworks from the past year or so. The newest is the throw named Three Oh, which is constructed from the sold out limited edition print, Station 30.”
Also on offer is a concrete collection, encouraged by Prudence’s concreter husband, as well as the introduction of her original artworks on paper. “In the concrete collection we have a natural and black stool with hand selected river stones. Plus concrete platters in natural, painted and washed. I have also printed my original artworks on paper – with stamped leather and brass detail logo.”
She came up with the idea for a homewares line after moving house, and motivated by her beautiful new surroundings. “I was inspired by a mix of products in my home and wanted to blend them into things I could offer for others to put into theirs. My concrete home sprung ideas for smaller concrete items and my art brought about the idea of digitally printed art cushions with a velvet reverse and contrast piping.”
While painting is still at the core of what she does, Prudence does admit she’s had a lot of fun with the new homewares line, so if time permits there’ll definitely be more to come! But for now you can get your hands on her current collection, with new original artworks and one-off concrete objects being added each month.
The new Spring Summer 2015/16 accessories collection from BoConcept draws on nature to bring an earthy yet sophisticated feel inside the home. “Nature creates a calm yet strong foundation for this season’s accessory collection which features natural materials such as stone, concrete, terracotta, marble and dark and light timbers,” says Eliza Williams, BoConcept marketing manager.
While mostly tone on tone, the collection contains flashes of gold and copper to keep things interesting. “Metallics are still hot and bring glamour and sophistication to our homes and they also pair beautifully with contrasting natural textures,” says Eliza. The metallic collection, which includes a chic copper and gold pendant range, draws heavily on Art Deco influences.
The brand’s new art collection features photographs of the ocean and animals in muted tones while their new living range includes some fab Scandinavian inspired functional accessories – a chic dustpan and brush set and marble and gold clock are both highlights.
Of particular note is the brass skateboarding bulldog – this playful little number treads a fine kitsch line but is a guaranteed conversation starter.
Copper, timber and marble: it seems this winning combination of colours and textures is going nowhere fast in homewares. Country Road are certainly still confident of their longevity judging by their latest gorgeous homewares drop, in store and online from today (Friday).
It’s all about sophisticated simplicity this spring. A pared back aesthetic focuses on beautiful sculptural pieces and cool tones balanced with copper and natural textures of wood and marble. Geometric handmade items like decorative metal cubes add a graphic measure to the home.
Scandinavian-inspired folded wooden trays are elegant and functional. Dinnerware features in Airforce blue and is complemented by black gloss bakeware and sculptural copper-plated serving utensils. Striped napery with metallic foil tips and neon highlights bring about a spring mood.
Cushions and throws (surely one of the brand’s real strengths) add interest in modern prints and textures. Monochrome patterns mix with tonal patchwork, with black mesh cushions balanced by grey marle throws. Offering a ‘70s feel is deep indigo quilted denim, while woven knit throws and cushions in lemon, pale pink and dove tie the colour palette together.
In soft charcoal and sea tones, linen bedding is key as the weather warms. Fluoro stitching and trims liven muted tones and natural textures. Tactile white covers and tessellated sheet sets in lemon or grey make for perfect layering options.
For kids, colour and print take a vibrant and bold turn. Playful sheet sets are offered in spring yellow and patchwork print. Silhouetted animal patterns introduce fresh shades of deep green and raspberry. Hints of denim and grey marle act as a stylish, grounding complement to a spring-fresh mix of prints.
For many, it will come as a surprise to hear that Design Twins has only been around for a year. So well-known is its name, and so synonymous is the brand with gorgeous, affordable, concrete homewares, you’d easily be mistaken in thinking couple Crystal Bailey and Mitchel Lindsay, were veterans in the industry.
Crystal and Mitchel
However, while the business may be young, it’s anything but small, with Design Twins about to start its most challenging and exciting chapter yet: a Sydney homewares store! “Since we started Design Twins we’ve just been continuously inspired by the homewares industry and all the designers we’ve met while working on our business,” explains Crystal. “Subsequently, as Design Twins continues to expand, we wanted to create a space where we could make our signature pieces while celebrating the best of Australian designers and local artists. A homewares store, featuring our in-house studio, was just the perfect combination for this next step in our journey.”
Opening tomorrow, the store, located in St Peters’ Precinct 75, will feature Design Twins’ exclusive handmade homewares, alongside some unique designers and limited edition pieces. Expect a store where you will not only be able to shop a beautifully curated selection, but where you can actually see Design Twins products being made. Also on offer is a kids’ corner, so parents can shop while kids play and every three months an art exhibition featuring local talent will take place.
With the aim to present Australian brands and designers in a fresh, unique and interactive way, Crystal and Mitchel are determined to create a homewares store unlike all others. “In many cases, homewares stores just have shelves and items casually displayed, leading people to be unsure of how to style them within their homes or spaces. We’ve set up our store as if it’s an actual living space, providing people with an atmosphere that inspires them to be creative with the pieces they purchase! Plus, since we will be creating our own products in the back section of the store, it will allow us to meet and greet our shoppers on an entirely new level. It’s not just about shopping, but about an experience that excites people about homewares, art and creativity.”
Opening a homewares store, you would think Crystal and Mitchel would have their hands full. Yet somehow, they’ve still managed to design many more products and even have a baby! “In the new store, we will be creating unique pots, where shoppers can literally come in, speak about a pot design with us, grab some lunch, come back and pick their one-of-a-kind lightweight pot up! We’ve also just recently collaborated on a special edition candle with Candlelit & Co and stay tuned for an upcoming collaboration with Ivy Muse. Oh, and we had a little baby boy, London! We are now the proud parents of two lovely little ones!”
Design Twins Store opens tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am.
Warehouse 7.02 | 75 Mary St | St Peters | NSW 2044 | Shop online.
Paving is one of the most durable and long-lasting options for transforming the backyard, driveway and pathways around the home. It’s the perfect choice to transform any outdoor space and requires very little maintenance meaning more time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. If looked after properly, paved entertaining areas can last for many years to come.
To preserve the colour and condition of your pavers and keep your paved area looking pristine for longer, some maintenance is advised. Here are my top three tips:
1) Clean pavers periodically
Leaves and other materials like oils and food from barbecues can stain or discolour pavers if they are allowed to remain in contact with the surface for prolonged periods. Concrete segmental pavements can be routinely cleaned just like any other pavement, however; precautions must be taken during the very early life of the pavement to avoid removing the jointing sand during cleaning operations. For the first three months, pavements should be cleaned with soapy water and a stiff broom, after which time pressure cleaners can be used.
2) Protect your pavers
Maintain the jointing sand to protect the pavement’s structural integrity. Check pavers for small, localised problems and repair them promptly – this can help you avoid having to undertake major maintenance of large areas. One of the many advantages of segmental paving is that individual pavers that become chipped or damaged can easily be picked up and replaced. It’s advised to purchase more pavers than required for replacements over the lifetime of the project, about 5 per cent more should be sufficient and having the excess stock from the same batch will reduce colour matching challenges in the future
3) Sealing Pavers
Although not essential for structural purposes, sealing your pavers at the beginning of the project can help preserve the colour and surface of the pavement as well as guard against chipping or dulling, particularly during extreme weather conditions. The sealant maintains the brightness of the paver surface. You can re-seal a paved area every few years if necessary.
Although pavers generally require very little maintenance, choosing the right pavers will require even less maintenance. Dark coloured pavers won’t show stains as easily and as such are a great choice for families or keen entertainers. A good quality paver will also last longer so won’t need to be replaced for years to come. If in doubt about how best to maintain your pavers, visit the Concrete Masonry Association of Australia and download the fact sheet.
— Jason Hodges is Australia’s well-loved celebrity landscaper, most notably seen on the Channel Seven lifestyle TV show Better Homes and Gardens. Jason is also a brand ambassador for Australia’s leading masonry manufacturer Adbri Masonry.
