Tag: interior architecture

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Open-plan bedroom and ensuite star in new Greg Natale apartment

The open plan master suite
The open plan master suite

Located in Sydney’s Walsh Bay, this two-storey, three-bedroom apartment is the work of the celebrated interior designer, and Interiors Addict favourite, Greg Natale. From the sumptuous architectural curves to the voluptuous furniture and beautiful muted palette, this project is a softer take on Greg’s signature, patterned aesthetic.

Greg Natale
The double-height ceiling makes a dramatic statement in the living room

“The brief requested ‘plenty of curves’ as well as a delicate palette and the use of modern European furniture. The owner wanted a soft, contemporary space filled with fluid lines,” says Greg. Curves aside, the home’s colour palette is rather gorgeous – cinnamon, mustard, violet and grey give the spaces a sophisticated yet playful edge.

Living room
Living room

A deftly executed space, the living room is one of the most striking parts of the property – from a custom made and curved stairway to curved walls, a built-in bench and cabinetry, the space challenges the limits of Gyprock. Crafted from the brand’s Flexible plasterboard range, the product is designed to bend for small radius curves and it certainly helped Greg achieve that shapely design brief.

Greg Natale
Gorgeous artwork and accessories pepper the spaces

“When I’m designing a space, the walls and ceilings are among my first considerations. They’re an essential layer of the architecture, and a wonderful way of introducing pattern into the framework of a room, helping to define its look and add interest and drama,” says Greg.

Kitchen
Kitchen

The kitchen features soft grey marble, brass and statement pendant lights as well as a gorgeous colour palette that merges pink and yellow with white and grey. 

The master bedroom is a unique space with its open-plan design. The bed sits adjacent to a walk-in robe while a freestanding bath sits alongside a fully furnished living area. “The master bedroom and ensuite, with its organic lines, continue the apartment’s blend of luxury and comfort in which curves and colours combine to create a sophisticated, serene space,” says Greg. 

Master bedroom
Master bedroom

The Gyprock Flexible plasterboard range was used in this room too where the bulkheads, containing services, were crafted into a curved feature. “Utilising curves in the ceiling coffers resulted in a restrained and elegant layer of detail that suits the soft palette of the space and continues its story of curves.”

The open plan master suite
The open plan master suite
Ensuite
Ensuite

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Greg Natale’s new wallpaper collection with Signature Prints

When we hear Greg Natale and wallpaper in the same sentence, of course we get excited! The Sydney interior designer has teamed up with Signature Prints for his new Greco-Roman…
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Architecture Bedrooms Design Designers House Tours Interviews Living Room Outdoor & Exteriors Real Renos RENO ADDICT

California Bungalow given beautiful new lease on life by design experts

Kitchen
Kitchen

Having renovated many California bungalows over the last 15 years, Melbourne based architecture and interior design studio Splinter Society has become something of an expert in the space. Characterised by wide corridors, deep front verandas and textured plasterboard, the bungalow lends itself incredibly well to modernisation, as demonstrated by the recently renovated family home that we’re bring you today.

Kitchen
The kitchen features lots of gorgeous open shelving. Styled objets and plants imbue the space with personality.
The hallway from the original home at the front
The hallway from the original bungalow at the front

“Bungalows make great family homes, and this modest renovation, designed to celebrate the simple joys of suburban life, is no different,” says Splinter Society’s Asha Nicholas. Making as much use of the home’s existing layout as possible, they added a north-facing extension to the side. “It cuts along the site, creating a distinct triangle to re-orient primary spaces to the north,” adds Asha.

Bedroom
Bedroom

Created with a robust natural materials palette including timber, concrete and stone, the new extension is designed to withstand the wear and tear of life with a young family. “The house is indestructible for the owners’ young children and will grow with them over the years,” says Asha.

Lounge
Lounge

But perhaps the most striking thing about the renovation is its nod to Japanese design – clean vertical timber panelling features throughout, most notably in the kitchen and dining space. The overall effect is clean and modern yet warm and timeless. 

Kitchen and dining
Kitchen and dining
Kitchen
Kitchen and dining

The centre of the space, the kitchen features a central timber shelving element suspended from a bulkhead. Aside from adding visual interesting, it also increases storage while connecting the kitchen and dining zones; both of which spill out to the backyard to create quite the urban oasis. “The architecture promotes constant connection to landscaped gardens and carves away ample outdoor spaces to allow for exercise and safe areas for the children to play.”

Backyard
The home connects beautifully with the backyard

Photography: Mitch Lyons

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Real reno: Melbourne Bayside bungalow’s modern makeover

Located in a heritage overlay precinct within the Melbourne Bayside suburb of Hampton, this weatherboard Californian Bungalow was overhauled recently by the talented team at Bask Interiors. “We were restricted as…
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Architecture Design House Tours Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Coastal home avoids the beachy cliches with chic reno

Hollier Studio
The rear extension includes a statement circular skylight within the exterior awning

While a fail-safe option, neutral beachy interiors can run into bland territory, but that is certainly not the case with this seaside Sydney residence. Layers of texture including terrazzo, marble and dark timbers combine with light filled spaces to make this renovation a much more sophisticated take on coastal cliches.

Hollier Studio
The rear extension includes a statement circular skylight within the exterior awning

“We wanted to create beachside elegance, so we combined sandy terrazzo colours with the formality of a dark veneer. For example, the marble bench top and splash back in the kitchen is quite formal but the terrazzo floor tile makes it feel more casual,” says interior architect Emily Hollier of the home’s tactile materials palette.

Kitchen
Dark elements bring sophistication to the otherwise white spaces

Circle motifs run throughout the home, inspired by the original 1920’s home’s decorative arches. “The front door handles are circular, and there’s circular shapes in the bathroom cabinetry and wall lights. This was taken from that language of the original arches,” says Emily.

Hallway
Hallway

Located beside the ocean in Clovelly, the original semi-detached house was very rundown before Emily and her team commenced works on it. Key to the design brief was increasing the home’s height and volume to create space for the owners and their two small children. “We opened the house right up to create a much bigger feeling house,” says Emily.

Bathroom
Bathroom: Zuster vanities and a Gubi wall sconce elevate the space
That Marble Hub basin is something special
Bathroom: That Marble Hub basin is something special

After the existing rear of the south-facing home was removed, a brand-new structure was built, designed to capture the light. “Bringing a maximum amount of light into the space was key so we utilised skylights and windows in different forms to do this,” says Emily.

The new rear extension has several highlight windows and four other skylights were included in the design too; one of which is outside. “The owners wanted an enclosed awning that allowed them to sit outside year-round, but they wanted light to penetrate through it,” says Emily of the unique design feature (first picture above).

Hollier Studio house
Ellie Cashman wallpaper is stunning and unexpected in the powder room

The home’s spatial flow was also redesigned with Emily adjusting the levels in order to create a more fluid experience when moving from the interior living area to the backyard. “We lowered the living area so that it connected with the backyard as the owners wanted to be able to watch their children playing outside. Having that visibility was important,” says Emily who chose hardwearing and sturdy finishes with the children in mind.

Hollier Studio
One last look at the gorgeous living area

Photography: Esteban La Tessa

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Green timber panels star in celebrated coastal home

The inaugural Inside Out Brickworks Home of the Year awards took place last night with a stellar line-up of Aussie houses singled out for their design originality. And while it…
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Design House Tours Interviews

Real home: Blended family’s colourful retro Perth abode

Lounge, dining & kitchen
Lounge, dining & kitchen

Located 100 metres from the beach in the well-heeled Perth suburb of Swanbourne, this colourful family abode ‘LittleBIG’ is home to two doctors and their blended family that includes five children.

Lounge, dining & kitchen
Lounge, dining & kitchen

“Three years ago, we were interviewed by an amazing determined young doctor and mum holding her and her husband’s new baby (number four) along with a folio of images with a mid-century vibe and a clearly defined design brief. They wanted something robust and flexible and built to a modest budget and tight schedule!” says the home’s architect Suzanne Hunt who recently won a commendation for the home in the ‘Interior Architecture’ category of the 2019 WA Architecture Awards.

Kitchen
Kitchen

With more than a casual nod to mid-century design, the home embraces individuality, colour and lovely connection to the garden.“Our clients’ brief was for a modest, flexible forever family home that would be beautiful and still robust enough to accommodate her busy family of five young children, two working parents that couldn’t use a drill, a menagerie of animals, and most importantly her love of colour, vintage second hand furniture and ceramics,” says Suzanne.

Lounge room
Lounge room

Mudroom
Entry

“The interior and exterior materiality palette for LittleBIG was designed for loads of kids and their friends who, let’s face it, have no respect for delicate architecture and interior design and their parents who have no interest in maintenance. Sustainability, low maintenance, minimalism, colour and a playful feel were the key design drivers,” says Suzanne.

So much colour!
So much colour!

Child's bedroom
Child’s bedroom

“Integrating their collections from life so far was also a priority as was integrating the owners’ continuingly growing collections. The owner has a wonderful eye for reimagining and a very handy knack for finding the most amazing furniture and fittings online. I look and find nothing!” says Suzanne.

Master bedroom
Master bedroom

Backyard
Backyard

Built on an 845 square metre wedge-shaped site, the home sits uncomfortably between six large houses in a small cul-de-sac which provided a challenge for Suzanne. “We had to think outside the box but the home takes advantage of the many positives of its location including strong early sea breezes, long distance views and the sound of the waves crashing on the sand,” says Suzanne who took care to maximise every square inch of the property for the large family.

Outside
Green and blue glazing is separated by panels of taupe and chocolate brick

Backyard

As for her favourite part of the project, Suzanne loved working with a client that was realistic with regard to budget and the site’s specific constraints. “My client realised it would require some compromises with materiality and area – there’s no wasted space, modest bedrooms, shared kids’ bathrooms and more durable teak-look Laminex rather than veneer. The house is above all else a beautiful and functional family home.”

Lounge room
Lounge room

Photography: Jody D’Arcy

For more on the 2019 WA Architecture Awards winners | For more on Suzanne Hunt Architect

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Designers Expert Tips Styling

5 interior designer tips for getting your home summer ready

By Chloe Matters

When getting your home ready for summer, the main objective is to clear out the clutter and bring in the light and life that the warmer months provide.

TomMarkHenry 1

It is the hardest thing to look objectively at a space you live in every day and edit it, but it is crucial! I take this back to a saying I have: “What captures your attention controls your life.” This is relevant to every aspect of your life, especially your home. If you live in clutter and darkness this will control your home and the way you enjoy it.

Below are five easy things you can do to start the process of creating a summer ready home for you to enjoy.

1. Strip everything back to the necessities

This is the first and most important step. Think of this like doing a wardrobe clear out and putting your winter clothes into storage. In one part of the room, leave out all the items that are relevant to the weather like linen and cotton sheets, candles, plants and summery small accessories. Once you have stripped back everything you can revaluate what is important in the room, you can also rearrange the furniture to maximise space and flow then you can start adding again, but keep it simple, summer is about space, light and air, not about clutter.

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2. Maximise the light and flow in your home

This is a really important part of life that people take for granted, your body and mind respond so sensitively to light. In the summer months we crave light and open spaces. Evaluate the direction of your furniture and how it is placed in the space; what is your couch facing? Can your see the outside from your bed? What is the flow like in this space? Can I add a window seat? Rearrange your space to maximise flow, take out items and move items around to allow for the best access to natural light and movement within the space.

Evaluate the colour of your walls; is this off white too beige? Could this wall be lighter to add more light to this room? Would my art stand out more on another finish? Painting your walls or adding a new finish like V-joint timber panelling can be fun and very rewarding.

TomMarkHenry

3. Add plants everywhere

A really good way to feel connected to the outdoors is by bringing them in. By adding plants, some small and some large, you will not only clean your indoor air but you will bring life inside, making you feel more connected to the outdoors. You can do this by adding succulents to water in a vase (this way there is no upkeep) large plants like rubber plants which are basically foolproof or Fig trees, which need a bit of extra love. You can also buy or pull from the garden large palm leaves and place them in a vase.

4. Make sure the materials and fabrics in your home are relevant

If you have heavy throw pillows, rugs, curtains and thick sheets, I would try swapping these out. For pillows and sheets, keep to light colours or patterns in cotton and linen. For rugs, change to sisals or thin mats or take the rug off the floor and expose the floor boards. For curtains, change to linens and sheer fabrics to let as much light in as possible. This is like having a summer and winter wardrobe for your home. I personally prefer summery fabrics all year round.

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5. Bring in summer scents

Your brain works in a multi-sensory way, so create a multi-sensory environment that you enjoy. A good way to do this is by adding candles, scents to air-conditioning or flowers. There is nothing better than walking into a fresh smelling home at the end of a hot day.

— Chloe is the co-director of TomMarkHenry, a Sydney-based interior architecture firm with fresh ideas and lots of passion.

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Designers

Kobe Johns of designEX talks about this month’s event and the design trends for 2015

This year will mark Kobe Johns’ third as exhibition manager at designEX, Australia’s original design and architecture event. And with a new home and 10,000 industry professionals set to attend, Kobe promises this year’s event will be the biggest and best yet.

kobe johns

“Being at Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island, which is actually a peninsular, is a great opportunity for us to present the event in a new way,” says Kobe. “It has allowed us to be more flexible in our thinking and planning and I can’t leave out that it has a great view. Those travelling by ferry are in for a treat, it’s the real Sydney!”

With a strong focus on Australian design, women in design (from here and abroad) and a seminar series focusing on the broader design team, such as scientists, engineers and healthcare workers, the May event aims to refresh the design conversation. “The team and I have relished being able to present this longstanding institution with fresh and innovative content and work to reinvigorate the event,” explains Kobe. “Definitely the fact that we are carrying on a tradition of design events in Australia, I see this as a great responsibility.”

SW1_2750

With the event soon to launch, Kobe has had a lot of time to consider the upcoming design trends and for her it comes down to four pivotal things: homeliness, comfort, warmth and design that is not for design’s sake. “Objects, furniture and lighting should mean something and enhance our domestic lives when at home,” says Kobe. “This carries over to commercial design and interiors where sustainability and smart building is key, against lavish and gratuitous. Materials, methods and approaches need to be specified for a reason of provenance or sustainability.”

SW1_2767

In terms of an Australian design standpoint, there are particular trends that Kobe believes we are pioneering: “In furniture and object I can see a beautiful theme coming through by Australian designers of mixed materials and finishes; particularly of using polished brass and matte finished timbers or block colour, woven fabrics and light coloured timbers.

“The overall theme is of quality and consideration for the materials as well as the end user’s sensory experience including touch, where there is the contrast of cold metals and warm textiles, the smell of leather and visually beautiful colour combinations.”

designEX’s inaugural show at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, Glebe Island will be held from 28-to-30 May 2014. For more information.

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Interviews

Melbourne designer Oliver Davis mixes luxury and sustainability in his interiors

Young Melbourne interior designer Oliver Davis has been making a name for himself blending luxury and sustainability, since launching his own practice early this year.

Oliver

As the son of an anthropologist and political geographer, he spent a nomadic childhood travelling to exotic locations and soaking up a diversity of architectural styles. “I remember when my Dad was involved in mapping the Thai/Burmese border, my family stayed for a month or so in the palace of Thailand’s Princess Mother in Doi Tung. It was a fascinating residence that mixed traditional influences with contemporary finery. It’s hard not to be influenced by these sorts of things when you are exposed to them from such a young age,” he says. 

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