Testament to our homes being an extension of our personal style, global online apparel giant ASOS has just entered the home space (like many fashion brands before it) with an interesting array of on-trend pieces priced from just $20.
With exclusive prints created by the ASOS in-house design team, the range titled ASOS SUPPLY includes decorative hanging planters, modern kitchen and bathroom accessories, cosy throws, statement cushions and more divided into three categories. ‘Eclectic Luxe,’ ‘Cool Minimal’ and ‘Global Traveller’ ensure there is something for every interior taste.
Eclectic Luxe This homewares category has vintage rock star vibes written all over – think recycled glassware, retro-inspired statement plates, chintzy soft furnishings with quilted elements and animal prints as well as plenty of pom-pom and tassel details.
Cool Minimal
An antidote to the above, this range is full of much cleaner lines and cooler tones. There’s textiles (rugs, bedding and towels) covered in brushstroke patterns, conversational prints, animal shapes and quirky storage solutions.
Global Traveller
Full of traditional weaving techniques, hand-woven wicker baskets and 1970’s inspired rattan, this collection is full of natural materials with a smattering of bright colour pops too. Graphic geotextiles and contemporary fashion prints round out the mix.
It’s not something we tend to think much about but a beautiful door can be just the finishing touch a room needs say Scandi interior decorator and renovators Nat Wheeler and Kristy Sadlier, of Norsu Interiors. “You should be able to tell a lot about a space by its doors. They’re the first thing you see when you enter a room and, if closed, the last thing you see when you leave. If your room has a design story, then the doors are its cover and in this case, you should definitely be able to judge a book by its cover,” says Nat who carried out a beautiful renovation her 1920’s Melbourne bungalow recently.
Nat used Corinthian doors (Balmoral PBAL 2) throughout her home
Create a grand entrance
“One of the best things I did when renovating my home was to open up the hallway. The Scandi aesthetic is open and full of light, so a small corridor just wasn’t going to work. This new space created the opportunity to make a big statement with my doors,” says Nat of her double entrance front doors, painted in Dulux Vivid White.
Nat’s double entrance front doors are Corinthian Classic PCL 4
“Simple elegance is key to the trend, so making a statement with your choice of doors relies on the detail. The deep carved vertical panel motifs add texture and shadow without being too dramatic,” says Nat who finished the pair of doors with Buster and Punch handles. “I set them on a background of Dulux Tranquil Retreat painted walls that helps them really stand out,” says Nat.
Keep the look consistent “Beautiful interiors rely on having a strong design story that is executed consistently throughout your home. This ensures that the eyes can wander calmly from space to space without any unexpected surprises,” says Nat who says that interior doors should complement exterior ones. “A good trick for doing this well in a Scandi home is to slightly pare back the motifs of the front door with a simpler profile inside,” says Nat who selected brass interior door hardware too. “That material choice was picked out in fittings and furnishings including our tap ware and lighting,” says Nat further emphasising the importance of consistency in design.
Brass handles complement the home’s light fittings and tap ware
Door to door design “If we think of the door as the cover of your design story, then it follows that you should ensure it is represented in your space. Door frames, picture rails and skirting boards all provide opportunities to add more texture to the home through the use of carved and embossed profiles,” says Nat who used mouldings throughout the house alongside soft grey and pink paint colours on the walls for subtle contrast.
The doors are complemented by skirtings and architraves
“While getting the Scandi style goes beyond door choice, they are a great place to start thinking about how you are going to construct your vision and some of the core elements that are going to define it. Whether you’re going for the original 1950’s aesthetic, a more modern interpretation, or an entirely bespoke twist on the design, make sure your home opens the door to your personal Scandi style.”
If you and I were to play a game of word association and I said ‘coastal interior’ I’m fairly positive your first response would be ‘white!’ Am I right? When it comes to beachside styling, white has always reigned but that’s set to change according to Perth interior stylist Alex Carter of Harlow & Willow who turned the white cliché on its head recently transforming a typical Aussie coastal home into a colour lover’s paradise. Today she tells us how to get the look.
The lounge room is a study in layers. Artwork: Morgan Jamieson (above fireplace) and Ian Gunn (left)
Ease yourself in “If you’re relatively new to introducing colour into your home, ease yourself in. There’s no need to break out the green paintbrush right away! Start off by swapping out your current cushions and throws for colourful and patterned ones and watch how it lifts your space!” says Alex.
Cushions are a relatively affordable way to take the colour leap
Select colours that make you feel good
“Even as a colour lover, I have some colours that I just don’t like. When injecting colour into your home and decor it is important to choose colours that make you feel good and that you find visually pleasing,” says Alex and it’s a sentiment I share. For example, as much as I love wearing red I would never have it anywhere near my house.
Tranquil yet colourful bedroom styling
Choose colour levels depending on the use of the room
“Colour can create a vast array of feelings and change moods. Consider this and the feeling that you want to create in each space. For example, you may opt for more relaxing shades in the bedroom like calming blues or deep greens and rich plum tones whereas living areas can take more vibrancy with brighter, bolder colours,” says Alex.
Bedroom. That stunning artwork is by Morgan Jamieson
Decorate depending on the feeling and not trends
“Don’t fall into the trap of decorating to a trend as you will get sick of this pretty quickly. Just because 75 per cent of Instagram seems to be using blush and grey doesn’t mean that you have to – except if you love it, then of course go for it!” says Alex who explains that it’s important to try and tap into your own distinct taste. “Choose colours that reflect the mood you want to create in your space,” she adds.
The dining room features mismatched chairs, greenery and colour popsHallway. Artwork: Georgie Wilson.
It’s okay to mix things up
“When it comes to your home, you don’t need to fit into a certain style or colour palette. Feel free to mix the vintage with the new, the colourful with the more minimal items and even colour combinations that may not be the norm. This is your sanctuary and should be a visual reflection of you so have fun with it!”
I love the wooden surfboard! Artwork: Katie Wyatt (top left) and Anna Cole (bottom left)
Photographer: Matt Biocich | Stylist: Alex Carter at Harlow & Willow | Stylist assistant: Julianna Love
Located in the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick, this house is home to Pilates teacher and first-time renovator Steph Hegerty, her husband, two young children and beloved dog. “My husband and I had always wanted to renovate a Victorian or Edwardian home and when we saw this house, it was hard to see its Victorian features, but we saw the potential,” she says, of the circa 1910 home.
The front of the home. That front door is a gorgeous shade of blue!
“We wanted to create a modern home that had the warmth and charm of a period home. Modern homes can sometimes feel a bit soulless, so we didn’t want to shy away from things like large skirting boards and architraves, ceiling roses and cornices, because we knew these features would forever make the house feel like it had history, and stories to tell,” says Steph.
HallwayLounge roomNursery
“The house was built in 1910, but it was very hard to see that it actually was a Victorian home because it had been badly butchered in the 1970’s, and all charm (with the exception of the hallway arch and pressed metal ceilings) had been stripped out,” says Steph who reinstated large profile skirting boards, arches, cornices and ceiling roses to the front part of the home. The outside of the home underwent a massive overhaul too. “We added features to the exterior facade including a bullnose veranda, lacework, window mouldings and timber sash windows.”
Master bedroomThe ensuite features statement blue cabinetry
“Coincidentally, the supplier for all of our ornamental plasterwork had the very same profile as our original hallway arch. It turned out they would have made our original one over 100 years ago, as no supplier has exactly the same profile,” says Steph who removed the pressed metal in the original home as part of the renovation.
“It was a hard decision to take out the pressed metal ceilings, but since not every room in the original part of the house had one, and they needed some repair work done, we removed them. I also had my heart set on lovely big cornices and ceiling roses, so I’m very happy with the end result.”
KitchenMain bathroom
In contrast to the period features up front, the rear extension is an exercise in modern monochrome with plenty of gorgeous pops of blue. “The overall colour palette for the home is quite monochromatic, so we injected quite a lot of blue to soften it, like a blue front door, walk-in robe cabinetry and furniture. The blue adds a nice pop of colour, without being something we’d get sick of. It’s a calming colour by nature, which fit the brief for what we wanted our home to represent,” says Steph.
Second bedroomPowder room
The rear extension is bright and airy and filled with natural light which is not always the case in a period home. “Being south facing, natural light was a huge consideration. We incorporated a raked ceiling in the living room, and a four metre highlight window at the top of it, so the living area and kitchen is always drenched in sunlight.”
The home’s new light-filled lounge and dining room
Photographer: Dylan Lark @Aspect11
Steph’s home is listed on NOKK which is a new property platform that allows homeowners to dip their toes in the property market before committing to market. If a buyer is interested in the home, they can electronically ‘nokk’ and offer a price for it after which the vendor can decide to sell or not. It’s a great way to check out a hidden market of properties you will not see anywhere else.
When you’re a leading light on the Australian landscape scene, it makes sense that greenery is the hallmark of your home. Located in the Perth seaside suburb of Scarborough, this recently renovated home houses exterior stylist and landscaper Ascher Smith, her husband Dylan and their two young sons Hudson and Parker.
The home’s lush courtyard
“The design brief to our architect was to for them to design a modern addition, with the use of natural timber and black steel elements on the exterior with a crisp, minimal interior design so we could create a style in the interior that was a reflection of us. We had fun decorating with all of our collected pieces over the years, and it always feels like home because of it,” says Ascher of her home that was originally a simple single storey residence and now boasts a second floor that takes in sweeping ocean views.
Lounge room
“I’d say our style was mid-century modern, with a dash of industrial. I’m obsessed with black and white clean lines but need the timber, natural stone or greenery to soften the look. We know we are a couple that don’t do things in halves and both have very creative and artistic families, so when our quest began to create our dream home, we knew that the end result would be unlike most other houses you see,” says Ascher.
Master bedroom – now that is commitment to greenery!The master bedroom boasts a fabulous fire place too
“When we renovated, we stayed within the footprint of the original home and added extra space by extending over out courtyards with hallways and a west-facing balcony. This way, we could keep our existing renovation downstairs and both courtyards and garden spaces, which were so important to try and maintain throughout the build,” says Ascher.
Greenery pops against timber throughout the home
“Our back courtyard has been the forever changing room in our house. The once ugly unusable space has been an enchanting, secluded, lush green room that we can entertain or relax in no matter what time of year it is. Seen from almost every room in our house, we have recreated a little Italy out there,” says Ascher referencing the pizza oven that takes pride of place. “Dylan makes the best pizzas in town right here in our backyard and my constant itch to redecorate, paint or move pot plants and furniture around allows this courtyard to change dramatically day to day,” says Ascher.
Pizza oven
Large glass stacker doors connect the indoors with the outside and the courtyard features travertine paving and lush greenery. “The gardens are mass planted and provide us with year round screening, greenery and colour in the courtyards. We furnished the area with only a large teak sofa, some casual seating and the blue Tuscan pizza oven made by Dylan himself. We were careful not to clutter the area with furnishings as they are still small spaces and you need places to rest the eyes,” says Ascher.
Kitchen
“We love how homely our house feels, even after our extensive modern renovation. There is always a comfortable chair to sit in, delicious food aromas that lead you through the front door, cheerful artwork and family photos in every room. I want our house to feel ‘homely’. It’s what we both grew up with and it’s so important that our friends, family and children feel welcomed and comfortable in our space too,” says Ascher.
If you’re anything like me, design is a significant factor when considering where to stay on holiday. I see it as an opportunity to stay somewhere that I could never afford to own myself so when the people at HomeAway (formerly Stayz) made contact to let us know that its 2018 Holiday Rental Award design finalists had been announced, I couldn’t wait to take a look. From South Australia to Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, there is a treasure trove of design to be found across Australia when booking your next holiday stay.
Rotten Point House (VIC) The gold medal winner in this year’s design awards, this rammed earth house is located just off the Great Ocean Road and sits on an untouched cliff top overlooking the Southern Ocean, between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles. Nestled on 100 acres of native bushland the property stands like a modernist beacon in the wild and if you tire of the view, there’s plenty of design features to enjoy inside.
Rammed earth features throughout the homeWhat a location!
Cypress Hill, Apollo Bay (VIC) Sitting on an acre of land five kilometres from Apollo Bay, this gorgeous home overlooks the Bass Strait and rolling green hills too. Gorgeous design lines aside, there’s plenty of floor to ceiling glass to really take advantage of the view.
Pineapple Pete’s, Port Douglas (QLD) Located in Port Douglas, just a three minute walk to Four Mile Beach, this beach house is brimming with tropical vibes. Full of light and airy, open plan spaces plus palm leaf wallpaper and plenty of textured materials (think linen, leather and jute), this has boho beach stay written all over it.
The fabulous pool area
Oranjehuis, Aldinga Beach (SA) Named after its signature colour, Oranjehuis is located on South Australia’s Aldinga Beach and features swathes of glass to take in the ocean view plus plenty of bright colour pops throughout. The home also features an impressive collection of Australian, Dutch and American original art and Dutch designer furniture and lighting.
Leftie’s at the bay, Gracetown (WA) Located in Gracetown, a stunning coastal spot in Western Australia, this is the sort of sophisticated beach pad that you wish you owned. A monochrome colour scheme features throughout (with the odd timber touch) and the home boasts lovely sea views too. Rather conveniently, it is situated adjacent to the world-renowned Margaret River wine region.
Purchased in May this year, this 1960’s era Melbourne home stood in all its dowdy, original glory until it was renovated and flipped in just 12 weeks by close friends Emma Dixon Dean and Christine Paterson.
Front yard BEFOREFront yard AFTERFront yard AFTER
“We are two girlfriends from Melbourne who breathe everything interiors and renovations. We collaborated on our first project together and bought a little ugly duckling from the 1960’s and transformed her into a Palm Springs inspired beauty,” says Christine of the home that is located just four houses from the beach in the Melbourne suburb of Black Rock.
Living BEFORELiving AFTER
“The renovations took 12 weeks and we kind of had our own little experience of The Block! We set our budget and pretty much stuck to it but we had a few surprises once demolition started but tackled all of them! She’s a totally renovated home with all the luxuries of contemporary living,” says Christine.
Kitchen BEFOREKitchen AFTER
“The townhouse was built in the 1960’s so we knew we had to honour her existing mid-century features but bring her back to life by exposing all of her beauty! Our inspiration was to bring a little of Palm Springs to Black Rock,” says Christine.
Bedroom BEFOREBedroom AFTER
The creative duo chose to lose the outdated interior vibe while highlighting the home’s mid-century details – some of which hadn’t seen daylight for some time. “We respected the mid-century period by exposing the breeze blocks which were hidden behind years of overgrown weeds and revived the original bricks with a repair and paint!” says Christine.”
Bathroom BEFOREBathroom AFTER
And while the home now features lots of fabulous new spaces, Christine and Emma are most proud of the way that the outdoor areas turned out. “The transformation is amazing in all areas but l would say that the two external entertaining areas are spectacular. You feel like you are on a permanent holiday which is a perfect way to live!”
They say the devil is in the detail and that’s certainly the case for this stunning Melbourne home. The work of architectural and interior design firm Workroom, the four-bedroom, three-storey abode is located in the Melbourne suburb of Armadale and is home to the owner of the construction company that built it – Bear Agushi of AGUSHI Construction.
Exterior – the house unfolds dramatically from the street
“The brief was to create a family home. A home that was a reflection of the family. A home that provided a backdrop or framework for the everyday but retained a sense of refined luxury,” says Workroom director and architect John Bornas. It features a gorgeous array of finishes including stone, European Oak parquetry flooring and opulent brass fixtures.
The home’s owner and builder Bear Agushi is in agreement: “A narrative unfolds of stunning detail and tactile material, raw steel, dark panelled walls, concrete, bronze, timber and stone – elements that invite you to touch and feel.”
Bedroom
John adds: “Our approach to the house was very considered and transcends fashion. The connection between the building and the inhabitant is grounded through a rigorous exploration of scale, form, space and material. The delicate palette of materials and intricate detailing bestows elegance and luxury.”
Sitting area
The home has four bedrooms (each with individual bathrooms), a secure four-car basement garage, chef’s kitchen, butler’s pantry, resort-style alfresco zone with pool and outdoor kitchen and magnificently manicured gardens by landscape architect Jack Merlo.
The home’s bespoke staircase is a stunning, sculptural piece
“Each element is chosen to complement or contrast with another and each is designed with the same level of rigour, down to the smallest detail. This gives the house a sense of consistency that adds to the depth of experience. Interior stylist Simone Haag helped the home reach its full potential with the right furniture and objects,” says John.
Luxe layered lounge room details by stylist Simone Haag
The creation of interior and event designer Danni Murray, this unique semi-rural home references colonial, folk and country America and is an exercise in eclecticism done right. And it’s perhaps no surprise it’s some of her finest work as it’s home to her and her family! We think it’s one of the most unique and beautfiully done family homes we’ve seen in a long time.
Library
“Incorporating old into new has worked very well in this project. Salvaged items, vintage architectural pieces and existing form and materials were intermixed with the newly built parts to create the overall atmosphere of a hardy, robust, set in stone kind of country dwelling.”
Master bedroomBedroom
“My favourite part of any project is the source, the hunt, but this project opened it up to an entire new level for me,” says Danni.
Music room
The home is in Terrey Hills on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and is home to Danni, her husband, four sons, dog, six chickens and eight horses! It’s comprised of existing parts, renovations and additions. “We were wanting to achieve a rural, non-precious living environment, muddy Wellington boots in the house and all, but still retain an air of sophistication and style about it,” she says. We think she nailed it!
Bathroom
“There is a strong history of Italian immigrants from 50 to 60 years back who arrived in the area and set up their own vegetable crops and businesses to survive, and some of these still exist,” says Danni who explains that the influx left its mark on the local architecture. “With the movement, houses in the area still boast Italian features such as arches, columns and rendering. Elements such as these have been incorporated and celebrated in the design of my home.”
StairwellLounge room
A highlight of the home is the kitchen – a truly original space that features a gorgeous timber ceiling. “The kitchen ceiling was sourced, after hunting for months and months, from a farmer in countryside New South Wales. He literally had a pile of lumber sitting in his yard for over a decade! It was treated and applied to the ceiling and then crossed with beautiful hardwood beams to give the room a feeling of an Italian masseria,” says Danni.
KitchenKitchen dining
Other notable details include the interior and exterior render. “It was carried out by a skilled, authentic Italian team and the process was beautiful to watch – real time art actually. I was even lucky enough to get my hands dirty on one occasion and give it a try. Trust me, they dance across the walls compared to my attempt! And with so many large surfaces and curved walls, we wanted to feature them as ‘art’ instead of just giving them a lick of paint.”
The dining room features a 7-metre long bespoke formal dining table that seats up to 22 peopleGames room
Where you studied and what: I did a Diploma in Interior Design, Diploma in Colour Consulting and Diploma in Auto CAD at the International School of Colour & Design.
When you started your business and how: As a maker and artist I have always been called upon by my friends and family to help them with their homes – making curtains, blinds, cushions, bed linen, choosing paint colours and more. I officially started my business eighteen years ago after graduating from my course but kept it small whilst I raised my three kids. That was until five years ago when I stopped turning work away and have now let my business flourish. I used to work from home for convenience with my family but have had a studio for the past four and a half years.
The best business advice you ever received: To walk in the shoes of my clients
Size of your team if you have one: I employ two staff members and a number of support staff on a contract basis.
Your proudest achievement so far: I am fortunate enough to have a few very proud moments. I’ve had one of my projects featured on the cover of House & Garden and have been published in Belle Magazine, House & Garden and on Interiors Addict. I also won the FIAA Award for Best Kitchen Design 2017 and was a finalist in the 2017 Dulux Colour Awards.
When did you realise you’d made it? I am always striving towards my next goal so I’m not sure I can say that I have ‘made it’.
Best investment you’ve ever made in your business: Building and continually revising my website and branding.
What do you outsource? I have the support of an accountant and book keeper for all tax related requirements. We have a branding agency to help us with changes to our print material and website. I hire a writer for revisions to my website and competition applications. I also outsource to architects when needed and other interior designers for CAD support when we have a heavy load.
Biggest challenge in running a business: Wearing lots of hats when you really want to concentrate on completing a design.
Favourite project of all time: The one I’m working on now – stay tuned!
Whose work inspires YOU? I am massive fan of Kelly Wearstler, Joseph Dirand, India Mahdavi, Patricia Urquiola, Zaha Hadid, Ilse Crawford, Arent & Pyke, Decus Interiors and Greg Natale.
Describe your own home: My home is architecturally traditional (Californian bungalow) with a contemporary twist. We have renovated it about three times and love the results. It is very much a home to my husband and I, three children (young adults) and our dog Mimi. The general scheme is black, white and grey with accents of strong greens and blues. There is lots of wallpaper and beautiful textiles and an eclectic collection of art (from the kids and professional artists), ceramics, objects, tapestries from my mother, the odd antique, modern furniture and natural objects.
I embrace change and the curation of my home is forever changing. I am fortunate to work in an industry where I am surrounded by exquisite things that sometimes come home with me! I love to cook and entertain so there is always someone popping in or joining us for meals, which gives me an opportunity to try out new recipes and have fun with my tablescapes – I have a collection of fabric napkins, different glassware, different styles of cutlery and china.
How big should your rug be? I typically design the rugs that are installed in my clients’ homes so they are custom sized and designed as part of my bespoke design approach. My preference is to anchor a rug just underneath the front feet of a chair or sofa and I am a big fan of quirky shapes – rugs don’t just have to be rectangular, square or round! It’s a good idea to work out the negative space in a seating area and work out your size from this. I also LOVE a rug underneath a bed – I’m a big fan of layering!
Your advice for would-be designers/stylists: Be curious, hungry and passionate about all things design and your environment. Practice on your family and friends to build your confidence and skills and offer your services to people that you can learn from. Never be afraid of picking up the phone and reaching out for advice and guidance – build relationships. Get to know who the suppliers are in the industry and visit showrooms frequently to understand what is out there. Most of all, roll up your sleeves and work hard and be prepared to do the menial tasks. I always clean (if necessary) and style my clients’ homes as well as make their beds as it keeps you connected with the design, client and humble aspect of good relationships. Be aware of what is happening in the industry – magazines are your textbooks. Listen too podcasts too! Know what is happing on the catwalks around the world as it informs our industry.
What you’re working on at the moment: A wonderful residential project where the home used to be a ships’ chandlery. It is a full house renovation and I am blessed to have trusting clients that are allowing me to flex my designer muscle and deliver unique and beautiful results. I can’t wait to share this project with you.
Do you love your job now as much as ever? My love affair with design continues to grow. I am thoroughly passionate about interiors and can’t imagine doing anything else. I am an advocate of helping clients to understand that interior design is an art form as much as it is a service. I am driven to help my clients’ improve their lives with practical and beautiful spaces.
FAVOURITES
Colour: Not one for favourites – I love them all!
Piece of furniture in your home: My Louis XV antique sofa that is covered in a bold black and white contemporary geometric textile – I love contrast!
International designer/stylist: Kelly Wearstler
White paint colour: Dulux Vivid White
Accessory for a wow factor A ‘Noon’ Mirror by Ross Gardham
Last night’s room reveals were a fairly disappointing bunch (a bit of a theme this season it would seem!) with some moments of genius scattered throughout. I was surprised by how underwhelming most of them were to be honest but I also appreciate that filling such large spaces wouldn’t have been easy. These rooms are some of the largest ever on The Block and the judges found plenty to love so here goes!
Courtney and Hans: First place, 27.5/30
“Oh my God this room just goes on forever!” said Shaynna of Courtney and Hans’ living room that is the largest living and dining space in The Block history.
The bespoke dining table impressed the judges – particularly the walnut parquetry paired with emerald velvet covered chairs. “It could be old, stuffy and too heritage but you pair this beautiful parquetry top with green velvet chairs and the whole thing gets elevated to something cool, contemporary and kind of edgy,” said Darren who found the table was his favourite thing about the reveal.
The bespoke dining table got the judges’ tick of approval
For Shaynna it was all about the Jessie Breakwell artwork – the highlight of the space for me too. “The artwork is all personality,” said Shaynna.
This Jessie Breakwell piece is one of the heroes of the space
Neale felt the room had a sense of grandeur and personality and all of the judges were taken with the fully stocked, James Bond-inspired pop-up bar. Shaynna complimented the lounge, said the coffee tables were a good size and thought the lounge area felt intimate despite the large space.
The James Bond inspired pop-up bar (on the right) was a hit
“Courtney and Hans have gone from zero to hero this week. I thought this would break them but it didn’t!” said Neale.
Featuring a gorgeous pendant light, parquetry floors, black sheer curtains and a huge piece of statement art, Bianca and Carla’s living room was my pick last night. Neale praised the girls for their “sense of drama” and he said that they “know how to create impact” and overall thought the space had a feeling of “easy luxury.”
Neale loved the pendant light above the dining room table in particular but thought that the whole dining area was very beautiful. “I love the artwork and the cabinetry. There’s a real sense of luxury,” said Neale and Shaynna agreed.
I love this gorgeous Ingrain Designs sideboard
Darren praised the pair for their thoughtful design. “The whole space is consistent because there are references back to different things across the whole apartment,” said Darren. The dining room chair legs echo the sideboard legs for instance.
That Michael Bond artwork is perfect in the space.
Sharing the joint third place spot with Jess and Norm, Kerrie and Spence pulled off a statement coffered ceiling. Shaynna liked the ceiling but questioned the couple’s choice of lighting. “The coffered ceiling gives an elegance to the room but why spend so much time creating a master craftsman ceiling if you’re just going to clutter it with feature lighting and a feature fan? The ceiling needs to sing on its own and I’m not getting the breathing space that I need to appreciate its beauty,” said Shaynna.
Shaynna felt that the beautiful coffered ceiling was compromised by the choice of pendant lighting above the dining room table
Shaynna wasn’t a fan of the room’s styling either. “It feels a bit nineties – it’s a little bit uptight and needs to loosen up. I feel like I’m in a nineties boardroom. For this room to be perfect it needs an extra emotional layer,” added Shaynna.
This gorgeous floor lamp was a highlight of the space
This room really divided the judges with Neale and Darren dishing out the compliments while Shaynna picked holes in the space.
“The elephant in the room is the tonsil in the centre that’s not centred!” said Shaynna referring to the statement fireplace. “That is a ridiculously expensive fireplace and its placement is possibly the worst I have ever seen,” said Shaynna. Darren defended the fireplace however and said that he liked the (legally required) marble underneath it while Shaynna most certainly did not.
The judges were big fans of the handmade indigenous coffee table
“I’m gobsmacked that you two think this room is amazing. It’s polarising and could cost the couple at auction,” said Shaynna.
Neale thought this pendant light was very dated. “It’s a visual cliche that is very out of step with the rest of the space,” he said.The room made good use of sumptuous cushions
Sara and Hayden: Fourth place, 23/30
Easily the most reviled room by the judges, Sarah and Hayden’s living space featured another contentious fireplace. “The thing that perplexes me about the fireplace is the design. It’s a compromise for a fireplace that doesn’t have the integrity of a real one with no natural element or smell,” said Darren and Neale stuck the boot in even more: “I feel that the fireplace is a metaphor for the whole room. It doesn’t feel real. I’m struggling to find elegance and excitement in there and it feels like everything is arranged around the TV.”
The contentious fireplace (left) had the judges talking
“I’m looking for a styling surprise, something that says ‘bespoke luxury’ and the room is all about the TV but I think it needs more than that. The styling looks like a collection of objects thrown together just to fill the space,” said Neale.
Dining room
“Both our books are there,” noted Darren as the judges left the space and he spotted his book and one of Shaynna’s. “Well they obviously didn’t open them!” said Shaynna in what was possibly the most cutting (but true!) moment of the episode.
Located in the Melbourne seaside suburb of Mt Martha, this navy, white and timber dream of a home was renovated recently by Kate Walker Design for a young family of five. “The client came to KWD with a brief of creating a coastal and airy aesthetic, and they wanted it to have a resort-like feel. We ended up refining the design to ‘Boathouse’ style,” says Kate Walker.
Kitchen
On first glance, it’s the gorgeous v-groove paneling that really draws the eye, and that creates that coastal feel. “I love the subtlety of the texture inside the home. We used V-groove paneling on the ceiling with strapping and reiterated that on the island bench, on the joinery and on the main wall in the master bedroom upstairs,” says Kate of the home that has a predominantly white-on-white palette with punches of navy.
Bedroom
“We used American oak for the flooring in the living area and handmade wool carpet in the master bedroom, Carrara marble on the kitchen benchtop and splash back and terrazzo tiles on the floors of the bathrooms with a mix of terrazzo and ceramic tiles on the walls,” says Kate. The subtle textural details really imbue the home with a sense of luxury.
Master ensuiteMaster ensuite bath
Kate’s favourite part of the project is the kitchen, mostly because there are so many different site lines in the space and it forms the hub of the home. “You get a beautiful view from every direction, be it through the gas-lift window, from the butler’s pantry, sitting in the lounge room or the dining table or even from the reading nook. For a family with three young children, and busy parents, it’s a great way to stay connected.”
Kitchen
The outdoor area is another highlight space. The stone clad outdoor fireplace ensures entertaining is possible all year and the adjacent timber lined pool is rather fabulous too.
‘Small but perfectly formed’ and ‘less is more.’ They’re phrases that I keep returning to and particularly when it comes to design. It sounds counter-intuitive (and it’s certainly antithetical to the McMansion narrative that most of us were raised on) but just because a home is large doesn’t necessarily make it highly livable. While ten bedrooms and five bathrooms may sound like a dream, if the spaces aren’t thoughtfully designed and well connected to one another it can leave you cold. Besides, given the price of property these days, the great Australian (quarter-acre) dream is fast becoming a thing of the past and we’re now seeing interesting design solutions for smaller spaces emerge.
My Ideal House – backyard
My Ideal House was a nationwide competition (masterminded by Australian House & Garden magazine and Mirvac), launched over two years ago by then NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes inviting architects, designers and the public to submit plans for a home tailored to 21stcentury life. Think smaller families with two working parents, multi-generational households, tech-led lifestyles and sustainability pressures and you’re on the right track.
My Ideal House – kitchen
The competition produced some fabulous entries but the winning design was created by Sydney architect Madeleine Blanchfield whose modular design offers spaces to retreat and unite and includes three large bedrooms, a large open living zone, a multipurpose lounge and a double-car garage. The home is comprised of two modules (the sleeping pavilion and living pavilion) that can be oriented to face North on any block of land and the real-life design can be viewed in the Sydney suburb of Camden ahead of the home’s auction on June 30. It’s worth noting that Mirvac will donate $50,000 from the sale to the Salvation Army to support its work in assisting the homeless.
My Ideal House – living & dining
“The home feels larger than it is because of the clever way the rooms have been planned. Madeleine Blanchfield’s design concept – an airy, modern home with many charming touches has been beautifully realised by the Mirvac team, who were naturally focused on ensuring the house was innovative and held plenty of customer appeal,” says Australian House & Garden editor in chief Lisa Green.
My Ideal House – master bedroom
“The result is a lovely, liveable home with generous spaces indoors and out and solid eco credentials. It stands proud among its neighbours, fosters community interaction and pride with its window boxes and herbs in the front yard, and can be adapted to suit future family needs,” says Lisa.
My Ideal House – bathroom
Flexibility is key to the design – there’s a multi-purpose room that can be used as a TV or music room, home office, retreat or additional bedroom. The open-plan part of the home can be arranged into living and activity zones to suit each individual family and each bedroom has a study nook with space for a desk too.
My Ideal House – children’s room
“Through design we have the opportunity to change lives for the better. It’s at the very heart of what we do at Mirvac and the ambitions of My Ideal House aligned with our own beliefs and values. It has been a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge with Madeleine and to now present a home that is beautiful to look at and beautiful to live in. It is an intelligent and well-considered approach to the site and settles any argument that big is best,” says Mirvac’s general manager of design, marketing and sales, Diana Sarcasmo.
My Ideal House – lounge room
“Mirvac has designed and built thousands of homes in master planned communities over the past 45 years which gives us enormous insight into what Australian families are looking for in the family home. As designers, builders and urban planners we continually look for new and innovative ways to meet that need, drawing on our own expertise and collaborating with others,” says Diana.
My Ideal House – second bedroom
“For reasons of sustainability and ultimately liveability, My Ideal House exemplifies the way good design and space planning can deliver a magnificent home within a lighter footprint,” says Diana. Sustainability has been assured with the use of CSR Hebel blocks, solar panels and a Tesla battery – all designed to dramatically reduce energy costs too.
I’ve always admired people who could wait to find out the gender of their baby. I’ve had three children and have found out every time – delayed gratification is certainly not my strong point. The nursery design prospects are just too alluring for me, however you can always eschew colour and embrace a neutral palette like this Melbourne family did before they knew they were having a baby boy – their first child, Harvey.
Harvey’s gender neutral nursery features an Olli Ella rug, wallpaper from Magic Wallpaper and prints from Printspace.
“My clients didn’t know if they were having a boy or girl so we designed the room to be gender neutral, with boy or girl elements that could be added later. The clients wanted a very classic, elegant and serene space. It’s a tiny room so we needed to be clever with fitting everything in without making it look too small,” says interior designer Belinda Nihill, creative director of Nest Design Studio.
The gorgeous details – the hand-stitched cushion is from Little Willow Vintage
Working with a Boori cot and change table that the clients had already purchased, Belinda was tasked with selecting all the other items to complement. A tonal mix of cream, grey and white, the space is an elegant and tranquil one.
Belinda’s clients had already purchased the Boori change table and cot
“I think neutral nurseries are, in general, very elegant. They can be timeless and are a great option for parents who aren’t finding out which sex they are having. To have a room that is beautiful as is, and then being able to add some simple boy or girl touches once baby arrives to add some additional design elements to the room is ideal,” says Belinda.
Pottery Barn shelves
One of the room’s hero pieces is the rocking chair that sits in the corner. “I think the beautiful Pottery Barn Kids Chair and shelving really make the room. That little corner, complete with beautiful custom cushion, marble detailing and grey velvet is just perfection,” says Belinda.
This tranquil feeding area is Belinda’s favourite part of the room
Belinda is a big fan of the wallpaper too – a simple, neutral choice, it could potentially see Harvey through to his teenage years. “I love the wallpaper as it’s a design that is really versatile.”
‘A renovator’s dream’ was the best way to describe the Melbourne home pictured below, when it was purchased by Corinne and Ben Taylor in 2013 before undergoing an extensive renovation. Located in Melbourne’s Yarraville, this home was originally built in 1947 and now features a fabulous modern extension at the rear, much of which was completed by Ben who works in construction.
BEFORE front elevationAFTER front elevation
“When we first bought our house our design goal was to always maintain the original period of the front of the home and build a modern contemporary extension with an open plan layout. We wanted to create a direct contrast between the rear modern extension and the front period style of the home,” says Corinne.
BEFORE kitchenAFTER kitchen
“My husband and I bought this house just after we were married and began renovating it straight away. It was our little, but not so little, project we wanted to accomplish together as newlyweds before we began our biggest challenge of becoming parents,” says Corinne who now shares the home with the couple’s two sons.
BEFORE bathroomAFTER bathroom
“For the build, we engaged my father and brother to complete the main structural components of the front and rear as my father runs his own building company in Ballarat. My husband and I then engaged all of the trades directly and project managed the build and fit out components whilst both working full time jobs and living in the house the entire time. Let’s just say that this got quite testing at times living with a temporary kitchen and bathroom for over six months,” says Corinne.
BEFORE kitchen & diningAFTER kitchen, dining & backyard
With a career as a project manager in the construction industry, Ben tackled much of the renovation himself including the majority of the fit out. He worked on the plumbing (he’s a plumber by trade) and carpentry including the installation of windows, skirtings, architraves and the timber floor. “He even completed the massive task of measuring up and installing the glass balustrade to the stairs and second floor,” says Corinne.
AFTER: The glass staircase that Ben, impressively, installed himself.
With 6.5 metres ceilings above the kitchen and dining areas, and a large open plan area at the rear of the home (that spills out to the garden), the new home certainly feels much more expansive than the original. “By not having a large block we sought to maximise the flow of the house and ensure that every inch was used as efficiently as possible,” says Corinne.
AFTER dining
“Natural light and high ceilings were very important as we wanted to create a bright home that provided abundant natural light and also natural ventilation. We originally intended to have a single story extension to the rear but then chose to increase this to double storey to allow us to draw as much natural light in with the north facing facade,” says Corinne who also wanted to be able to open the rear of the house up during the warmer months to extend the living area into the backyard and further maximise the use of the block.
AFTER the view from the second floor
“Our interior design brief was to utilise as many natural materials as possible to create an environment of warmth, texture and vibrancy. We chose to use materials such as Australian hardwoods, recycled brick and polished concrete to create this feel, along with light textured tiles to reflect the light throughout the bathrooms,” says Corinne.
AFTER: An abundance of windows let light flood the space
Located on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, this original 1970’s townhouse was renovated by interior designer Lynne Bradley recently after a family of four moved in. “My clients had recently purchased this property and were down-sizing from a large family home. Their new townhouse was in much need of some love and personality and a revision of floorplans and addition of much needed storage in each of the rooms was required,” says Lynne.
BEFORE Living roomAFTER Living room
The first major change that Lynne instigated was a repurposing of the top floor sitting room. “The third and top floor was in use as a sitting room with a kitchenette – purposed I think because of the panoramic harbour views from this floor. I couldn’t imagine my clients taking their guests up here so we turned it into the master suite,” says Lynne.
BEFORE Master bedroomAFTER Master bedroom
Given the home’s owners had come from a much larger abode, Lynne made sure that the renovation included plenty of cabinetry to maximise storage and space. “The master bedroom boasts a bespoke wardrobe, bedsides with charging ports, cupboards above the bed, and a ‘his and hers’ desk under the picture window,” says Lynne who turned the kitchenette/bar into a compact ensuite with plenty of storage.
AFTER Master bedroom
The master bedroom features statement green and a multitude of textures. “I selected colours and finishes that created an illusion of depth and space throughout the home. Cabinetry was also designed in a way to maximise not only storage but space,” says Lynne. The petite built-in bedsides and wall sconce lighting are fabulously practical solutions for what is a relatively small space.
BEFORE Ensuite – this space housed a kitchenette/barAFTER Ensuite
The house is also home to two teenage children and Lynne was charged with updating their rooms too. She used paint to stunning effect – the girl’s room features a bold colour choice that is softened with complementary fabrics.
BEFORE Girl’s roomAFTER Girl’s room – note the recovered lamp shade.
“I think that my favourite part of the project would have to be the built-in sofa on the ground floor that not only features a comfortable sofa for the family to relax on, but has many concealed storage areas underneath, behind, beside and above,” says Lynne.
AFTER The new living room features fabulous built-in storage and seating
Bright fuchsia carpet, pastel blue and pink walls and emerald green velvet make for a fabulously opulent feel in this Melbourne family home that was renovated recently by the team at The Stylesmiths, with lead designer Danielle Brustman at the helm. The homeowners were keen to create a more ‘adult-friendly’ vibe given their children have grown up, and what emerged certainly filled the brief.
Dining room
“The makeover was inspired by the clients’ love for the fabulously eclectic New York apartment of American-Italian model Carmen Dell’Orefice which is artistic and chic but not too precious. The project aim was to create a mix of re-purposed vintage furniture with the kitsch, embracing the client’s poster and print collections,” says The Stylesmiths creative director Richard Misso of the 19th Century Victorian weatherboard home.
Bedroom
“The lead designer Danielle, with an eye for colour, materials and composition felt that the furnishings, surfaces and fixtures were outdated, which made the home dull. Bringing fresh eyes we injected more personality, colour, elegance and style. Receptive to these changes the clients entrusted in The Stylesmiths to integrate their original pieces of art with sentimental family value, whilst considering a matching palette that incorporated a broad spectrum of colour throughout,” says Richard.
And they certainly embraced colour! Each room is painted with a different colour swatch including base tones made up of soft, muted pastel pinks and blues. As a colour fan, I love how monochromatic each space is and I’m not surprised that the project was a finalist in the 2018 Dulux Colour Awards.
Lounge room
“It was important to look at the house and scheme as a whole. The process involves creating a spread of swatches, fabrics and materials throughout the home to ensure that the balance works throughout the entire scheme,” says Richard who explains that strong contrasting tones formed the icing on the cake. “Deep green, navy, black, gold and magenta were layered via furnishings, paint, wallpaper and surface treatments,” says Richard.
The renovation included several fabulous upcycling projects too. The living room features reupholstered, well-loved art deco chairs that look completely fresh courtesy of a sumptuous bottle green velvet and the family’s circular dining table now features Japanese black lacquer legs and a black glass top.
The dining room features an upcycled dining table.
The home also boasts an abundance of texture. “We worked with layers of texture to mix things up. We used a combination of very shiny and reflective glass surfaces alongside rich velvets and earthy wool/linen and leather textures. Mixing it up gives each space a unique feel. We went to town with velvet on this project too,” says Richard.
Percy St residence, Bagnoli Architects. Photography: Ari Hatzis
In its 32nd year, this year’s Dulux Colour Awards had a record number of entries (more than 300) from across Australia and New Zealand, many of which were pretty incredible. I’ve no doubt the judging panel (including industry luminaries Miriam Fanning, David Flack and David Hicks) had a tough time of it before the awards were handed down recently at a gala event at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Hawthorn residence, Bagnoli Architects. Photographer: Ari Hatzis
Taking out the top award in the ‘Single Residential Interior’ category was the ‘Percy St’ residence by Bagnoli Architects. The original Victorian cottage was renovated and extended and features the most glorious pastel paint shades.
Dulux Colour Awards 2018 – Single Residential Interior winner. Percy St by Bagnoli Archiects. Photographer: Ari Hatzis
“Underpinned by an innovative approach to its philosophy and execution, this entry has a beautiful energy and innocence, which captures the essence of what the Dulux Colour Awards mean to us. The exploration of colour is soft and serene, yet commanding, and responds to the architectural form rather than being simply applied to a surface. With greys, blacks and splashes of colour, the interior scheme flows seamlessly to the exterior, demonstrating how the consideration of colour in a design concept can add light and depth to a home,” says judge David Flack.
Dulux Colour Awards 2018. Percy St Residence by Bagnoli Architects. Photography: Ari Hatzis. Styling: Ruth Welsby
Special commendation went to Fiona Lynch’s ‘Elsternwick House’ project which another grand Victorian restoration. “This classically beautiful and sophisticated residence has been pared back for all the right reasons, and the monochromatic palette fits the architecture: white and black highlight structural elements and openings, while a range of greys tint the walls,” says David.
Image credit: Dulux Colour Awards 2018 – Single Residential Interior commendation. Elsternwick House by Fiona Lynch. Photographer: Sharyn Cairn
Another special commendation went to Arent&Pyke’s ‘Amarelo Terrace’ project which is a glorious celebration of blue. “The considered delivery of the whole project, fully resolved in composition, style and design, is evident here. It wasn’t forced, and results in a timelessness that is heightened by clever layering, materiality of finishes and an intimacy in the design and use of colour,” says David.
Image credit: Dulux Colour Awards 2018 – Single Residential Interior commendation. Amarelo Terrace by Arent&Pyke. Photographer: Felix Forest
The ‘Multi-residential Interior’ category was taken out by Perth architect Simon Pendal for his daring ‘North Perth Townhouse’ project. “A clear, concise concept at the heart of this entry separates it from the rest. With bold hues cutting through a base of white, the internal spaces are cleverly defined, while a play of gloss and matte paint finishes adds another dimension to the form. There is no subtlety here; instead there’s an unwavering commitment to the use of contrasting tones to delineate the interior,” says David.
Image credit: Dulux Colour Awards 2018 – Multi Residential Interior winner. North Perth Townhouse by Simon Pendal Architect. Photographer: Robert FrithImage credit: Dulux Colour Awards 2018 – Multi Residential Interior winner. North Perth Townhouse by Simon Pendal Architect. Photographer: Robert Frith
