An extraordinary water curtain, six-point-six metre ceilings and tiles imported all the way from Spain – no expense was spared when building “Le Farah,” a one-of-a-kind six bedroom, six bathroom home in Sydney’s north-west.
“It was very important to have seamless indoor and outdoor integration and a very open plan layout,” said designer and owner Kate Nelson. “My favourite part of the home is that I feel secluded. When I come home, I feel like I’ve stepped into a beautiful oasis, yet I’m only minutes from the city which makes it very convenient.
“I wanted to be the first developer to showcase luxury, high-end resort living in such a prestigious area. I believe you live once, and there are too many stresses in the world, so when you come home it should feel like a sanctuary. This home makes you feel that from the moment you walk in the front door, which by the way, is a huge three-metre cedar pivot door, that I personally designed and had handcrafted.”
Expansive walls of glass, maximise natural light and draw the eye out to home’s centrepiece – a breathtaking water curtain, that creates a serene atmosphere as it trickles water into the saltwater pool below.
“The most challenging part was creating a one-of-a-kind, eight-metre water curtain. It took a large crane to bring the beams into place and a number of people on scaffolds to hold them, while another person screwed the beams into the walls. It was a mission but it just fits into the place so perfectly,” Kate says.
The open-plan kitchen features Italian marble with high-end Smeg and Miele appliances, while the fireplace is wrapped in natural tiles, imported from Spain. “I really wanted to incorporate the four elements – fire, earth, water and air,” said owner and designer Kate.
“Fire is represented by the large fireplace. Earth is the nature stone walls that feature at the front of the home and extend into the large foyer.
“Water is the large pool and spa that makes you feel like you’re in a tropical oasis, while air is all the walls of glass and large stacker doors to further integrate indoors and out,” Kate says.
The majestic double story brick home, located at 16 Grosvenor Road Linfield, is now on the market. View the listing click here.
Inspired by irregular shapes below the earth’s surface, Caldera basins are the latest addition of nature-inspired products by Rogerseller.
True to their name, Caldera basins mimic the shape that’s created when a volcanic crater is formed after the collapse of an emptied magma chamber.
The collection represents two varying organic Caldera forms, one comprising of an elongated asymmetric oval shape, and the other rectangular in geometry.
“Caldera by Rogerseller marks a new era of innovative in-house design that testifies the commitment to superior design and quality we’ve held for the last 120 years. Our past has not only prepared us for this exciting new journey, but forms part of our inspiration to continue innovating day after day,” says brand manager Tanya Sharpe.
Caldera by Rogerseller is available in white engineered Ceramilux as well as Bianco Carrara or Emperador Grey carved from solid marble slabs, and comes complete with a matching free flow waste.
The range is currently on display at all Rogerseller showrooms and can be viewed online.
Caesarstone has just opened the doors to a brand new Sales and Distribution Centre in Heatherton, Victoria.
Caesarstone quartz surfaces feature throughout the showroom with large wall panels of every colour and an awe-inspiring kitchen island benchtop that spans 5.2 metres and features the Supernatural design, Statuario Maximus combined with the Bora down draft induction cooktop, Abey undermount sink, Gessi mixer, Gaggenau oven and Vintec wine fridge.
“We are thrilled to open our new state-of-the-art showroom here in Melbourne and offer our customers the full Caesarstone brand experience” said Chris Lenihan, regional manager Caesarstone Victoria. “We wanted to show a variety of new colours not only in large format panels but also in applications such as our very latest new release White Attica, which is showcased in a very impressive 4 metre long reception desk.” Inspired by classic natural marbles, White Attica features a clean white base with dense, dark grey interwoven veins.
With expert staff on hand to assist with colour selection this new showroom will no doubt become a popular destination for anyone looking to design, renovate or build.
The Heatherton Showroom and Distribution Centre is located at 57 Corporate Dr, Heatherton. Doors are open Monday to Friday from 9am-to-5pm and Saturdays 9am-to-5pm.
As we awake each day, design touches us in many ways – from the clothes we choose to wear and the car we drive to work, to the café we grab our morning coffee from. Everyone has an aesthetic, an inherent style of their own that reflects their personality, but where does it come from and how do we truly define it?
To help Australians discover their own style, Laminex has partnered with four renowned Australian creatives – Chkya Keebaugh, Anna Polyviou, Steve Cordony and Virginia Martin – to release the “Find your Style” quiz.
Chyka Keebaugh is a successful businesswoman, online editor of a lifestyle magazine and the inspiration behind the Laminex “Classic” kitchen.
Chyka KeebaughClassic Kitchen
Dubbed the punk princess of pastry, Anna Polyviou is an award-winning pastry chef and represents the “Inner Urban” look.
Anna Polyviou“Inner Urban” kitchen
Steve Cordony is a leading Sydney-based interior and event stylist, and the style director at-large for Belle. Steve is passionate about the “Mineral” look with its sophisticated yet strong statements.
Steve Cordony“Mineral” kitchen
Virginia Martin launched her fashion label búl in 2010 and represents the minimalist and functional look of “Scandi” – now one of the world’s most popular styles.
Virginia Martin“Scandi” kitchen
The other eight inspirational styles Laminex have developed include Glamour, Natural, Modern & Co, Noir, Industrial, Coastal, Vintage and Zen.
New floorboards, a neutral colour palette with pops of mustard yellow and wallpaper, and a clever use of space, has completely transformed a home-away-from-home in Melbourne’s inner south-east for a busy mum and her teenage daughter. “My daughter and I live here during the week for work and school/university. We have a family home in Olinda (in the Dandenong Ranges ) which we retreat to on weekends,” said Jo McComiskey, former creative director for House & Garden magazine and owner of The Bedspread Shop.
Before living roomAfter living room
“The home was previously owned by a lovely old lady who sadly needed care. It had been freshly painted white, which was great, however the soft green carpet had to go. The potential was there, as it was an empty shell once the floors were replaced. It was then a matter of style, a colour palette and clever storage ideas,” she said.
To date, Jo has spent around $10,000 on the cosmetic renovations, which she’s chipped away at for the past two years, starting with faux timber floorboards from Masters and a kitchen revamp. “The cabinetry was fine, it just needed tweaking so I replaced the green laminate benchtop with white Caesarstone and the stove top. We also removed all the little silver handles on the cabinets and replaced them with natural timber knobs (I didn’t want any cold metal and prefer the look of soft timber hardware).”
Before kitchenAfter kitchenAfter kitchen and living room
A coat of chalkboard paint transformed the side of the pantry into a handy message board, while the living room, Jo’s favourite space, was given a lift by changing the all-white colour palette. “Painting one wall in the living space a soft grey has made a huge difference; too much white can be vacuous and wallpaper adds softness and surprise. The wallpaper is from the Sanderson Home range,” says Jo.
“The plantation shutters really lifted the space. It instantly lost its tired look once they went in. I love the gallery wall which is still a work-in-progress, and the light from the large windows. I’ll eventually buy a daybed to position along the windows and little door to the balcony.
“I also made a huge square-panelled mirror for the living area which measures 180x120cm. I bought the backing, mirror squares etc from Bunnings – it weighs a tonne! It’s like a Pottery Barn style mirror that stands against the wall,” said Jo.
After entranceAfter study
The Glen Iris ground floor apartment also had an unusual layout. Jo’s solution: turn the main bedroom into an entrance and study, and the dining room into the new main bedroom. “Everyone comes in the old main bedroom door through the driveway and garden, so it was odd having that as a bedroom. Plus my daughter was in her final years at school and needed a private study space (her bedroom is too small). We wallpapered the study too in a sweet floral as it’s so close to the garden,” says Jo.
Before dining room (now main bedroom)After main bedroomAfter main bedroomAfter main bedroom
“In the main bedroom I installed floating Ikea storage as space is tight and there were no built ins, and wallpapered one wall in a Scandi style paper, again from Sanderson Home,” Jo said.
Now Jo’s daughter has finished high school, the bathroom is next on the reno hit list along with replacing the 80’s silver door handles. “Timber handles are hard to come buy, however I have a source (a friend) and I’m just waiting on him to change over his handles so he can pass the old ones on to me. If you are reading this Bill…I’m still waiting, I haven’t forgotten!” she jokes.
After hallway
And it seems Jo, who has now overhauled four homes, isn’t the only one in her street with the renovation bug – her neighbours have also been busy and have repaid her (well sort of) for her patience. “I love our little garden – I have done a lot of work planting, and for privacy have installed a sweet standing herb planter, a lemon tree, and an extended paved area for seating. The boys at the construction site next door were kind enough to ‘donate’ some pavers that matched my existing paving in the garden. How thoughtful after a year of 7am drilling, hammering, listening to Eddie Maguire and mountains of dust — it was the least they could do!”
In the latest episode of Deadline Design, an inspirational new renovation series on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel, renowned interior designer and television presenter Shaynna Blaze helps parents to three young children, Martin and Teresa, revamp their 1930s clinker brick house before winter arrives.
Martin and Theresa have a tired and (thanks to some bad renos over the years), mismatched house in Deepdene, Melbourne. Jobs have been banking up for years and they’ve put up with things missing or broken longer than many would. With no oven, Theresa can’t face winter cooking on the BBQ. Enter Freedom Kitchens – proud kitchen suppliers to the renovation show.
The Shaker style kitchen in Alabaster Matte complements the integrity of the 1930s heritage of the home.
The unique configuration of the space includes a generous butler’s pantry, oven alcove space and a large island bench in Caesarstone Nougat for preparation and seating.
Floating shelves in Black Fine Grain allow for gallery-like display and items to be stored for easy access.
The budget comes in around the $260,000 mark with the kitchen and a fantastic attic conversion hogging the biggest chunks of that.
Deadline Design with Shaynna Blaze airs on The Lifestyle Channel on Wednesday nights at 9.30pm.
For more information on Freedom Kitchens, or to arrange a free in home appointment with a professional kitchen designer click here.
The Cosentino Group has launched its premium granite surface, Sensa® by Cosentino in Australia.
The first eight exotic granites to be launched here are Black Beauty, Glacial Blue, Orinoco, Colonial White, Indian Black, Ice Blue, Moak Black and Bianco Anticoare.
Black Beauty (polished): Perfect combination of gloss and matte. Black Beauty features a textured finish that perfectly combines the most exotic gloss and matte to provide a deep black granite with random white veining.
Glacial Blue: The more exotic side of silver Glacial Blue features a polished texture and a silver hue that combine to make a crystalline appearance.
Orinoco: The wild side of granite. White, gold and copper veins are sometimes interrupted by silver minerals which stand out against an intense black background creating a unique and inimitable stage.
Colonial White: Spectacular white with a hint of red. Colonial White, with its polished finish, is an Indian granite with a white background that is contrasted with round accumulations of various sizes that stand out for their dark red colour.
Indian Black: Exotic dark intensity. With a bright polished finish, Indian Black offers a dark and intense granite throughout the entire volume. Its black background is interspersed occasionally with different and captivating clear veins, almost crystalline, which further enrich the aesthetics of the granite.
Ice Blue: Wild combination on a surprising white background. Ice Blue is a granite with a polished texture and has a striking white background, something very hard to find in this material. The black enclaves, together with cream or tan veins, offer a seductive and wild design in the final appearance.
Moak Black: The sheer elegance of an intense dark granite. The granite in its suede finish, has a matte and intense black hue that provides impressive result for its harmony, uniqueness and beautiful finish. The neutrality born of nature with this granite is characterised by exquisite elegance.
Bianco Antico: Unpredictable exotic compositions. The combination of a clear, grey and brown background of the granite. Bianco Antico, with a polished texture, creates colour compositions giving it an unmatched exotic nature.
The Cosentino Group has also added three new ultra lustrous colours to its Dekton® XGloss line.
Glacier, Fiord and Tundra pay homage to the nobility, history and timeless qualities of materials used since ancient times. In these three colours, aesthetic beauty is fused with the fascinating luminosity and high-tech quality.
Glacier: Inspired by natural stone, Glacier displays a fine marbling of a golden colour on a white background. This is a lustrous proposal by virtue of its polished finish, and is an understated, subtle option, due to its remarkable colour. Glacier is the epitome of design, purity and elegance in its all aspects.
Fiord: Inspired by nature, Fiord recaptures the beauty of the most luxurious cream tones of Onyx. Yellows, earthen colours and other intense tones make up the range of colours within Fiord, infusing it with warmth and unmistakable nuances. The original randomness of its design lends a natural, unique and dazzling structure to its finish. Fiord is sophistication in its purest essence.
Tundra: Inspired by natural stone, Tundra offers a white base with grey flecks running through it, which create and highlight unprecedented paths. Tundra, with its candid, authentic appearance, recreates the properties of marble, with its remarkable structure of veins, its sumptuous luminosity and its subtle white background. Tundra is synonymous with infinite exquisiteness.
These three new shades are achieved through advanced nanotechnology and mechanical polishing treatment, produce a dazzling, crystalline shine, and high levels of durability and strength.
Thanks to the Particle Sintering Technology (TSP) used in its manufacture, Dekton® XGloss has outstanding technical properties, including resistance to UV rays, abrasion, staining or thermal shock, thus making it the perfect material for both indoor and outdoor use: façades, kitchen or bathroom counter tops, floors and paving, stairs and other types of cladding.
Dekton® is available for manufacture with the option of large slabs sizes of up to 144cm x 320cm and in thicknesses of 20mm, 12mm and 8mm thus increasing both its aesthetic and architectural possibilities. Dekton® by Cosentino continues demonstrate that it is the best ally for designers and architects worldwide.
Photographing gorgeous homes up and down the east coast for his book Sandcastles, inspired interior stylist Tim Neve to renovate his own beachside getaway – and he managed to do it in just four weeks!
BeforeAfter
“At times it really was reno-by-YouTube,” said Tim who rolled up his sleeves and got to work transforming the two-bedroom red brick villa into a boutique holiday rental in the coastal town of Forster, NSW. “Overall, I would consider this a cosmetic renovation as I didn’t move any internal walls. However, I went gung-ho and ripped out the old kitchen within the first hour of keys being handed over on settlement day!”
BeforeAfter
The uninspiring green and white kitchen was brought back to life with a spectacular Carrara marble benchtop, pastel blue cabinetry in Laminex ‘Fresh Spring’ and his own mermania tiles. “The kitchen is so simple, fresh, modern and inviting,” said Tim of what’s now his favourite room in the villa. “The most cost-effective option turned out to be having the kitchen units custom made and constructed in my hometown of Newcastle, and then shipped up to their final destination. The hard work was done, so all I needed to do was position each unit, level the legs and attach the benchtops.”
BeforeAfter
Bare brick walls throughout the villa were painted in Dulux Timeless Grey, and feature walls in wood paneling and wallpaper from Tim’s Anchorage collection with Sparkk Studio added, to break up the block look. “I’m not usually a fan of feature walls but in this case, it meant one less bare brick wall to deal with!” joked Tim.
“Colour and paint are always my biggest styling weapons. The villa is positioned to get sunlight most times of the day, on both sides – so it always feels light-filled. As such, I took a risk on a deeper wall colour. White furniture pieces, and painting out the dark door frames and doors in gloss white, contrast amazingly with this hue too.
“I also got the sparkie to replace the traditional batten lights in the ceiling with down lights in each room – a slightly higher expense, but instantly it modernised the property – taking it into the new century.”
BeforeAfter
Existing floor-to-ceiling storage was also cleverly disguised using wallpaper and paint. “The living area doors are covered with a wallpaper that looks like rustic grey wood – it has now become a talking point instead. In the bedroom, I opted to paint out the cupboards in the same colour as the walls throughout the villa, so they disappear into the background instead. For both, a simple change of handles to large-scale brushed steel ones, made them look like a new creation.”
BeforeAfter
Plantation shutters in the lounge room were another big expense but according to Tim they look a “million bucks” and were essential to create the feeling of a beachside haven – a theme that also plays out in the bedrooms. “In both bedrooms, I wanted to create a relaxing oasis – one for adults, and more of a wonderland for children. I achieved this with layers of mismatched linen in tactile fabrics, and cool tones. In fact, the first thing I bought when I had found out I got the property wasn’t the practical renovation items – but all the bed linens! They kind of set the tone for the entire look.
“The main bedroom is massive, so I was actually buying additional furniture like an occasional chair, and additional storage to fill the space. The furniture throughout mixes budget buys (vintage pieces with Fantastic Furniture for example) but I like to think the overall effect is far from budget looking.”
BeforeAfter
In the bathroom, a few low cost upgrades like new tapware and tiling over the existing floor tiles, completely transformed the space. “Removing the old shower screen and replacing it with an off-the-shelf glass panel was another smart choice. For the shower walls, I used waterproof sheeting that comes in a gloss Carrara marble look – so easy to clean, and didn’t have to bother about cut tiles. All of these items for the shower were a couple of hundred dollars each,” said Tim.
The renovation added an estimated $100,000 to the value of the property and has dramatically increased the villa’s rental return, much to Tim’s delight. “As a run-down rental it was lucky to bring in $200 a week, but as renovated boutique holiday accommodation I can ask around $2,000 a week in the high season – that’s a ten-fold increase!”
A relief, considering the renovation – at times – proved incredibly challenging for Tim who set a strict four-week deadline, managed all the trades (many of whom fell ill during the build) and lived on site. “About two thirds of the way through the process, I had a meltdown. I had been working so hard, around the clock, for weeks – but the end just didn’t seem to be in sight. However, something happened after that day – I must have turned a corner emotionally and found new energy, because after that, everything seemed like fast-forward and suddenly all came together perfectly. So, hang in there!”
BeforeAfter
Needless to say, Tim has now well and truly caught the reno bug, and after successfully completing the overhaul has this advice: “Manage the settlement period wisely. I knew this wasn’t the six weeks to kick back and relax! Instead, I ordered and paid deposits for all my furniture, and started stocking up on the materials and tools I needed. I tried to get three quotes for my trades and custom-made items during this time, but I can tell you now – contact three and you’ll be lucky to get one formal response. I considered if they had done that, they deserved being considered for the job.”
He admits he was was scared about buying into a strata property. “I had so many changes I wanted to make that actually needed everyone’s approval, I went into the first meeting with pages of requests, thinking they would shoot them all down – things like changing the screen doors from the retro 70’s grid style, to a modern security grill. In the end, they not only approved everything I wanted to do, but under strata some things – like the doors – were paid for!
“Another note on strata I didn’t realise — they may have different hours when you are allowed to make construction noise – reduced compared to normal residential allowed hours, so I worked out I was missing out on at least three hours of productivity a day, compared to if I was renovating a normal home.”
‘Benalta’ Holiday Villa Forster by stylist Tim Neve is available as a holiday rental – for weekends away or full vacations. Click here to book through Stayz. If you have a styling enquiry, contact Tim here.
We all know that a renovation well done is one of the most rewarding projects you can pull off, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. That’s why many people choose to leave it in the hands of experienced project managers, be it a licensed builder or a specialist kitchen or bathroom renovation company – if you’re doing those two important rooms.
These pros will manage and coordinate everything for you, so you can sit back and relax while they take charge of ordering in materials, organising trades, managing timelines, overseeing every stage of the renovation and ensuring all the boxes are ticked in terms of regulations and sign-off. And you’ll pay them a hefty premium for their troubles.
So if you want save serious money – and feel your have the skills and know-how to carry it off – then project managing your renovation effectively cuts out the middle man (or woman). But there are some key things to keep top of mind.
BeforeAfter
The first step is nailing your budget, followed by a detailed list of all the works you’re doing, and the precise sequence in which they need to be done. This avoids getting expensive tradies back every five minutes for unnecessary tasks they could have been done in one hit. That’s the quickest way to swallow up a budget and blow out your timelines. It also means you’ll have the right materials ordered in for your tradies – when they need them.
And, of course, you want to get at least three quotes for any major works.
Mapping out the tasks in the right order will highlight which trades you need when. For example, let’s look at the sequence of tasks that are typical for a kitchen renovation.
Strip out the kitchen so you’re back to a bare shell. You’ll need electrician and plumber to disconnect power points and water supply. And possibly a handyman for the demolition.
Wall and floor set-out (if you want to change or correct these in any way). This may require a carpenter or builder and perhaps even a structural engineer, if you’re taking out a supporting wall.
Plumbing and electrical rough-in. You’ll need this if you’re moving power points or changing around the plumbing. So back comes the sparkie and plumber.
Install the new kitchen cabinets (cabinetmarker or carpenter).
Install the benchtop (cabinetmaker or carpenter)
Install the splashback (generally glass or tiles, so you’ll need either the glass installer or tiler for this).
Install sink & appliances (you’ll need the plumber and sparkie back again).
Painting
As you can see, there’s a lot more to project managing a kitchen renovation than first meets the eye. If you’re not extremely organised and knowledgeable about what needs to be done when, you’ll have tradies waiting on work that hasn’t have been done and materials that haven’t arrived.
That’s why it’s so important that renovators invest time, and money if necessary, properly educating themselves about what is required. “Winging it” is the surest path to disaster.
–Cherie Barber is the director of Renovating for Profit, a company that teaches everyday people how to buy and renovate properties for a profit.
The Blue Space is revolutionising bathroom, kitchen and laundry retail with world-first Virtual Reality technology.
“We are changing the future of buying your bathroom, kitchen and laundry with our world-leading Situ Virtual Reality technology experience powered by HTC Vive,” says The Blue Space managing director, Josh Mammoliti.
The eCommerce retailer’s incredible Virtual Reality technology allows customers to design the space to replicate their own kitchen or bathroom, then see what an almost endless range of packages would actually look like.
It even shows real lighting and reflections, from the exact position of the sun as it moves through the day, to the accurate ambience of light fixtures. It is also dimensionally accurate, within 99.9 percent, to correctly display all the fixtures and fittings in your space.
All hardware and surfaces are also rendered in stunning real-life accuracy. “It simply takes the hassle out of shopping for a kitchen, bathroom or laundry,” Josh says.
“You can really see what each choice you make will look like in your house. You can ‘live in it’ before you buy. It helps with choice, saves time and reduces the risk of buying something you don’t actually like. And experiencing VR is lots of fun! It’s hard not to jump out of the shower if you turn the virtual water on!”
The Blue Space consultants can help you design your space in 3D and buy what you see online. Every premium bathroom, kitchen and laundry featured on The Blue Space can be purchased as a package and delivered straight to your door.
You can experience your space in Virtual Reality at any of The Blue Space showrooms near you or with your own Virtual Reality equipment at home.
“The Blue Space is changing the future of shopping for your next kitchen, bathroom or laundry,” Josh says.
A benchtop is much more than just a showpiece; it’s a place for socialising, for cooking, for sharing and for living. Taking the best of what natural stone has to offer in beauty and design, essastone has re-launched its sophisticated collection of durable stone surfaces that have been perfected for life – the way we really live it.
Made with up to 95 percent natural quartz, the new essastone range is more resilient than ever, meaning your benchtop can resist life’s wear and tear. Offering a stone solution that survives the spills and thrills of life, essastone’s key benefits include guarding against staining, scratching and citrus acid stains. It is also incredibly easy to clean, so it looks as good as the day you bought it.
The latest in interior design reveals the desire to achieve raw, natural looks, with a lot of texture. Veined decors are becoming increasingly popular as is the strong demand for concrete looks.
Reflecting emerging design trends, essastone is suitable for a range of surfaces throughout the home including benchtops, vanities and decorative features. Selected specifically for Australian interiors, the stunning new stone and concrete designs – ranging from classic European to modern industrial – will make an unforgettable impression in your next project.
essastone marketing manager Josh Woods, said the re-launch of the brand gives homeowners even more choice when it comes to creating long-lasting, stylish interiors for everyday use. “When we live well, our benchtops live well too and essastone is the perfect surface that’s made to handle it all. It’s there for three meals a day, every dinner party, every piece of homework, every snack and every unexpected occasion.
“At essastone, we celebrate life; not just the beautiful moments, but the mess and the spills too.”
essastone offers versatile designs that can be fabricated to make a variety of decorative solutions. The new range encompasses the following four collections across 31 design options, including Concrete Pezzato – the revolutionary new weathered finish, exclusive to essastone – adding style and sophistication to any space.
Elemental: a classic design palette that is both stylish and affordable with large sheets on offer
Luxe: a versatile collection of contemporary and popular designs
Vogue: a trend led collection featuring a sophisticated palette of décors and finishes
Evolve: a premium collection which showcases the latest in innovative décor designs
Patterned tiles and moody, dark cabinetry take centre stage in a spectacular renovation for a family of four in Melbourne’s south-east.
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“This kitchen blows me away. I love the warmth and interesting features in every corner of it. There is nothing in here that should go together but because we stuck to a monochromatic colour scheme it does!” said Carmel Dee, award-winning interior designer for Gia Renovations. “The original layout actually worked really well for the open plan space so we decided to keep that and add a butler’s pantry. The old kitchen was tired looking and just didn’t have any personality which looked out of place in a home which was otherwise full of life.”
Deluxe contemporary features ground the kitchen in the present, while the fixtures and cabinetry profile are a nod to traditional elements of the weatherboard home. “The homeowners’ style was unique in that they love texture, timbers and dark finishes,” said Carmel. “To keep some of the traditional elements alive I used a simple Shaker style door in white two pack finish as our base.”
The Shaker profile also features in the island bench, where natural light and the large marble benchtop help lighten the look of the dark cabinetry. “I adore the Lincoln Calacutta marble with its beautiful matte finish and the striking dark grey veins, which are set off by the cabinetry painted in Masala by Resene paints,” said Carmel. “Because the stone was marble we used a 2mm resin finish to protect it which I have been told works a treat!”
After
Because the kitchen doesn’t have pendant lights, Carmel decided to use two decorative splashback tiles. “The dark grey and white Jatana tile behind the black freestanding cooktop draws the eye to a feature point in the room,” said Carmel who opted for a white gloss fish scale tile for the main splashback to complement the wooden shelving. “The owner chose to match the grout to the wall paint colour so we used a very soft light grey which looks timeless,” she said.
Before laundryAfter laundry
The renovation took four weeks to complete, along with the new laundry and bathroom. “The owners asked for more storage space in the laundry while the bathroom was to be a space of relaxation and warmth,” said Carmel.
First up, please bear in mind that renovating your own home is very different to renovating for profit. When flipping a home, keeping costs down is usually high on the list of priorities but when you’re renovating a space to live in, it pays to splurge in some areas. You should enjoy your home and life is to be lived, right?
I have renovated many homes for myself over the years – read on to find out where I choose to splurge and where I prefer to save.
Image courtesy of Home Designing
The bedroom
While there’s no denying the bedroom is a sanctuary, it pays to be wise with where you spend your money. Personally, when renovating my own home, I prefer to splurge on the things that will remain for some time – window coverings, carpet and a great wardrobe fit-out are all musts for me. Put your money into those areas and spend less on furnishing the room – there are so many bargains to be had on the home furnishing front these days.
Image courtesy of Gia Renovations
The bathroom
When it comes to my bathroom, I think it’s important to splurge on vanities and a bath if it’s freestanding. I also think spending generously on task lighting is key (particularly if there’s a woman in the house!) and spending big on a feature tile is a good idea too – you usually only require a small amount. On the converse, you can save money on the remainder of your tile bill by selecting a simple white one for the majority of the space.
Tapware is another area in which you can save as there are so many amazing, well-priced, good-quality options around nowadays. Glazing is another key saving area – you can usually pick up a simple shower screen for a steal.
Image courtesy of Three Birds Renovations
The kitchen
As with the bathroom, I always splurge on lighting in the kitchen as task lighting is key when cooking. I also think it’s worth spending big on the splash back and benchtop as they are key to the overall look and feel of your kitchen. I always spend big on door handles too – if you have to have them, they need to be perfect!
When it comes to renovating savings in the kitchen, I think you can save on cabinetry as there are so many amazing, well-priced finishes available now. As with the bathroom, I feel you can save on tapware in the kitchen too.
The level of creativity displayed in the kitchens on this season of The Block from Freedom Kitchens has blown me away. Then, just when I thought I’d seen it all, the incredible kitchen from the challenge apartment was revealed. To me, it was worthy of a 10 – and my fellow judges agreed – scoring it a perfect 40/40!
This showstopper embodies an emerging trend from this year’s EuroCucina – New Heritage – where contemporary design celebrates heritage style, while incorporating touches of modern luxury.
There are so many standout features in this space, but the one that strikes you first is the stunning backlit Caesarstone Concetto White Quartz island bench. It’s suspended above the mirror kick – showcasing a monolith of backlit, glowing quartz.
The real beauty of this style of kitchen is the fusion between old and new. This approach is respectful to the heritage of The Block building, with features like the shaker-style doors and the rustic library ladder – giving the space the feeling of old world charm. However, the functional elements are strictly 21st century.
Embracing the new, the futuristic aspects of the kitchen create the perfect space for the modern cook. Top-of-the-range Bosch appliances, impressive features and everyday practicalities – like double ovens – give the kitchen an extra sense of functionality, while remaining high-end.
And when it comes to hosting, the generous Caesarstone benchtops, Bluetooth sound system, modern black palette and generous storage in both the kitchen and butler’s pantry make it the perfect match for the modern day entertainer.
Reno Addict feature writer Lauren Ellis visited The Block and created this video interview with Julia and Sasha about the kitchen.
Standout design features:
The matte black cabinetry makes a real statement and is right on trend
The shaker ‘Sierra’ profiles on the cabinetry add a heritage feel, while still being sleek and stylish
The use of mirror kickboards on the backlit Caesarstone Concetto White Quartz island bench creates the illusion of a floating, glowing box
Clever use of accessories – from the Bluetooth sound system to the walnut knife holder and spice racks – take the space to the next level for the modern entertainer
The storage space in this design is never-ending – from drawers and doors in the main kitchen to the open shelving of the butler’s pantry.
Featuring:
Cabinetry: Sierra Black Matt & Super Matt Black
Benchtops: Caesarstone Concetto White Quartz, London Grey & Vanilla Noir; and Noir Matt Nano Streamline
Renowned interior designer and television presenter Shaynna Blaze has taken on her biggest and most personal project yet in Deadline Design with Shaynna Blaze, an inspiring new renovation series on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel.
Image courtesy of Foxtel
For the very first time, Shaynna has invited viewers into her own creative world as a working interior designer, as each one-hour episode follows the journey of real life homeowners who employ her to renovate their spaces.
“Deadline Design with Shaynna Blaze is an exciting opportunity to bring Freedom Kitchens into the homes of all Australians and we’re proud to be a part of this series,” says Felicity Page of Freedom Kitchens. “We have enjoyed working with Shaynna and her team producing and delivering kitchens that meet the needs, budgets and timeframes of the homeowners.”
BeforeAfter
Wednesday night’s episode introduced us to Jennifer and Adam, whose weatherboard in Melbourne suburb Box Hill, is bursting at the seams. The couple have dreamed of a Scandinavian style kitchen that fits the needs of their family including three young children. Style, storage and functionality are key in their new space which they needed to complete before their youngest son’s first birthday party!
Boasting a classic Scandi palette of timber and grey tones, impressive pantry space, sleek design and a massive island benchtop in Raw Concrete from Caesarstone allowing for ample preparation space with a large overhang to seat the whole family; this kitchen ticks all the boxes.
For more information on Freedom Kitchens, or to arrange a free in home appointment with a professional kitchen designer click here or call 1800 113 733.
Designed by Art of Kitchens, photographed by Eliot Cohen
Homeowners in Australia are active home upgraders, according to the 2016 Houzz & Home report from Houzz, the world’s leading platform for home renovation and design. The study, of almost 14,000 respondents in Australia and over 229,000 respondents globally, revealed that more than half renovated their homes in 2015 (56%), with a similar portion reporting their plans to renovate in 2016 (49%).
Designed by Art of Kitchens, photographed by Eliot Cohen
Almost half of renovating Australian homeowners opt to take on a renovation instead of buying an already “perfect” home due to their desire to stay in their current home or lot (46%). A third choose the renovation route in order to remain in their current neighbourhood (33%), with 29% choosing renovation because it was a more affordable option. For Millennials, financial considerations are more top of mind – over a third cite affordability as the top reason for renovating versus buying (36%). When it comes to the triggers behind taking on a renovation project, finally having the time tops the list for Aussie renovators (35% of homeowners who renovated their primary homes in 2015), ahead of finally having the financial means (34%).
“As the largest survey of home renovation, decorating, and building activity published, Houzz & Home provides unprecedented insights into how homeowners are updating their homes,” said Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz. “Our 2016 findings uncover the factors behind what is driving so many Australian homeowners to renovate to create their ideal home rather than purchasing one that is ‘perfect’ as is, as well as how these factors differ by generation. Interestingly, while the generation of homeowners between the ages of 24 and 34 still comprise a small share of the homeownership population, we’re finding that they are quite active when it comes to home upgrades, and are eager to make their homes their own.”
Designed by Touch Interiors, photographed by Matt Craig
Popular projects
Homeowners are prioritising renovation and addition projects in their kitchens (26% and 6%, respectively), living/family room (25% and 7%, respectively), non-master bedrooms (20% and 4%, respectively) and master bathrooms (19% and 4%, respectively).
Updating an outdated or undesirable design/style is the top issue addressed in Aussie kitchens and bathrooms (44% and 49%, respectively). Old or outdated finishes is the top issue being addressed in other interior room renovations (38%).
Many homeowners are tackling home systems upgrades including plumbing (32%), electrical (31%) and cooling (19%).
For exterior upgrades, top projects include updates to paint (28%), gutters/drain pipes (22%) and decking (22%).
What budget?
One-third of renovating homeowners take on a renovation project without setting a budget (33%), and close to the same share exceed their established budget (27%). These figures are largely consistent across all age groups.
The top budget buster is the decision to opt for more upscale products and materials (44%), ahead of products/services being more costly than expected (42%) and the discovery of unexpected construction-related issues (33%).
Aussie homeowners on Houzz spent $68,300 on average in home improvements in 2015. Homeowners aged 35-54 drive home renovation spend ($80,300 on average), investing almost twice as much as Millennial homeowners in their home upgrades ($41,200 on average) and a fourth more than those aged 55+ ($57,500 on average).
When it comes to spending on kitchen renovations – the top home renovation project in 2015 – homeowners spent an average $31,000 on major renovations* of a large kitchen (more than 12 square metres), and $21,840 for major renovations of a small kitchen (less than 12 square metres).
In terms of bathrooms, homeowners spent an average of $16,440 on major renovations* of a large bathroom in 2015 (more than 5 square metres), and $14,770 for major renovations of a small bathroom (less than 5 square metres).
How did homeowners finance these projects? The majority of homeowners continue to use personal savings/finances to fund their renovations (78%), followed by cash from mortgage refinances(16%) and credit cards (14%).
A helping hand
Nine in ten homeowners renovate their homes with professional help (89%).
Professional hiring is popular across all generations of homeowners, although it is slightly higher among those age 55 and over (91%, vs. 89% for those 35-54 and 85% of those 25-34).
A third of homeowners who hire a professional for their renovations select a home builder (21%), while 14% hire a kitchen designer or renovator, and 13% hire a landscape contractor or gardener.
Top specialty trades include electricians (71%), plumbers (57%), and carpenters (40%).
The Houzz & Home survey
The annual Houzz & Home survey is the largest survey of residential renovation, building and decorating activity published. The survey covers a wide range of renovation projects in 2015, from interior renovations and additions to home systems, exterior upgrades and outdoor projects. Data gathered includes historical and planned spends, professional involvement, motivations and challenges behind building, renovation and decorating projects, as well as planned activities for 2016. The 2016 study includes more than 12,092 respondents in Australia and 229,541 respondents worldwide, providing insights into the home improvement activity of the more than 40 million monthly unique users of the Houzz site and mobile apps.
The Houzz & Home Survey was sent to registered users of Houzz and fielded in May-June 2016. The Farnsworth Group, an independent market research firm, conducted the survey.
*A major renovation at minimum replaces all cabinetry and appliances. Additions are not included in these numbers. Numbers include both DIY projects and those which used design or construction professionals.
The full Australian report is available online or to visit the Houzz website click here.
When taking a home to market, there’s no denying that the kitchen plays an integral role in a property’s appeal. The heart of the home (it is usually the most high-traffic area), its importance is (unfortunately) often reflected in its cost and a full replacement can be very expensive indeed. And while many kitchens can’t be brought back from the brink, it is amazing the difference small tweaks can make in modernising a kitchen for sale.
Image courtesy of Cantilever Interiors
Firstly, you must consider each kitchen element and ask yourself the following: Can you paint it? Cover it? Clean it? Re-finish it? Or is replacement your only option?
Handles/pulls
As with most kitchen design aspects, trends come and go and the same can be said for door handles and pulls, meaning fresh hardware is a great, simple way to update your kitchen. Obviously you need to consider where your existing holes are before purchasing new fittings, but a new set of classic stainless steel handles (or on-trend black or rose gold), can work wonders.
Splash back
The kitchen splash back is one of the easiest ways to tell the age of a kitchen – from tiles to toughened glass, textures and colours come and go on a trend basis. But it’s also an area that is fairly easy to change and, depending on your choice of material, it can inexpensive too. Tiles are usually the cheapest option but, regardless of what finish you choose, stick to neutral tones to appeal to the widest range of buyers.
Image courtesy of Design Tiles
Cupboard doors
Installing new cupboard fronts is a great way to update your kitchen, but you need to consider what your existing ones are made from. If they are made from timber they can be updated with paint however, if they are covered in vinyl wrap, they can’t be re-coated and will require complete replacement. Replacement is fairly easy if your doors are standard sizes – if they’re not, it becomes a much more expensive exercise.
Bench tops
Your kitchen bench top material plays a huge role in its overall aesthetic which is why replacing it can really refresh the space. A standard laminate is your most inexpensive option while stone is usually the costliest, but it is a timeless choice. Again, stick to neutral hues for the broadest appeal.
Lighting
Like any interior space, lighting is key and updating your kitchen’s lighting can make a huge difference to its feel. Think on-trend pendant lights over an island bench, or new task lighting – both can make a significant impact.
Image courtesy of Justine Hugh-Jones
Appliances
Old appliances can really date a kitchen which is why replacement is often a great idea. Stainless steel is a fairly fail-safe choice but integrated appliances are even better – they’re great for a streamlined look.
Windows
If your kitchen is short on natural light, it could be a good idea to have a window or two fitted but equally, if a window isn’t possible, a skylight is great idea too. Natural light can really lift a space.
Kitchen renovations can be notoriously expensive but by recycling and shopping around a savvy interior designer has overhauled her postwar family kitchen on a shoestring budget, with spectacular results.
“We reused the carcasses in the original kitchen and put a new benchtop and cupboard doors on,” says Corinne Bolton owner of Elm Interiors who transformed the kitchen for just $7,000 without appliances and fixtures. “All our appliances were ex-display so they came out of a showroom and the same with the kitchen sink, so I got that fairly cheap as well.”
BeforeAfter
White subway tiles for the kitchen splashback were sourced for $10 a square metre, while the three-point-six metre timber island, which adds warmth to the monochrome cabinetry, set Corinne back just $1,000. “I ordered the timber online from Brisbane Timber Benchtops. It came raw and we oiled the timber ourselves, so all that had to be done by the cabinet maker was cut the timber to size and snap it together. It was very cost effective.”
But the biggest bargain, according to the budget-conscious designer was the travertine floor tiles which cost just $50 a square metre. “I did a lot of shopping around and jumped on things when I could and we combined it with what we had. We reused as much as we could,” Corinne said.
BeforeAfter
The kitchen is just one part of a $200,000 renovation Corinne and her husband completed over two years, adding an estimated $425,000 to the value of their Balmoral home. “Being in the industry I could see the potential but it was tenanted with a large family so it was fairly poorly presented! We raised the house, added decks/terraces, reconfigured rooms upstairs to become all bedrooms/bathrooms/second living, added 2 bedrooms, added a full new ground floor connected to the garden with all new living spaces. We did as much as we could ourselves, assembled kitchen items, painted, sealed stone tiles but left the tricky things to those who were qualified!” said Corinne.
The renovation, which saw the old kitchen cabinetry reconfigured and moved from the upper level to downstairs, has flooded the home with natural light and made the layout much more family friendly. “The floor plan is just so liveable. We love the size of the kitchen, it’s huge! I love that all the messy stuff, like the sink and cooktop is on the back bench, so the island bench is completely clean but to do that successfully you need a really long back bench,” said Corinne.
BeforeAfter
To optimise storage Corinne installed drawers in all the repurposed cabinets except those under the kitchen sink. The base cabinets are a white laminate while the overhead black cabinetry is a gloss vinyl wrap which is easy to clean but does show fingerprints. “The texture of some laminates holds dirt, so it’s hard to have the perfect surface that’s completely maintenance free. I do like that it’s easy to wipe clean but the fingerprints are driving me a little crazy. Microfibre is your best friend!” said the mum of two.
As for the colour palette, Corinne went with her signature style of black, white and timber. “It gives you impact without doing anything that’s too trendy, so it’s staying in the neutral palette but still has impact. It’s something that will be punchy but not date.”
Corinne is the owner of design firm Elm Interiors. Get in touch here.
