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Expert Tips Kitchens Reno Trends

Make a statement with your splashback: the main options

The kitchen is a major focal point in any home, and with countless design and style choices for you to make – from the cabinetry, benchtops to the appliances and fixtures, the splashback should not be forgotten. There is a bounty of colours and materials on offer for your splashback which can add a level of sophistication and focal point to every kitchen.

Jen’s Caesarstone splash in her kitchen. Image: Jacqui Turk

But how do you decide what to splash on for your splashback?

Below, Heidi Schwieters, senior interior design consultant at Henley, shares her splashback insights and what is catching her eye in 2021.

Tiling it

From sleek subway tile, head-turning hand chiselled Moroccan tile to eye-catching patterned tile, these choices evoke a range of emotions and reactions from the subtle to the loud and proud. With tiles, you can either select a tile that blends in with the cabinetry or choose a tile that will make the kitchen pop. Think about not only what takes your fancy today but what has timeless appeal. I absolutely love the Kit-kat-shaped mosaic tiles with their modern and unique look.  They really add to the kitchen’s dramatic style which I adore. And you can also use grout to play on the tile effect and pattern.

The panache of porcelain

For the ultimate in sophistication, why not consider the impressive extra-large porcelain panel tiles. This splashback choice has an air of opulence to it that is stunning to look at and easy to care for, and as an added bonus there is no need for grout. These panels have a magnificent marble or concrete look, which will complement your cabinetry and will sit perfectly with any choice of colours and kitchen styles. With this panelling, the splashback becomes one of the standout features of the kitchen so you can pare back on other features to allow it to shine.

The real deal

Another splashback material hot on-trend is solid stone. With dozens of choices on offer, this is obviously an extravagant option for your kitchen. At Henely we have many clients who opt to have their Caesarstone benchtop’s match the splashback, creating this dazzling symmetry that is polished and refined.

Going glass

With glass, you can be as bold or as subtle as you wish, showcasing your personality or use the colouring to be the backdrop to other showstoppers in the kitchen. Glass selections eliminate grout which is another huge bonus, for the cleaning aspect. At Henley Design, our current favourite Glass splashbacks are Grey Pebble and Grey Reflection, both are beautiful and are subtle grey beige colours. Leaning themselves to the grey family as well as fitting effortlessly into warmer colour palettes. With Glass splashback we love to find colours that complement the scheme, enabling us to focus and draw the eye to our hero pieces such as the Caesarstone benchtops and laminex cabinetry.

The wonder of a window splashback

Window splashbacks are a simple yet stunning choice that allows natural light to seep throughout the home, bringing the outdoors inside. Being able to look at your outdoor area, with lots of greenery while your cook is such a simple delight that you won’t take for granted.

Henley is one of Australia’s leading home builders and has built over 50,000 homes Australia-wide including VIC, QLD, NSW and SA.

All images other than the top one via Henley.

Categories
Designers Furniture

Copper obsession unleashes fabulous, unique business idea

It was while renovating her own home, and frustrated with the lack of kitchen splash back options, that Copper by Design’s Amanda Halfpenny decided to launch a business based around the reddish-orange metal. From raw copper to orange or turquoise patinas, we love the different finishes that can be created.

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Amanda’s own kitchen featuring her handmade copper splash back

“My work with copper started with our own renovation a couple of years ago, when we were working with a designer who suggested a glass splash back.  It wasn’t until we started choosing cabinetry, benchtops, and fittings that I realised our kitchen could end up looking like everyone else’s, which I didn’t want,” says Amanda, who became fixated on the idea of a copper splash back instead. “I started researching everything about copper, and how to ‘force’ patina.  I had a piece of copper cut to size and started playing around with it and after several weeks, we lacquered it and installed it. It was a fairly simple process upon reflection.”

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Lovely copper bathroom detail

An overwhelmingly positive response ensued, Amanda’s business idea was born and she added some homewares to her offering shortly after. “I began to make small side tables, Lazy Susans and the Cu Tray, which has been shortlisted for the 2016 Australian Contemporary Emerging Design Awards,” says Amanda, who is based in Perth.

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Side table – we love the turquoise patina

The process whereby Amanda ‘forces’ the copper’s patina is an interesting one. “Patinas, or verdigris, are the thin layers that form upon copper when the surface comes into contact with atmospheric conditions. The patina acts as a band-aid, protecting the copper from corrosion and decay, whilst simultaneously strengthening the metal. Different environments form differing patinas. From the colours of the hues, to the speed of patination, this is all dependent on the chemicals interacting with the copper,” says Amanda. The bespoke possibilities are obviously endless.

Amanda’s Cu Living Wall

“We have created a unique and distinctive patination process from the ground up. Using nothing but old-fashioned methods and organic, sustainable, ethical and recyclable products we can, in effect, accelerate time, and cater bespoke colour patterns to any custom request. With an eye on design, each piece is a unique labour of love – no two pieces are alike and each piece is a character with its own story to tell,” says Amanda.

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The Cu Tray

“Our business is heavily based on custom work and we love nothing more that meeting with people who want to bring copper into their space and together we make it work.  A good example of this is the Cu Living Wall project with landscape design company SolScapes.  These are walls that actually breathe – they are living walls!” says Amanda.

Check out Copper by Design here.