Tag: stone

Categories
Designers Homewares

Greg Natale’s luxe new accessories line goes on sale

Greg Natale shell accessories

Three years in the making, Greg Natale has just released his debut collection of luxury accessories and decorative objets and while the range is on the pricey side, it is absolutely gorgeous. Fashioned by hand, the pieces have that luxe, masculine feel that we’ve come to associate with Greg and are divided into three categories – stone (there’s lots of statement veined marble and travertine), dyed pen shell and solid, polished, lacquered brass.

Greg Natale accessories

“In my interior design work we are always on the hunt for new, beautiful and interesting accessories. Sometimes when you can’t find what you’re looking for you just have to roll up your sleeves and create it yourself!” says Greg.

Greg Natale accessories

With a luxe art deco feel, the 50-piece range features boxes, catchalls, vases, decorative accents, trays, bookends and bowls. “I have spent years searching for the right materials and artisans from right around the world. These designs are treasures I hope people will adopt as heirlooms and that they bring as much joy to you as they do me.”

Greg Natale accessories

Stone
Hand-carved, the stone collection features dramatic black and white Nero Marquina marble – a variety that is having a moment right now. The overall look is quite graphic, the pieces feel quite heavy and there’s earthy travertine in the mix too. Some of the stone designs feature gleaming brass detailing.

Greg Natale marble accessories

Brass
The collection’s brass offering is comprised of three decorative bowls made from solid cast brass that is hand polished and lacquered to preserve its shine. There’s also a cutlery range that is available in silver, gold and gunmetal finishes.

Greg Natale brass accessories

Greg Natale brass cutlery

Shell
Comprised of five elegant boxes, all made from dyed shell and crafted by hand, the shell range features deco-inspired motifs in black, white and tiger pen dyed shell. There’s a range of sizes and shapes for myriad storage and styling options.

Greg Natale shell accessories

Prices start from $285.

Shop online

See inside Greg Natale’s uber glam office

How to arrange cushions by Greg Natale

Categories
Kitchens RENO ADDICT Shopping

Cosentino launch first granite surface in Australia and add new colours to XGloss line

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.

sensa-black-beauty-ambiente

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.

sensa-glacial-blue-detalle

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.

sensa-orinoco-ambiente

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.

Scalea

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.

sensa-indian-black-ambiente

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.

cs_ice-blue_det

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-detalle

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.

sensa-bianco-antico-ambiente

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.

Dekton XGLOSS Composition

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

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

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.

NATURAL Collection

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.

Dekton Kitchen - Fiord - Glacier - xgloss

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.

For more information.

Categories
Expert Tips Kitchens RENO ADDICT

How to: Choose a kitchen splash back

Image courtesy of Victoria Colour Glass

There was a time when there were very few options when it came to kitchen splash backs. Thankfully we’re no longer living in that era and if anything, we’re absolutely spoilt with fabulous choice. From mirror, to stone, tiles, glass or even window, there are so many great splash back options that have the power to propel your kitchen from drab to fab.

Image courtesy of Victoria Colour Glass
Image courtesy of Victoria Colour Glass

Mirror

A mirrored splash back can look fabulous and it doesn’t have to be super shiny like bathroom mirrors. In fact, there are some lovely smoky grey ones that have a subtler, mirrored finish. But given that mirror doesn’t add texture, colour of movement to a space you have to have a good reason to use it.

One excellent justification is if you want to highlight a beautiful view. Your kitchen splash back may be opposite a beautiful garden or amazing ocean view, or something else that you want to reflect. Another reason to use a mirror is to maximise a feeling of space. If your kitchen is on the diminutive side, a mirrored splash back can really open it up.

Just remember to be mindful of checking Australian standards with respect to the type of mirror you need to install as not all mirror works behind a hot plate – some will crack and shatter when they get hot.

Window

Using a window as a splash back is such a beautiful idea as it’s such an amazing way of connecting the inside of our homes with nature. Obviously this only works if you have the back side of your kitchen running along an external wall of your home and you must make sure there’s something to look at. If, for instance, the view is simply that of a Colorbond fence, you might want to reconsider installing a window If you are set on it though you could mount external art or an artificial or real green wall onto the fence – both options will make it much more attractive to look at.

But, like mirror, it’s really important that you check the Australian standards when it comes to glass – it can also shatter when it overheats.

Image courtesy of Impala Kitchens
Image courtesy of Impala Kitchens

Stone

People often discount stone as a splash back option because they think it will be too expensive. But not only are there some very affordable stone varieties on the market, the installation cost is less than tiles as there is no grouting required and the process doesn’t take as long.

Furthermore, if you’ve selected a stone bench top you will have to purchase an entire slab meaning may have a leftover piece. Slab dimensions vary, but generally they are 2400mm x 1200mm which means you might be able to get your splash back out of just one slab, making it a really affordable option.

Aside from being super easy to clean and heat-proof, stone splash backs have no grout lines and thus provide a beautiful, seamless look.

Coloured glass

My least favourite splash back option, while there are some great colour choices I think it is a rather clinical look. But there are a couple of exceptions in my mind – a glass splash back can look fabulous inside an uber modern home and I don’t mind black glass in the right spot.

Image courtesy of Ikea
Image courtesy of Ikea

Tiles

My favourite splash back option, tiles can bring so much texture and life into a kitchen. From the lovely movement and texture of a little mosaic tile to a timber-look variant, large format tiles or an on-trend patterned option, tiles can be amazing in a kitchen.

There are some things to consider though. If you want a really clean-edged finish you need to select a rectified tile for a nice, square edge and talk to your tiler about having really thin, almost imperceptible, grout lines. Some tiles are so well made and straight that you can forget the traditional grout joint entirely and simply have the tiles butt up against one another with a very thin line of sealant between then. This is a more specialised option though and will depend on your tiles and tiler’s experience.

And if you’re concerned about grout and the absorption of food stains from cooking, there are some amazing grouts around that are minimally porous too.

Laminate

If you have a really tight budget and you don’t have a cooktop in front of your splash back (and thus no heat issues) you could consider an amazing laminate or board product – from timber-look to metallics, there are some ultra-cool finishes out there.

–Naomi Findlay is one of our resident experts, principal of Silk Home and founder of the International Institute of Home Staging. 

Read all her articles for Reno Addict.

Categories
Kitchens RENO ADDICT

The latest trends in kitchen benchtops for 2016

Ruba Jaajaa, colour expert and showroom manager for Cosentino, shares the following tips…

1. Blue is the new black

Blue hues will replace the traditional use of black for a bolder and warmer look in the home. Black tones can often look harsh and overpower other colours, whereas blue is the perfect complement to any space without compromising depth or style. It’s a new look that is both chic and daring!

Trend 2

2. Matte finishes are a must-have

Matte finishes lend a stylish feel to any space, offering a modern edge that will add greater interest to the overall style.  You can add a subtle, elegant touch to your home with Silestone® Suede finish, a unique matte texture, perfect for modern designs. Suede is available in more than 30 colours across Cosentino’s signature Silestone® range. From the celestial, cool tones of Lyra,to the earthy hues of  Blanco Capri!

Trend 2 Suede (second option)

3. Nature knows

Nature-inspired design has become a popular part of home styling, which will only grow in 2016. Incorporating natural,warm, earthy tones of the beautiful Dekton Sirius and Keranium worktop is a perfect example of how to bring a contemporary nature feel into your home!

Trend 3

Photo Credit: The Japanese Kitchen Studio

4. Traditional goes modern  

Don’t feel that you need to remove those traditional favourites from your space, instead try and give  them with a modern twist! Take inspiration from winning couple on this season of The Block, Shay and Dean, who updated the Scandinavian look in their apartment to make it a crowd favourite! The couple used contrasting benchtops in Blanco Orion on the island and Cemento Spa with a suede finish.

Trend 4Photo Credit: The Good Guys Kitchens

5. New neutrals

Neutrals are a key component of creating a comfortable and sophisticated atmosphere in your home. In 2016 neutral trends will continue to grow, highlighting the beauty of muted hues that offer a timeless look. Tones such as Makai from Cosentino’s Dekton Spring Colour range, complement a neutral palette perfectly!

Trend 5

Categories
Expert Tips Interviews

The woman travelling in search of the world’s best stone

From being served goose tongue in frog’s blood(!) in Xiamen, China to being driven between quarries in Turkey at terrifying speeds on black ice, Angie Squires definitely has an interesting job.

Angie Squires Denizili Emek Quarry Turkey

As the chief stone sales and product manager for Beaumont Tiles, Angie is responsible for sourcing and importing beautiful natural stone to 100 plus stores nationwide. Travelling to outback quarries three-to-four times a year, she is constantly on the search for the world’s best and latest stone products to bring to Australian homes.

“At Beaumont we have a great knowledge of the type of colours, textures and veins that Australians love and that truly complement our lifestyle,” explains Angie. “Carrara marble from Italy is a favourite. Our limestones from Portugal and China have the most beautiful milky lustre. We know Australians really love a moody bathroom and our stunning Chinese basalts can be used throughout a room. And as for the pool and outdoor entertaining areas, we’ve got some stunning travertines from Turkey.”

Travertine
Travertine

Tasked with the job of making sure the stone quarries are using only the highest quality of machinery, for many supplies, Angie is the first women they’ve ever worked with! “I’m generally a confident and friendly person and although there can be an initial reluctance, it’s soon overcome. Being a women – and tall, blonde and knowledgeable – has in some ways made me quite memorable!”

Angie Squires India

However, dealing with the stone quarries isn’t the biggest hurdle, rather, it is the challenge of getting the products safely to Australia. “We do it very carefully by ship,” says Angie. “It’s a product Mother Nature has had a heavy hand in making and our goal is to treat it with kid gloves so it can be admired by us mere mortals for many years to come.”

Basalt
Basalt

With the stone Angie has sourced being used across Australia (from Hobart to Darwin) in both residential and commercial applications; versatile and noteworthy installations include Adelaide University, a prestigious Whale Beach home and a popular Sydney shopping centre.

Proof that natural stone can be used absolutely everywhere, Angie has a lot of tips for those considering using it in their homes. “Stone is just as friendly indoor as out, the trick is to choose the right stone and finish for your chosen area. Sandstone is best used underfoot outdoors due to its texture but is stunning indoors in niche spaces like a fireplace or feature wall. Granites come in black and greys, are economical and have quite an industrial feel. Basalts are stone chameleons where the finish will dictate its end appeal. And limestone is a softer and more muted stone that transcends all styles and seasons.”

Limestone
Limestone

For more information.

Categories
Bathrooms Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT Shopping

Designer stone now comes in many shades of show-stopping grey

Gioia Quartz

When it comes to interiors, I love grey! And it seems I’m not the only one, with Quantum Quartz adding six new Shades of Grey stone bench tops to their Natural Quartz Collection.

Gioia Quartz
Gioia Quartz

Perfect for adding a splash of beautiful grey to your kitchen or bathroom, Shades of Grey engineered stone contains more than 93% natural quartz, one of nature’s strongest minerals.

Ardesia Quartz
Ardesia Quartz

Stylish, low-maintenance and ultra hygienic, they are also non-porous, heat and stain repellant and highly resistant to scratching, acids and oils. So really it’s no wonder they come with a 10-year warranty!

Pietra Serena Quartz
Pietra Serena Quartz

Quantum Quartz’ beautiful grey hues are inspired by nature – from the whisper soft, marbled grey of Statuario Quartz to the smoky Gris Fuma shade – there’s a Quantum Quartz’ Shades of Grey choice for every interior palette.

Statuario Quartz
Statuario Quartz

For more information.

Categories
Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to choose the right floor with Alisa & Lysandra

You can update your home with paint and you can change or add to your furniture as often as you please, but flooring is something that is unlikely to change in your home for years or decades to come, so making the right decision at the start of your renovation should be high on the agenda. In the hierarchy of questions around your interior flooring, you need to consider the following:

Alisa and Lysandra square
Alisa and Lysandra

How much can you spend?

In any build or renovation, budget is important, but investing a few extra dollars on the right flooring is worthwhile. Do your sums, and if dollars are tight, consider cutting costs from other areas of your renovation or build; you will not regret it.

Will it stay or will it go?

Are you likely to keep this property or sell it after a few years? If you’re renovating for investment purposes you can afford to choose more mainstream and cost-effective flooring options. If you’re likely to sell later on, we still recommend you invest in good flooring that will not age or feel the effects of use and foot traffic in the meantime.

What look and feel appeals to you?

This is the part where you need to make an emotional connection with your floor. Yes, you read that correctly. How do you want to feel when you wake up in the morning? Picture yourself walking barefoot and most importantly picture your home in winter. For instance, how will it feel walking on timber floorboards as opposed to tiles? Then consider your decor and architecture; make a choice of at least two types of flooring and create a mood board – it will instantly highlight which option compliments both your decor and layout.

Does your chosen look and feel meet the demands of your lifestyle?

Whilst the idea of carpeting your entire home feels warm and cosy, it’s not likely to be the best option especially if you have children and pets. Consider how much foot traffic your home is likely to receive over the years and the activities that will take place in your space. Are you big on entertaining? Frequent dinner parties and get togethers can easily damage floors that are prone to scratching or breakage. If you are renovating for investment purposes, you will need to consider the exact same questions because chances are that at sale time your buyer will be too.

Image: Choices Flooring
Image: Choices Flooring

Will you love it in years to come?

We’ve transformed a number of homes where the owners were quick to point out that their flooring was impractical, the wrong colour and in may cases they’ve referred to it as cringe worthy! Remember that your floor will need to seamlessly accommodate your styling choices for years to come. For this reason it is important to pay particular attention to the hues and colours available to you and make the right textural and colour choices from the start.

From our experience with home renovations, we’ve come to love four types of flooring, and with the exception of bathrooms, there is no surprise that tiles did not make an appearance on our list!

  1. Hardwoods

Still one of the most popular flooring options, hardwoods or solid timber floorboards will add warmth, softness and an ageless appeal to a home. If you’re renovating an older home you may already have good quality timber floorboards laying dormant and covered under lino or carpet; and with a good sand and polish they can come up looking beautifully, saving you thousands of dollars. Solid timber floors are easy to maintain, they are generally sound proof and can be extremely durable if sealed well. If budget allows, consider Royal Oak for its gorgeous ash shades and soft contemporary feel.

  1. Polished concrete

The popular myth that polished concrete only suits modern homes is now long gone, and for good reason. Polished concrete is extremely durable, incredibly easy to maintain, and will survive through high traffic without looking worn. Sure, some may argue that it feels relatively cold, but this can be counteracted with the use of seasonal carpet or rugs. We love it because it’s highly versatile and the colour options are endless!

  1. Stone

Natural stone flooring is a more eclectic style of flooring due to its high cost and lack of uniformity. It will not suit all homes or budgets, but it will make a statement in your home particularly if you want your floor to be the main feature. Even though it’s not our most frequent choice we love that it is natural and no one piece is the same, giving you a one-of-a-kind look and feel.

  1. Carpet

Whilst we don’t recommend carpeting the entire home, we do like the warmth of carpets in key areas such as bedrooms and sitting rooms. Wool carpet is strong, feels pleasant and is fairly resilient. We love natural fibres and for this reason we also recommend sisal and jute which will suit most contemporary-classic decors.

Image: Choices Flooring
Image: Choices Flooring

Your choice of floor has the capacity to make or break your renovation especially if you’re considering a quick sale. Make sure you don’t rush the process and remember to create and work with a mood board.

Read all the twins’ posts.

Categories
Interviews

The man providing stone to Sydney’s most lavish interiors

Sake Restaurant

It’s hard to imagine someone who knows more about stone than Paul Nahon. As the director of Sydney’s WorldStone Solutions, he’s the go-to guy if you want anything from the finest Italian white marble to his personal favourite, Basaltina (and everything in between).

Paul
Paul

He’s worked with the likes of Hare + Klein and Greg Natale and imported the stone for such jobs as Canberra airport, Double Bay’s Sake restaurant (designed by Melissa Collison) and high-end homes. “Right now, we’re doing a house in North Sydney. It’s over six levels and has four-metre-high ceilings. It’s almost 1,500 square metres of stone — to put that in perspective a big house is around 500 square metres — they’ve gone large and extravagant! We also had a beautiful project in Cremorne that had a four-storey feature wall. The stone in itself was not exotic, but the size, the dimensions and the parameters were.”

Sake Restaurant
Purple veined marble at Sake Restaurant imported by Paul. Interior design by Melissa Collison. Image courtesy of the restaurant.
Savoy Marble and Bluestone
Savoy Marble and Bluestone

Favouring durable natural stone over its engineered counterparts (“You’ll get sick of the colour or your house before natural stone gets damaged!”), Paul provides high quality products sourced predominantly from Central Europe and China. “I have to admit if I had the choice, I’d sell you a product from Italy! I have a passion for Italy. I think the Italians’ industrial processes are amazing. They understand stone because they’ve been doing it for so long.”

Screen Shot 2015-03-19 at 1.26.30 pm
Limestone

Having been in the industry for 13 years, Paul is the perfect person to ask about the upcoming trends. “There is still a very strong grey, white, monotone, non-busy requirement. The muted colours are what sell. Some architects are asking for very different statement stones, but that’s more for an accent; say a feature wall or a splashback in the kitchen. Also very popular – and I myself am a big fan – is stone being mixed with other elements, so natural stone in conjunction with timber or porcelain.”

Bluestone HNA HK - 152 Hastings Pde - 16-10-2013_0284
Bluestone

Believing stone can be used anywhere in the home, Paul has seen it cover entire homes or just living areas, patios, swimming pools and driveways. And while he gets excited about seeing the finished product installed, for him, the real magic happens in the earlier stages. “It’s a really risky business the stone business, as you’re dealing with nature. What the earth gives you is what it gives you and when your orders get quarried and delivered, there’s nothing I can do about it or you can do about it. You’re relying on a certain element of good fortune and then you’re relying on your suppliers. There are big risks, but that said, huge rewards.”

For more information.

Categories
Bathrooms Furniture

Kelly Hoppen’s bathware for apaiser launches in Australia

British interior design icon Kelly Hoppen has collaborated with leading Australian brand, apaiser, on a gorgeous new collection of Japanese-inspired, handcrafted stone bathware.

Kelly Hoppen by apaiser Origami range_lifestyle shot
Origami

Effortlessly elegant and with apaiser’s celebrated organic feel and sculptural lines, the range includes designs such as the Harmony, which resembles the petals of a lotus flower, the Origami, that was inspired by the intricate Japanese art and the Bande, which was originally based on the Obi, a sash used in traditional Japanese dress.

Kelly Hoppen by apaiser Bande range_lifestyle shot
Bande

Formulated with optimum performance in mind and using reclaimed sustainable marble as its core, each apaiser bathware piece has a minimal impact on the environment, yet does not compromise on quality.

Harmony
Harmony

Inspired by the East, where the act of bathing is a ceremony, the beautifully simple designs combine clean lines, complementary symmetry and neutral tones, resulting in the perfect harmony.

The range launched in Australia this week.

For more information.

Categories
Design Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

Using stone in your home: 5 options and how to maintain them

Aussies have well and truly discovered the beauty and durability of natural stone and it’s now being seen everywhere from the bathroom to the balcony. But with so many options on the market, the process of choosing the right stone for your home can be a little daunting.

Screen Shot 2015-02-17 at 7.58.25 am

So we have founder and owner of Prestige Surfaces, Matt Nash, here to advise. Being raised to appreciate the care required in cleaning natural and manmade surfaces by his father and grandfather — each of whom had small cleaning businesses — in 2010, he decided to open up his own company. Specialising in cleaning, sealing and protecting precious stone materials, Prestige Surfaces have a range of high-profile clients including chef Shannon Bennett from Vue de Monde, and The Block. 

Below are Matt’s top five stone options for the home:

  1. BLUESTONE (BASALT)

Commonly found in facades and flooring, bluestone is one of Australia’s most popular choices. Once treated with premium grade breathable sealants, bluestone is elegant, durable, timeless and easy to clean. Always choose a sawn cut bluestone for external flooring and honed or polished for internal use. Never use sealants that claim to darken the colour because these products can cause irreversible damage to the stone.

  1. TRAVERTINE

A form of limestone, travertine is a natural, earthy stone, popular in paving or indoor flooring for its light colour and motley texture. Available in a variety of finishes, travertine is relatively easy to maintain after it has been treated with premium grade breathable sealants. Travertine will not usually withstand acids so may mark slightly if it is used in areas where food and beverages are prepared or consumed. Travertine is becoming increasingly popular in modern bathrooms.

Screen Shot 2015-02-17 at 7.55.49 am

  1. MARBLE

Many luxury homes include stunning marble features such as benches, bathrooms or flooring. Marble is not resistant to acids so yearly maintenance will ensure your marble surface has adequate protection.

  1. GRANITE

Best used for outdoor paving, granite is very hard-wearing and resistant to salt so is perfect for pool paving and coastal properties. Flamed granite is particularly popular outdoors. Inside, honed or polished granite can often be found in bench tops.

  1. SANDSTONE

A soft, sedimentary rock, sandstone is not resistant to salts and contact will cause it to break down. Quality sealants penetrate deep within the material and completely inhibit corrosion, so correctly treated, sandstone can be used around swimming pools and in coastal areas. Sandstone can be difficult to clean when used inside so is best used for outdoor paving and facades.

For more information visit Prestige Surfaces.

Categories
Bathrooms Designers Homewares Kitchens

Greg Natale’s stunning tile range for Teranova

Interior designer Greg Natale’s new range of tiles for Teranova are jaw-droppingly beautiful, are they not?

08

Known for his use of tiles to add detail, warmth and drama, bringing rooms to life, it’s fitting that Greg now has his very own range. It is his first collaboration with Sydney-based Teranova, who produce a range of beautiful tiles and stones for indoor and outdoor spaces, in materials such as cement, ceramic, glass, stone, marble and timber.

05

10

The designs reflect Greg’s trademark bold use of pattern and colour, particularly his flair for repeated patterns, and this range of cement tiles epitomises that. “It’s a natural progression for me,” explains Greg, who was inspired by the Italian tiles of his heritage. “This range celebrates the resurgence of patterned tiles in interior design. Contemporary or classic, clean-lined or richly detailed, there’s something here for everyone.”

07
Greg Natale

There are four designs in the range:

  • Optical – warm, bold and intricate, with detailed graphic lines;
  • Triangle – sharp, bright and energetic, a proportional play on pattern;
  • Circle – clean, serene and simple, blending organics with graphics;
  • Hexagon – delicate, playful and light, a softer choice.

Triangle and Circle suit contemporary designs, and the individual tiles can be shifted for various effects. Optical and Hexagon suit more classic spaces. The current colourways are based on strong, appealing monochromes to work with most spaces, but custom colouring is also available.

03

02

No longer are tiles strictly for bathrooms or kitchens – from laid-back living areas to casual dining spaces, from entire floors to borders, walls and highlights, whole houses can be transformed and living spaces enlivened.

Winner of Interior Designer of the Year at the 2014 and 2011 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards, Greg wrote his first book, The Tailored Interior, last year.

Categories
Bathrooms Design RENO ADDICT Shopping

8 distinctive designs for the modern bathroom

The perfect furnishing solution for the modern bathroom, Italian brand Modulnova have created eight distinctive designs that can be customised in terms of components, materials, finishes and textures.

reno addict Modulnova Surf Fresco bathroom:van:storage

the nest 45 reno addict

Combining contemporary design with bold functionality and beautiful manmade and natural materials, the Modulnova range features an array of standout finishes. These include cement resin that emulates concrete yet is smooth to the touch; Kerlite, a ceramic material more durable than stone and lighter than aluminum; natural timbers; bold veneers; and the strikingly grand Piasentina stone. Each finish displays beautiful tonal variations in a palette of natural hues.

nest 45 reno addict

Key to the look is the perception of space, with sleek wall cabinetry and sliding or lift-up doors; complex integrated storage to reduce visual clutter; and drawers and doors that are completely handleless.

Modulnova Infinity bathroom:piasentina stone:oxidised oak:bath:2 reno addict

Modulnova is one of the brands under The Nest 45 umbrella – a new approach to innovative Italian furniture design for the kitchen, bathroom, living and bedroom. Visit their website.

Categories
Interiors Addict

The latest tile and stone trends from Coverings 2014

Dara Shashoua reports on the latest trends in tiles and stone from Coverings 2014 in Las Vegas.

Recently, I was very lucky to be able to attend Coverings 2014, the American tile and stone show. Oh, and I should also add that it was held in Las Vegas. The design elements used in Vegas could be a story all on their own! There were a lot of trends that I noticed that were still very strong in this huge international marketplace and some of these have only just begun to surface in our relatively small market in Australia.

Pattern

Whether it was mixes of multiple patterns, or simple repeated patterns, they were everywhere. Usually based upon a 200 x 200mm tile, they were made from either porcelain, ceramic or concrete. However, the methods used for creating these patterns could not have been more different. There was laser printing from the Brazilians, encaustics from the Mexicans and amazing concrete-like lantern shapes from the Italians.

Coverings 2014 pattern

Texture

Very similar to pattern, but these tiles were reminiscent of pressed tin in their appearance. There were also lots of 3D tiles that you just had to touch. Texture is now used in a lot commercial applications such as hospitality and corporate fit-outs.

Coverings 2014 Texture

Metallics

Shiny objects! Who doesn’t love something shiny and shimmery? As the technology within glazes is improved, we have seen a lot more metallic finishes being applied to textural ceramics. Mirrors are also becoming a lot more popular for their faceted reflective properties. Whether it’s a subtle sheen or a gold infill in a semi precious stone slab, metallics are here to stay.

Coverings 2014 metallics

In conclusion, there are so many wonderful finishes you can achieve by using tiles, mosaics and stone. Why not think out of the box a little more? Instead of wallpaper or paint, use a textured tile. After all, it’s easy to clean and will never fade. Want a piece of art? Try hanging a slab of an stone instead. Texture and pattern are definitely making a comeback, especially in regards to homes that have a design element to them. Don’t be afraid of colour or texture.

— Natural stone and design specialist Dara, recently opened her beautiful first showroom, Byzantine Design, in Melbourne’s Prahran.

027-_MEL0949-Web

Categories
Homewares

Have You Met Miss Jones launch biggest range yet

Have You Met Miss Jones (HYMMJ) is a force to be reckoned with. Opening back in 2006, the homewares brand has gone from strength to strength ever since.

have you met miss jone 5

Today, it launched its biggest range yet, featuring over 650 products that span from bowls to wall art to lighting. Famous for its vintage style and use of white bone china, this year’s range has expanded to include a modern geometric influence as well as featuring new materials.

Have you met miss jones 5

“We have pushed the bone china into a different direction this season with some more streamlined, contemporary designs,” explains creative director Jennifer Sampson. “We are exploring brand new mediums in coloured porcelain, stone and earthenware with exciting new glaze techniques we haven’t used before.”

These new glazes focus on an Australiania chic theme, with rich indigo and oceanic blues being a feature; a watercolor theme is also a prominent aspect of the range.

Have you met miss jones 2

But with such a large collection, even if blues and watercolor aren’t your thing, you are bound to find something that meets your aesthetic. “So many looks can be derived from all our collections,” says Jennifer. “We like to cater to different tastes and make updating your interior effortless and fun – we do all the hard work for you!”

have you met miss jones 6

For HYMMJ, it is all about striving to maintain an accessible aesthetic, creating unique and affordable designs that can lift your interior, and as Jennifer sums it up: “We simply wouldn’t put our name on a design we wouldn’t own.” Her favourite would have to be the geometric ceramic wall art (below), a novel idea that allows the owner to play designer at home.

Have you met miss jones

“You receive six triangular pieces in a box and can hang them however you like on your wall, we hope people embrace the idea and run with it. It’s called our DNA chain and customers can collect several sets and form unique wall art, tailored to their needs and space.”

Shop online.

Categories
Bathrooms Expert Tips Kitchens

A guide to using natural stone in your home

Tumbled marble used in a bathroom

By Dara Shashoua

My name is Dara Shashoua and I am addicted to stone. There. I said it. It’s true, I cannot think of a more exquisite surface to be used in your home. Truly. Every floor is unique; you are installing an actual piece of history on your floor or wall. With so many companies importing stone these days, the price and range that is on offer makes stone a lot more affordable so it can be enjoyed by many more people.

A chic bathroom using tumbled products
A chic bathroom using tumbled products

I started in the natural stone and tile industry 13 years ago, when 20x20cm tiles and decorative borders were the fashion for bathrooms; thankfully that has all changed, and quite quickly. I remember the first time we had travertine come into the showroom, I was in love! It was a beautiful cappuccino colour, featuring a beige base with taupe tones running through it. Soon afterwards we had marble, granite and finally, limestones, arrive in the showroom.

Continue reading “A guide to using natural stone in your home”