Whether renovating or designing from scratch, it’s easy to get immersed in the fun part of the design process (colours, finishes etc!) when space planning is just as important. Improving the functionality and workflow of a space is key and this is especially the case in the kitchen. Part of a whole apartment renovation in Sydney’s Manly, this kitchen was overhauled recently with fabulous results.
BEFOREAFTER kitchen
Finishes aside, it’s the change in orientation that has made the biggest difference to this kitchen. “The old island bench has been rotated by 90 degrees and now sits perpendicular to the workspace. This has created an entirely new personality for the space and allows the owners to take advantage of the lovely views from the terrace beyond,” said David Bartlett, Art of Kitchens owner and head designer.
The island bench is the central focus of the design, oriented to allow the owners to fully enjoy the beautiful natural vista outside. “The island is perfectly balanced to provide enough space to be functional, but not so large that it becomes an impediment to good visual flow,” said David. A large overhang creates a casual meals area, and the tiled surface imparts a gorgeous retro feel.
The island bench features a lovely green feature tile
Located by the seaside, the main goals of the renovation were to enhance the owners’ lifestyle and create a connection with nature – this is mostly obviously seen through the colour scheme. “Reflecting the stunning landscape of the exterior, the colour scheme is a lovely balance of Dulux Bottle Green in a satin polyurethane finish together with a Carrara honed marble island benchtop and splashback,” says David. A stainless steel benchtop was chosen for the back run for added functionality and a sink has been fabricated into it for a seamless, hygienic finish.
The pantry area is fitted out with LED lighting as well as organisational elements to ensure everything that’s needed is close by and easy to find. A Blum oil drawer is helpfully located adjacent to the cooking zone for ease of access and storage space is maximised by taking the upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling and utilising a range of drawers under the benchtops.
“Of note is the casual breakfast/meals area behind the benchtop. A bench seat provides variable seating options while the playful striped upholstery reflects the main green of the kitchen cabinetry. The freestanding timber table has a shape reminiscent of a surfboard, further reflecting the beachside location of the apartment.”
Home to a young couple and their cat, this three-bedroom apartment in Sydney’s leafy Darling Point was renovated recently with interior designer Marylou Sobel at the helm. Responding to a ‘classic yet contemporary’ design brief, the result is a sophisticated, tranquil and luxurious home.
We love the hallway’s classic checkerboard floor.
“The home hadn’t been refurbished for more than 30 years so it needed updating. It was tired and lacked lustre,” says Marylou. Starting with the entrance hall and powder room, she persuaded the owners to use black and white tiles (Nero Marquina and Carrara marble) that complement the heritage of the home while providing consistency across the different spaces. “I love the entrance hall, it has wow factor, is classical and chic. Overall, the home feels current and yet like it’s always been this way,” says Marylou.
Kitchen
Previously a very small, galley-style kitchen positioned at the back of the family room, the home’s new kitchen is a high-spec entertainers’ delight complete with a bespoke eating nook. The redesign wasn’t easy though; space was taken from the nearby family room and the existing kitchen was turned into the pantry. “The kitchen is a wonderful space now; it’s well appointed, functional, sophisticated, and full of light. It’s a great space to cook, entertain and eat in,” says Marylou of the room that also cleverly incorporates a scullery laundry enclosed behind bifold doors.
Eating nook
In the dining room, an ethereal wallpaper is juxtaposed with a large, sculptural dining table while iron wall sconces further enhance the space. “They add an art-like feature to the walls and the television is tactfully hidden behind bespoke built-in cabinetry in the adjacent living room,” says Marylou.
Dining room
A TV is hidden behind custom cabinetry in the lounge room
The master bedroom is a combination of textures and a soft and calming palette, highlighted by an abundance of natural light. The neutral-toned master bathroom features a vanity with a double sink and a mosaic back wall.
Master bedroom
Bathroom
But unlike renovating a home, overhauling an apartment comes with a specific set of challenges – council approval and logistical hurdles just some of the things to consider. Not only did Marylou have to think about where the apartment was situated in the building, but also about how a renovation will impact neighbours regarding noise and dirt. “The common areas must be kept clean and free of obstacles and the use of the elevator may have a time stipulation. The inside of the elevator also needs to be protected and builders may need to crane machinery and supplies up to an apartment,” she says.
Lounge room
Challenges aside, the home’s owners adore their new abode. “They wanted a calming sanctuary to come home to after work and travel as well as a place to entertain family and friends with ease. The clients trusted us to transform their home and we thoroughly enjoyed working with them.”
Shortlisted in the House & Garden Top 50 rooms award in the “Best Use of Art” category, this art-filled heritage cottage is nestled in Sydney’s Neutral Bay. Inspired by the owner’s passion for Kit Kemp, the home has been renovated and extended and features plenty of fabulous art (obviously!) and playful pops of pink throughout.
Lounge room
“The client’s bravery and love for Kit Kemp inspired a lot of the design – her love for art also helped. The use of bright and bold colours and patterns has made this one of the most colourful projects I’ve worked on,” says architect Brooke Aitken who extended the home at the rear to provide a more spacious and user-friendly kitchen and dining while creating a connection to the rear garden.
Heritage listed, the original part of the semi-detached home remains the same. “The extension is at the rear and not visible from the street which gave us a little more leeway,” says Brooke who explains that one of the key renovation challenges was gaining approval for the works.
Bedroom
Bedroom
Providing visual relief from the rest of the colour-soaked home, the home’s kitchen is a clean, neutral space. Carrara marble bench tops are paired with white satin rhombus shaped tiles from Surface Studio. “There was already so much colour and texture in play. The white in the kitchen provided a clean base and ensures the spaces are bright which is much needed as the front of the house is lacking in a lot of natural light,” says Brooke.
The adjacent dining room was reimagined as a conduit between the existing garden and main house, set two steps below kitchen level with large steel doors flowing to the fresh entertaining deck. Art-filled, the dining nook is one of the home’s most gorgeous spaces.
Dining nook
The bathroom is another tranquil, neutral zone that complements the kitchen. “The bathroom design brief was for a simple, clean room flooded with light, so the colour and tone, finishes and detailing were all designed to work around this starting point,” says Brooke.
Bathroom
Brooke repurposed many of the owner’s existing items using paint and reupholstery to give them new life. “We spray painted the TV unit green and we reupholstered the dining chairs, living room occasional chairs and living room sofa which were all the client’s own,” says Brooke. One such item was the occasional chair that lives in the lounge room – covered in $4,000 worth of fabric, it was the biggest splurge of the project. “Our client works long hours, so we wanted to create a beautiful home that she can enjoy in her downtime.”
The reupholstered occasional chair and freshly painted green TV unit
A building to feature in Sydney Open 2022 *** Local Caption *** Original FileName : 43-30 - St James Church - The Children's Chapel in the crypt, beneath St James' Church, showing the 1929 murals by the Turramurra painters. - Chris Shain (Images for Business) - Image 1.jpg
Sydney Open, the city’s premier and much-loved open building weekend, returns this weekend on 5 and 6 November. Sydney Open 2022 unlocks the doors to more than 50 of the city’s important historic and architecturally inspiring buildings and spaces, many usually off limits to the public. The Sydney Open is the perfect way to rediscover the beauty and little known history of the city.
Distinct activities are held on each day of the weekend.
Roslyn Sharp House, interior, Sydney Open 2022 (c) Roslyn Sharp
Saturday 5 November, focus tours
The Focus Tours reveal some of the secrets and stories of Sydney’s best loved and most intriguing spaces. Held in smaller groups and led by expert guides, they offer a more personalised behind-the-scenes experience.
Explore Parramatta
Be one of the first to discover the spectacular new PHIVE building, a bold architectural statement redefining civic space in the heart of Parramatta, and learn about the history of the Female Factory, Female Orphan School and Our Lady of Mercy College.
First nations
Come and learn about the local Aboriginal history and culture of the Gadigal people on the Giba-Nura tour of The Rocks and explore the Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Heritage Campus, Australia’s oldest independent Indigenous education provider.
Tranby
Domestic bliss
Be inspired by a guided tour of Woodlands, the 19th-century house where Ethel Turner penned Seven little Australians, and take a rare glimpse inside Wirian, the home of the late artist Martin Sharp. Visit Lindesay in Darling Point for a rare chance to see the stunning Gothic Revival mansion by night, and marvel at the award-winning Cremorne Point Apartment on the other side of the harbour.
Maritime stories
Go behind the scenes of the Barangaroo Boat conservation project, which is conserving the oldest known colonial-built vessel in Australia, and venture to below-deck areas (never before seen by the public) of the Daring Class destroyer HMAS Vampire II at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Woodlands Killara
Sunday 6 November, city pass
The City Pass unlocks more than 25 buildings to visit at your own pace. Explore some of the newest and most innovative buildings in the CBD, including the new Quay Quarter Tower, an impressive example of adaptive reuse, and the Poly Centre in Circular Quay. Architects and experts will lead free drop-in talks and tours as part of your City Pass.
The Great Synagogue Sydney (c) James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Heritage gems
Visit the Official Residence and Office of the Governor of NSW,Government House, and the impressive early-20th-century Registrar General’s Building. The World UNESCO Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks is right next door, and across Hyde Park is the Anzac Memorial, one of Sydney’s most significant public monuments. Don’t miss out on seeing the beautiful series of early Australian stained glass panels at St John’s Church, home of the Genesian Theatre Company.
Returning favourites
Admire the stunning Beaux-Arts façade of 50 Martin Place, once the city’s most expensive building, then venture inside to see the award-winning modern workspace and striking steel-framed glass dome offering unique views of the city. Visit the ever popular Sydney Masonic Centre, the head quarters of the Freemasons and an icon of Brutalist architecture, and the majestic and stately Great Synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in Sydney. Tour the historic rooms of Sydney Trades Hall, the office and meeting place for NSW trade unionists from 1888.
St James Children’s Chapel, Sydney Open 2022 (c) Chris Shain
Whether you are interested in architecture, photography, learning more about our city or spending a great day with friends, there’s plenty to enjoy and discover at the Sydney Open 2022.
We’ve profiled interior designer Dylan Farrell before so when we heard he was selling his beautiful Sydney home we couldn’t wait to take a peek inside. Located on Paddington’s salubrious Hargrave Lane, the 19thcentury character home playfully mixes gothic archways with gelato hues and an impressive collection of furniture and artwork. The colourful abode is a complete and utter delight.
Lounge room
Originally built in the 1890s, the home was later renovated and expanded from its original cottage size into a larger family home. The renovation involved reclaiming architectural elements from a nearby church which now comprise some of the home’s most interesting details.
Lounge roomKitchen, dining & entry
Since Dylan and his wife Nicolette purchased the home four years ago they have made many improvements including turning a pre-existing second floor study into a private master suite with a balcony that overlooks the neighbourhood. The changes incorporated high-end tiles, carpets and accent hues.
“We played with bold yet tasteful colours to challenge what would be the typical Paddington playbook, but while still honouring the history of the building,” says Dylan.
The home has such lovely use of colour and art
And unlike many older homes, this one is filled with light, primarily due to its north-facing yard which allows light to stream into the rear. It’s the light and the home’s privacy that Dylan and Nicolette love the most about it.
Master bedroomBathroom
“The ample skylights at both the front and upper level allow for a summery feel year-round. It is rare to have a walled front entry and rear yard in Paddington, especially while on such a quiet laneway. We can leave the doors and windows open without generally worrying. It truly feels like an oasis.”
The courtyard features a beautiful wooden arch sourced from a nearby church
When Phillip Alphonse purchased this apartment inside a circa 1910 building in Sydney’s McMahons Point, it hadn’t been renovated in over 40 years save for a cheap bathroom makeover. The home had layout issues, three different floor surfaces, exposed pipes and electrical wiring and an unusable kitchen. But Phillip could see the potential in its beautiful 3.2 metre coffered and ornate ceilings and gorgeous harbour views.
“The apartment is surrounded by gum trees so it felt like somewhat of a treehouse which I liked. I knew I had stumbled on a really special space that was just crying out for attention,” says Phillip who set about renovating the apartment with his mother Vanessa Alphonse, an interior designer.
BEFORE lounge and dining
AFTER lounge and dining
Formerly a corporate lawyer, Phillip has made a COVID-inspired pivot to build an interior design career with his mother – the duo have set up AlphaMade, a design and build company focussed on luxury dwellings in Sydney and surrounds.
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
“Along with many people around Australia and the world, the COVID lockdown gave me some time to reflect on my life path at that point in time and made me confront the fact that the law wasn’t necessarily my true calling,” says Phillip who has always been fascinated by architecture and design. And while on the lookout for his first creative outlet, he thinks the apartment entered his life at just the right time.
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
“Mum and I have always shared a love for architecture and design and much of my tastes have been influenced by her. It only made sense after I purchased this rundown apartment that we would set out to renovate it together,” says Phillip.
The duo decided they wanted to turn the abode into a grand European inspired apartment with a contemporary Australian touch. The surrounding water and gum trees informed some of the design decisions including the use of timber and shades of green and blue. “The grandeur was infused into the home with mouldings, elaborate light fittings, chevron floors, ceiling roses and marble. Overall, I think we really hit the brief as the home is modern whilst retaining character and a quintessentially Australian feel.”
BEFORE lounge
AFTER lounge
And while a lot of money was spent on new timber floors, custom joinery and marble, Phillip feels that it’s the apartment’s Intrim mouldings that provided the greatest bang for buck. “The mouldings easily get the most compliments and, in my opinion, made the most impactful difference,” says Phillip. The effect of the new mouldings can be most keenly felt in the living room where full wall mouldings complement the existing coffered ceiling.
Mouldings were also integral in creating a secret door through which the apartment’s study is accessed. “The living room contains the entrance to the study and being able to conceal the study door also helped make the living room feel like the destination space, rather than an awkward walk-through room,” says Phillip.
The study is concealed by a secret door
BEFORE study
AFTER study
“The mouldings were the most inexpensive and time-efficient feature to purchase and install. They really gave the space the much-needed character that was lacking when I purchased the property.”
Like you, we are obsessed with before and afters and today’s is quite the beauty. Located in Sydney’s inner-city Darlinghurst, this glorious terrace home was in a dilapidated state when its former owners sought DA approval and began an extensive renovation that, due to a change in circumstances, they couldn’t complete. Seeing an opportunity, the next-door neighbours swooped in and finished the home’s transformation.
BEFORE lounge roomAFTER lounge room
“The current owners recognised the potential of the house and wanted to help finish what their neighbour had started. With development approval already in place, this meant they could commence work almost straight away. Living next door also meant they could stay close to the renovation and ensure it came together,” says BresicWhitney real estate agent Darren Pearce, who is managing the current sale of the home.
On the wider side for a terrace, the home has house-style proportions with two living spaces on the ground floor, as well as a substantial kitchen that flows into a private entertainer’s courtyard. Upstairs, the home features the clever use of skylights and large bespoke bedroom windows to maximise light while the home’s luxe materials palette includes travertine, Blackbutt timber flooring and natural stone.
BEFORE kitchenAFTER kitchen and dining
“Their vision from the start was for a home that would stand out in both form and function. While they wanted wow factor, they were adamant to do it subtly through design details and quality materials. I genuinely think it’s one of the best Sydney terrace renovations we’ve seen in a while,” says Darren.
BEFORE stairsAFTER stairs and dining
Interestingly, when the home was previously on the market, partially renovated, it didn’t deter potential buyers. Essentially a construction site, Darren took one group or individual through at a time and couldn’t access every part of the home through the sales period. But despite its half-finished status there were plenty of developers, investors and families all looking for an inner-city pad that they could personalise without doing the groundwork and building that a brand-new home requires.
“The biggest hurdle at times is helping inspire buyers who may be financially able but are lacking the passion and vision for such a large project. This emotional investment and desire to bring a home back to life is important,” says Darren who explains that the current owners, being familiar with the home before they bought it, were invested in helping finish what had been started.
BEFORE front elevationAFTER front elevation
“We continue to find that these types of homes, especially terraces, have strong appeal because they provide the opportunity for reinvention, transformation, and personalisation. This is a trend that’s only grown stronger since the pandemic too, as we now have a deeper appreciation for what ‘home’ means and living somewhere that we truly love and connect with.”
BEFORE rear of the propertyAFTER rear of the property
This home goes to auction on Saturday 12 November, 12.45pm and has a $2.4 million price guide.
When Jacques Cadry emigrated from Iran to Australia in 1951, and started his eponymous rug company Cadrys, he wasn’t to know that it would endure for generations. “I don’t think my father would have dreamt that he would be establishing a business that has been held for three generations and is now celebrating its 70thanniversary,” says Cadrys’ managing director Bob Cadry who now runs the business alongside his sons.
Bob Cadry
When Jacques set up the business in 1951 there was little awareness or exposure as to the quality or value of using Persian or oriental rugs in Australian homes. “He really had to pioneer the education and appreciation of hand knotted rugs to an audience that was unexposed. He was a man of great knowledge, integrity and patience and he made a lifelong commitment to educating Australians as to the value of these sorts of textiles,” says Bob.
A Cadrys rug ties the room together in this Mosman home
Over time, the business grew, and Jacques and his sons worked for many years with Australia’s leading department stores including Beard Watson & Co, Anthony Hordern & Sons, Georges and David Jones. The family would travel around the country to different department stores hosting exhibitions and events that would give the rugs context.
“My father developed strong relationships with people that allowed the business to grow. He would be proud that it’s now the oldest family business still trading in the Woollahra municipal council,” says Bob. And contrary to what you may think, while Cadrys rugs can fetch up to $250,000 per piece, the range starts at a very affordable $500. “A lot of people think that we are unaffordable but it’s one of the biggest misconceptions about our brand,” says Bob.
Cadrys’ contemporary rug range is one of its most popular
Originally, the Cadrys offering was comprised of beautiful, hand knotted, one-of-a-kind, rare and collectible rugs from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Morocco. A rug connoisseur, Jacques would source them through his extensive travels to far flung places and they fit into three broad types of weaving – ‘nomadic/tribal,’ ‘village’ and ‘city’ rugs. “The nomadic or tribal rugs are made using materials from their own flocks using portable looms. The designs are often folkloric, talismanic and feature simply symbols and no symmetry,” says Bob.
By contrast, ‘village’ rugs are created by people settled in villages who have access to a wider diversity of dye lots and yarns. “The patterns take on more symmetry though they are still angular and geometric,” says Bob. The ‘city’ style rugs are made on more sophisticated looms and while still hand-knotted, feature more intricate, floral patterns.
Around 20 years ago, the business expanded into the contemporary and custom rug market – a move that was triggered by a shift in taste by architects and designers who wanted specific colour palettes and sizes. “We looked into doing it for a long time but until we were able to produce them with no child labour and quality materials, we didn’t want to sell modern rugs,” says Bob. The Cadrys contemporary range is crafted using more expedient, hand-crafted methods and thus a more affordable price tag. The company also blind label produces a contemporary range for a wholesale company called Colourscope that develops product for retailers including Freedom and MCM house.
And as for many interiors businesses, COVID had a surprisingly positive impact on Cadrys. “People were captive in their homes and wanted to feather their nest and create a feeling of comfort, warmth and security. Rugs do that. They also had more more disposable income that they would have spent travelling,” says Bob. The brand’s busy online store and click and collect business was buttressed by a large stock holding. “We carry a lot of stock and that was helpful because people wanted instant gratification. We found everything to be popular from inexpensive jute rugs to elaborate antique rugs. From the decorative to the collectable,” says Bob.
Bob Cadry and his sons Jared (left) and Ari
As for the value in an investment rug, Bob is resolute. “A hand-knotted rug will last for a very long time. Even though the initial outlay may be more than a cheaper rug, they endure and will not end up in landfill. We see that with vintage rugs as we sell ones that are up to 70 years old. Once upon a time, everyone wanted things to look new but today, people have come to admire the well-worn. It creates a less precious feel as well; somewhat more mellow and understated.”
Cadrys is celebrating its 70-year anniversary with two major exhibitions; one at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum and one at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Like many women, it was motherhood that proved a turning point for Sydney furniture maker Katie Stafford. After a long career in advertising, where she made TV and radio commercials, it was the birth of her son that gave her pause. “Motherhood certainly puts life into perspective, and I stopped respecting what I was putting out into the world to be honest. I’ve always liked making things, but I wanted more than just a crafty side hustle,” says Katie who subsequently began exploring other options.
Katie Stafford in her Sydney workshop
After her husband suggested furniture making as a possible career path, Katie investigated studying and eventually settled on a three-year TAFE course that required a one day per week commitment. She was still working three days a week in advertising and looking after her son one day a week, so it was quite the juggle.
“I hadn’t ever picked up power tools, so it was daunting. Plus, at TAFE, it was a sea of 17-year-old boys and me wondering what on earth I was doing there. But I kept turning up and slowly it started to make sense, and slowly I started to love it.”
After finishing the course, she went on to work for the furniture company Mr & Mrs White and it was at this time that she decided to quit advertising all together. “Working for Mr & Mrs White was a really good training ground, but it was a lot of pressure too as their furniture isn’t cheap,” says Katie who lasted eight months before a company restructure encouraged her to go out on her own. After securing a workshop space in Brookvale, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Katie launched Girl & Grain and has been working on furniture commissions ever since.
A recent furniture commission
Creating only solid timber furniture, mostly in American Oak and American Walnut, Katie’s customers are drawn to her minimalist aesthetic. “I like very soft curves and I like the materials to speak for themselves. I guess I aim for beauty and simplicity but simple doesn’t mean easy – my designs are thoughtful and considered.”
A beautiful stool crafted by Katie
An organic extension of the business, Katie recently launched workshops and “make and mingle” classes for women. “Furniture making is very male dominated and I don’t know any other women that do what I do so it’s nice to throw the doors open and welcome women into the space,” says Katie, who has found the experience to be very fulfilling in both a personal and business sense.
One of Girl & Grain’s popular workshops
“With COVID, everyone is hungry for connection. Women think they’re coming to a woodworking class, but they leave with a connection to themselves and one other. I thought I was just offering woodworking classes too but I’m getting so much out of it.”
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With housing affordability a major issue for most Australians, many people are choosing to downsize or think outside the box when it comes to their living arrangements. Located in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, and designed and built by Futureflip, today’s story is a lovely example of the latter.
With sky-high property prices in Sydney, sisters Alexandra and Gemma began exploring the idea of duplex living with both having families of their own to house. Not only did joining forces increase their buying power but they both realised that a duplex living arrangement was an opportunity to create family memories together while living side by side.
Kitchen
Following council refusal of a design by an alternative designer, the sisters approached Futureflip with a brief to create two four-bedroom family homes with a contemporary box-modern façade and pools on either side. Armed with a relatively modest budget, the sisters were able to create their forever homes with all the modern conveniences as well as high ceilings and oversized windows to ensure they were light-filled too.
Kitchen, dining and lounge room
“The block was challenging to maximise the land to its full potential. We had a tight build size of 374 square metres with a significant downward slope that faced into the western sun. The incline presented us with both design and engineering challenges as we had to consider the driveway grade and building height restrictions,” says Futureflip director Neil Hipwell who considered elevating the duplex but abandoned that idea due to cost and a potential reduction in privacy.
Three types of James Hardie external cladding were used on the outside of the homes (Fine Texture Cladding, Linea weatherboards and Axon cladding) and uniform paint was used to create cohesion.
Bathroom
Bathroom
“Clients like Alexandra and Gemma are a perfect example of how communities and families can stay together; they are encouraging designers to think outside the box and consider architectural solutions that can make this happen. If the last few years has taught us anything, spending time with family is invaluable and, in this case, a sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”
When interior designer Liz Hayward purchased this Sydney home five years ago, she had a long-term plan in mind. “This is our forever home but we’ve only done a partial renovation so far. We’ve been making changes in bite-sized chunks,” says Liz of the circa 1921 Roseville home that she shares with her husband and two children.
BEFORE diningAFTER lounge and dining. Interior designer Liz Hayward in her refreshed home.
First up, Liz upgraded the bathroom which was replete with dated tiles and shower over a tiny bathtub as well as a low ceiling. “Being six foot tall I couldn’t even get my head under the shower rose,” says Liz who presumes the previous owners reduced the ceiling height as an energy saving measure.
Completely gutted, the room now features fresh white tiles, a much higher ceiling and skylight, double vanity, and v-groove panelling on the walls. “The new 12- foot ceilings and a skylight made a huge difference to the look and feel in the space,” says Liz.
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom. The cupboards are painted in Dulux Tranquil Retreat and the mirrors are from Middle of Nowhere.
With a larger renovation planned for several years’ time, Liz decided to carry out a partial update on the kitchen to tide the family over. She started by knocking down a dividing wall (between the kitchen and lounge room) to make the spaces flow and so that she could keep an eye on her children while cooking. “We kept the kitchen cabinetry the same – used the carcasses but replaced the fronts and benchtop. Making the kitchen all-white, people think it’s all brand new.”
BEFORE kitchenAFTER kitchen
Nearby, a variety of family-friendly selections make the lounge room a very comfortable place to be. The sofas feature washable slipcovers, the rug is an indoor/outdoor design from Dash & Albert, the white occasional chairs are upholstered in wipeable, vegan leather and the marble coffee table can be easily wiped down. “Clever choices with the finishes make the lounge room really family-friendly,” says Liz.
BEFORE lounge room
AFTER lounge room
AFTER master bedroom
Outside, the home’s Greek inspired columns were replaced with timber banisters and the front door’s brown 70s era glass was replaced with beautiful leadlight. “I love the front door and veranda and bringing back the heritage style to it. I try and highlight heritage features in all the projects I work on. Some try to modernise them but I like to focus on them and make them a feature.”
AFTER Hallway and front door
AFTER Liz’ daughter’s room features a bedhead and wallpaper from Etsy
With consumers increasingly concerned about their eco-footprint it makes sense that we’re seeing more and more enviro-focussed interiors companies arise. And the latest one to enter the market is the furniture maker E9 Design which has just opened its first showroom in Sydney’s Alexandria.
“I wanted to create a furniture company and manufacturing process where environmental responsibility was built in from the start – to create products than were born green – rather than trying to re-engineer existing or traditional methods,” says founder Steven Higgs who has had a long career in the Australian furniture industry.
Flux modular sofa
After two years of research and development, Steven and his team have created a novel furniture manufacturing process that is evidenced in the brand’s debut range of modular lounges. Made from 97% recyclable materials, the sofas are made in Sydney and are designed to be truly recyclable when the time comes to move them on – by not permanently fixing together ‘unlike’ materials, each sofa’s components are easily dismantled and can be sorted for recycling down the line.
“But I wanted to create beautiful and comfortable furniture also; furniture that simply ‘works’ as you really need it to, that makes things a little bit easier, and that fits our Australian spaces and lifestyles. Plus, you can feel good, because you know that it isn’t going to end up it landfill.”
Eclipse modular sofa
The E9 Design manufacturing process uses digital technology to precision cut a steel frame from a single length of steel and form it into complex shapes. Further, each sofa has a unique seating system that utilises steel springs, high resilience, comfortable foams and tailored, removable covers. The unique manufacturing system allows for the creation of almost any shape while minimising material wastage and facilitating efficient customisation.
Locus modular sofa
“With designers, architects and design enthusiasts looking to create a unique look and a perfect fit for their spaces, our system means that we can respond quickly and efficiently. For example, if you love our Ethos Plus sofa, but you’d like the length to be 100mm longer than the standard sizing, and want a different height leg, we can do that. And your sofa won’t travel the world and take six months to a year to get to you.”
Practical yet beautiful crittall doors draw the eye in the lounge room
Renovated over an eight-year period, this Sydney family home, which backs onto beautiful bushland, was originally built in the 1970s. Purchased by artist Daniela Minns and her husband in 2014, the couple worked on the Lindfield house in three stages – first up they landscaped the garden, then they updated the exterior of the house and finally they tackled the interior. “Unfortunately we started the inside on day one of Sydney’s lockdown last year. We had to move to my parent’s house with our three children as we weren’t allowed to live in the home and have trades visit,” says Daniela. Talk about a spanner in the proverbial from day one!
BEFORE front elevation
AFTER front elevation
But the effort was well worth it with the couple turning the home from a dated 70s pad into a modern, clean-lined family home. “Apart from modernising the home it backs onto the bush, and we wanted to maximise the impact of that. We can now can see the garden from many areas inside the home,” says Daniela.
BEFORE gardenAFTER garden
Much of the original home was reconfigured – the kitchen and dining room were flipped so that the kitchen opens to the garden and a large wall was removed from the middle of the house. It was replaced with a gorgeous crittall style sliding glass door. “We lived in Amsterdam for a couple of years and it’s a design we saw used there. We love it because it allows full light through the rooms, but we can still partition the spaces when required,” says Daniela. This means that when Daniela’s children have friends visit, they can watch TV while the adults converse in the adjacent dining room. And when the family are hosting bigger events, the rooms can be joined to accommodate larger gatherings. Genius!
AFTER Practical yet beautiful crittall doors draw the eye in the lounge room
“Overall, I’d say that we wanted to make the home a bit cleaner and more contemporary while still being realistic about having three kids and a dog,” says Daniela who also had the original ceiling raised by 20 centimetres to create large gallery style walls to hang her colourful artworks on.
AFTER Daniela’s artworks adorn the walls of the home
The kitchen is another one of the home’s most impactful features – the large kitchen island benchtop is crafted from Calacatta Monet marble which features soft sage green and soft purple veining through it. “Choosing the benchtop material was very hard as there are so many options. But I did discover that, when it comes to price, marble is similar to composite stone but it just costs more to install,” says Daniela.
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen. A large picture window affords the room beautiful garden views.
Other notable materials include the apricot-coloured Italian terrazzo in the bathrooms and the green sink in the powder room. “In the end, my favourite things in the home are the things I went a little bit braver on. In hindsight I wish I’d taken a few more risks but we’re still really happy with the result.”
As we’ve seen many times over the last few years, the trickle-down effects of the pandemic are many and varied. One of many people to have undergone a COVID-induced career pivot, Sydney high school teacher Sabina Contreras decided to put her interior design diploma to excellent use by starting her own renovation business. Passionate travellers, Sabina and her husband Andy decided that Sydney’s lockdown period was the right time to start renovating homes – something they had longed to do.
BEFORE front of the homeAFTER front of the home
But the COVID effect didn’t stop there as the couple channelled their collective wanderlust into the overhaul of this 1960’s Baulkham Hills home, turning it into a modern Cape Cod inspired family abode over a 12-month period. “We love travelling so it’s important that our projects have that ‘holiday at home’ feeling. A lot of people have told us that this home feels like a resort and I truly believe that beautiful interiors are a wonderful way of elevating your mood,” says Sabina who juggles renovating with part-time teaching work whilst parenting the couple’s two young sons.
BEFORE kitchenAFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen
Built in the late 1960’s, the original house was the first display home in Baulkham Hills – it had only had one owner prior to Sabina and Andy buying the property. “It was in original condition and felt like a time warp. The kitchen could have been from The Brady Bunch and there was lots of shaggy carpet and yellow and green wallpaper,” says Sabina who had an entirely different vision for the home. Inspired by her travels to New England, she set about creating a modern take on a traditional Cape Cod house – the home’s fireplace the most obvious homage.
AFTER lounge room
AFTER lounge room
“The large stone fireplace is the highlight of the home, and the Samsung Frame TV looks really great within it it,” says Sabina. The home’s other standout materials include light oak and Moroccan Zellige tiles – Sabina used an authentic handmade one as well as a more affordable one. “I honestly couldn’t tell the difference though because the cheaper ones are made to look handmade,” says Sabina.
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
Upstairs, Sabina saw the home’s original dormer windows as a design challenge but what was wasted space in each room is now extra storage. “We put upholstered seats and storage under each window. The rooms have nice light, so they are great spots to curl up and read,” says Sabina who worked hard to install as much storage as possible throughout the renovation – she believes that storage is key to making a home feel calmer. “It makes life so much easier when everything has its place,” says Sabina.
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
Another nod to Cape Cod design, the alfresco features exposed beams and a high-pitched roof as well as stone pavers. “The pavers look like they could be really old, and we laid them traditionally as I wanted the home to remain true and didn’t want to modernise it completely,” says Sabina.
AFTER alfresco
As for the challenges experienced throughout the project – renovating during an extended COVID lockdown proved the most difficult part. “A lot of people thought we were crazy tackling this during COVID and we’d just had a baby. But I’m so glad that I stuck to it. My best advice would be that if one trade says ‘no’ then try someone else. There is always a way.”
In an industry dominated by men, the female property developer is a bit of a rarity which is why we were interested to hear about Charlie Pachula of Charlie’s Interiors. With a background in construction, Sydney based Charlie not only renovates and builds homes, but she fully furnishes them with ethically sourced, sustainable products before they hit the market.
Charlie’s recent Kingsford development which is now her family home
Charlie’s interest in sustainability was first piqued in 2007 after the birth of her first child – becoming a mother awakened her to the value in living more in tune with the environment and adopting a ‘whole life cycle’ approach to her business and life.
“Ultimately it was a trip to Northern India, where I immersed myself in manufacturing, visiting cottage industry manufacturers and artisans in small villages, that I came back to Australia with the idea of designing, developing and furnishing considered luxury family homes incorporating sustainable materials and design, and ethically sourced furniture and homewares,” says Charlie Pachula.
Charlie’s Kingsford development
Her first foray into property development was a fully furnished four-bedroom home in Kingsford that features an array of eco-friendly features such as eco decking, passive windows and recycled, insulated external wall cladding. But after furnishing it with individually sourced artisan furnishings and homewares, Charlie couldn’t bring herself to sell it and decided to turn it into her family home.
Kingsford kitchen
Currently on the market, Charlie’s latest development is located just 300 metres from Maroubra Beach, and it showcases the same eco-friendly approach as her Kingsford home. With three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, two living areas, a dining room, and a designer kitchen, the property features striking jet-black wood floors and lofty, cathedral ceilings.
Maroubra kitchen
Original art works from Jai Vasicek and Johnny K, Papaya linen sofas, marble and wood side tables, artisanal Italian ceramics, a hand-crafted wooden statue and Brazilian crystal pendant lights are just some of the home’s eclectic highlights.
Maroubra lounge room
Where possible, the furniture, homewares and artwork featured in both properties have been sourced from cottage industry manufacturers, local craft makers and artisans in Australia and abroad; from village weavers in the Italian hills to roadside potters in the Indian lowlands. The overall aesthetic has a bit of a world-traveller vibe and, if you’re keen on it you can purchase Charlie’s wares online or from her Maboubra bricks and mortar store.
When Sandeep Rawal left India for Australia in 1995, he intended to study economics at university, but the universe had different plans. Alongside his studies he set up a company in Sydney called SNB Stone through which he started importing natural stone from India (a country renowned for the beauty of its granites).
Slabs of beautiful natural stone in the Sydney warehouse
Eventually Sandeep was so busy with the company that he began importing stone from Italy, Brazil, Greece and Turkey and gave up on his studies to pursue the business full time. This year SNB Stone celebrates an incredible 27 years in business.
Sandeep in an Italian quarry for Calacatta Oro marble
“With the help of a great team and family support, SNB Stone is now renowned in the market as pioneers in offering unique and quality natural stone and engineered porcelain slabs to architects, interior designers, stonemasons, builders, developers and homeowners,” says Sandeep’s wife Amrita Rawal who is a director at SNB Stone as well as a qualified interior designer.
She is involved in the day to day running of the business alongside Sandeep, and while it started off in Sydney, it now has showrooms in Brisbane and Melbourne too. Much to their delight, their two sons have started to get involved in the business alongside their university studies, bringing a fresh perspective.
Natural stone slabs
Long prized for its natural beauty, natural stone is timeless, durable and comes without the health concerns of its man-made counterparts. “Overall though, we’re finding stone is becoming more and more popular because people are attracted to its natural and long lasting qualities,” says Amrita who cites Carrara, Calacatta, Super White Dolomite and Chambord Grey as among the most popular stone choices.
SNB Stone featured in this project by Alexander & Co. Image: Anson SmartSNB Stone Galaxy Silver marble features in this bathroom by Nathan Gornall Design
Many of Australia’s top interior designers and architects choose their stone for impressive projects, meaning Sandeep and Amrita are often lucky enough to get to see the finished product in magazine spreads!
SNB Stone featured in this project by Alexander & Co. Image: Anson Smart
At $400-to-$2,000 per square metre, natural stone is obviously not within everyone’s reach which is why SNB Stone also sells a range of large porcelain slabs. “Strong and hard wearing, porcelain can look like natural stone but doesn’t carry the price tag. Porcelain slabs are a good option for people that want the look of marble with an affordable price range of $300 to $550 per square metre,” says Sandeep.
SNB’s porcelain rangeSandeep and Amrita Rawal with their two sons
And after almost 30 years in business, Sandeep is keen to stress how integral their employees have been to the business’ success. “Some of our staff have been with us for 15 years now and many for more than 10. All of them have contributed so much.”
Newcastle based Horton & Co. Design used SNB Stone’s Namibian White granite in this kitchen
Located in Sydney’s Hills District, this family home was renovated and extended recently with interior designer Robyn Hawke of Inspired Spaces at the helm. “The house is home to a family of five with teenage kids. They loved the area, community and location and this renovation and extension resulted in their forever home,” she says.
The project included a complete overhaul of the entry, bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, living and dining room and a new extension has created substantially more liveable space. The extended part of the home has resulted in a larger kitchen with butler’s pantry, more oversized bedrooms, a mud room, an enclosed indoor/outdoor entertaining area and larger garage.
BEFORE loungeAFTER lounge
Street appeal Hugely impactful, the home’s dated exterior was completely overhauled using render to replace dated brown bricks. New windows and doors helped to amplify the street appeal too. “Due to the nature of the block, we couldn’t extend the living areas to the rear,” says Robyn who, in an unusual but necessary move, made the home wider instead.
BEFORE front elevationAFTER What a face lift! The renovated home is significantly wider.
The entry was modernised with new engineered timber flooring, a new front door, timber cladding on the wall and new lighting. A clean colour palette of blues and neutrals offsets the warm timber details.
BEFORE entry
AFTER entry
Kitchen The original kitchen was dated and lacked storage – it was difficult to keep decluttered and it was quite an inefficient space overall. “With the focus on lifestyle and entertaining, the new Hamptons inspired kitchen has a large island with ample storage,” says Robyn who also added an expansive butler’s pantry. The extra kitchen space has a separate sink, drawers and shelves that run to the ceiling. “As a result, the kitchen presents tidily, hiding the dirty dishes in the pantry away from view.”
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchenAFTER Butler’s pantry
Dining/living Previously two separate spaces, the dining and living rooms were opened up for a much more modern feel. “We removed the wall between the existing dining and living and were able to create an open and airy space,” says Robyn who reused the room’s white bookcases and dining room table post-makeover.
“We don’t believe in clearing the home of existing furniture or other items that mean something to the client. Here we have reused the white bookcases and dining suite,” says Robyn.
BEFORE living/diningAFTER dining
Bathrooms When it came to the home’s bathrooms, there simply weren’t enough of them. “The distinct lack of bathrooms was a major concern so two extra ensuites and a main bathroom were configured into the floor plan. These are perfect for a growing family and offer privacy for the parents,” says Robyn.
The home’s reconfigured floorplan allowed for an ensuite to be added to the master bedroom. Additionally, the second bathroom is now unrecognisable with its new monochrome scheme that includes hexagonal tiles alongside a black bath and matching tapware.
If there’s been a silver lining to the pandemic, it’s the increased focus on Australian made products. Suffice to say, the appetite for locally made product has never been greater and it’s what inspired the launch of Studio xox – a boutique bathroom ware store located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs that has an online presence too.
Studio xox
After a few years sourcing products from overseas, Studio xox founder Jonathan Tsoupis decided to look local when curating a line-up of bathroom products to sell through the studio and through the brand’s online store.
Recognising that manufacturing in Australia has some of the toughest conditions – wages, policies and materials – the business is hoping to shine some light on this by working exclusively with Australian suppliers, giving them a platform and a community focussing on quality craftsmanship, exclusivity and sustainability.
The store has a unique selection of bathroom wares
Leading the Australian made product line-up is Nood Co who is celebrated for its bright, bold and adventurous colour profiles. The store has a large display of Nood Co wares giving customers the opportunity to see the colours firsthand as well as feel the product.
A gorgeous wall of Nood Co basins
Faucet Strommen is another locally made product stocked at the studio – its solar-powered factory in rural Victoria produces lead-free eco brass and is a leader in tapware. From utilising new materials like lead free eco™ brass to building superior products, Faucet Strommen is an industry leader for Australian tap ware according to Studio xox.
Melbourne’s Concrete Collective specialises in customisable glass-fibre reinforced concrete and its range is available at the store. Concrete Collective has perfected the formula for highly durable yet lightweight concrete benchtops and the range includes concrete pedestals, integrated vanity tops and wall hung vanities. It’s not available anywhere else outside the studio.
Lindsey Wherrett Ceramics are available too – handcrafted in Tasmania by Lindsey herself, each piece is highly sought after.
As for the studio itself, it was launched out of a desire to give customers an inspiring, immersive experience. Designed by Mia Lake Interiors, the gorgeous Sydney studio space is light and bright and inspired by the neutral and coastal influences of the Mediterranean.
To really understand a product, Studio xox feels that customers need to have the opportunity to experience it in-situ, where they can look, touch, and feel the product in its entirety. The range is inspired by a deep passion for what Australia can produce.
