Part of a contemporary new build located in North West Sydney, this kitchen caught our eye this week – the combination of deep blue joinery, traditional stone and warm oak make for quite the luxurious statement. “My client asked us to deliver a classic, yet contemporary space with a nod to European luxury,” says interior designer and vice president of the KBDi Awards, Gavin Hepper.
We love a large show-stopping kitchen island
Family life is central to the home’s inhabitants – the kitchen was designed to be durable and functional to accommodate a large extended family. “Stepping into this light filled space from the entry, you are immediately struck by the scale of the dramatic over-sized island that defines the heart of the home,” says Gavin. Special design features include a specific ‘morning zone’ which sits inside the adjoining butler’s pantry – it’s where the family prepare coffee and juices.
Butler’s pantry
Layout aside, it’s the metallic accents combined with the natural textures and colour in the stone and timber that bring warmth and connection to the raw concrete architecture of the surrounding home. Neolith sintered stone, in Calacatta Gold, features in the kitchen – it was used throughout the home and appears around the fireplace and on the bathroom floors and walls too.
Traditional oak cupboard fronts highlight the gold veining in the Calacutta stone and provide further warmth against the surrounding concrete. Custom fluted panels, in a bespoke shade of blue, adorn the front of the substantial island bench. A bespoke pendant light hangs above – it was custom coated to match the rest of the metallic finishes in the kitchen. “The glowing bronze metallic finishes add an elegance and sophistication,” says Gavin.
“Overall, I love the balance of materials as they sit harmoniously alongside each other with no one thing shouting over the other. This was cleverly achieved through design restraint. Also, the pure scale of the island and its craftmanship leads itself to being a drawcard within the home,” says Gavin.
Testament to its calibre, the space was awarded the TIDA (Trends International Design Awards) Australian Designer kitchen of the year award as well as the KBDi’s NSW Kitchen of the Year in the ‘Kitchen Plus’ category.
Trendy and timeless: Designers share this year’s kitchen trends
Five respected designers have shared their thoughts on the ideas and inspirations currently shaping kitchen design across Australia this year. Whilst there may not be many surprises, it is reassuring to…
Home to the co-caption of the Sydney Swans AFL team Luke Parker, and his partner Kate Lawrence, this new duplex build is situated in the city’s eastern suburbs. Developed by interior designer Kate and part-time property lover Luke, the couple reside in one duplex and lease the other one out.
Luke and Kate in their backyard
“We wanted the property to have a modern aesthetic but still a nod to the coast through the colours and materials,” says Kate, who worked alongside the architectural firm Arkhaus on the design of the properties. For the interiors, Kate designed two quite different schemes – one is quite dark while the other is a lighter affair.
“The dark side is more reflective of mine and Luke’s personal style, but I knew the light side would be more universally appealing, making it perfect for an investment property.” She specified Venetian plaster, black timber kitchen cabinetry and concrete bench tops in her home, leaving the lighter tones for nextdoor.
Kate and Luke’s kitchen
Kate’s kitchen features Navurban New Aged Veneer in Ravenswood, benchtops in Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete and ABI Interiors tapware in gunmetal grey. The kitchen nextdoor features limewashed oak cabinetry, Caesarstone Primordia bench tops and ABI Interiors brushed nickel tapware.
The kitchen in the duplex next door
When it came to the bathroom in Kate’s house, she experimented with Venetian plaster. “Although it was nearly double the cost of using tiles, the maintenance and cleaning aspect of it made it justifiable for the long term. Well at least that is what I told myself at the time. And would I do it again? Absolutely!”
Kate’s bathroom features Venetian plaster
To counter the spend on the plaster, Kate put IKEA wardrobes in both homes which saved her over $10,000. “We had the carpenter frame around the wardrobes to achieve that built in look. I would definitely do this again,” says Kate.
Kate’s master bedroom
Perfect for outdoor entertaining, each duplex has a pool in the backyard but it’s not obvious that they are part of the one structure. To maximise yard size and minimise costs, Kate enlisted pool company Blue Haven to insert one shell and build a dividing wall through the middle. “This saved us nearly $30,000 given we had one pool for two homes,” says Kate.
Kate and Luke’s pool
The pool next door is a mirror image
This wasn’t the only thoughtful design aspect – much consideration was given to the shared wall between the properties. “When designing a duplex, I think it’s smart to consider what joining walls you and your neighbour will share. Our staircase is our common wall which means no other rooms share a wall. It really helps you feel like you are in a freestanding home,” says Kate.
Kate in her lounge room
Before commencing this project, Kate and Luke had only ever renovated single properties – a knockdown and rebuild of two new homes was entirely new territory for the couple. “I’m proud of how smoothly our first project went and I attribute this to the amazing team we built around us. It went so well that we are doing it all over again which I guess says it all!”
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It was 1991 and the American-born interior designer Thomas Hamel was working for the celebrated New York design firm Parish-Hadley. And with a client list that included New York society families such as the Gettys, Vanderbilts and the Whitneys, it might have seemed strange for Thomas to throw it all in and move to the antipodes. “Everyone in New York thought I was insane, but life is short and I’m so glad that I made the move to Sydney. I’ve not had a regret in the world,” says Thomas, who celebrates an impressive 30 years in Australian design this year.
Thomas Hamel. Photography: Alicia Taylor
Sponsored by Sydney antiques dealer Martyn Cook to move to Australia, Thomas was able to quickly permeate the upper echelons of Australian society – no doubt due to his classic style. “My first clients in Sydney were Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull and it carried on from there. I’m not a dictator decorator and I’m very much about a client driven style. I want my clients to feel ownership over the end product and to feel comfortable in their homes,” says Thomas.
Thomas’ approach has clearly worked as he now employs a team of 30 to service a large Australian and international clientele that come to him for his high level of service and design acumen. “I always steer away from gimmicks. I’m a classicist at heart but you need to twist things up to make it contemporary.”
Thomas’ former Sydney apartment. Photography: Anson Smart
And while Thomas services clients globally, he is hugely complementary of the Australian design scene and the way it has evolved over the last three decades. “I’m amazed by how Australia has transformed itself – I think we’re more confident in our own style. Originally, we were always looking to the UK and then to the US. Now when I talk to people in the US, they look at all the Australian magazines religiously.”
A Melbourne project. Photography: Mark Roper
Thomas also puts the elevation of Australian design down to education courtesy of platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. “Everyone has raised their demands in terms of style and quality. It’s made it much easier to sell things to clients but now there’s almost too much information and our heads are swimming!” says Thomas.
The designer has several Australian projects currently in the works in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and is working on an 1850s heritage house located three hours west of Toowoomba – he’s turning it into a wedding venue and luxury hotel. Current overseas projects include one in Chicago, one in Aspen and several projects in Los Angeles. The pandemic has proven difficult though with online catchups no substitute for face-to-face meetings.
“Interior design is such a visual and tactile world that it’s hard to romance clients on Zoom. And what was great about working on overseas projects was that I was able to see what was going on over there and bring back those ideas to my clients,” says Thomas who explains that he does a lot of research online now, and misses the travel but not the jet lag!
A recent US project located in Telluride, Colarado. Photography: Trevor Tondro
Photography: Anson Smart
Photography: Mark Roper
And after 30 years in the industry, Thomas has decided to give something back courtesy of an annual mentorship program that is due to commence this year. “I had such amazing training during my time in New York. I thought it would be nice to give a recent Australian graduate a leg-up in the international world.”
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Built in the 1980’s this large Sydney family home, located in Bellevue Hill, was in serious need of a facelift before interior designer Hilary Ryan was engaged to overhaul its layout and dated aesthetic. “It was badly built in the ‘80’s and was ugly, ugly, ugly!” says Hilary of the original home that, while palatial in size, was in desperate need of a modern update.
The kitchen looks onto the outdoor entertaining area
“The owners wanted a ‘Parisian apartment’ style aesthetic to bring the right blend of tradition to suit a modern lifestyle and create a character filled home. They wanted the home to feel luxurious yet welcoming,” says Hilary who clearly did many things right given the project has just been named as a finalist in several categories in this year’s KBDi (Kitchen Bathrooms Designers Institute) awards. The home’s kitchen, laundry and wine cellar were all recognised in the competition.
Lounge roomThe stairs house a unique wine cellarBathroom
A standout space in the home, the new kitchen replaces one that had no appliance storage, little preparation room and was squashed into a corner making it difficult for more than one cook to work at the same time. “In contrast, the renovated space is large, filled with storage and has enough workspace to accommodate the home’s busy family of five,” says Hilary.
The spacious new kitchen
French Oak timber floors, a butler’s sink, a custom traditional style rangehood, integrated fridge and freezer, shaker doors with inner detailed moulding, and polished nickel taps and lighting all feature in the large space. The kitchen island is painted with Dulux Grid, a statement shade. “The indigo island bench adds drama to a timeless classic kitchen and exudes a refreshing style that complements the wider aesthetic of the renovated home,” says Hilary.
The large butler’s pantry
Adjacent to the space, the butler’s pantry houses appliances, a zip tap and a second integrated dishwasher. “This allows the butler’s pantry to function as a scullery when entertaining to keep the main kitchen looking pristine,” says Hilary.
Previously cut off from the home, the outdoor space is now connected to the kitchen to create a fabulous entertaining area. “The new footprint offers open plan living with luxurious fittings and features yet is robust enough to cater to a bustling domestic life but stretch effortlessly to large scale entertaining,” says Hilary.
A resort-style oasis on a bush block in the rural outskirts of Sydney’s north-west, this new build is the latest project from the talented trio at Three Birds and it is quite the beauty. Situated on a 2.1 hectare block in Annangrove, the home is light-filled and beautifully styled, combining coastal and luxe resort-style touches. And in these unprecedented times, when we’re all spending so much time at home, we’re rather envious of the staycation vibes.
Entrance
Home to Three Birds’ in-house designer Louisa Shield, her husband and two growing boys, the family bought the block in 2018 with a view to living permanently in a place that was more connected to nature. Landscape aside though, the sheer size of the block has allowed for a grand and palatial single-storey home that would be out of reach for most city-dwellers. The home has multiple formal and private rooms including a kids’ wing, guest rooms, a kitchen, multiple bathrooms and a pool house.
Open plan dining and living room
If first impressions count (and they do!), this home certainly delivers – the front of the home features two huge brick pillars and a patio inspired by the ornate Indian city of Jaipur. The front entrance and hallway are framed by a huge, raked ceiling and dramatic arched windows flood the property with natural light and allow for myriad bush views. “It’s definitely the most beautiful entrance we’ve ever done,” says Three Birds marketing director Lana Taylor.
Living room
And with so many spaces, lofty and varied ceiling heights allow for the open plan living to be segregated. “The beauty of this house is you’ve got so many ceiling heights. You’ve got the main entrance that is really high, then the ceiling height drops lower as you enter the house, then into the kitchen and it’s raised,” says Three Birds creative director Bonnie Hindmarsh, who specified 1770 square metres of Gyprock plasterboard throughout the home!
Master bedroom
The master bedroom zone features a rather epic ensuite!
Despite the luxury feel of the home, with two young boys in residence, it was designed with family living in mind. Warm tones, and natural lighting make for a gorgeous indoor living space.
The boys’ wing is a highlight of the home with its double bedroom, walk-in robe, ensuite and upstairs media/playroom. A unique choice, the huge bedroom features two large beds paired with a custom striped bedhead that runs the length of one wall. The team decided to do a feature ceiling and architraves in Dulux Blue Metal, instead of feature walls. The playroom sits above the boy’s bedroom zone.
The boys’ zoneThe loft playroom sits above the boys’ bedroom
Gyprock Superchek was specified in that zone because it provides a 15 percent reduction in perceived loudness compared to standard plasterboard – a rather clever choice with two busy boys living there!
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It’s a familiar tale – family wants a larger and more functional home but is attached to a particular suburb, and can’t find anything suitable to move into. Thus a renovation ensues. This was exactly the predicament that Janyne Moore and her family were in before they engaged interior designer Penny Middlemiss of Anju Designs to overhaul their Castle Hill home.
Kitchen and dining
The family had lived in the house for 11 years before deciding to renovate but aside from being tired and dated, the family loved many aspects of it, including its swimming pool, entertaining area and block size. “The client trusted me to arrange the whole rebuild, design and furnishing. By only increasing the footprint by 40 square meters over two levels and removing most of the internal walls and reconfiguring the spaces, we were able to create what they needed,” says Penny.
Bedroom
Amazingly, Penny managed to deliver the project from her base in Brisbane, just as the pandemic hit. “Unfortunately, the project started just as Australia went into lockdown with COVID. My location definitely caused a few challenges, but working with an amazing client and team along with many Zoom meetings, everything went well,” says Penny.
Bathroom
And while the project cost $400,000, the home now not only looks unrecognisable from the original but it has two living areas, a multi-purpose room, games room, four bathrooms and a large office. The relocated kitchen features a butler’s pantry and laundry, and the nearby alfresco and pool areas were upgraded too.
Lounge room
Boyd Blue furniture and homewares feature throughout the home
“The owners are a very busy family and wanted a home that was their retreat where they can enjoy life and each other in their home but it also needed to function well for them to work from home too. I wanted to create a home that was current, timeless and relaxed,” says Penny.
Laundry
The owner, Janyne, is beyond thrilled with the end result, particularly as it come in just under budget, allowing her to spend a little more on furnishings – many of which were sourced from the furniture and homewares store Boyd Blue. “I didn’t have the first clue about renovating so I knew I needed help, but the benefits of having a designer surpassed my expectations.”
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“The design brief was simple. We needed to create a light and open home that connects well to the outdoor spaces and was contemporary in its design,” says architect Adam Hobbs of Hobbs Jamieson of this gorgeous new build in the Sydney’s Willoughby. Home to a couple who receive frequent visitors (namely their children and grandchildren), the single level dwelling was designed to take full advantage of the winter sun while maintaining privacy for its occupants.
Living room
From the street, interesting details abound; a detailed, closed and private wall faces onto the street and if you look closely, you can make out the house number within the home’s brickwork. A relatively understated design, the front elevation gives no sense of the home’s expanse from the street. Once inside, large voluminous spaces connect to varied outdoor spaces.
Front elevation
A standout design feature, the pool runs onto a courtyard from the living area, adding atmosphere to the space. “The pavilion style allows for a series of smaller spaces interspersed between, rather than the typical house with backyard arrangement,” says Adam. Importantly, the large living spaces face north, allowing for winter sun to enter while keeping the summer sun out.
Pool
Alfresco
One surprising feature of the home is its bold use of colour – particularly in the kitchen and wet areas. The bright tones were chosen to offset the home’s abundance of neutral brickwork, concrete and glass. “Once the main structure was up, the clients felt that the kitchen would look great in a different, perhaps even unexpected colour,” says Adam who explains that they were inspired by a cushion with teal embroidery.
The kitchen features Dulux La Pineta, a bold choice.
Kitchen and dining
“The architecture of the house is very strong and as much as they love it, they wanted to inject something of themselves into the building,” says Adam. The striking teal tone is Dulux La Pineta and it looks fabulous paired with Statuario Maximus Caesarstone for the benchtops and Western red cedar battens on the kitchen island.
The bathroom vanities are far from the typical white also – blue and purple (Dulux Hothouse Orchid and Dulux Pelagic) is another bold choice. The brightness of the vanities was offset by large format porcelain tiles from Artedomus.
Dulux Hothouse Orchid features in this bathroom
This bathroom features Dulux Pelagic
As for Adam’s favourite part of the project – he loves the home’s main living space and the way in which the courtyards are integrated into the design. “We are also proud of how we have responded to the brief to ‘shut the building off from the street’, by creating a layered brickwork presentation that employs details that offer interest back to the street.”
Colours abound in this month’s Australian kitchen & bathroom trends
While green has been in the interior spotlight for some time now, it’s finally made its way into the bathroom sphere in a really solid way. From basins to tiles…
Located in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Haberfield and home to a family of four, this heritage listed semi received quite the glow-up recently courtesy of a full renovation and extension designed by Weir Phillips Architects and constructed by Bayside Built. “The house was inspired by French homes and is bright, refined and timeless,” says Doug Carey, the director of Bayside Built.
Lounge roomCustom joinery creates a study nook in the hallway
A traditional federation semi, the original home had plenty of lovely existing features to work with including a 1.5-metre-wide hallway, high (and pressed) ceilings and lovely coloured glass casement windows. The original home was fairly dark though, which is the antithesis of its current state where all of the federation details have been sensitively restored.
“At the front of the home there’s refurbished timber floors, custom joinery in every room, a meticulous selection of stained-glass windows to match the original ones, as well as ornate ceilings that have been given a new lease on life,” says Doug.
BedroomBathroom
And while the owners were keen to respect the home’s history, they also wanted to make it more modern, liveable and far less dim. Key to this process was the addition of a light-filled extension at the rear complete with a double pitched, gazebo style roof that features 360 degrees of automatic windows. “This is the main architectural feature of the space and brings light and breeze into the originally enclosed semi,” says Doug.
The rear extension features a kitchen, living and dining
Another standout design feature is the gorgeous kitchen – a stylish mix of timber, marble and pale grey joinery combines with concealed appliances for a stylish and minimal finish. “The simplicity of using concealed appliances allows the cabinetry surfaces to be showcased. The real oak veneer by Briggs and the beautiful quartzite Artedomus slab, that has been used on the benchtop, splashback and shelf, are real showstoppers.”
Kitchen. We love the oak herringbone floor.
The open plan living, dining and kitchen space flows seamlessly into the outdoors where the new in-ground concrete pool features a custom steel balustrade giving unobstructed views of the pool from the house. “The steel fence looks sleek, and modern yet organically fits within the landscape of the backyard,” says Doug.
Pool
“Overall, it’s sophisticated and luxurious, yet subtle at the same time which will allow the house to stay modern and current for generations,” says Doug.
Photography: Sebastian Photography
An interior designer’s thoughtful and successful heritage renovation
We love a period home renovation around here and when this one crossed our desks, we couldn’t help but sit up and take notice. A modern yet authentic take on…
A recent Homes by Belle project in Sydney's Gladesville
A career in event management for The Wiggles seems an unlikely breeding ground for an interior designer but the skill set ultimately proved to be super applicable. “It was a fabulous job to have in my twenties. I organised all the shows and productions in Australia and overseas. The job was very structured and analytical, but it was creative too so both sides of my brain got to work,” says Sarah Comerford of the Sydney based design firm HOME by Belle.
A Homes by Belle project in Sydney’s Gladesville
It was while Sarah was on maternity leave from The Wiggles, and thinking about how she would juggle a local and international touring schedule with the demands of motherhood, that she decided to start flipping houses. Incredibly, alongside her husband Ryan, Sarah flipped 16 Sydney properties over the course of six years learning the renovation trade in a very hands-on way.
“We did the hard yards – especially when I was pregnant and still working for The Wiggles. I’d have to get up at the crack of dawn, drive and meet a trade, let them in and then go to work. Sometimes I’d drive back to check on them as I’m such a control freak,” says Sarah who flipped houses throughout maternity leave and beyond.
“I was always interested in property and had dabbled with buying and selling. Coming from having to do tour schedules I was able to run a building schedule like nobody’s business. I’ve had plumbers, builders and electricians hold my babies. They had interesting babyhoods to say the least!” says Sarah who ultimately channelled all of that experience into launching her design firm, HOME by Belle, in 2013.
Sarah Comerford
From architectural concept to project completion, HOME by Belle is a full-service offering that is staffed by 18 people including architects, interior designers, project managers and more. The business works on new builds and renovations, and while Hamptons style has been a popular look of late, the business isn’t exclusively focussed on one aesthetic.
“We’re based in Willoughby where the Hamptons style is very popular, but we aim for more than just a straightforward cookie-cutter approach and really try to tailor to each client,” says Sarah who professes to having a ‘wilder’ more eclectic personal style. “I’ve got wallpaper on my ceiling at home!”
A project in Dural
And while the business is currently experiencing a COVID-induced boom, Sarah has just launched a new complementary business called DESIGN by Belle which is a pure design service intended to complement the work of an outside architect or builder. “A lot of people already have a builder or architect but really need an interior designer and that’s where we will come in.”
Art Deco renovation the perfect blend of old and new for family living
When a builder builds their dream home, it’s always interesting to take a peek inside. Nestled within trees in a picturesque part of Wollongong, this home was originally built in…
Architecturally designed and built in 1972, this Sydney riverside home is located in the leafy Sydney suburb of Riverview. It’s home to interior designer Dani Bartholomeusz who has renovated it with a light, bright and breezy touch. “The design style had to be contemporary, with clean lines and lots of storage to hide away all the usual family clutter while retaining a warm, welcoming and not-too-serious family home,” says Dani.
Open plan kitchen, living and dining
Having lived in the home since 2014, Dani has been slowly renovating it ever since. “Although the house has some funky 70’s features, it meshes perfectly with a contemporary aesthetic. There’s lots of clean lines, diagonals, full-height windows and lots of bright light,” says Dani who drew on a largely monochrome palette broken up with pops of wood and lush greenery. The walls are painted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter, the trims in Dulux Vivid White and the timber flooring is Japanese black.
Kitchen
The kitchen features American oak veneer and white joinery with concealed Smeg appliances and a Sirius pop-up extractor. The kitchen bar stools are from Design Nation while the pendant light above is the ‘Coral’ by David Trubridge.
The sitting room is home to a thriving fiddle-leaf fig
The designer lives in the home with her husband Clynton, her seven-year-old daughter Ivy, two adult step kids Aidan and Casey and a pair of budgerigars called Brian and Barry. “The main objective when decorating this house was to make the river and natural setting the star of the show. All of the decor had to complement it as it can be seen from almost every room in the home,” says Dani.
Dani’s commitment to the view extends to the outdoor setting which she picked up for a bargain price. “The outdoor balcony setting had to be almost see-through, so as not to obscure the view. I happened across these black rope outdoor Aruba chairs from Flower Power for $79 each!” says Dani.
The home backs onto the riverDani created a sophisticated teenage retreat for one of her stepchildren.
Having just returned to the interior design scene after years spent raising her daughter, Dani certainly flexed her design muscle when creating this home. “I feel that I nailed the brief! The view is still breathtaking and is the focal point from almost every place in the house. The decor is interesting and beautiful in its own right, without taking away any of the wow-factor of the location.”
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Located on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, this original Queenslander was built in 1940 and while it’s been renovated over the years its latest makeover is arguably its grandest, with its…
Drawing inspiration from its fabulous seaside locale, Shutters bar and restaurant overlooks Sydney’s iconic Coogee beach from inside the strip’s Crowne Plaza hotel. Named after the series of large shutters that take centre stage, the luxe interior pays homage to the ocean with its natural materials palette and sea foam green, turquoise and coral colour pops.
Dining room
“The desaturated hues of the vast interior are evocative of ocean surf and they look almost botanical. The palette appears faded in time with its blush hues, marble, soft celadon green textured fabrics, custom terrazzo in putty tones and stucco rendered walls in cream on white,” says interior designer Alex Zabotto-Bentley who sourced many different stones and marbles to support the aquatic colour palette.
Designing a space that worked during the day and night was no mean feat – nor was creating something luxurious, comfortable and respectful of the glorious view. “The functional needs of the space, and the way it evolves from day to night, created some interesting design challenges. We also needed to be mindful of designing an interior that worked within the existing hotel space and melded with the foyer,” says Alex of AZB Creative.
The lobby bar features beautiful organic inspired curves
With multiple entry points, the designer created three different spaces that function separately and as a whole. The lobby bar is annexed to the foyer and this space features a hand-crafted concrete rendered bar that looks as if it’s constructed from timber. “On top of this, we laid incredible honed terrazzo. This space also includes an area behind glass that we deemed the charcuterie room, where visible chefs can prepare sumptuous feasts for guests,” says Alex.
Lobby bar
The main dining room and large open kitchen were designed to house guests in one space and its features include a detailed central dining banquette, with lush greenery in the centre. Custom rattan dining chairs, buffed leather and celadon green marble tables round out the high-end look.
We love this custom semi-circular table and banquette. What a hue!
The third space is the shuttered patio that opens up to the Coogee Beach foreshore – a six-metre-high glassed atrium is wrapped in a floating Moorish-inspired star cut screen in the dining area. “I wanted to create a dappling effect on the patrons as I thought it would be completely fabulous to have dappled stars in their eyes as they dine. I love this detail as it’s really special.”
The terrace
When it comes to the final flourishes, handmade pottery, barnacle-inspired ceramics and ethically sourced coral dot the room alongside pastel artworks by Australian artist Daimon Downey. “We always collaborate with artists, makers, and small run artisanal factories to create an interior narrative that has soul,” says Alex.
Shutters has won and been shortlisted for a slew of awards in the past year. It won Gold at the Sydney Design Awards 2020 as well as Gold for Best Upscale hotel in Australia at the HM2020 awards. It received an honourable mention in the 2020 International Design Awards and was shortlisted at the 2020 International Restaurant and Bar Awards in London. It’s also a shortlisted finalist for Best Hotel & Best Restaurant at the Eat Drink Design Awards 2020 and was shortlisted for the Best Hospitality Interior at the IDEA Awards.
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AFTER master bedroom. Stephanie picked up that bedhead of Marketplace for just $50!
With her first child on the way, Sydney interior designer Stephanie Ferrara was keen to move from her two-bedroom apartment into her first family home. The search was proving rather fruitless until an Inner West heritage home hit the market and Stephanie and her husband were the successful bidders at auction. “We purchased the home while I was six months pregnant, had a settlement period of a month and so had to renovate really quickly,” says Stephanie. She transformed the place with just $20,000 within three weeks and while working full time (not to mention seven months pregnant). Phew!
BEFORE front
AFTER front elevation
The circa 1918 home needed a fair bit of work; not only was a lot of the timber falling apart but the home’s palette was an ‘interesting’ mix of aqua blue, brown, turquoise and pink. “We bought the ugliest house on the street and all of the neighbours said that they couldn’t wait to see what we would do with it,” says Stephanie who wanted to carry out a relatively small renovation in the short term with a view to extending the home in a few years’ time.
BEFORE lounge room
AFTER lounge room
AFTER lounge room
The renovation began outside where the home’s existing rainbow of paint colours was replaced with a much more sophisticated palette of Dulux shades including Domino, Monument, Teahouse and Shale Grey. “I chose Dulux Pink Dust for the front door because I’m having a girl,” says Stephanie. The home’s original iron fence was replaced with a picket fence also, greatly increasing the home’s street appeal.
BEFORE master bedroomAFTER master bedroom. Stephanie found that bedhead on Marketplace for just $50!
Almost a quarter of the renovation budget was spent on the floors where the blue and pink carpet was ripped up to reveal perfect timber boards underneath. A dark stain was applied and then all of the walls were patched up and repainted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter and Vivid White. “I wanted it to be quite monochrome and clean because it’s my signature style and the home also needed to be modernised to some degree,” says Stephanie.
BEFORE “The dining room was like an aquarium with its turquoise walls,” says Stephanie.
AFTER dining
The kitchen underwent a small renovation (the doors and the bench top were replaced) while the bathrooms were overhauled with the Dulux Renovation range of tile primer and paint. “A client of mine did it as a temporary five-year fix and we’ve done the same thing. The bathroom is nice and fresh now,” says Stephanie.
AFTER kitchen
AFTER Tile paint freshened up the bathroom.
The house also needed to be completely rewired and while it was carried out by an electrician, Stephanie’s brother-in-law was on hand too. “He is an apprentice electrician, so he helped with all of the more minor jobs. Even I got involved with chasing cables up the wall,” says Stephanie.
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER nursery. Lovely Wall Co decals adorn the far wall.
“We moved in when I was eight months pregnant and I’m about to have the baby this month. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. It was obviously worth it but I’m exhausted!” says Stephanie.
90s house renovation renders it unrecognisable. In a good way!
This 1980’s Italian mansion extreme makeover is one of our most popular posts so when we heard the team behind it had recently completed another project, we were keen to…
When professional property flippers Kathleen and Chris Friedrich received a call about a deceased estate that had been left by a chronic hoarder, nothing could have prepared them for what they found inside. 500 bird cages, sewing machines, stadium chairs, caravan windows, school chairs, and an endless supply of steel and timber were just some of the things they found within the home’s walls.
“You couldn’t actually move for the clutter and it went all the way to the ceiling. The only clear paths through the home were to the toilet and kitchen,” says Kathleen, who purchased the house regardless, believing that her and her builder husband could add value by overhauling it and selling it on within a five-month period.
BEFORE The front of the home
AFTER What a transformation!
Located in Sydney’s West Pennant Hills, the 45-year-old home had one owner whose relatives were looking to sell it as is. “The local real estate agent always calls us when there’s a bad property that they can’t market. We bought it lock, stock and barrel,” says property stylist Kathleen who explains that disposing of the home’s contents was the hardest part of the job. It took 10 people 12 days to empty the home, and $52,700 was spent on rubbish removal alone.
“The owner was building a boat inside his house and there was a school demountable in the backyard. The rubbish went on and on – we never thought it was going to end!”
BEFORE Just a snapshot of what was found inside
And while the home had many negatives (it backs onto the M2 freeway), Kathleen and her husband were persuaded by the 900 square metre block size and the home’s flipping potential. “We made an offer of $1.1 million which they weren’t happy about because the land was valued at $1.3 million. The family initially declined our offer, but we generally only make one offer and we’re not interested in bidding wars. We have no emotion – it’s strictly a business for us,” says Kathleen.
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
The offer was eventually accepted, and Kathleen and her husband set about overhauling the home over a period of five months. And, as with all of their projects, they were very hands-on, doing most of the work themselves in what is a seven day a week business. “I’m the painter, the procurement officer and the labourer. That said, we do employ people when we can’t hack it anymore,” says Kathleen who brought in a full-time labourer to work on this house as well as a tiler, plumber and electrician.
AFTER “Adding an extra bedroom is worth $100,000 at resale,” says Kathleen.AFTER lounge
To avoid waiting for DA approvals, the couple always work within the building’s parameters and this house was no exception. “Time is money, and we don’t have 12 weeks to wait for council approval. We make good with the old,” says Kathleen who set about turning the three-bedroom house into one with four bedrooms and a large outdoor deck which is arguably the renovation’s star.
“We knew we’d have to knock down the dodgy verandah that was hanging off the house. We built a deck, took out walls, windows, and put in French doors. There’s also bi-fold windows in kitchen that connect it with the outdoors,” says Kathleen.
BEFORE deck
AFTER deck
Incredibly, the total reno cost only $170,000 (including the rubbish removal), which is pretty amazing when you consider that it included the wages of a young, full-time labourer. “He was awesome. Without him I’d be needing a new back!” says Kathleen, whose COVID-induced property price fluctuation fears were allayed when the home fetched an incredible $2.2 million dollars at auction recently.
“We had no idea that there was going to be a COVID boom. We were watching the market grow 100k per week. The new owners had missed out on a few other properties, but we were so shocked with price. This house has turned out to be a Cinderella story in disguise.”
Before & after: 90’s kitchen renovated on a budget using DIY
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Award-winning photographer Yasmin Mund has released Concrete Jungle, a retrospective of one of Sydney’s ugliest buildings, Glenview Court. She has explored and documented life in the iconic Tamarama apartment block where she herself resided for three years prior to its closure for a multimillion dollar redevelopment.
Glenview Court, Tamarama, was known for its stunning views from inside, and ugly facade
A building often loathed from the outside but adored from within, anyone who hadn’t lived in the building perhaps couldn’t understand its appeal. Outside was one of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches, and inside was a diverse and convivial community of retirees, backpackers, creatives, and even squatters. The juxtaposition of living in such a derelict building in one of Sydney’s most glamorous and expensive suburbs provided a truly unique experience.
That view
A brutalist white concrete block perched on a clifftop overlooking Tamarama Beach, it has been nicknamed The Beast, the Tamarama Toaster, the Soviet Hospital, and the Housing Commission. Originally designed by Australia’s most celebrated architect, Harry Seidler, it was modified and corners were cut by the notorious Rene Rivkin’s developer father, Walter Rivkin. Over ensuing years, the 78 apartments rapidly descended into dilapidation and disrepair. It hit major trouble 10 years ago when it was served with numerous fire orders and was discovered to be riddled with concrete cancer.
Photographer Yasmin Mund
As a documentary photographer residing in the building, Yasmin knew she had to try and capture what it was like to live there. “I was able to approach the project with a more intimate and integrated ‘this is my home too’ attitude, embracing a genuine curiosity and empathy for how my neighbours were living, and why they had also chosen this place as their home.”
Her photographic study looks across 15 apartments and their residents, bringing to light what living in Glenview Court was like for the first and last time. Subjects include Archibald Prize-winning artist Craig Ruddy, TV Director Adam Kiers, Karen Halabi, a freelance journalist and editor, as well as many other creatives.
Craig Ruddy & Roberto
“With all the new development in the world, especially in cities like Sydney, there seems to be at times a lack of reflection on the history of old buildings before they are leveled or redeveloped,” Yasmin continues. “I wanted to document not just this building, but the people who bring the building to life.”
The now newly renamed Sky Tamarama is also making history as the largest redevelopment project on Sydney’s eastern seaboard. The way the development was maneuvered through the application process and funded is innovative and pioneering. It saw the body corporate taking out Australia’s biggest strata loan – originally $9 million – to fund the upgrade. Its unique model has since been replicated by other strata developments and has created a template for hundreds of similarly decrepit apartment blocks around the city.
“This story of gentrification is universal,” says Yasmin. “This project is a time stamp of the past, which captures the residents before the upgrade, and before the building becomes shiny and new again. This is why the project is so valuable and universal, because our homes, or lack thereof, represent a huge part of our human existence.”
There’s an exhibition, with a limited number of prints available to buy, at Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club until this Sunday 18 April 2021. For more information.
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While mid-century design influences are evident, this very special Sydney home pays homage to Japanese design and the very specific concept of Shakkei, which centres around the idea of framed views. “The windows create a poetic connection to the rear,” says the home’s architect Ryan Ng of CplusC Architectural Workshop.
Home to a family of five, the house features a repeated circular motif that provides glimpses of the elements beyond. Where most houses looking to create a connection with the outdoors use large sliding glass doors, this house uses feature windows instead. “The circular windows were very intentional and they were designed to create a series of visual surprises,” says Ryan.
BackyardLounge room. Timber beams run from inside out to create a connection with the outdoors.
The home’s multi-level design is a response to the sloping nature of the block. Originally a federation home, the front of the house has been renovated with a new extension to the rear that features a kitchen, dining and living area that flows through to the outdoors.
“The old kitchen really needed overhauling as it was too small and too dark,” says Ryan. The new kitchen features a curved island bench clad in vertical timber strips with Spotted Gum timber on the floor. The dining area boasts a large round burnished concrete element that works to anchor the space.
Kitchen and dining. A large round burnished concrete element repeats the circular motif.
“This is also one of the key elements of the concept. Instead of creating a very separate three spaces (kitchen, dining, living) we wanted a more wholistic approach,” says Ryan. Slate tiles flow from the living room to the sun deck and outdoor dining area.
The master bedroom was expanded with the addition of an ensuite. A highlight of the home, the master features an openable round window that is surrounded by greenery on the exterior.
Master bedroom. The window frame acts as seating for young children.
The master bedroom features a gorgeous green wall on the exterior.
“We were looking for a cost-effective way to cover the existing brickwork,” says Ryan of the metal grating that clads the exterior of the master bedroom. Eventually, over time, it will become a very dense green wall with a round opening. “Almost like if you search for Totoro’s lair which was a green wall with a hole,” says Ryan, referencing another of the home’s influences – the cult Japanese animated fantasy film My Neighbour Totoro.
“The family that live in the home have a very close-knit relationship which is like the closeness that we see in the Totoro story,” says Ryan who adds that fairly lights give the outdoor space a very dreamy feel at night.
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While a second-generation family business isn’t exactly a unique proposition, when the business inhabits a traditionally male-dominated sphere and is run by four sisters, one can’t help but take notice. The children of Italian immigrants, the Di Lorenzo sisters (Tina, Maria, Diana and Belinda), preside over a Sydney tile empire started by their parents almost 40 years ago. And while always a successful business, it was when the daughters assumed the reins that it blossomed into the large, multi-site offering that we see today.
Left to right: Sisters Maria, Belinda, Tina and Diana
“The Di Lorenzo tile business started in 1983 and I remember spending every day there after school and on weekends. Dad would make us clean the tiles for pocket money which we didn’t like very much!” says the marketing manager and eldest sister, Tina Di Lorenzo. But all that exposure must have had some effect because years later, after all the girls had gone to university and pursued different careers (a move encouraged by their father), they began to see much more potential in the business.
“I had been working in marketing and was between jobs. Initially I committed to three months and that was 26 years ago!” says Tina. She joined the business in a full-time capacity about six months after her sister Maria who had resigned from her position as a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young. Both women could see a lot of untapped potential in an industry that was rapidly changing.
1988: A young Belinda with parents Jack and Sally Di Lorenzo when they were running the business
“Tiles started shifting from being a purely hardware product in grey, beige and white to something much more interesting. The Italian reps came and visited and showed us this whole new world of tiles,” says Tina in explaining the genesis of her enthusiasm. Up until that point, the tile scene was constrained by a couple of factors – not only was tile importation quite difficult, but the Australian market was smaller and more conservative.
Eventually, the remaining two sisters followed suit and joined the business full time. Diana, who has degree education and previously worked as a high school English teacher, is now the company’s retail showroom manager, overseeing the five Sydney locations. The youngest of the four, Belinda, has a fine arts (production) degree from NIDA and is the company’s retail merchandiser.
Upon taking over from their parents, the first project that the older two sisters oversaw was the design and build of a large showroom and warehouse – the beginning of the business’ transformation. “When my parents had the business, the showroom was nice, but it was a standard showroom. Dad was looking to build quite a big showroom and warehouse facility and asked us to design it,” says Tina who subsequently hired an interior designer to complete the job which was previously unheard of in the industry. “The showroom was like nothing you have ever seen before in Australia. We like our showrooms to be practical but also beautiful so that people are inspired to create beautiful rooms with our products.”
Di Lorenzo’s Waterloo showroom, one of five in Sydney
Gorgeous products aside, stylish showrooms are possibly another key to the Di Lorenzo success story given it’s mainly women that shop for tiles. “70 percent of our customers are female and many of our Italian suppliers have commented that our business has quite a feminine feel to it. This can be seen in many ways but particularly the way that we change our showroom merchandising every six months,” says Tina.
But while the store’s customers are chiefly female, Tina still sees the tile industry as overwhelmingly male dominated, possibly due to old-fashioned patriarchal ideas about lineage. “There are a lot of tile companies in Australia and the majority of them are family businesses that have been handed down to the sons,” says Tina. Obviously, with four sisters in the family, that wasn’t really an option for the Di Lorenzo parents!
Tina and Diana on one of many work trips to the international tile fair in Bologna, Italy
As with any family business, there are differences of opinion but it’s lovely to hear that quarrels are few. “We get along really well and have respect for each other. We all trust each other in what we do which is first and foremost part of our success. We’ve not always agreed on decisions, but we will always support each other in whatever the majority decides,” says Tina, who explains that the sisters have never had a falling out – possibly because they don’t all work under the one roof.
With the business requiring each sister to work out of a different location, they have a monthly business meeting and talk on the phone daily. And as for whether they see each other out of hours? “We actually spend quite a bit of social time together.”
Mosaic tiles Australia: Feature walls star in reno
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While we love a good trend, sometimes there’s something so visually soothing about a series of classic elements coming together in an understated way. The work of Bondi Kitchens, this recent heritage terrace renovation in Sydney’s Coogee is a case in point. Natural marble, smoked mirror and moody timbers make for a series of casually elegant spaces, the likes of which are classic without being dull.
“It’s the subtle elegance of the home that we love the most. The simple yet refined selection of materials marry to make something quite beautiful, without the snobbery. There is nothing complicated about the spaces, that I think makes you feel instantly relaxed and welcomed,” says Charlotte Riggs, brand director of Bondi Kitchens who was responsible for the renovation.
Home to a young professional couple and their pooch, the small two-level home was originally built in 1910 and consisted of 1.5 bedrooms and one bathroom. “It was a tiny heritage terrace house and while liveable it wasn’t necessarily functional in its state. There was room for improvement, and also investment for the young owners,” says Charlotte. The extensive overhaul resulted in a much larger home that boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an extension that includes a larger living and kitchen area.
Kitchen
A central hub, the kitchen sits in the middle of the house and is accessed from a traditional terrace entrance hallway. “For the kitchen, the main consideration was the use of classic and understated, tasteful finishes with subtle elegant European-esque accents. The owners were very clear in not having a trend-driven, showy kitchen but rather something that just relaxed into the room – a natural beauty,” says Charlotte of the hardworking space that is easy to use.
Large overhead cupboards encourage height while providing a large amount of storage
Alongside the kitchen, there’s additional pantry and cupboard storage as well as a dining area opposite that features a custom upholstered floating banquette seat. “This banquette’s curves add softness and texture to a very sharp-lined kitchen. The clients allowed us full creative license with this design, and it’s a beautiful statement piece that complements the kitchen with its laid-back charm.”
The dining room banquette seat was upholstered in Warwick Fabrics ‘Kumi Vapour’ jacquard
Upstairs, the renovation continued in the master bedroom which features a pair of unusual, mirrored wardrobes with recessed handles. “Very heavy, they were challenging but rewarding to make. The mood that smoked grey (compared to standard silver) mirror creates is like no other. The mirror also bounces light and makes the bedrooms feel super luxe, and larger than life!” says Charlotte.
Bedroom
Custom smoke mirrored wardrobes are a feature in the master bedroom
The wardrobes are another example of the way in which the renovation maximised space within the home’s diminutive footprint. A small and narrow block, the Bondi Kitchens team worked hard to make layout changes that were highly functional while imbuing the home with a sense of openness.
“Overall, creating long and slim proportions and using neutral, yet interesting materials allows the home to feel open, flowy and also bounce light.”
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Part of a wider Sydney family home renovation, that involved both layout and material changes, this clever laundry relocation piqued our interest recently because it’s not something we’ve seen before. Keen to gain more space for a combined home office/rumpus room, the home’s original laundry was relocated to a small spot, concealed behind stylish doors, under the stairs. Genius!
Before: The space under the stairs housed a random assortment of toys
After: A much more clever use of space! Fish scale mosaics from Kaizen Tiles, Polytec Ravine Natural Oak veneer and brushed bronze Castella handles complete the look.
“The first stage of a project is nearly always space planning, but in the case of the under-stair laundry, my clients had already worked it out. It may have seemed like crazy thinking at the start, but it turned out to be a masterstroke!” says interior designer Joanne Yeomans of Issy and H Creative who presided over the renovation.
Originally housing some impractical toy storage, the laundry relocation has resulted in a far more sensible use of space. And while the area under the stairs is smaller than the old laundry, clever joinery means the family still has everything it needs. “It’s neat and compact, with a stacked washer/dryer, overhead storage, sink and pull-out laundry drawer. What more do you really need?” says Joanne who also included more storage under the foot of the stairs to house towels and linen.
And the best part about the design is that you can close the laundry off completely when it’s not in use, and you wouldn’t even know it was there. “The doors were designed to look as if they were part of the wall,” says Joanne.
But while the family had fairly solid layout ideas, Joanne’s expertise was sought when it came to the material selections. “They wanted to go with a real Hamptons feel but weren’t confident they could do it themselves,” says Joanne. The original harsh black and white palette didn’t sit well with the family who wanted a much lighter feel for their home that is located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
“They always wanted splashes of blue and I suggested the limed oak floor. The overall result is that the home feels a lot lighter and airier.”
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