Houses: Kitchens + Bathrooms Issue 10 June

Being busy has become the norm, and now more than ever, time for relaxation is treasured. And so our home should be a tranquil space that allows us to regroup for the next day’s tasks. Careful attention needs to be given to the design details in spaces where household chores are done – primarily the kitchen and bathroom/laundry – in order to make daily life more enjoyable. Kitchens and bathrooms that function as efficiently as possible are often spaces where we don’t notice the architecture – the spaces work as they should and the clever details (that make it all work) recede into the background. There is often a shared palette of materials and a similar level of detail and finesse. In MA Architects’s Carlton project (page 110), subtle greys and…

01 Namaste melamine dishes Unveiling his first collection for Kartell, Jean-Marie Massaud has brought his signature curves to the tabletop with a set of asymmetrical melamine dishes suggestive of flat stones. Available in a natural palette of black, grey, beige and orange, the plates can be matched or contrasted. spacefurniture.com.au 02 Billi Sparkling water system Billi’s Sparkling range offers filtered, sparkling water on tap. With up to five bars of CO2 pressure, fizz levels can be tailored from lightly sparkling to high-density carbonation, while chilled temperatures can be quickly raised to 15˚C or lowered to 6˚C. Sparkling is available in chrome, brushed chrome, gloss black and matt black. billi.com.au 03 Ilve by Vintec Wine Cellars Created in collaboration with Vintec, Ilve’s first foray into cellaring stores wine collections at around 70 percent humidity – to protect delicate…

01 Laminex Aquapanel With no grouting required, this durable, non-porous surface is a scrub-free alternative for wet areas including shower recesses and laundries. The large-scale panels are quick to install and textured options can mirror the look of traditional ceramic tiling. laminex.com.au 02 Purist basin set in rose gold Kohler is exploring a softer, more interesting look with its range of rose gold basin tapware. The innovation is supported by new coating technology that protects shine – no polishing required – and resists tarnishing, fingerprints and watermarks. au.kohler.com 03 Venice countertop basin Pittella’s new basin encapsulates the beauty of a sculptural centerpiece. The piece is hand-blown in Florence Glass Atelier with hand-etched brushstrokes applied to its exterior. It is available in silver/black or gold/silver in 400 mm and 440 mm diameters. pittella.com.au 04 Barcelona backrest Victoria & Albert recently stepped…

Speaking with the architects and interior designers featured in this issue, the most common thread was an aversion to trends. But like it or not, the world is changing – and our reactions aren’t all that unique. In this year of non-trends, designers are tailoring work to specific sites and personalities. And over the course of the year, as work emails and internet buzz infiltrate domestic life, it just so happens that households across the country have needed quality time designed in. The call is for restorative bathrooms and for kitchens to be the heart of the home – an active, beating life force. This dispassion for fashion isn’t universal. In the outside world, aesthetics are moving at lightning speed as commercial spaces battle to outshine each other but at home, spaces…

1 Living 2 Dining 3 Kitchen 4 Study 5 Powder room 6 Scullery 7 Store 8 Deck 9 Pool 10 Entry 11 Bar 12 Bedroom 13 Ensuite 14 Main bedroom 15 Walk-in robe Maybe it’s pure nostalgia but few buildings will ever be as hallowed as the house you grew up in. So when Rob Kennon Architects was enlisted to design a new residence in the dust of the client’s family home, the emotional complexity of keeping that connection alive had to be navigated. Since 2009, Rob has made his reputation employing construction techniques and materials that relate to the particular site he is working on. Here, a three-storey cube was constructed from offform concrete, inside and out – a wink to the mudstone hill the house sits on in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak. It begins with a ground level of children’s sleeping and play spaces…

Being busy has become the norm, and now more than ever, time for relaxation is treasured. And so our home should be a tranquil space that allows us to regroup for the next day’s tasks. Careful attention needs to be given to the design details in spaces where household chores are done – primarily the kitchen and bathroom/laundry – in order to make daily life more enjoyable. Kitchens and bathrooms that function as efficiently as possible are often spaces where we don’t notice the architecture – the spaces work as they should and the clever details (that make it all work) recede into the background. There is often a shared palette of materials and a similar level of detail and finesse. In MA Architects’s Carlton project (page 110), subtle greys…