Table of contents for Issue 26.3 2024 in Home Design

This issue, our focus is on liveability. After all, it’s not only about looks when it comes to creating the ideal home. It’s important to create a house that will grow with you as your family and needs change, so we take a look at how to create a fully functional forever home. Of course, this includes supporting you as you age (also known as “ageing in place”) so we cover elevators and easy accessibility. A kitchen reno is at the top of the list of most home renovations. The kitchen is not only the heart of the home, it’s one of the most used areas and has a big impact on the property’s resale value. To that end, we get into the nitty gritty of kitchen renovations this issue.…

Sculpt Fireplace Collection specialises in creating high-quality, uniquely designed fireplaces. The collection includes a diverse range of fireplace options, from traditional to modern, catering to various aesthetic preferences and architectural styles. Prioritising both functionality and aesthetic appeal, Sculpt provides homeowners with exceptional fireplace solutions as well as integration into various design applications, whether that be residential or commercial. Showcasing a variety of contemporary and classic designs, each model in the Sculpt Fireplace Collection is made from quality materials and constructed with craftsmanship in mind. The collection is presented in three distinct ranges: Axis, known for its modern design and energy efficiency, integrating seamlessly into 6+ star-rated homes; Seguin, blending bespoke craftsmanship with industrial design, constructed using 100 per cent pure original cast iron allowing for efficient combustion; and JC Bordelet,…

“A curated palette of soft neutrals allowed texture to be the hero. The result is a haven of relaxation, where every element harmonises to create a cocooning ambience, embracing those who enter with a whispered tranquillity”—Annie Caine This dwelling on the Mornington Peninsula is located on approximately six acres, with a tangle of rolling tea trees and abundant vines blanketing a gently undulating landscape. In the 1970s, the land was developed to accommodate a vineyard, small house and commercial shed, yet in more recent years the property became home to a yoga and wellness retreat. Perhaps it’s that sense of calm that the new owners channelled when designing this vacation home that has created the tranquillity which exists in each of the rooms. It all began with a brief from…

Princi Design is renowned for shaping intentional spaces, where essence is skillfully moulded into form, elevating both aesthetics and wellbeing. Princi offers a comprehensive service that encompasses every stage of the design process, from initial consultation to design development and implementation. A collaborative approach means clients are involved every step of the way, allowing for refinements to be made before construction begins. With the option to specify non-toxic materials, Princi adopts a holistic approach to design, creating spaces that are not separate from humans or the environment, but those that are created with both in mind. “What we build, builds us” is a mantra the company believes in. The key is to provide everyone with the support to live a healthier life in the place they call home. In this…

Small-duct, high-velocity (SDHV) central heating and cooling, enjoyed in the United States and Europe for decades, has finally arrived in Australia. The Unico System, the world’s leading manufacturer of this innovative approach to indoor comfort, is making inroads with HVAC distributors, technicians and discerning Aussie homeowners. As the name indicates, SDHV systems use much smaller ducts, greatly simplifying the installation process for centralised heating and cooling. The small size and flexibility of the supply ducts allows them to weave through wall cavities and floor joists, which would be impossible for a standard-sized system. With this simplified installation, there’s no need to build out big bulky soffits to hide large traditional ductwork. Air is conditioned by compact, modular air-handling equipment. Cold or hot air can be achieved with either refrigerant or…

It’s no secret that renovating your kitchen, or any room in the house for that matter, can be a challenge. We’d all like a seamless process from beginning to end to minimise the stress. While this isn’t always possible, by arming yourself with knowledge, getting the right team onboard, and doing a little reconnaissance yourself, it will be a smoother ride. SOURCING THE RIGHT KITCHEN DESIGNER AND BUILDER When you meet onsite with your kitchen designer, they’ll measure up the area, look at the overall space, and discuss some of the best layouts to maximise flow and storage. They will also ask you about your lifestyle. Do you anticipate entertaining in and around the kitchen? Will the kids be using the kitchen island bench to do their homework? They’ll assess…

Your house is your castle, or so the saying goes. Transform your castle into a fortress with Swann’s new MaxRanger4K Solar Security Systems. Swann has been keeping Aussie homes safe for more than 35 years and its products are still designed and developed here. Swann offers a complete ecosystem of security products, from wireless devices through to wired camera systems. As leaders in security, Swann offers solutions that work straight out of the box with no monthly fees and, unlike other brands, all customer data is stored in Australia, meaning your home and personal information are safe and sound. Swann’s new MaxRanger4K Solar Security System has the longest range, strongest and most reliable wireless signal on the market. With 4K resolution, ‘always charged’ built-in solar panels, True Detect+ AI heat,…

Designed by Matt McMahon of McMahon Earth Solutions to complement a Hamptons-style home set in an idyllic spot in the Noosa Valley, this garden draws heavily on its coastal location to offer the young family something very special. While the front garden is a mix of formal elements, in keeping with the traditional architecture of the home, and rustic features; the rear garden is a more relaxed affair that feels like an extension of the wider natural environment. In the front garden, a formal stepping stone path leads from the driveway, across the manicured lawn to the front door of the house. The garden beds reflect the formal angularity of the path but are softened by the planting and the use of rustic Corten steel edging. The grand retaining wall…

THE SPA COLLECTION BY CORK IMPORTS Renowned for its wide range of cork floor and wall tiles in the New Generation cork range, Cork Imports also offers the luxurious Spa Collection. Available by special order, each item in the collection is designed and produced in Portugal for each order and as such minimum production and shipping times apply. From bathtubs (the cork bathtub retails for $15,450) to basins and vanities, the Spa Collection will elevate any bathroom and ensure ultimate relaxation. Contact Cork Imports at sales@corkimports.com.au to enquire about the Spa Collection. SONOS X SONANCE CEILING SPEAKERS Extending the highly successful Sonos Architectural line of passive speakers, the 8-inch In-Ceiling speaker provides installers and customers with a new size option that sits discreetly within the ceiling and delivers powerful, balanced…

These days we are living longer, and living well, with more of us embracing exercise and healthy eating habits. With a growing population of older Australians, more in-home services to support healthy ageing are available, meaning we can live at home for longer. Some say finding your forever home is all about beginning with the end in mind — how you envision living comfortably in your home in your twilight years. With rising building material costs, coupled with the stress and expense of relocating as your family’s needs change, it’s a smart move to design a home that will go the distance. A LIVEABLE HOME When designing your forever home, it’s important to look at how it services your family’s needs both now and into the future. A liveable home…

“The refit renovation represents the possibility of creating a new relationship with a space just by working with the natural light”—Kate Walker A holiday home should offer a sense of tranquillity. It should be a place to relax and unwind, where you can forget about the troubles of your day-to-day life. This Mornington Peninsula abode didn’t quite meet those objectives. “The property had been enjoyed for some years, providing a much-loved holiday retreat for the Melbourne-based family,” says Kate Walker, founder and director of the KWD design studio. “But the dwelling was unrenovated and distinctly brown, and was a very dated holiday home (stretching back to the early 2000s).” Of course, the family could have chosen to sell, but the couple and their two teenage children loved the location and relished…

For anyone who loves to support Australian brands and local manufacturing, you can’t go past a Eureka wood heater. As a certified Australian-made-and-owned brand, Eureka’s range of products is built to last and backed by industry-leading after-sales service and support. Renowned for crafting some of the finest wood heaters across our wide brown land, Eureka is a third-generation family business with a reputation built on quality and performance. Part of the AF Gason family, Eureka embraces AF Gason’s core principles of honesty and respect. From humble beginnings in 1946, the company prides itself on integrity, ethical conduct and fairness in all its business dealings — old-fashioned Australian values you can trust. A market leader for more than 25 years, Eureka has created ambient, cosy and warm settings for countless Australian…

Synonymous with solar power, Fronius is a phenomenal family business: a success story dating back to a humble one-man operation in 1945. Three-quarters of a century later, the business has gone from a regional specialist repair shop into a player on the global stage, cementing itself as an integral part of the industrial landscape. From electricity to heating, electric mobility and energy storage, Fronius is a formidable force within the solar sector. But let’s go back to the beginning. Founded by electrical engineer Günter Fronius, who made a living as a repair and maintenance man, Fronius was born in the Austrian town of Pettenbach after Günter had a lightning-bolt moment and created a device for recharging car batteries, allowing them to be used for longer. At the time, charging car…

With a passion to create, and as an art director of a lifestyle and home interiors magazine, Rebecca’s early career was in graphic design and interiors. “This accentuated my love of colour, how colour made me feel and how it can be used in rooms to evoke different emotions,” she enthuses. Swapping magazine deadlines for a newfound freedom to explore the creation of her own art has been a life-changing decision for Rebecca. This successful mum of three launched her art business in 2021 listing work online, showcasing her work at galleries and art fairs, and building her brand on Instagram. With her girls now in school, she has more time to indulge her artistic pursuits. Rebecca enjoys working with acrylics and oil pastels, creating large-format canvases, sometimes stretching to…

Winter in most of Australia is a far cry from that experienced in the northern hemisphere. We don’t share those mind-numbing plummeting temperatures and snow falls, but the days and evenings can be chilly. As temperatures start to fall and the days grow shorter, there is lots you can do to not only stay snug, but to also create a cosy ambience in your home. WINTER WARMERS With a wide range of contemporary heating options on offer, we’ve come a long way from basic electric and gas heaters and smoke-filled fireplaces. Wood burners offer time-honoured ambience, they burn cleaner and greener, and are a definite crowd pleaser when temperatures fall. Modern wood burners are designed by engineers and craftspeople to offer an efficient and effective way to warm spaces and…

This time of year brings beautiful autumn colours to the garden, and the cooler air means we are starting to spend more time indoors. We crave warmth, maybe an open fire and a good book to relax with. The ultimate surrounding is a home you are comfortable in, possibly even your forever home. What constitutes a “forever home”? For many, it is a family home where memories are made, where one stays for a long time — a house where children are raised and where you can later spend your retirement. A forever home can handle any changes life throws at it. Important considerations include location and flexibility to ensure the home can adapt to your changing requirements. It should also provide an emotional attachment, a sense of belonging and…

Better Building & Construction has done it again with this expertly restored Edwardian home. Within the old Edwardian bones of the home stood an outdated timber kitchen and bathrooms to match. Desperate for a modern makeover, the owners were keen to retain the charm and character of the original dwelling. They also emphasised the importance of creating functional spaces for their family and their beloved dog. Fulfilling its clients’ wishes saw Better Building & Construction renovate the kitchen, butler’s pantry, laundry, ensuite, main bathroom, powder room, outdoor pergola and decking area. In designing this project, one of the primary considerations was to preserve the inherent charm of the Edwardian architecture while infusing modern functionality. This meant delicately balancing traditional elements with contemporary conveniences. A major obstacle was optimising space in…

01: HEDGER CONSTRUCTIONS MBAV AWARD NOMINATIONS Hedger Constructions is proud to be nominated for the Master Builders Association of Victoria (MBAV) Excellence in Housing Awards 2024. In the Best Sustainable Home category, Hedger Constructions is nominated for delivering Australia’s first straw bale home to achieve Passivhaus Premium Level Certification — the highest level of Passivhaus Certification available. This unique off-grid Passivhaus, built using bio-based materials, generates more renewable energy than it uses. With more than 30 MBAV awards to date, including multiple Regional Builder of the Year wins, Hedger Constructions is regarded as one of Victoria’s leading custom home builders. Winners of the 2024 MBAV awards will be announced at a presentation evening in October. hedgerconstructions.com.au 02: WIFI EXCELLENCE WITH ORBI When it comes to elite WiFi performance across your…

DBT SHOW+TELL, SYDNEY DesignByThem, an Australian company run by designers who are dedicated to creating and producing unique products for design professionals and enthusiasts, brought its popular Show + Tell event to Sydney. Previewing new prototypes, colourways and ideas, the event allowed clients to view the company’s latest works and give honest feedback. Held in the business’s Alexandria showroom, the exhibition also featured a special custom colour-coated installation and a plethora of Australian-designed pieces. designbythem.com TASMAN GALLERY, BYRON BAY A former storage shed located in the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate has been reimagined by Benn + Penna as a workplace inside a gallery. “We transformed the former industrial building into a hybrid workspace and gallery, embracing the zeitgeist of the post-COVID era,” says Andrew Benn, director of Benn…

Displaying undeniable mastery, the team from Smith & Sons Toowoomba East has completed a comprehensive renovation of a mid-1960s home, flawlessly merging modernity with timeless charm. The makeover project converted the kitchen, living and dining areas, master bedroom, and included the addition of an ensuite. Involved in the design phase, the team tailored a streamlined renovation experience that aligned perfectly with the client’s wants, utilising their unique Design-Plan-Construct process. The home, which had begun to show signs of age and wear, underwent a stunning revival. Stepping through the sturdy blue front door, you will be met by bespoke Flourish Vintage navy-blue textured floor tiles, providing a sneak peek of what is to come around the corner. Strategic placement of new windows and doors not only enhanced energy efficiency, but also…

In the dynamic world of design and architecture, the pursuit of sustainability has become more than just a trend; it’s a responsibility. Weathertex, a pioneer in eco-friendly building materials, invites you to explore the forefront of sustainable design through its inspiring publication, the Weathertex 2024 Sustainable Design Trends Magazine. Dive into the pages of this publication and discover a wealth of insights that seamlessly blend aesthetics and environmental consciousness. This cutting-edge magazine showcases the latest trends, innovations and inspirations that are shaping the sustainable design landscape. It delves into various aspects of sustainable design, offering in-depth articles on green architecture, renewable energy integration and resource-efficient construction techniques. From residential spaces to commercial developments, each page is a testament to the beauty that arises when design and sustainability join forces.…

Picture this: you’ve found your dream home abroad in the United Kingdom. It’s the perfect size for your family of four, with six bedrooms, two dining rooms and even a basement gym. It’s in a good location but there’s just one problem: the garden faces north, limiting the amount of natural light the home enjoys. Thankfully for Katherine and James, the property owners, there was an easy solution — to contact Steve Cox of Cox Architects, who had worked with them on a previous remodel back in 2016. “It was great to be asked to design for the clients again,” Steve says, adding that they worked with the same builder, Elson Property Services London, together then, too. Steve was able to completely transform this detached Edwardian home in South London’s…

Morsø leads the field in the design and manufacture of wood-burning products, combining legendary Danish flair for design with expert engineering. The company’s experience and expertise are unrivalled. Morsø products seamlessly combine form and function to create superbly crafted and exceptionally efficient cast-iron fireplaces, handcrafted on the island of Mors in Denmark. The team manufactures a range of traditional and modern wood-burning fireplaces. Not only are these products functional, practical and made to the highest standards, they also ooze Danish elegance. Let’s start with the Morsø 8843 fireplace. This remarkable wood-burning fireplace is designed to elevate any room by creating a mesmerising ambience that captivates the senses. Crafted with precision, the stylish and functional Morsø 8843 boasts an array of features. The integrated automatic self-closing door ensures effortless operation while…

Big Ass Fans Australia is bringing in the next generation of cool with its latest product, Haiku Gen 4. This ceiling fan contains the same iconic design and unrivalled functionality of the Haiku, now with an enhanced lighting system, designed to give you refreshing breezes in a beautiful package of style, efficiency and durability. Available in five finishes, the new Haiku utilises natural materials with sleek bamboo and aircraft-grade aluminium designs, backed by either a five-year warranty for indoor models or three-year warranty for outdoor models, so you can love your Haiku for years to come. Managing director of Big Ass Australia, Shaun Brehaut, speaks to consumers’ need to have greater control over their comfort. “This fan favourite has been upgraded with Haiku owners’ most requested features, including an even…

Stacey comes from an artistic family; both her father and nan were artists. One of her earliest memories was climbing up to the top shelf in the cupboard to get into her father’s oil paint, then crawling back and painting her cot. “I drove my parents wild with new designs on my walls and furniture,” she says. From an early age, Stacey’s nan encouraged her to explore her love of art. “She trained me in oil paints and water colour from the age of six, and by the time I was a teenager, I was a confident painter,” explains Stacey. But as for many of us, life got in the way of her artistic dreams. After her son was born, Stacey entered a painting of him in an art show.…

Herschel Infrared heats your home the same way the sun heats the earth. It uses far infrared (FIR) energy to warm up the fabric of the building and all the things inside it, including you. This turns the very surfaces of your home into part of your radiant heating solution, delivering a consistently warm and comfortable environment. Unlike convection heat, which warms the air and moves it around the house, radiant heat travels through the air and is absorbed by objects and the room materials itself. Once the objects and room have been heated enough, they radiate the heat and your whole room becomes part of the heating system. Heating the air using convection methods is an inefficient solution because air cannot hold much heat. This is why a cool…

As the fastest growing flooring category in Australia, there are now a variety of options available to those savvy Australian homeowners who are choosing hybrid flooring for their home. Flooring Online offers five distinct hybrid ranges to meet the functional, stylistic and budgeting needs of any new home or renovation. Flooring Online’s Hybrid ranges are all 100 per cent waterproof and highly scratch resistant, meaning there’s no need to sweat over the paws, spills or any of life’s little mishaps. However, with so many options available it helps to understand a little bit about these incredible flooring ranges, and which one suits your needs. AQUA-TUF Flooring Online’s Aqua-Tuf hybrid flooring range is the culmination of functionality and beauty in flooring. Both waterproof and highly scratch resistant, these boards were designed…

Introducing the ULTRASPACE Bathroom Project by prominent designer Mark Gacesa, a masterpiece showcasing the exquisite beauty and functionality of Austaron’s Staron Solid Surfaces. This innovative bathroom design combines cutting-edge elements to create a space that exudes luxury and sophistication. One of the standout features of the ULTRASPACE Bathroom Project is the faceted vanity top, a striking centrepiece that captivates the eye with its unique shape and pristine finish. Paired with an integrated custom Staron basin vessel and smart waste system, this vanity embodies elegance and practicality. The storage platform, adorned with concealed Staron drawers, adds a touch of seamless perfection to the bathroom. Its sleek design seamlessly blends with the overall aesthetic while providing ample space for storing bathroom essentials, keeping the area tidy and organised. To create a hotel-inspired…