The homeowners of this quaint terraced cottage in the inner city  suburb of Summerhill were struggling with the layout of their old kitchen and living room.  There was no space for a dining area and it lacked storage.  They wanted the new designed space to be flexible and allow them to entertain small to large groups of family and friends.

Before – kitchen only:

After – kitchen and dining:

Before – living:

After – living:

The renovated space exists of 3 zones: kitchen, dining and living – with each zone ‘borrowing’ space from the other when occupied.  It has a calm and welcoming feel, where friends and family feel at home.  The room feels light and spacious and integrates well with the outside courtyard.

Great attention was paid to the provision of integrated storage, and to have designated space ‘behind closed doors’ for as many items as possible, thereby creating a clean uncluttered space.  Custom made joinery and a neutral palette ensures an elegant and overall cohesive look.  The veined marble bench top and splashback continue into an appliance’s niche behind the L-shaped pantry, thereby extending the working space.  The fully integrated dishwasher’s front panel was routed to match the lines of the drawers. Joinery was taken all the way up to the ceiling  to maximise storage.  Deep narrow drawers in the tall cabinet makes it easy to access and retrieve items.

The wide couch and ottoman’s soft textured fabric and soft furnishings were sourced to match the owners’ existing rug.  The couch’s position was changed over to the opposite side and the floating custom made entertainment cabinet continued on from the kitchen joinery, thereby ‘stretching’ the space.  Its blackbutt timber veneer matches that of the custom made dining table.  A cane armchair tones in perfectly and its light see-through frame ensures the space feels uncluttered.  Paintable embossed wall paper adds discreet texture and subtle visual layering.

This indoor space is entertainment ready and flows easily to the outdoor courtyard.

A repeat client bought a 3 bedroom unit in a dual occupancy house in Vaucluse. The client is an experienced renovator who wanted to modernise the interior of their apartment and ‘spruce up’ the exterior of the whole building. Her brief included instructions to design a more open and spacious kitchen, review of her selection of finishes, exterior paint scheme and overall improved space planning.

Before:

After:

The exterior paint scheme was designed to deliberately tone down the red and terracotta hues of the brick paving and tiled roof. It also introduces the interior’s light and neutral palette with dark contrasting accents. This palette forms a soft backdrop for the client’s art collection and chosen furniture pieces.

The door to the garage was removed – a ‘walk through’ pantry was created from which one could enter the new media room and existing garage. The fridge was moved to this pantry and the ‘working’ part of the kitchen is located to the rear. This leaves the front of the kitchen clear of appliances enabling easy entertainment and access to and from the dining and living area.

The joinery and walls are all finished in Dulux Natural White creating a light and spacious feel. The kitchen cabinetry’s classic shaker profile creates visual texture and layering.  Dark ‘inky blue’ subway tiles feature as a strong contrast and bounces light off its highly glazed surface.

Some of the optional layouts proposed before the final layout was chosen:

This townhouse is located in an award winning harbourside estate in Wollstonecraft.  The property was prepared for a short and intense sales campaign before auction.  Thoughtful attention was given to the selection of furniture and decorative pieces to enhance the quality, elegance and light of the apartment.

Careful consideration was given to furniture layout to create easy traffic flow through the kitchen, living and dining areas to the large north facing tiled patio. Decorative items were hired and styled to complement the client’s existing colour scheme.

In the master bedroom, textures and tones were layered to create depth and visual interest whilst still maintaining a sense of space and light.

The townhouse’s two double bedrooms were styled and dressed to make most of the rooms’ sizes and demonstrate uncluttered yet luxurious living.

This beautiful four level home needed some minor cosmetic renovations and styling before being placed on the property market. Kitchen cabinetry was repainted; its marble bench top resurfaced.  Bathroom vanity units and basins were replaced. The exterior and interior paintwork was refreshed and new carpet was laid in the master and second bedroom combined study.

The home’s existing architecture inspires the selection of decorative touches, furnishings, colours and textures.

A second living space flows out onto a patio and pool. Simple modular lounge furniture in neutral and soothing tones compliment the marbled tiled floor.  Pops of colour, both bright and pastel, add visual interest and softens any glare from the pool.

Bedrooms all have access to outdoor decks.  They are dressed with neutral, textured and layered bedding to create a luxurious and resort like atmosphere.

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The indoor and outdoor living spaces are connected seamlessly when the glazed doors are peeled back.  Colour palettes are repeated to ensure the visual extension of one space to the other.

 

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In collaboration with Front Row Renovations, this 1920’s block of five art deco style apartments in Mosman was renovated whilst still retaining many of its original period features. Dark and ‘boxy’ rooms were transformed into free flowing and sun drenched spaces with modern finishes.

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Bedrooms were finished with ample space to enhance the feeling of luxury and style.  Intricate leadlight windows were salvaged and repaired, and new simple skirting, architraving and 3-step cornices retained the art deco character of the original building.

Before:

After:

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Kitchens were enlarged and renovated with bright but soft and neutral tones. Bamboo timber flooring added warmth and elegance to the spaces. Internal laundries were cleverly concealed in kitchen cabinetry and storage was provided for throughout the apartments.

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The brief was for a paint scheme that would update and modernise the exterior of this Balmain home.  It was important that the proposed colour scheme would successfully integrate the corrugated roofing.

Before:

After:

A small bathroom was modernised and finished with warm, natural and neutral tones. The bath was reused and plumbing was kept in the same locations. Tall mirrored cabinets and the tiled wall shelf provide ample storage and keep this bathroom looking elegant, tidy and spacious.

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After:

    

The brief is was to design and co-ordinate an office fit out for staff’s working offices situated in Lifestyle Working Building, Brookvale, Sydney. The layout had to provide workstations for up to 14 people (some permanent, some hot desking), a break out area, an improved kitchen area and a services area.

No structural work could be done and in order to fulfil the brief, joinery and furniture placement were key in creating the different areas. A casual but effective entrance is formed by cupboards which serve both screening and storage purposes. The colours of the company’s logo are echoed in the finishes and furnishings.

The new kitchenette is cafe styled.  The Gruve dry bar table (from Sebel Furniture) and Sebastian bar stools serve as additional hot desking.

Before:

After:

The clients purchased an original cladded 3 level home in Ås, Nora Sweden for them and their two sons.  The house has a very small entrance, one bathroom and two bedrooms.  The brief was to enlarge the entrance, upstairs landing and create three bedrooms – the maximum allowable increase in floor space was 15m².  This is a good example of an e-Design project.  The owner did all the measuring of the house himself, internally and externally, sent hand drawn measurements and via skype, face time and the internet, I was able to ‘build’ the existing and proposed dwelling using Graphisoft ArchiCAD.

Existing:

Proposed:

A new larger front vestibule is proposed, with a new timber front verandah and steps across its entire width.  The kitchen and dining become one large open planned space.  A master bedroom with an ensuite and full length cupboards give the parents the privacy and space they desire.  Two bedrooms mirror each other for the boys with their own compact but functional bathroom.  A wc is also located downstairs. Three optional front entrances were presented.

The clients also wanted some ideas for creating a sense of entry, in particular addressing the surrounds for a functioning traditional radiator.  Two digital concept boards were prepared and sent.

Once the clients chose their desired options, dimensioned drawings with specifications were emailed and they are now project managing the build, whilst having weekly Skype meetings to review progress and any issues that may arise.

Main bathroom, North Ryde

The challenge of this compact 2 x 2.6m main bathroom was to fit in a full length bath and free standing shower, a toilet, basin and storage. The design of the shower was such, that when not in use, its floorspace served as free floorspace in front of the bath and wall mounted basin. The shower screen has a hinged panel which folds back completely on itself when not in use. Ample storage and electrical powerpoints are concealed in the mirrored recessed shaving cabinet, and wall hung joinery. To create the illusion of greater floorspace, the floor tile continued up the wall. A large frosted window lets in ample light bouncing of the slightly rippled white tiles, creating a soft soothing ambiance in the bathroom.

 

Main bathroom, Potts Point

An original small and compact bathroom of an apartment in Potts Point was to be gutted, re-fitted and finished. The client wanted a rich and sumptuous look, without it feeling dark and dingy. Budgetary constraints dictated plumbing to remain where it was.  A frameless corner shower with light bathroom floor tiles flowing all the way through, made the space look larger. A prefabricated Kado Lux wall hung vanity basin and mirrored shaving cabinet provided storage and space. Glistening and reflective surfaces bounce light around.

Construction drawings and a Finishes and Fittings Schedule were provided to the client who project managed the bathroom renovation with her own builder.

 

Accessible toilets – left and right hand transfer

Importantly, circulation to and from the toilet and basin must always be  a priority.  Wanting to give it a less utilitarian appearance, and a more lux and stylish feel, special attention was given to the proposal of elegant and durable finishes and fittings. Laminex wall panelling, textured floor tiles and movement sensor light and tap fittings all contribute to safe and effortless use of the facilities.