Nestled deep in the Toolangi State Forest, this contemporary take on the 17th-century Jacobian New England saltbox is a modern marvel. From its exquisite old church doors to the owner-laid parquetry flooring and dramatic feature wall, each was cleverly sourced, recycled and used in a way that gave a rustic charm to what is an automated, high-tech and almost bullet-proof home.

As homeowners Chris and Tabitha’s 120-acre bushland block was rated BAL 40, the highest a home can have, they needed to literally think outside the square when it came to designing and constructing their two-storey dream house.

“The land was completely forested with native vegetation,” says Tabitha. “We had owned the property since 2000 and had lived locally in a small, timber, one-bedroom,
old weatherboard cottage. The location [of our home] on the block minimises the defendable space required for bushfire protection and hence we needed to do tree and vegetation clearance.”

Along with the clearing of trees directly around the home, Chris and Tabitha took steps in sourcing building materials that could withstand the extreme heat and flames of a bushfire. By using insulated core foam (ICF) concrete external walls, a high-pitched ASKIN roofing system with integrated insulation and a high-tech sprinkler system that can be accessed remotely, they gave their home the best chance to stand against a bushfire.

“The [roof’s foam core] actually goes out itself,” says Peter Maddison, host of Grand Designs Australia, when testing the roof with a flame torch. “It just goes to dust. [The foam core] is not even hot in there now. It’s cooled off really quickly.”

Although the home’s design was far from the owners’ initial idea of the mud and straw homestead they had dreamt about 15 years prior, Tabitha was still able to turn the grand, contemporary structure into a warm and inviting space for her family of five.

“We wanted something low maintenance, family friendly, generational and sustainable as well as bushfire-resilient,” says Tabitha. “Toolangi, which means ‘tall trees’ in Taungurung language, is home to the tallest flowering plant in the world, the mountain ash, and the house had to be scaled properly to sit comfortably in the landscape.”

By using a natural palette including red mud, local stone, iron and gabion cages, the external facade blends neatly into its old-growth forest surroundings. Each of the materials was chosen to age and gain patina with time to reduce maintenance and give it a lived-in feel.

Inside, the house comes alive with much-loved trinkets and unique finds hidden throughout. From the scattered glass and mirror inlaid into the polished concrete floor to the dramatic timber feature wall, every detail was laid with love and precision.

“[The interior has a] neutral palette, with highly carved antique timber furniture and upholstery to make its own statement,” says Tabitha. “I hunted second-hand materials such as handmade, rough-cut, hand-glazed tiles for the kitchen splashback; Australian hardwood parquetry flooring pieces, lovingly restored by me; and reclaimed brushbox flooring to use as wall panelling.”

Moving through the home, there are delightful details in surprising places, each with its own story to tell. “I love the raw and authentic use of materials and the exposure of the surfaces ‘unfinished’,” says Tabitha. “The tiles from the splashback in the kitchen belonged to a lady who chipped them off the hearth at her grandmother’s house prior to it being demolished. She then carried them around for 30 years intending to use them, but then was downsizing and sold them to me!”

Using his skills as an electrician, Chris wired up the home to be as efficient and eco-friendly as possible, with home automation and solar panels on the shed connecting to 24 large batteries for the energy to be stored and used when needed. This also means Chris can delay-start a power point to make the most efficient use of the off-grid power system. This energy also controls the heating and water filtration of the home.

“At the end of the day, this is what I do,” says Chris. “I’m an electrician, just with
a big imagination.”

Being an owner-build, the home didn’t come without significant challenges. Financial delays became a major setback, pushing the build’s timeline two-and-a-half years beyond the initial 12-month timeline. The couple also welcomed their third child during the process.

“The team were amazing — they worked so well together,” says Tabitha. “The only issue we had was with the bank as they did not understand our custom build, which did not fit into the boxes of the usual stages for building and construction and the release of funds. The design also changed twice during the planning process and we had to apply for an internal change to add an extra bedroom as we found out I was pregnant with our third child!”

Due to the financial delays, the couple had to sell their renovated cottage to release much-needed funds into their grand project. This meant they had to live in a large shed at a friend’s place for 10 months, with all five of them sharing one bedroom.

“We did not have an enormous budget. This shows that any regular family can achieve what we did with commitment and resolve,” say Chris and Tabitha. “It wasn’t easy but it was so worth it. We are very content and are now working towards living a self-sufficient lifestyle growing our own food, caring for our bush block and its rare and endangered inhabitants, and teaching our children the grassroot things that matter.”

This article originally appeared in Grand Designs #10.3

The post Grand Designs Australia TV House: Toolangi appeared first on Completehome.

The kitchen is located in a Neo-Georgian-style residence and the finishes and decor were chosen to blend beautifully and strike a balance in the stately home. The original kitchen didn’t fit with the traditional architecture featured in the rest of the room and it wasn’t the most functional either. When an incident with a water leak occurred, the homeowners decided it was time to renovate.

They requested a bespoke kitchen for the area. Though they were happy to work with the existing space, they wanted an island bench, which required the removal of one wall. Careful consideration was necessary when finalising the kitchen’s design and choosing its materials and fixtures to ensure it enhanced the home’s architectural style.

With this in mind, a Lacanche oven and a traditional-look pendant light were integrated as the kitchen’s focal points. The door profile and double half bullnose benchtop featuring a marble-look surface were selected to complement the rest
of the space, resulting in a cohesive design that will exude elegance for years to come.
Designer Jeff Richards for Ultimate Kitchens and Bathrooms

For more information

Ultimate Kitchens and Bathrooms

The post Old-World Charm appeared first on Completehome.

A Par Taps Bell lever basin set in black was installed to suit the home’s ‘50s aesthetic and a white vanity with bevelled edge was chosen to complement the tapware. As the bathroom is relatively small, tiling was completed in a way that created the illusion of a much larger space.

Plentiful storage solutions were worked into the room to ensure it remains neat and uncluttered at all times, while a dramatic freestanding back-to-wall bath was chosen to add a final touch of character.

Designer: Alannah Balzan for Bathroom Concepts

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Bathroom Concepts

The post A timely transformation: a fusion traditional-modern bathroom appeared first on Completehome.

Designer: Kai M Rohmert for Bathroom Concepts

Built by: Rob Duncan for Bathroom Concepts

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Bathroom Concepts

The post Classical modern: a timeless project appeared first on Completehome.

To create more space, a linen cupboard that backed onto the bathroom was removed and the existing bathroom wall was pulled out. The room was then extended, adding significant space. A skylight was installed to add more natural light and, combined with the stunning wall scones to either side of the mirror and the LED downlights, the room is wonderfully light, bright and spacious. Adding to the New York aesthetic are handmade subway and marble mosaic tiles, while Perrin & Rowe accessories throughout give the design a classic touch. The luxurious shower includes a frameless shower screen, built-in soap box and seat with stone top.

Designer: Designline Kitchens & Bathrooms

For more information

Designline Kitchens & Bathrooms

Originally in Bathrooms Yearbook Issue 21

The post New York, New York appeared first on Completehome.

“The cabinetry has been designed with the overall aesthetic of the home in mind. An immediate focal point, the freestanding cast-iron bathtub sits luxuriously between the light and open windows.
The tiles from Elite Bathware are both striking and harmonious with the overall design. The expertly selected fittings correspond with the traditional feel of the renovated home. All of these strong design elements come together to complement each other, with no individual piece overpowering the space. It’s this attention to detail that takes the bathroom from ordinary to extraordinary.”

For more information
Designer Kitchens

Originally in Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly, Volume 23, Issue 4

The post Hamptons-style ensuite appeared first on Completehome.

Everything about this space says luxe. The limestone floor tiles, the double vanities, the textured feature wall, the Victorian-esque mural and that copper bathtub. With a brief that requested an element of pizzazz, this bathroom design is a far cry from its original state. Cramped, dark and beginning to show signs of leakage, the space has been transformed into a glamorous haven that is as practical as it is luxurious.

Catering for a family of six, the well-considered layout encourages easy movement and provides plenty of space to spread out. A double set of deep drawers takes care of any storage needs, while the problem of mould is eliminated with heated floor tiles and a skylight. Glossy white surfaces and oversized mirrors work in unison to cleverly bounce the small amount of natural light around the room.

The copper bath beautifully softens any harshness and exudes a sense of warmth and opulence, a feeling mirrored by the hanging copper chains of the shower. The chains provide a look of industrial modernity to the space, a concept that juxtaposes brilliantly with the feminine feature wall of the sanitary suite.”
Designer: Sallyann Ling for Bathrooms & Kitchens SA

For more information

Bathrooms & Kitchens SA

Originally in Kitchens&Bathrooms Quarterly, Vol 23, No. 2

The post Practical luxury: bathroom design appeared first on Completehome.

“This light-soaked bathroom forms part of a larger renovation, and the owners wanted a design that would fit with the French provincial aesthetic they’d planned for the rest of their home. A small, older-style window and a wall of mirrors dated the old space, and the client was after something new, bright and full of character. The long, narrow room provided a challenge, but a generous bath and a broad French-style window draw the eye across and help create the illusion of a larger space. Antique French pieces and exposed brick evoke the feeling of spending a weekend away at a luxurious European B&B and contrast beautifully with the modern bath, basin and lighting. The heated towel rail and shower rose promise an inviting escape in which every convenience has been carefully considered, while the generous vanity storage offers incredible practicality for the busy modern household. Tied together with beautiful pewter touches, sweeping panes of glass and charming accessories, this room is a perfect marriage of country Europe and modern Australia.”
Designer: Naomi Freier Interiors with The English Tapware Company

Expert Tip: Incorporate modern staples into a themed space to avoid a dated or overly matched aesthetic.

We love: the beautifully restored antique mirror and vanity.

For more information
englishtapware.com.au

Originally from Bathroom Yearbook magazine, Volume 20

The post European charm bathroom appeared first on Completehome.

“This light-soaked bathroom forms part of a larger renovation, and the owners wanted a design that would fit with the French provincial aesthetic they’d planned for the rest of their home. A small, older-style window and a wall of mirrors dated the old space, and the client was after something new, bright and full of character.

The long, narrow room provided a challenge, but a generous bath and a broad French-style window draw the eye across and help create the illusion of a larger space. Antique French pieces and exposed brick evoke the feeling of spending a weekend away at a luxurious European B&B and contrast beautifully with the modern bath, basin and lighting.

The heated towel rail and shower rose promise an inviting escape in which every convenience has been carefully considered, while the generous vanity storage offers incredible practicality for the busy modern household. Tied together with beautiful pewter touches, sweeping panes of glass and charming accessories, this room is a perfect marriage of country Europe and modern Australia.”

Designer: Naomi Freier Interiors with The English Tapware Company
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The English Tapware Company

Originally in Kitchens&Bathrooms Quarterly, Volume 23.1

The post Luxurious escape: bathroom renovation appeared first on Completehome.

“This bathroom was designed with maximum impact in mind. I was presented with a small, uninviting space and asked to do the near impossible: transform it into a functional bathroom with plenty of ‘wow’ factor. Of particular note is the spectacular floral-print feature wall. Providing a striking contrast to the lightly toned colour scheme prevalent in the rest of the bathroom, the wall offers a dramatic welcome for guests entering the space.

Where this bathroom really excels, however, is its ability to present just enough lavish fittings to boost this bathroom into the ‘luxury’ category, but not so many that the space becomes overcrowded. I hand-selected a variety of different fixtures, including sleek stainless-steel towel rails, Kohler mixer taps and a unique Dorf rain showerhead, and placed them thoughtfully around the room to ensure maximum movement.
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The rounded mirror and three frosted conical spotlights above the vanity complete the designer look, adding to this bathroom’s star quality.”

Designer: John Spiteri for Brindabella Bathrooms

Photography: Eliot Cohen for Zeitgeist Photography

For more information

Brindabella Bathrooms

1300 794 488

brindabellabathrooms.com.au

brindabellahomeimprovements.com.au

Originally from Kitchens and Bathrooms Quarterly magazine, Volume 21 Issue 3

The post Star quality bathroom appeared first on Completehome.