A contemporary two-storey family residence designed for effortless entertaining and casual indoor-outdoor living
From the spacious living areas and multipurpose media room to the inviting pool flanked by a well-equipped cabana, this is a home designed for effortless entertaining and easy living. Light-filled and airy, it is home to a professional couple with two young girls and a testament to the design skills of Michael Sasso, Director of Aspect Designs.
The family had purchased a site in Bella Vista, an outer suburb of Sydney, but the shape of the land made it difficult for them to proceed with their original plan, which was to adapt a project home design. They soon realised this approach wasn’t going to work, so they decided the only solution was a custom designed home.
“The design had to address the shape of the site, the orientation, and provide privacy from the neighbours — it also had to incorporate a pool,” explains Michael. “The result is a home with an open living plan, one that seamlessly flows out to an outdoor living that features a pool and poolside cabana. Beyond that, the ground opens up to provide a lawn area.
“The thoughtful design of the two-storey home facilitates easy communication between spaces on both levels yet provides for the separation of adult and kids’ living areas, which will be a boon when the children become teenagers. As for the look of the house, they wanted it to be contemporary but different to the other contemporary homes that surrounded it.”
Michael’s design provides everything the family needs. There are four bedrooms, a study and media room, four bathrooms plus a powder room, multiple living areas and a modern kitchen with Smeg appliances, and a butler’s pantry. For maximum comfort there is underfloor heating in the tiled areas, individually-controlled air-conditioning to all rooms, and three fireplaces to warm the toes.
Enhancing the sense of space and light, a void soars over the ground-floor dining area, there are large banks of windows, and the interior walls are painted a fresh white.
Care was taken with every design choice and all product and material selections, with the emphasis placed on low maintenance, longevity and luxury. This ranges from the Low-e (smart) glass for the windows and doors to the built-in furniture. It also extends to the strategic use of louvre windows to capture cooling breezes and the well-considered use of timber (such as on the stairs).
The success of this project is due to the collaboration between Aspect Designs, Building Excellence Australia (who won an award for the construction of the home) and the homeowners. Says Michael, “The owners had a lot of involvement during the design and building processes and, as a result, they have a home they love — and just as importantly, one that really reflects who they are.”
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