After being recommended to the owners by a friend, the award-winning Papst Building Group worked with the couple to create a reimagined kitchen, living and dining space fit for a family of five.

“We assisted our clients with adapting the original design to be more open plan and made suggestions on how to work with existing structures to add value to their everyday living,” says Michaela Papst, general manager of Papst Building Group. “The kitchen and living areas were not functional for family living, and the entire lower level was dark and closed in.”

The owners sought an open-plan living zone and kitchen that flowed through to the backyard, allowing more light indoors and a space where the family could gather together comfortably.

The original bathroom and laundry on the ground level were completely updated, and a new kitchen fit-out and updated living space created, with modern aluminium bi-fold doors opening to the backyard.

“These new doors and retractable flyscreens allow the beautiful Queensland light to flood in year-round, creating a bright and open transformation, a generous entertaining area for the owners that seamlessly integrates the new dining area with the existing private backyard space,” says Michaela.

The lower-level renovation is well suited to the climate and allows the clients to entertain and enjoy a seamless flow between outside and in.

“These alterations also allow better access to the internal staircase, previously blocked off by an internal wall. There are additional storage opportunities with under-stair storage space, which is one of the owners’ favourite design features,” says Michaela.

Structural beam changes were required to secure the new design and open up the ground level. The placement of these beams to form bulkheads added an aesthetic feature and retained the height of the ceilings, which created a feeling of spaciousness and blended well with the home’s original character.

Yet, as previously mentioned, this renovation didn’t escape its challenges. After being delayed due to lockdowns and extended lead times, Brisbane experienced extensive rainfall and flooded the Saturday before the build was due to start.

“The client’s home was flooded with a foot of water through the entire lower level,” recalls Michaela. “Thankfully, all belongings were moved upstairs in preparation for the commencement of the build. The flood was quite an obstacle for both the clients and us as their builders. Effective scheduling, trade engagement and project management allowed us to be responsive, patient and action-oriented to support our clients through this stressful time.

“Although challenging, these projects help us to better understand the varying needs of our clients and their specific vision for their dream home, and we are very grateful for each and every one.”

For more information, 

Papst Building Group 

The post A Bright and Open Transformation Amidst Lockdowns, Delays, and Flooding appeared first on Completehome.

Lighting and interior styling have a synergetic relationship. Great lighting shows off your styling, and at the same time, great styling helps to maximise lighting. By carefully considering how your lighting and interior styling work in tandem, you will make your home look bigger, brighter and more beautiful.

Make a move

You want light to flow through all areas of the home, but bulky furniture can easily get in the way. The first thing you need to do is move these pieces (beds, sofas, cupboards, bookshelves) out of the way of doors and windows. Contrary to popular belief, pushing furniture up against walls doesn’t make the space seem bigger – by “floating” furniture towards the middle of the room, you’ll encourage more light flow. If you don’t have a lot of light to work with, it may be time to invest in low-lying and even transparent furniture.

Sheer genius

Let’s dispose of those heavy blackout curtains. When drapes are open, if they are made from a thick fabric, they can weigh down the entire vibe of the room. And when they are closed, you’ll need to install heavy-duty lighting to get rid of the gloom. Sheer curtains are currently trending, as they let in natural light while still allowing some privacy. Plus, the ethereal look is the perfect complement to a modern minimal home. If you’re looking for even more privacy, adjustable wooden shutters are a great investment. Choose a white shade to help reflect light.

White out

Speaking of white, it’s common interior design wisdom that white reflects light, while black absorbs it. Simply giving your walls a fresh coat of white paint could completely change the way your home is lit. Don’t stop there – switch out your furniture and accessories for light neutral shades and watch your home become bigger and brighter before your eyes. The good news is that this fresh, minimalist aesthetic will never ever go out of style.

Let it shine

Shiny surfaces also reflect light, meaning there is more light bouncing around the room without having to buy an extra lamp or knock down a wall. Mirrors are every interior stylists’ secret weapon, adding sparkle to a room and reflecting lots of light. In rooms where you don’t want mirrors – the kitchen, for example – you can achieve a similar effect with glossy surfaces like glass furniture, splashbacks and metallic finishes.

Perfect fitting

Draw the eye towards the light with stylish fixtures and fittings. The right fitting helps to disperse light in the best way for each room, but can also be a striking style statement. At BOWERBIRD Interiors, the stylists are loving stripped-back industrial globes, copper and matte black accents, and huge pendants softened with fabric or rattan. Think of lighting as functional art and mix and match to your styling!

For more information

Alpha Lighting

The post Maximise the Lighting and Complete Your Home appeared first on Completehome.

With a multipurpose space such a kitchen, it is integral that this room partners with the rest of the house to make modern life function easier, and this beautiful Floreat kitchen with a separate kitchen scullery and laundry has done just that!

When the homeowners came to Retreat Design, their brief was to create a light and bright kitchen space that would function well when entertaining and cooking. The original space was awkward with several windows breaking up a long lineal wall. The old kitchen featured a traditional wood finish which meant that the lovely jarrah floorboards weren’t getting the attention they deserved.

A feature window was created over the extended sink area to maximise light. White cabinetry and a subtle stone benchtop gave the jarrah floorboards the chance to really shine as one of the heroes of this modernised home. The original laundry was extended to include a kitchen scullery. A partial nib wall hides the utility area while maintaining an easy workflow between this functional area and the kitchen space. Packed with functionality and a welcoming aesthetic, the homeowners were overjoyed with their new kitchen.

For more information

Retreat Design

The post A sleek and subtle kitchen design by Retreat Design appeared first on Completehome.