Carrera Kitchens’ Seamless Fusion of Style and Practicality, clean lines and a minimalist appeal are the hallmarks of this design. Crisp-white joinery forms the shell of the kitchen, which contains minimal doored cabinets. The storage available on the rear wall under the cooktop comes in the form of deep drawers, all with soft-close Blum hardware and finger-grip shadow lines in lieu of handles for optimal function. The large kitchen island showcases more storage drawers and is fronted by v-groove panelling in a deep charcoal grey that makes a strong statement.

Another modern touch is the waterfall edges on the island. Crafted from 60mm Smartstone in Davinci Blanco, the thick material with marble-like veining adds texture to the space while maintaining the contrasting theme. A Smeg double oven built into the joinery to the right of the cooktop provides plenty of space to cook family meals.

The same v-groove panelling graces this section of the kitchen, tying it to the kitchen island and adding visual impact. A simple rangehood of sharp angles sits over the cooktop, with open shelving extending from each side that breaks up the mass of Smartstone serving as the splashback.

As a new build, this kitchen design didn’t require removing walls or repositioning the layout. Starting with a clean slate, the team at Carrera Kitchens was able to implement a highly functional plan that included a butler’s pantry. Providing ample space for food prep, storage and clean up, the spacious walk-in pantry helps hide away the clutter while providing everything the clients needed to elevate their daily culinary experience.

For more information, visit Carrera Kitchens

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Made by Pen (Pen) is an Australian product design studio founded on the principles of good design and innovative simplicity. Partnering with Australia’s most inspired designers, architects and makers, Pen delivers products that are authentic, well-resolved and set to last a lifetime.

“Pen was formed to bring innovative and affordable homewares to design-lovers,” says Amy Sellick, director at Made by Pen. “As a studio, we have committed to collaborating with Australian designers and craftspeople to promote Australian design to the global market.”

It is this passion for collaboration and superior design that sets Made By Pen products apart. Far from cookie-cutter commodities, each item is conceptually rigorous and aesthetically elegant. “We are motivated by progress,” explains Amy. “Pen’s studio collection is designed to make the places we work, live and play in more functional, beautiful and evolved.”

As a studio, Pen considers what is missing from the market and fills the gap with outstanding pieces, such as the chic Sway lamp, the contemporary Linea table-top organiser, Alas wall hook and The Dog Room, one of Pen’s most popular designs. “We worked with Michael Ong, an award-winning Melbourne architect, to create a functional and beautiful space for people’s dogs,” Amy notes. “Our original run of the product sold out and we thought we had saturated the market. We had underestimated the appeal of the product and people were constantly asking us to produce more. We decided to, but the second time around we tried to put more ‘good’ into the product. That was our first partnership with Help Manufacturing (a Queensland-based not-for-profit that specialises in providing opportunities for people with disabilities) and that really set the stage for further collaboration.”

Underpinned by the success of their collaborative relationships, Pen partners with designers and architects who can visually transform their idea or narrative into a design. “To make our designs into products, we need to forge partnerships with a huge number of manufacturers,” elaborates Amy. “For us, relationships are pivotal to our collection outcome, which is why we seek likeminded people to partner with. To date, we have chosen talented, forward-thinking people such as Nick Rennie, Jim Hannon-Tan, Helen Kontouris and Michael Ong.”

So, what’s next for Pen? The team is working with a Melbourne-based designer to create an object inspired by time spent at home and the need for a peaceful, green existence against the backdrop of the pandemic. Help Manufacturing will again be called on to bring the piece to fruition and continue Pen’s dedication to the greater good. “We believe that, if you work as hard as you can to do and be good in your process, the products you create will be imbued with your invested positivity,” concludes Amy. “We spend time and effort finding people with this same view, from our designers through to our production partners. We don’t want to work with people who simply want to trade a product for the most money possible. We want people who are happy doing good. It’s our sincere hope that everyone involved in Pen’s process, especially the final consumer, experiences the good in our products.”

For more information

Made by Pen

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Implementing the ‘less is more’ outlook on life can be a confronting change to our busy lifestyles. Luckily, we have four simple tips that can help you get started on your minimalist styling journey.

1. Choosing a colour palette

Contrary to popular belief, a minimalist colour palette doesn’t have to be a boring greyscale. A fusion of warm and cool materials can form a picture-perfect bedroom when well balanced.

Our advice? Keep it simple!

Start by selecting a neutral base colour, and do your best to avoid complex colour combinations as you build on it. Don’t be afraid to get creative and spice it up with hints of earthy browns, greens and tans. Perhaps a throw or decorative pillow will be the perfect splash of colour. Or a few indoor plants for a burst of green.

2. Make the bed the focal point

At the heart of minimalism styling is symmetry. That’s not to say everything needs to be exactly symmetrical. As long as the eye is able to move freely and smoothly around the room you’re good to go.

The secret is to ensure the focal point of the room is the bed. Don’t be fooled, size matters! So to ensure a perfectly proportioned bedroom, choose a mattress that is suitable for the dimensions of your room.

Also consider the size of your bed relative to your sleeping habits and quality of rest. For many Australians, the size of their sleep area has not changed much since they were babies! The width of the average cot is approximately 75cm. A standard double bed, one of the most popular sizes in the AU, measures 135cm wide. If you share your bed that’s just 68.5cm each!

Here’s a basic guide to mattress sizes to help you make the most of your bedroom space. We recommend you should always work in metric for the most accurate measurements, but if you prefer feet and inches, then we have listed the nearest equivalent size to help you.

3. Take advantage of natural light

Natural light is a blessing. Letting as much of it into your room as possible will bring warmth and a feeling of hominess, which you otherwise may feel is missing due to the lack of décor and clutter. Strategically placed mirrors and paint with yellow undertones are helpful in maximising the visibility of natural light in your room.

4. Keeping the space clean & tidy

The final step in your journey towards your dream minimalist bedroom is to get rid of all that clutter. Yes, that means you need to find storage for all those homeless bits and bobs scattered around. A visually quiet room will in turn calm your mind. Ask yourself which items in your room are necessary, what can be put away into storage and what can be thrown away?

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Flooring can go a long way to accentuating elements within your home and Tongue n Groove flooring understand this. They are passionate about oak flooring, its character, its patina and the elegance it bestows upon each and every project.

 Tounge n Groove’s product is fashioned from three layers of solid European oak, bonded together with state-of-the-art engineering methods. This gives customers one of the strongest and most reliable floor-boards on the market – “unrivalled in terms of size, strength, flexibility of use, stability and quality” (tngflooring). 

It is also worth mentioning one of the biggest advantages of wooden floor-boards – the ease of cleaning thanks to no dirt and grime becoming lodged in the carpet. This is especially important for those with allergies who would suffer from dust, dander and pollen getting stuck in the carpet.

In saying this, it’s not just the boards’ superior quality that attracts clients attention, it’s also the aesthetic appeal. Working closely with some of Australia’s leading architects and designers, TNGflooring have created an inspired palette of colors and finishes, all treated with a natural oil to allow for easy maintenance.

Take for example this apartment in Potts Point where a dark wood is used to emphasize the jet-black cupboards and chairs.

The gorgeous floorboards ( as seen above ) come from a European Oak tree, which is native to Europe west of the Caucasus whilst the style is Herringbone parquetry. The gorgeous penza color of the floorboards naturally contrast with the tricklings of white in the marble wall creating a satisfying symphony of dulled colors. 

This type of floor boarding also looks wonderful in a lounge room, as can be seen in the photo above. The dark floorboards, in combination with the dark couch and contrasted with the light marble tabletop and armchair, helps to typify the minimalist and clean aesthetic.

Tongue n Groove flooring are a boutique producer who have been asked to collaborate with myriad practitioners across many sectors, from residential to the corporate world.

For more information:

Tongue n Groove Flooring

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Whether it be for an outdoor patio, gazebo or you are in the market for a luxurious set of window shutters – Shutterflex has everything you will need. 

Shutterflex has developed gorgeous, high quality products which look great in any residential home, from the classic Federation style to the latest in contemporary architectural visions. They’re bespoke products can truly uplift the feeling and appearance of any building.

Through their experience are able to offer the very best in exceptional design, superior manufacturing and precision fitting. Shutterflex understands how important it is to invest in custom shutters and screens that are designed to last.

With design and engineering at the heart and soul of what they do, you can always be confident that you’re investing in top-quality climate control products, created specifically for Australian conditions.

They’re considered one of Queensland’s most trusted suppliers of top-quality facades, external shutters, aluminium shutters, louvres, and screens. Shutterflex will custom make your order to suit both residential and commercial projects throughout Australia and across the Pacific Islands.

If you’re after facades, shutters, louvres, and screens that provide lasting style and superb functionality; Shutterflex has the perfect shade, privacy and climate control solutions for you.

Features:

• Highly durable sun shading for windows and awnings
• Ideal privacy screening for gates, gable infill and air conditioning units
• Made of high-quality, low-maintenance aluminium
• Panels can be either fixed or moveable
• Panels can be manufactured with or without frames for two different looks
• Choose from two different profiles

For More Information

Shutterflex

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What’s a lady and her duo of dachshunds to do when they find themselves cooped up in a poorly laid-out home not fit for their needs? They call DX Architects to set things right. Simple.

 
The existing house in Burnley, Victoria, was a small single-storey structure with a Victorian front occupying around half the length of the property. Two bedrooms off the entry of the house led to a central living room with the kitchen, bathroom and laundry at the rear. “The service areas located at the back of the house disconnected the living space from the outdoors and blocked light to the interior,” says Daniel Xuereb from DX Architects.

 
It was this awkward layout that saw the homeowner request a reconfiguration of the spatial layout to improve the functionality of the spaces and the light quality within, while creating a visual connection between the interior and the exterior.

 
Created with open-plan living in mind, the design solution stemmed directly from the brief. The tight inner-city site required a clear plan of action to maximise the available space and accommodate for flexible use. “The extent of the built volume was governed by the budget and planning restrains,” adds Daniel. “Considering these limitations, the design was inspired by a minimalism living, resulting in a modest addition formed by clean lines and pure forms dressed in a tonal palette of materials.”

 
The uncluttered, minimalism renovation was designed for comfort and relaxation, and offers three bedrooms, one bathroom, powder room, laundry, courtyard and a combined, open-plan living/kitchen/dining area. The installation of custom-manufactured, industrial-style, double-glazed glass windows facing onto the backyard are the standout features, and allow light to spill into the house. To further address the issue of natural light, DX Architects incorporated a pitched roof structure with high-level windows and a sloping ceiling, which successfully maximises light inside the boundary-to-boundary construction and makes the small space feel more voluminous.

 
Under the newly pitched roof is an interior decorated with oak timber engineered flooring and custom black door hardware and tap fittings. The paired-back, muted colour palette and the large steel-framed glass wall to the courtyard are particularly memorable, and made even more so with strategically placed pendant and wall lights (including Archilux task lighting and Shelley Panton feature pendants) that define each area of the open-plan living space.

 
The kitchen was treated to an entertaining-style island bench with a waterfall-edge stone benchtop and a feature mirror splashback that bounces light around the room. Rounding out the kitchen are fittings from Abey, Miele and LG, and matt black and white door panels with two-pack satin finish and Wilsonart textured timber laminate.

 
With this home sporting so many enviable features, fittings and fixtures, it’s tough to nail down a favourite, but Daniel doesn’t share our dilemma. “My favourite aspect of the minimalism renovation is the enhanced light quality within the space and the manner in which the steel-framed windows blur the boundaries of the internal space, drawing the eye past its edge to the exterior.” This type of contentment with your work is reward enough for most, but it’s always nice to receive positive feedback, and the owner of this gorgeous home provided just that when she said: “I’m absolutely loving the house. I love coming home every day to open the front door and see all the way down the corridor to the steel-framed windows and all the light they let in.”

The post The Power of Minimalism Living appeared first on Completehome.

Yet to achieve this look, a great deal of thoughtful planning and preparation was exerted, not to mention the inclusion of extensive cutting-edge mechanics. Cathedral-like elevation is created using overhead electronic cabinetry, extracting all potential storage possibilities. V-groove routing on panels creates a subtle lineal theme enhanced by handle-free hardware, behind which lies a host of creative storage solutions and pull-out systems. The all-white palette is given a sophisticated tweak with feature stonework on the splashback, benchtop and architecturally inspired island. And all clutter is sequestered in the butler’s pantry, which provides an easily accessible yet hidden area to conceal small appliances and store foodstuffs.”

Designer: Sophie Doumbiotis for Alby Turner & Son

For more information

Alby Turner & Son

The post Effortless elegance, carefully prepared: an Adelaide kitchen design appeared first on Completehome.

The owners requested the finished project adopt a tone of understated grace – in particular adopting a look that would not dominate the adjoining rooms. Therefore, a balance of minimalism, with subtle romantic detailing to inject character and flair was carefully designed. Clean, geometrically balanced lines in the horizontal and vertical blocks of drawers and cabinetry are personalised with Shaker-style panelling and antique-look finger-pull handles. The brilliant white colour scheme, a quintessential approach to minimalist style, is given decorative appeal with the Victorian-style gutter cornices and ornate ceiling plaster panel, complimented by the richly stained timber flooring and cane high chairs. The island is the focal point of the design, large enough to truly replace a dining table, while still providing optimum functionality as both storage and prep area.

The post Understated opulence: a classic refined kitchen appeared first on Completehome.

Boasting modern, minimalist surrounds, the pool is designed as a lap pool that is also ideal for recreational use. Blue tiles encasing the interior provide a striking contrast between the pool itself and the pale paving surrounds. The most notable feature of this design is the underwater window, which looks into the adjacent office space.

Meeting clients’ requests is the number-one priority for Pride Pools. After initial discussions, the parties meet on site (with plans if already created, as in this case). All aspects of the concept and process are clearly described to ensure no misunderstandings, and to ensure the finished pool is in keeping with the owner’s original concept.

Pride Pools’ outstanding award-winning designs are in all cases a reflection of its clients’ lifestyle, budget and family needs. Each unique design is developed by assessing the client’s requirements, ideas and dreams to create an outstanding finished product.

Pride Pools works closely with clients, architects, landscape architects and designers to guarantee all projects meet every expectation in a timely manner and on a realistic budget. This ensures a longstanding relationship with customers.

Pride Pools creates about 30 to 40 pools each year, from all types of domestic pools including in-ground spas and splash pools to the more demanding larger constructions and projects on complex sites or difficult-to-access blocks. The company builds in suburbs ranging from the eastern suburbs to Palm Beach, Hornsby to Strathfield and Grays Point, the Northern Beaches and the inner city.

Pride Pools is a member of both HIA and SPASA and has won many awards by successfully specialising in smaller, innovative pools as well as larger, more complex creations. Despite the numerous accolades over the years, Pride Pools’ owner, Darryl Walters’ greatest satisfaction is delivering a high-quality pool to each client.

Originally published in Poolside No. 47

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“This kitchen renovation was part of a massive-scale home redesign that included an outdoor kitchen, cellar and fireplace. It has transformed from an outdated early-’90s kitchen with little storage to a space that’s twice the size with more than 20 drawers.

The owners requested a modern minimalist design and included the feature backlit New York marble for its dramatic vein structure and monochromatic colour. The island is beautifully impactful against the understated kitchen and contrasts with the muted colour palette and streamlined finishes.

Due to the extensive redesign of the house, the space and layout could be adapted to the new structure and the result is a much bigger kitchen with a practical layout. The walk-in butler’s pantry complete with sink and dishwasher includes extra storage and preparation room and the kitchen is fitted out with Miele appliances — perfect for the avid cook.”

Designer: Marc Silcock for Designer Kitchens

For more information
Designer Kitchens

Originally in Kitchens&Bathrooms Quarterly, Volume 23, Issue 3

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