Bathroom texture

  • 12 November 2014

Stop searching I’ve found it!  This has to be THE perfect bathroom, – actually if you follow my blog you will know that I have made this claim before – sorry!

So often I see bathrooms that have be overlooked in the ‘looks’department and treated as purely functional I do get excited when I come across a bathroom of beauty.

Beatrix Rowe Interior Design of Melbourne have left no stone unturned here

There are soooo many things I admire in this room, the window is obviously exquisite and the clever placement of the full width mirror expands the detail. A great example of a monochrome room of texture – matte  timber, polished marble, the tiny mosaic floor tiles verses the over-sized proportion of the light fitting.

Simply lovely

Black and marble kitchen

  • 14 October 2014

More often than not projects that catch my eye are Australian, our architectural style has  a definite affinity with that of Australian homes, it makes sense our climates and lifestyles are alike, its easy to see to see the similarities  – touches of timber, an emphasis on relaxed outdoor living.  This gorgeous home by Richard Cole Architecture could sit very comfortably on this side of the ditch!

I love  the choice of products in the Middle Harbour House kitchen, Black and White is an absolutely timeless combination.

Simple black cabinetry, note the black handles, white ‘marble’ bench tops, mirror splash back, great attention to detail see’s the chopping board and oil bottles integrated into the bench top…brillaint

The simple  colour pallet of the kitchen extends into the living area seamlessly with the full height cabinetry creating a solid backdrop to the room. Again we see touches of timber, add natural fiber fabrics, full height drapes, subtle lighting and massive doors opening the entire width of the room. What more could you ask for?….nothing I think!

nifty cabinetry

  • 18 September 2014

I like little things … finely crafted bowls of glass, wood or colourful china are impossible to  pass by without touching, I also like little spaces I feel more comfortable in an intimate space than a large voluminous space.

Small things and spaces require much more thought and attention to detail to be successful I think that’s why they appeal to me.

Small thoughtful spaces require nifty cabinetry and I think this All-In-One-Bunk Bed by Studio Oink is amazing!! See how everything has multiple purposes, the black board is a door, raising the bed double storage space.

More importantly if your a kid it just plain cool

Courtyard Living

  • 30 January 2014

I have always been intrigued by the concept of internal courtyards in homes, as a student I visited a circular house with an internal courtyard, since then the concept has remained firmly at the top of my wish list. I love the self-contained privacy of them.

This home by Selldorf Architects is a great example; located in Colorado the images immediately reminded me of Queenstown.

The building is arranged around a central courtyard as a series of one-story pavilions dedicated to specific functions, spaces are linked by an internal corridor. Many of the external walls are floor to ceiling glazing making the most of the stunning views. While the internal courtyard is always protected from the prevailing wind and the neighbours!

(Photos: Todd Eberle)

Ensuite illusion

  • 24 January 2014

This Ensuite is part of an apartment renovation I have recently completed, the Design brief was to make a very small, internal, dated master bedroom ensuite into a sophisticated, light, spacious,  functional space with storage.

This type of brief requires all the tricks to be pulled out of the bag!  The main focus was to create an illusion of space , a wall hung vanity top clears the floor space,  full width mirrors that have storage behind them visually doubles the wall space, contrasting black tiles on the end wall of the shower push the wall away elongating the room. Mood lighting along with task lighting adds depth.  Job done!

Image by Living Visions Photography

Practical kitchens

  • 28 November 2013

As we gallop towards  the festive season time spent dreaming of the perfect kitchen seems to increase, all the little niggles that you’ve had over the year seem to amplify, the drawer runners are sticker, the cupboards don’t cope with the mountain of food you brought back from the supermarket and the rubbish seems to multiply as soon as you turn your back!

So while you dice, season and stir hold those thoughts and make a list of all the things that don’t function in your kitchen then make a wish list, start a scrap-book of styles you like, remember the new kitchen needs to sit well within the architecture of your home, when its finished it should look like it belongs.

How the kitchen looks is important but beyond that  is how  functions, it must be a practical space with careful planning storage can be optimised even within the smallest of spaces.  The clever folk at Blum have a fantastic range of  products that do just that, hardware that transforms the space under your sink

SPACE TOWER larder units, customised to any width and configuration make easy access pantry storage.  ORGA-LINE  cutlery and utensil divisions provide a place for everything.  Soft-close BLUMOTION allows drawers and doors to close softly and effortlessly.

Blum have two inspiring showrooms,  locations here, that are well worth a visit. It’s a opportunity for a try before you buy experience of their practical DYNAMIC SPACE systems. Believe me there is no going back once you have seen whats on offer.

beach front apartment living

  • 5 November 2013

Apartment living can pose plenty of challenges from a design perspective, particularly when the space is to be a permanent residence.

With my inner need to make all things functional and beautiful I was definitely up for the challenge.

The client brief was simple, the only restriction to the Mount Maunganui beach front penthouse apartment were the exterior walls. The existing floor plan was a poor use of space, the interior dated and tired so the decision was made to gutt the apartment and start with a clean slate.

Many many many concepts later we found the solution; open plan living  pivoting around the central kitchen with direct  access to the deck creating the hub of the home, a hidden office space incorporated into the dining room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms all in a striking monochrome palette perfect for showcasing the undeniably stunning view of the beach.

The project is testament to the professional team that gathered together making  concept into reality, local award-winning builder Todd Grey  played an enormous role in transforming my ideas into reality, every detail was given our consideration from the ever-present top floor apartment constraints to custom-made cabinetry to tiling to wallpaper, fabric and custom furniture.

The result is timeless.

Sharp clean lines suit the monochrome palette of Black and White with a Gold accent

Harlequin Wallpaper and fabrics

Harlequin wallpaper with Bianca Lorenne bed linen……beautiful!

colour me green

  • 21 October 2013

Response to our bold choice of colour for Ultimate Homes show home at  The Lakes subdivision in  Tauranga has been nothing but positive!

The show home boasts a stunning cliff top location with an unexpected panoramic view. The decision to use Dulux Wright Hill was a simple case of bringing the outside in.

Wright Hill is a soft shade of green with a slight yellow base so the effect is both soft and refreshing at the same time, the walls have become a back drop to the view and the home has buckets of personality!

I always encourage my clients to be bold with colour, don’t be afraid to stamp your home with YOUR personality after all at the end of the day it’s just a pot of paint!

Go on …. do it!

My new blog

  • 18 March 2013

I have created this blog so I can share with you my inspirations, knowledge and favourite products, all of which are a constantly evolving part of my daily work as an Interior Designer.

“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful… and if it’s both necessary and useful then don’t hesitate to make it beautiful”

I love to live and work by this Danish Design Institute quote; I hope I can inspire you to live by this idea as well!

I am blessed to have such a wonderful career, I love working with people helping them to create homes that are uniquely theirs, join me on a bloggers journey of design and don’t forget to remind yourself of the quote as you surround yourself with the things you love.