Australia’s leading architects and designers continue to inspire with their creative and original kitchen and bathroom designs.
THE CALL OF NATURE
Bathrooms are often the smallest rooms in a home, and can sometimes look cramped or restricted. The designers of this space have created the impression of openness by minimising visual clutter, sticking to a simple colour palette, and reducing the use of doors, screens or anything that can close off the area. White Raymor fixtures and a freestanding bath are compact and understated, placed evenly throughout the bathroom. The white porcelain fixtures soften the lush green wallpaper statement wall, and in turn, the green palms – teamed with a pot plant, green towels and woody-toned soft furnishings – help to break up the harshness of an all-white bathroom. Having a 'wet room' design in which the shower is open and unscreened, instead of the usual segregated and cordoned-off style, means the bathroom remains one large space. Tradelink (07) 3260 9777, ww.tradelink.com.au.
CHEF'S SPECIAL
Designed by Judith Barrett Lennard, this kitchen's main attraction is its incredible surplus of places in which to prepare, as well as consume, food. Every chef's dream, it is made up of three distinct benches for three different purposes. The first – the main cooking bench – contains a stove, rangehood and sink for everyday cooking. It floats between a built-in dining ledge and a second cooking area, which has another, smaller stove, sink and built-in oven. The benches are topped with white marble, linking the different zones. The middle island is positioned just far enough away from the other tables to allow ease of movement for the chef and family. JBL Design (08) 9384 2866, www.jbldesign.com.au.
WELL RED
This home by Carter Williamson features a vivid red bathroom, an ode to the client's South American heritage. Small red mosaic tiles cover the internal walls of the ensuite, offset by a polished concrete floor and cutout mirrors. The muted material palette helps the red tiles to stand out, while the lighting softens its industrial feel. Making the most of the home's L-shaped plan, the bathroom fits snugly into a corner – long wall panels, a window that reaches the ceiling, and a triangular glass nook that pops out from the wall facing the garden, add extra depth to the room, and allowsmore natural light to stream in. Carter Williamson (02) 9799 4472, www.carterwilliamson.com.
YOU KNOW YOU WOOD
Incorporating tactile materials throughout a home can help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for its residents and their guests. Base Architecture used timber in the kitchen of this Queensland residence to generate warmth, sticking to a palette of natural materials and colours for the design. A custom-made timber sink cover, wooden worktop, and built-in bookshelf under a quartzite benchtop soften clean, crisp stone finishes and white glass splashbacks. The bare-bulb pendant lights hanging from the ceiling add that extra homely touch to the area, showing how well rich brown hues and natural stone can meld. Base Architecture (07) 3352 5899, www.basearchitecture.com.au.
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT
The alfresco area has taken over as the central hub for family get-togethers and lazy afternoons, thanks in part to the integration of kitchen amenities within its design. This partially enclosed alfresco in City Beach is a perfect example, containing all the equipment required to cook up an outdoor feast – including a barbecue. There's also a sink for washing, extensive storage underneath the main benchtop and, if more space is required, an indoor kitchen that is less than a step away. The main alfresco is connected to the kitchen via a long benchtop, which leads from inside all the way to the end of the outdoor alfresco, while large glass windows help blur the two areas together.This home is in the running for a 2015 Australian Institute of Architects Award. Banham Architects (08) 9321 5588, www.banham.com.au; www.architecture.com.au.
STAND-OUT STAND-ALONE
Make a statement in your bathroom with a freestanding bathtub and tap. This bathroom's drawcard – the stand-alone – is reminiscent of old 18th and 19th century clawfoot-style baths, but has a distinct modern edge with its smooth curves and white porcelain finish. A brass tap accompanies the tub, creating a sense of grandeur for the bather – the metal finish will age over time for a natural, rustic appeal. Both tap and bathtub work well against the organic stone feature wall, and stand bold against the black and white chevron tiles that lay beneath them. Astra Walker (02) 8838 5100, www.astrawalker.com.au.
LIGHT AND DARK
The kitchen of this Brisbane home – which is flooded with light, thanks to a window positioned high in the ceiling – uses a combination of black materials to contrast against the predominantly white interior. On one side of the room, lustrous ceiling-to-floor black cabinetry is separated in the middle by a statement wall of matt black tiles. The incorporation of a number of shiny black tiles into the wall adds an edge to what would have been single-colour palette overkill, complemented by a wooden central beam and white picture frames. Opposite, a pristine white wall combined with exposed, white recycled bricks ensures the darkness of the kitchen doesn't swallow the rest of the room.
Carterwilliamson Architects (02) 9799 4472, www.carterwilliamson.com.
Photography Anson Smart
BEAMING BRIGHT
This kitchen, which was redesigned by Greg Natale, oozes countryside style with its combination of texture and pattern. Black-and-white Turkish terrazzo flooring and cream-coloured wall tiles evoke a traditional look, further emphasised by a cream oven, gold-detailed rangehood, gold fixtures and rustic pots and pans. Breaking up the rough texture of the walls is the crisp white ceiling, and two beams that show off the gabled roof. Black pendant lights hang from the beams, shining down to the wooden table below. The black-framed lights, fridge and clock help to connect the patterned grey-and-white floor with the rest of the kitchen. Greg Natale (02) 8399 2103, www.gregnatale.com.
SCREEN IDOL
Wooden screens can be used for more than one purpose, especially when incorporated into a bathroom design. A custom timber towel rail was used in the ensuite of this home to keep the space accessible and uncluttered. It doubles as a screen for the toilet, which can be concealed by a large towel hung from the metal railing. Along with the glass walls of the shower, the wooden lattice allows unobstructed views through the window into the bedroom, and out to the river beyond. The wooden features of the bathroom provide hints of warmth to the design, and help to unify the space with the rest of the home, which features a wooden material palette throughout.
Base Architecture (07) 3352 5899, www.basearchitecture.com.au.
OPTICAL ILLUSION
As blocks of land become smaller and smaller, and rooms more compact, creating the illusion of space has become a necessity for many new homeowners. One of the easiest ways to make a room appear larger is to include mirrors and reflective surfaces in its design. If you're looking to create more space in your kitchen, splashbacks are the answer, as shown in this Mt Claremont design. Here, the splashback doubles as a long mirror and, teamed with extensive white cabinetry, tricks guests into believing the kitchen is a lot bigger than it actually is. Western Cabinets (08) 9445 2677, www.westerncabinets.com.au.
LIGHT SHOW
The breakfast bar of this revamped kitchen by Retreat Design helps to create a light, bright and modern aesthetic, one requested by the client and achieved through the use of marble, feature lighting and dark wooden flooring. Caesarstone benchtops in white gloss marble enhance the darker finishes surrounding it. The breakfast bar is sunk flush with the floorboards – a practical design enabling the cook and diners to make full use of the worktable/bench. The floorboards also cover the underside of the island, breaking up the white stone, while a strip of lighting has been fitted to illuminate the entire space. Retreat Design (08) 6101 1190, www.retreatdesign.com.au.
STYLISH, WHICHEVER WAY YOU LOOK AT IT
Sometimes a site is blessed by endless, uncontested views to the north, east, west and south. This site in Trigg is one of those gifted blocks of land. Located on a sloping hill, it overlooks the ocean and the pine trees synonymous with its beachside location. Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects were given the job of building a home that would emphasise the site's coastal views, delivering large horizontal openings on the upper level, with most of the beach-oriented facade made of glass. The bathroom has also been constructed to make the best of the blue ocean and sky, a number of strategically placed windows on an inverse corner revealing framed outlooks of the horizon. This home is in the running for a 2015 Australian Institute of Architects Award. Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects (08) 9322 9750, www.iredalepedersenhook.com; www.architecture.com.au.
LEVEL BEST
A basic palette can be just as, if not more effective than bold colour choices, especially when used in conjunction with a number of different textures. This kitchen uses the classic combo of black, white and wood to add depth and dimension, all the while injecting individuality into the area. Smoothly painted walls contrast the surface patterns of the wooden shelves and white bricks that are layered below it. A zigzag tiling design reflects off the base of the black, textured kitchen cabinets, which house an integrated basin and stainless steel tap, adding another visual layer to the mix.
Astra Walker (02) 8838 5100, www.astrawalker.com.au.
OPENLY ENTICING
The seamless integration of grey stone tiles throughout this residence in Floreat, plus a crisp white colour palette, allows the outdoors to flow inside. The tiles run down the entire length of the home, linking the alfresco with the kitchen and other living areas. Stark white ceilings, benchtops and lights contrast the textured grey tiles, a wall of cupboards separating the kitchen from the other sections of the house. Dividing the kitchen from the garden are large glass sliding doors that close the area off from the elements while still allowing natural light to stream in. When the doors are left open, extra room is created for outdoor entertaining. This home is in the running for a 2015 Australian Institute of Architects Award. wrightfeldhusen (08) 9384 6611, www.wrightfeldhusen.com; www.architecture.com.au.
SOMETHING TO REFLECT ON
Mirrors work wonders to elongate rooms and trick those inside into believing there's a surplus of space. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels in this bathroom by Craig Steere do just that, tricking the eye into seeing another area beyond the mirror. A clear glass wall and door separate the toilet from the main washing area, and act as another deceptive space creator. The reflectiveness of the glass again adds depth to the bathroom, while its transparency allows the full size of the area to be taken in. A white stand-alone bathtub, marble shower wall, and a warm grey-tiled floor keeps the palette neutral and expansive.This home is in the running for a 2015 Australian Institute of Architects Award. Craig Steere Architects (08) 9380 4662, www.craigsteerearchitects.com.au; www.architecture.com.au.
SPLASH WITH A DASH OF FLASH
Never underestimate the importance splashbacks play in the overall look of a kitchen. Take this particular design by Granite Transformations – the splashback consists of a series of brown and grey tiles that act as a feature as well as a functional guard from general kitchen wear and tear. A neutral white helps keep the kitchen light and airy, at the same time drawing guests' attention to the statement wall. To prevent the stove area from appearing too dark, small ceiling lights underneath the overhead cabinets shine down the tiling and onto the kitchen top.
Granite Transformations (08) 9240 8111, www.granitetransformations.com.au.
SEA CHANGE
This kitchen reflects the galleys of many a boat, boasting a streamlined and simple design that's also practical for the comings and goings of the homeowners' everyday lives. The space-saving layout has the kitchen worktable join the main seating area in the dining room. The white countertop incorporates the kitchen sink and stove with a seated breakfast bar, which separates the cooking and dining spaces and presents another seating option for guests. Flowing on from the breakfast bar is a plywood bench that doubles as a neat storage container.
Philip Stejskal Architecture 0401 727 405, www.architectureps.com.
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BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL
This bold, black-and-grey bathroom design by Arkhefield Architects and Interior Designers shows that grey isn't always dull. Large format tiles create texture and ground the room in warm and earthy tones, while black and white finishes – basins, bathtub and joinery – complement a minimalist style. Large windows allow light into the room, ensuring that the grey tiles aren't too overpowering, while a series of cabinet mirrors line the wall opposite, reflecting light to all the nooks in the bathroom. Arkhefield (07) 3831 8150, www.arkhefield.com.au.
RITUAL CLENSING
Influenced by traditional Japanese culture, Philip Stejskal redesigned this bathroom to promote the 'ritual' of bathing. Keeping with the streamlined, minimalist style present in many Japanese homes, the furnishings are few, the colour and material palette simple. The main feature, a timber-veneer nook positioned right next to a giant soaker bath, was created as a place to undress, relax and cleanse. A white statement ceiling light hangs above the wooden nook, bathing those who sit beneath it in a warming glow. A black Zenolite splashback creates visual definition against the pristine white bathroom tiles, and a vertically sliding mirror acts as a sneaky and compact storage space – a nod to Japan's knack for space saving. Philip Stejskal Architecture, 0401 727 405, www.architectureps.com.
HIGH CONCEPT
Capturing the views of a large gum tree and distant city skyline outside, the high-level window in this newly built bathroom echoes the architecture found throughout the pre-existing house. The bathroom, which is part of the extension that sits above the old home, comprises a mix of neutral tones and clean lines combined with a textured feature wall, large freestanding bathtub and green pot plant. Light from the ceiling-high window filters down into the room, creating a soft, relaxing atmosphere – the perfect sanctuary for parents wanting to escape noisy kids. This home is in the running for a 2015 Australian Institute of Architects Award. Matthews & Scavalli Architects (08) 9316 0531, www.mandsarchitects.com.au; www.architecture.com.au.
SIMPLE PLEASURES
Thanks to easy maintenance and simple aesthetics, minimalist design continues to reign in the kitchen and bathroom world. Reflecting the style is this kitchen by Craig Steere, which incorporates a black-and-white material palette with pared-back furnishings. An uncomplicated design uses dark grey flooring to ground the room, and white ceilings and walls to brighten the space. A marble kitchen island adds personality to the kitchen, illuminated by a long opaque-window splashback. The sleek look is further enhanced by a single black strip, which runs along the top of the kitchen's main cabinets. This home is in the running for a 2015 Australian Institute of Architects Award. Craig Steere Architects (08) 9380 4662, www.craigsteerearchitects.com.au; www.architecture.com.au.
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EASY ON THE EYE
Looking for an easy and effective way to change the look of your kitchen? Try transforming the space with pops of colour. Matthews & Scavalli Architects used a pastel colour palette dotted with yellow highlights to brighten this corner kitchen. The architects worked with a base colour of grey, adding hints of yellow to the top and side cabinets, splashback tiles and shelving. Finishing off the look are pastel yellow jars and a small yellow clock on the wall. Matthews & Scavalli Architects (08) 9316 0531, www.mandsarchitects.com.au.
Photography Jody D'Arcy
NICHE APPEAL
Galleries, just like art, come in all shapes, sizes and forms. This bathroom-cum-gallery designed by Judith Barrett-Lennard Interior Design contains a small niche in one of its walls in which the owners can house their most cherished artworks. On show here is a sculpture much loved by the family, lit from above by an inbuilt light. The white marble Palmira porcelain tiles create the perfect neutral background for this unassuming artwork, which draws the eyes and curiosity of those that enter the room. JBL Design (08) 9384 2866, www.jbldesign.com.au.
SCANDINAVIAN VERNACULAR
Characterised by simplicity, minimalism and functionality, Scandinavian design is often synonymous with modest-yet-elegant pieces made of light timbers and plastics, as well as natural finishes and hints of soft pastel colours. It's a timeless style, and one Luigi Rosselli Architects harnessed in this Subiaco home. Sticking with raw materials, the architects constructed the kitchen in wood and stone. Light American oak cupboards match the wooden bar stools and pendant light, and contrast with the dark-stained jarrah floor, which makes the kitchen island seem to float in the room. A stone Italiana benchtop sits on the island, the smooth material acting both as a visual feature and as a practical workbench for cooking. This home is in the running for a 2015 Australian Institute of Architects Award. Luigi Rosselli Architects (02) 9281 1498, www.luigirosselli.com; www.architecture.com.au.
