A stunning country abode - Limerick House by Solomon Troup Architects

Architect - Soloman Troup | Photogrpahy -  Tatjana Plitt

Brunswick based firm Solomon Troup Architects have recently completed their first project, Limerick House, located in Eganstown, about 10 minutes outside of Daylesford, Victoria. It is a modest addition to an existing house that was owned by the clients’ father, who built the house out of three disused railway cottages.

The form of the addition was inspired by the old dilapidated shearing sheds that inhabit the local area. Black-stained timber decking boards were used to clad the entire addition to further enhance the resemblance of the aged timber look of the local dilapidated shearing sheds, whilst silver-top ash lining boards add warmth to the interior space and contrast the black exterior.

HOME TOUR | Courtyard House by Lifespaces Group

Architectural Design Auhaus Architecture | Photography by Mike Baker | Styling by Heather Nette King | Featuring furniture from Meizai

Say Hello to 'Courtyard House' a stunning home from the AuHaus release by Lifespaces Group. This home has been designed for relaxed living with all spaces arranged around a large central courtyard which draws light and breeze into the house and creates a strong connection between all living zones.

The material palette of blue-stone and natural hardwood creates an elegantly understated and robust family home with lofty ceilings and generous glazing which floods the living areas with natural light. The semi-enclosed courtyard acts as an outdoor room, an entertaining space onto which all internal areas flow. This central courtyard also provides a controlled and private external outlook regardless of neighbouring conditions.

Check out the rest of the AuHaus Release here.

Find out about Lifespaces Group here.

Colour trends 2018 by Wattyl...

Wattyl have released their colour trends forecast for 2018 and we are loving their vibe... they have created four beautiful colour palettes inspired by global trend insights and have translated them into contemporary styles for Australian living. 

Wattyl believes that the ever changing world we live in affects the way we think and behave and we couldn't agree more. Culture, politics, technology and our environment impact our lifestyles, our design and the colours that resonate with us.

The 2018 colour palettes are available in Wattyl’s premium paint range and come in a range of styles.

Nowstalgia - There is a desire to return to a time when life was simple and optimistic. We are drawn to ideas, memories and objects of a bygone era. There is an attraction to the tactility of a vinyl record, the magic of a Polaroid picture and the individuality of vintage design. The sentimental but upbeat look echo mid-century modern design of Palm Springs with a hint of luxe!

The Slow Down - In a bid to manage our connected and busy lifestyles we are searching for moments and ways to slow down. We want to spend more time at home, enjoying the rest and recreation our personal spaces offer us. The Fear of Missing Out has become the Joy of Missing Out. Silence is golden. Spatial energy and a respect for our environments are portrayed through mindful use and thoughtful inclusions. Colours are soft and quiet.

Grounded - There is rising importance for many of us to gain meaning and purpose in our lives. We are making mission-minded lifestyle decisions and are basing our purchasing decisions off our values rather than marketing-created desires. The demand for brand honesty continues to increase and our desire to move to a life of self-sufficiency is emerging as a new status symbol. We are becoming more aware and connected to the natural environment and embrace the botanical and the mineral palettes that nature boasts.

Mood Monitor - Our health and well-being is becoming ever increasingly important to us. We require time out, time to reset and strengthen our bodies and minds. The desire to improve ourselves and regain focus is vital for our resilience and evolution. We require space to clear our minds and uninterrupted time to think and reconnect with ourselves. Our homes morph into zen-like spaces suspended in time. Colour and light stimulate our dormant senses and we can breathe.

New shop alert... AURA opens the doors to it's first concept store!

Melbourne’s newest inspirational shopping experience is now open!

If you’re the kind of person who’s spent hours drooling over Aura's Instagram feed, or finding yourself inspired by their stunning seasonal photoshoots, then you’ll be thrilled to hear that Tracie Ellis and her talented team have just opened their first concept store in Malvern, Melbourne.

The beautifully refurbished, heritage-listed building features a series of individual room spaces, impeccably styled by the team. For the first time ever, fans of the brand can see, touch and feel products as they stroll through the store, moving between the dining and living rooms, and on to the bedroom and bathroom area.

Inspiration abounds amid the Aura team’s expertly curated spaces, where the current collection of bedlinen, cushions, throws, towels, natural rugs, baskets and stoneware are showcased, all in the latest, on-trend tones and textures.

To create the full experience of walking through an ‘Aura Home’, the team have hand-selected a range of sublime furniture pieces, lighting, design books, travel guides, jewellery, wallets, tote bags, candles and bath & body products from local and international brands, including the most darling handmade wooden toys for the littlest Aura Home customers.

And with Summer just around the corner, shoppers will also find inspiration for garden and outdoor-entertaining, with a curated selection of planters, uniquely stylish beach umbrellas and beach bags in the latest shades. 

The new Aura Home Concept Store in Malvern is sure to become one of Melbourne’s hottest homewares destinations.

OPEN NOW: 1371 Malvern Road, Malvern VIC 3144 03 9822 6980 

Home Tour - Green Gables, Mt Martha by Studio Tate

Photography | Sharyn Cairns

We love a home tour, a little sneak peak into the beautiful homes of amazing people, and today's tour is one you will want to add to your Pinterest inspo board for sure! 

Green Gables House in Mt Martha is a heritage Tudor-style beach house which has been completely renovated and restored by Studio Tate. One of the main goals of the renovation was to stay true and respectful to the original heritage architecture and to add a sense of casual luxury, something which was suitable to the beach side location. 

Overall it oozes coastal vibes, with plenty of texture, nude and grey tones,  soft furnishings to die for and the use of robust durable materials to keep it balanced - and we just love the luxe beach side house vibe they have created - can we move in for summer please?!

Check out one of Sydney's most Instagrammable new apartments...

Introducing Double Bay’s most beautiful address. Moments from one of the world’s greatest cities Sydney, 1788 Residences by SJD Property are designed with the utmost care, inspiration and appeal.

This elegant harbour-side enclave with its distinct European sensibility has been known and loved for generations. An exclusive sanctuary, it is a place to have it all and get away from it all.

Refined, convenient and beautifully conceived in every aspect, these custom-made residences are blessed with perfect proportion and a timeless aesthetic. Every element, every facet in these extraordinary residences is simple, beautiful yet highly crafted – there is no compromise on space, materials or detail.

The building is designed to reflect its privileged position at the very heart of the village. From the finishes and fixtures, to the lighting and walk in wardrobes, this is the apartment all influencers and celebrities would love to live in!

Houseboat Heaven... if you've ever wanted to live on the water, I've found your new home!

Project by Infinite Design Studio | Photographer Prue Ruscoe

Is this the dream house we have all been searching for? It's on the water, has beautiful interior design, a deck to watch the sunset and drink vino and you can move it to a new location whenever you feel like a change of view... I'm sold! 

Infinite Design Studio has restored and redesigned a house that has prime position on Sydney Harbour. The two-storey houseboat moored in Pearl Bay, Mosman, was once the permanent home of the client and their children.

Infused with new life, it is now their holiday retreat and entertaining space, afloat on Sydney Harbour.  “I am a big believer in spending time on site to immerse myself in the location and to understand how best to integrate the qualities of the surroundings into the design,” says Michelle Macarounas, Principal and Lead Designer at Infinite Design Studio. “This property sits in such a fabulous location that we created an extremely pared-back palette so as not to compete with the views and environment.”

The restored and redesigned houseboat has an open living and kitchen area and deck on the first floor, as well as a double bedroom and ensuite. The master suite is upstairs, with a large bathroom, reading area and entertaining deck. Light, ventilation and openness are of vital importance for life on the water, fostering a sense of spaciousness and connection with the stunning surrounds. Infinite Design Studio transformed the interior and exterior living spaces with a soft palette and natural materials that reference the natural environment. Inside, French oak flooring, cream-coloured travertine tiles, contemporary joinery and custom-made furniture are a lighter counterpart to the darker weatherboard exterior.

Views of the harbour are captured through timber-framed windows, and circular mirrors throughout the house reference portholes and enhance the natural light and openness. The houseboat was originally constructed from parts of a barge built in the 1800s, which transported produce across Middle Harbour before construction of the Spit Bridge in the 1950s. To preserve this history, Infinite Design Studio restored the heritage features, including the timber window frames and leadlight window and the benchtops that date back to the original barge.

Marine grade components ensure the houseboat is watertight, and all mechanics, hydraulics, electrical and facilities were upgraded, as were the finishes and fixtures. Infinite Design Studio creates sumptuous and sophisticated spaces with warmth and soul. A unique and exceptional project, the design of Mosman Houseboat pays respect to the vessel’s history, takes advantage of its privileged location and provides for contemporary luxury living on one of the world’s most dazzling waterways.

Australian House of the year - Houses Awards 2017

Photography - Christopher Frederick Jones

Auchenflower House by Vokes and Peter

The Houses Awards 2017 have just been announced and we are absolutely blown away by the outstanding winners and finalists of all the categories. Over the next few weeks we will be showcasing some of the winners that we think you will love. 

The winner of Australian House of the Year was Auchenflower House by Vokes and Peter and we love it. It's a modest timber cottage that has been carefully modified and extended to accommodate a young family and orientate the building’s occupants towards the garden.

Jury citation from www.housesawards.com.au

"This project is distinguished by its deceptive simplicity. It is the result of the architecture practices sustained investigations into the Queensland vernacular, and the straightforward application and sensory qualities of utilitarian materials.

By identifying "the private house as a critical piece of city-making," the architects confer on this project a commonly missed role. In detail, the interpretation of the brief and site aligns with Fernando Tavoras idea that "each case is a case."

The architects siting strategy explores the potential of quiet suburban spaces and associations, apparent and real boundaries and notions of private and communal space.

The building forms, scale, plans, details, composition and sections acknowledge the suburban street-corner relationship, making beautiful connections with the carefully observed conditions of the site.

Auchenflower House offers an inventive model for working with traditional housing on suburban blocks and provides an intelligent and poetic paradigm for current practice."

You will be drooling over this gorgeous home...

Architecture: Madeline Blanchfield

Photography: Prue Ruscoe

If you follow me on instagram (if you don't, you can here) you would have seen me gushing over the stunning bedroom of this home a few weeks ago... and since then I can't stop thinking about it! 

This beautiful home was designed by Architect Madeline Blanchfield and is located in Sydney's Clovelly. It has sweeping ocean views, an incredible amount of windows which bathes the home in natural light, the most beautiful textures, materials, fittings and fixtures and just has an overall sense of softness that I have fallen in love with.

Scroll down to be inspired and to add some of these incredible design ideas to your wish list... I'll be adding the brass framed shower screen to my mood board!

Wheatland House, Neil Architecture...

Images Neil Architecture - Builder Hoodcon - Consultants Struct Plan, POMP, Eckersley Landscape - Photographer Hilary Bradford.

We love a traditional heritage home with a super modern and contemporary extension and 'Wheatland House' by Neil Architecture is a winner in our books!

The Edwardian home, located in Malvern ticks all of the boxes and has been restored and renovated thoughtfully and meticulously.

"The double storey form, framed with contrasting timber and metal cladding, is punctuated by large windows set deep in to the façade providing solar protection whilst directing views into the backyard and parklands beyond."

Style Source Book...

I love sharing new and exciting interior concepts with you and today’s is one of the best yet…  Style Sourcebook is a new Australian product sourcing and styling destination that has been developed to help you renovate, decorate and create different moods via the mood board functionality tool. 

It features more than 700 brands and 30,000 products so you really do have the interior design world at your fingertips and you can let your mind run wild with creativity. The site allows you to search for finishes, fittings, furniture and homewares all on the same platform, and then digitally style them via a mood board tool. How good is that?! 

Personally I know I can find it hard when I have a new project on the go and I have thousands of ideas and concepts to consider–  colours, fabrics, walls, floor, furniture, lighting and accessories; and with Style Sourcebook I can collect all my thoughts in one space and build on it coherently by adding inspirational images and notes alongside each of my designs. 

Style Sourcebook’s sophisticated drag and drop interface allows you to mix and match cross- category products to produce a collage of swatches and products that will visually help you define your style. You can then share your style on the site and across your social media channels.

I have created two mood boards for upcoming projects I am working on so you can see how simple yet amazingly effective this online tool is – I have a feeling you will all be thanking me for introducing you to this new gem very soon!

If you are in need inspiration to get your next project up and running, the site also enables you to view product styling ideas and expert advice from interior designers then contact them directly if you would like to discuss a similar project. 

Style Sourcebook was founded by Lisa Cousens who, after renovating her Edwardian home spent hours searching separate websites and driving around to collect samples and swatches from individual retailers. Lisa wanted to create an online destination that helped simplify this process to make it more time efficient and enjoyable. The objective is to bring all the products, tools and inspiration together across different retailers to help you create your perfect space.
 

JBC Residence by Mim Design Studio...

Collaboration: Nixon Tulloch Fortey Architecture
Photography: Shannon McGrath

We have the biggest interior crush on Mim Design and love love love everything that they do and create.. their attention to detail, material selection and all round amazingness blows us away each and every project they do. 

Our current fave is their JBC residence in Brighton, Victoria which saw the complete rebuild of an Edwardian 1930’s home. It was a collaboration between Mim Design and architecture firm, Nixon Tulloch Fortley.

'The interior reflects the clients requirement for a light, bright and easy living home. Contrasts through texture, form and material were essential in melding original details with new additions.'

Living Edge launches Les Basics...

Les Basic is a new and exciting brand of modular furniture by Australian designer Alexander Lotersztain which was launched at New York Design Week on May 1 and is set to be released in Australia in June 2017.

Les Basic is designed for the Australian lifestyle and responds to the needs of living and working today. The functional collection includes modular furniture, lighting and accessories that can be configured and customised to create comfortable and creative environments for the home or office.

A range of seating systems have table attachments and power outlets; chairs are suitable for indoor and outdoor environments; stools and tables provide portable options; shelving units are modular and scalable; and accessories such as wall and door hooks, lighting, clocks and vessels are modern and versatile.

Les Basics is available exclusively at Living Edge. 

Understated and elegant with subtle and playful design cues, Les Basic offers high-quality affordable design. It is also socially responsible with textile offcuts from upholstered products used to create the Les Basic wombat, which serves to reduce waste and provides a percentage of every sale to the RSPCA.

“Locally designed by an Australian company for the Australian lifestyle, Les Basic can be adapted and customised for commercial and residential settings as well as being perfect for the new apartment developments in our major cities,” says Jo Mawhinney, Head of Retail at Living Edge, the exclusive distributor of Les Basic.

Makers Collective POP UP SHOP in Richmond...

Makers Collective is a new pop-up store brought to you by furniture brands Felix Furniture and Beeline Design. The concept is a curated space showcasing both of their collections alongside a distinctive range of other Melbourne-made homewares.

Felix Furniture and Beeline Design first met while exhibiting alongside one another at a trade show and knew that their furniture worked well together when people kept mistaking their individual stands for a joint one. “We found our styles were quite similar and that our pieces complimented one another really well.” Says Antonia Morrongiello from Felix Furniture. With the same appreciation for high quality, locally made furniture, the duos joined forces to create Makers Collective in Richmond.

The decision to open up on the once bustling precinct of Bridge Road was an easy one, whilst the strip has seen a number of closures in recent years; “We feel it is going through a regeneration, redefining its identity and we are excited to be a part of it.” Says Antonia.

“Our vision for Makers Collective was to create a welcoming space that showcases some of the best local talent that Melbourne has to offer. We wanted a space where we could not only display our respective ranges but also compliment them with great pieces from local brands we loved” says Lucy Grant from Beeline Design.

And compliment they do, with their use of blonde timbers, natural leather and pastel tones. The space takes on a gallery feel, with the walls exhibiting original prints from Love Your Space and artworks by Jessie Rigby, who created a collection especially to compliment the furniture ranges.

Makers Collective also has a mix of up-and-coming brands including Rachel Bainbridge resin wares, Hide & Co leather goods, Capra resin pots, Soktas lighting, alongside established names such as, 3Square cushions, Uimi knitwear, and Luum pots.

“There are so many incredible local small business’ in Melbourne, we really wanted to be able to give them a platform where they are not competing with imported goods and really shine a spotlight on the amount of talent we have at our fingertips.”  Says Antonia.

The Makers Collective Pop Up will be open at 134 Bridge Road Richmond until July. 

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4:30pm  Sunday 11am - 4pm. 

Porktown MFG Furniture...

We love local furniture and Porktown MFG is on our lust list! Melbourne based furniture designer and maker, Matt Ropiha started making furniture out of the desire to fit out his own home, with thoughtful, custom pieces. His furniture pares steel with reclaimed timbers salvaged locally or from sustainably managed sources to compliment each other. Porktown MFG is inspired by the simplicity of mid century design and the result is long lasting and timeless furniture pieces.

"Matt's furniture is durable, solidly crafted, functional and unique. Matt works up-close and personal with each of his clients, offering the opportunity to customise each piece according to a person’s individual needs and the needs of their living spaces." says Porktown MFG

Porktown MFG - Instagram

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Lake Eildon Houseboat by Pipkorn Kilpatrick...

Photography by Christine Franics

Anything designed by the amazing duo at Pipkorn Kilpatrick has me wanting to re do my whole house, however after seeing their incredible work on the 'Lake Eildon Houseboat' these talented ladies have me wanting to take to the seas!

Feast your eyes on the this stunningly designed interior project and let's all day dream about where we now want to spend our weekends...

"The stunning natural backdrop of Lake Eildon and its surrounds was our inspiration for this unique project. Natural, textured and sustainable materials were balanced with the reflective properties of the water to create calm and light-filled areas. All spaces were made to feel generous and flow-through achieved through clever space planning and through convincing the builder to raise ceiling heights beyond the usual and to eliminate claustrobia-inducing bulkheads by burying services between the ceiling joists. The ground floor was designed as a 'free flow of lounge, dining room, galley kitchen and helm', while the top floor was divided into living and a private zone (housing three bedrooms and a bathroom feeding off the corridor). We loved every minute of designing this space and the challenges it presented. " says Pipkorn Kilpatrick

Pipkorn Kilpatrick - Facebook - Instagram

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Courtyard House by Robson Rak Architects...

PHOTOGRAPHY: Shannon McGrath

Courtyard House by Robson Rak Architects is our Tuesday house love... Light filled with clean lines and the most beautiful materials and textures. 

Keep scrolling for some serious house inspo! 

Robson Rak - Instagram

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Tamarama Home via Est Living...

ARCHITECTURE: Porebski Architects | PHOTOGRAPHY: Andrew Worssam and Justin Alexander

We've just stumbled across another absolute beauty of a home on Est Living... keep scrolling for some super interior inspo!

This gorgeous beachside home is from Porebski Architects and it is sitting in prime position overlooking Tamarama Beach in Sydney.

"The design embraces bold proportions with the curving black and white exterior. The sweeping white render suggests a modernist sensibility, but counterbalanced by natural materials like stone and timber (not to mention the lush greenery around the home) it becomes something more unique, assured in its style. Helped by interior design from one of our favourite local talents Decus Interiors, this is the beach house we could easily spend all year at." via Est Living.

Est Living - Facebook - Instagram - Pintertest

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Fitzroy House by Fiona Lynch Interior Design...

Interior Design - Fiona Lynch | Photography by Sharyn Cairns

Here is some super luxe and super divine Interior Design inspo for your Wednesday...

Fiona Lynch Office does it again with The Lara Boot Factory in Fitzroy, Melbourne. The space was originally converted into a living space by Ivan Rijavec in the 1980s - most recently Fiona Lynch Office was approached by the new owner "to create a private and relaxing retreat, one that offered space and storage for his extensive collection of books and art, in the midst of a bustling neighbourhood".

Blending old and new, the house embraces a refined interior, with bold use of materials and bespoke joinery, while respectfully preserving the original architectural elements. The darker tones, materials and textures are such a beautiful contrast against the concrete and white walls within the space, it makes me want a black kitchen with black stone so much.

Fitzroy House was awarded a High Commendation in the Single Residential category at the 2016 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) in Sydney. Fitzroy House was also awarded the Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Award for Best Bathroom in 2016.

Fiona Lynch Office here - Facebook here - Instagram here  - Pinterest here

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Y Residence by Studio Tate...

Design by Studio Tate - Photography by Tessa Ross-Phelan

Studio Tate is my latest Interior Architecture crush... their clean lines, refined details, colour and material choices are just so divine. 

Y Residence in one of Melbourne's inner city suburbs was a complete renovation for a growing family. The project emphasises the potential of inner urban small spaces to provide everything you need for family life. 

Studio Tate here - Facebook here - Instagram here

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