From clean lines and airy layouts to clever use of light and texture, we break down the key elements that will help you master this versatile aesthetic and bring a modern, elegant edge to every corner of your home.

1. A neutral colour palette

A neutral colour palette is one of the hallmarks of contemporary design. It creates a calm, versatile foundation that allows space, light, and texture to shine. Instead of bold or overly saturated hues, it leans on understated tones such as whites, greys, beiges and black.

When it comes to nailing contemporary design, flooring plays a crucial role in setting the tone of your home. Known for its wide range of high-quality flooring solutions, Carpet Court offers stylish, durable, and design-forward options that perfectly complement a contemporary interior.

From soft, loop pile wool carpets in calming neutral tones to textured finishes that add depth and warmth, their collections are crafted to support the key pillars of modern living: simplicity, functionality, and comfort.

2. Mixed materials and textures

In contemporary interiors, mixing materials and textures creates depth and warmth without overwhelming the space. Think: rich timber paired with matte black metal for a clean, balanced contrast, or soft linen against the cool edge of polished concrete to strike that perfect balance between soft and industrial.

Layering a Carpet Court textured wool carpet with timber wall panelling instantly grounds a room while adding tactile appeal, especially in living areas or bedrooms. In kitchens and bathrooms, stone benchtops come alive when accented with brushed brass tapware, offering a refined yet modern touch.

Even small touches, such as ceramic vases resting on jute rugs or rattan trays styled on sideboards – can introduce subtle texture play that brings a space to life.

3. Statement lighting

You can define the mood of a space with the use of statement lighting fixtures. Make light fixtures a sculptural element and a striking presence in your home by hanging a bold pendant over a dining table, a linear chandelier in a narrow entryway, or an oversized floor lamp in a corner of the living room.

Materials such as matte black, brushed brass, smoked glass, or even natural fibres elevate lighting from functional to focal. In open-plan spaces, sculptural light fixtures can also help subtly zone areas without using walls. Clustered pendants can add drama over a kitchen island, while minimalist wall sconces in living or hallway spaces offer soft ambience and architectural flair.

The key is choosing pieces that complement your overall palette and textures; lighting should stand out but still feel cohesive. With the right fixture, even the simplest space can feel instantly elevated and effortlessly modern.

4. Art and accents with impact

Use artwork or feature pieces to bring personality and vibrancy to your interiors. Rather than overcrowding a space with decor, contemporary design embraces a few key pieces that make a bold statement. Large-scale abstract art, oversized mirrors with sleek frames, or graphic prints in bold colours can instantly transform a room and serve as a focal point.

Sculptural or architectural accents, such as a striking vase or a minimalistic yet impactful coffee table, add texture and interest while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic. The beauty of contemporary design lies in its ability to let these pieces stand out without overwhelming the space.

By choosing art and accents that reflect your personality or a specific theme, you can create a visually dynamic environment that feels both sophisticated and inviting.

The post 4 essential elements to nail contemporary interior style appeared first on Homes To Love.

Style of home: A creatively reimagined Victorian workers’ cottage that demonstrates small can indeed be mighty.

Location: Melbourne’s inner south-east, on land that was traditionally owned by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.

Renovation: Works took three years from design to completion in November 2021.

Eve Wilson knows just how intoxicating the world of architecture and design can be. As one of Australia’s leading interior photographers, she has captured the unique beauty that lies within so many old or new homes, and in those that deftly straddle the decades between, and found herself smitten time and again.

“I can’t tell you the number of occasions when I’ve gone into a house and thought, ‘Ooh, I love this style! Maybe I do have a country-coastal vibe in me! Or perhaps I should be living in a New York loft-style apartment?” Eve reveals, laughing.

So, when it came to deciding on the aesthetic for her own family’s latest home – a tiny and somewhat dilapidated worker’s cottage in the Melbourne suburb of Cremorne – Eve’s next confession is understandable. She simply didn’t know where to begin. It was a case of inspiration overload for the photographer. “Seeing the passion people put into their homes can be overwhelming,” she concedes. “I just love them all!”

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom home known as ‘Garden Tower House’ is currently on the market. The architecturally-designed retreat comes with a price guide of between $2.25 million and $2.45 million and is scheduled to go to auction on May 17.

See the listing here.

On the market!

What she was sure about, however, were a few things she did and didn’t want. Out were white plaster walls and in was glorious texture. Also high on the wishlist for Eve, her husband, Jon, and their two daughters was the necessity to make the most of every inch of space on the 144-square-metre site.

In addition, the couple were confident that the family would immediately feel at home in the neighbourhood – because they’d been living in the house next door when opportunity came knocking in 2017. “We knew what we were getting into in terms of the area,” she says. “The previous owner bought this home from his sister in 1948 for $600, and it hadn’t been touched since the 1950s, when it underwent a minor renovation. It was basic but next to a northern laneway, which brings so much light into the home. “This house is even narrower than the one we’d been living in next door – it’s just 4.27-metres wide. But we knew if we engaged the right architect, we could make it into something very interesting.”

Handing over the reins to architect Melissa Bright of Studio Bright, which also took charge of the interiors and landscaping, Eve and Jon were certain they were in expert hands. “It was a very smooth and easy fit,” Eve says. Melissa adds: “With a full house brief and no space, the need to build hard on boundaries and project the plan upward was a challenging necessity.”

Together with building company Frank, the ambitious vision was realised. The original cottage, containing two bedrooms, a study and a bathroom, now provides little clue to the design delights that unfold beyond. Opening to a central courtyard, an airy extension clad in a distinctive breeze block ‘outer skin’ showcases dual connected buildings that house the beautiful marble-offcut tiled kitchen and core living domains on ground level, and the sublime main bedroom above.

In every zone, Studio Bright has incorporated space-saving built-in storage and furniture, while interior designer Andy Moore of Studio Moore helped the couple select freestanding forever pieces from Australian makers such as Jardan and Made by Morgen. Truly bringing the home to vivid life is the harmonious use of saturated colour. Shades of eucalyptus and olive green were employed to evocative effect in everything from bespoke joinery throughout the house to the tiled kitchen benchtops and steel staircase. Meanwhile, blush hues pack a rosy punch in the couple’s ensuite as well as the custom-tinted breeze blocks, which draw light in while screening for privacy.

Foliage, too, is ever present, creating the sense of a calming oasis that belies the cottage’s inner-urban setting. “At every opportunity, lush greenery is introduced in small pockets of planted area that, in total, seek to offer verdant backyard surroundings where none are possible,” says Melissa, adding that, over time, the home will “become increasingly attached to and embedded in nature”.

As for photographing her own house, it was certainly a memorable shoot for the experienced snapper. “This was probably the most stressful job I’ve ever done – and I never get stressed about shoots,” laughs Eve. “But it was lovely to capture what I see in real life every day. That was very special.”

Lessons learnt

“Bigger is not always better,” Eve says. “Living in a small house means you don’t tend to buy or hold onto items that aren’t necessary. That does simplify life though. It also takes us hardly any time to clean the house, as we do have to be tidier, and everything has its spot.”

Eve Wilson is at @evegwilson. Studio Bright is at studiobright.com.au and @studio__bright. Frank is at frank.net.au

See more renovated weatherboard cottages

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A nostalgic rework reveals the whimsical romance of this weatherboard cottage

An instruction to ‘add colour’ took this weatherboard cottage to a joyfully elegant place

A weatherboard beauty laden with an ever-changing assemblage of vintage items

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The post This Victorian workers’ cottage with a breeze block-clad extension is up for sale appeared first on Homes To Love.

Shannon’s striking family haven in Port Hacking sold in August 2024 for an undisclosed figure. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property features a bespoke painted swimming pool, heated flooring, fire pit area and private main bedroom ‘wing’. The property was purchased in 2019 for $1,285,000, according to property records.

In a recent Instagram post, Shannon shared the news of their family’s “giant decision” to move up the coast to Emerald Beach in pursuit of “less stress, less work, less traffic”.

Sold!

While I’m a fan of making your mark on a space, it’s important to live in a home before you plan to renovate. At the first inspection, the home seemed too big (I know, right?), the kids’ rooms were too far from ours and we couldn’t hear them at night. Let me finish… We wanted to be closer, to have that cosy apartment feel and know our boys were within ears reach. What fools we were!

Spending six months in the home without lifting the tool belt changed everything. We started to understand the flow of all the spaces, how light entered the building, and the relationship each room had with the next. In essence, the floor plan was perfect, and we avoided any applications to council.

We thought we were in for a purely cosmetic renovation, but EVERY surface had to be seen to.

We started outside because that’s where we mostly live. The home faces north and west and wraps around a giant pool, the type that was built 30 years ago. That was our focus, our showstopper. Without a pool fence and with cracked concrete, popped tiles and a suspicious-looking jacuzzi, the work was tough.

Our dream was a colourful pool with an underwater artwork, so we chatted to Nathan Johnson from Blacklist Studio and the guys at Luxapool. Together, we came up with a design and colour scheme that would work underwater. I got to painting, six weeks of it, and when we filled the pool it absolutely transformed the home’s outlook.

We wrapped the giant verandah in composite decking from Trex – a mix of used plastic bags and recycled timber that ensures I never have to oil another deck to keep the kids splinter-free. We originally wanted an all-white aesthetic around the pool, but with a harsh sunny north-east aspect, we went to the dark side instead. Black walls, black windows and a black roof all create a moody palate that lets the blue pool and abundant greenery shine. Grey tiles envelop the space, and a 1970s-feel blue terrazzo waterline tile keeps things funky in the water.

Once the exterior was resolved, we let our choices inside be guided by the pool colours, as well as practicality and longevity. We landed on light, bright and a touch of retro. Hardy terrazzo floor tiles throughout the living spaces means no more worrying when the boys run in and out with wet and sandy feet.

Everything looks upon the pool, so those tones that dance underwater during the day lend to the colours used in the artworks all over the home.

The kids’ rooms sit on the opposite side of the house to the main bedroom, something we had to come to terms with when they were smaller and we struggled to hear them at night. Now, however, we’re more than happy to be down the other end; in fact, they have their half and we have ours.

A grown-up space for us and a kids’ quarter for the rat-bags, complete with a bathroom and a rumpus (I’m guessing when they’re teenagers we literally won’t see them, save for feeding time). We wanted to create spaces that encourage our kids to stay and play at home.

We love colour, and that’s evident in the artworks. We try to tell a story that references the colours used in the pool; the pinks, blues and ochres are all repeated through the terrazzo floor tiles, framed prints and bathroom colours.

Smart heating choices (namely underfloor heating and a gem of a wood-burning fireplace) now keep us warm in winter, while passive window placements, window treatments, exterior blinds and fans keep us nice and cool in summer. Some would argue that a black roof would cook us all inside on hot days, but we barely notice a difference.

Although most of the work was done by yours truly, a plethora of trades and professionals came together to create this beautiful home and I couldn’t imagine it any other way. Renovating it was one hell of a year or so, but we’re sure to be bunkered down here for many more to come.

Shannon is at voscreative.com.au

The post Shannon Vos has sold the ‘Palm Springs-ish’ family home he created appeared first on Homes To Love.

In fact, new house designs can feature a mix of surfaces on their facades. For example, there could be a combination of face bricks, composite cladding, timber and even cultured stone or steel. And all these materials fall into the category of cladding.

What is cladding?

Cladding is a non-load-bearing skin or layer attached to the outside of a home. It is designed to protect the building from the weather as well as provide street appeal. It can also offer insulation and fire resistance, depending on the cladding.

While the internal structure of houses hasn’t changed much since the 1960s – most are timber or steel-framed – new products and improvements on existing cladding options now allow you to create an exterior that reflects your own style and aesthetic.

Some of the most popular exterior cladding materials include:

• Weatherboard
• Brick
• Fibre cement
• Stone
• Metal
• Concrete

Christian Hansen of James Hardie says that because most Australian homes rely on a timber or steel frame for structural support, the exterior surface – whether brick, timber, metal or composite materials – is really just cladding. So, it’s not essential to the structural integrity of the building.

“Essentially, whatever’s on the outside of the house is a weather screen with the addition of an aesthetic element,” he says.

What to think about before updating your house cladding

Changing or adding to the existing cladding of a dwelling is a big job. You typically need development approval to make changes to the exterior of your home, so make sure you contact your council and any other relevant authorities.

Some areas of Australia, particularly in rural locations, also have stringent fire regulations that affect what exterior cladding you can use.

Before deciding to go ahead, you should talk to a few builders and take time to secure at least two quotes, preferably three, for the material plus installation. Many companies have display centres that include samples of their cladding products on a larger scale, which can help you get a sense of what it will look like on your home.

If you are considering re-cladding your house, it is also important to look at insulation options at the same time, to ensure you make the space as thermal-resistant as possible.

5 stylish exterior house cladding materials in Australia

1. Timber weatherboard cladding

Often chosen for first-floor additions or rear extensions, timber weatherboards are readily available. However, they do need regular maintenance and painting, which can add to your ongoing costs.

If you are considering weatherboards, it’s worth also considering options made from other materials. For example, James Hardie has a range of pre-primed, site-painted fibre cement weatherboard products in its ‘Primeline’ range. You can also get composite weatherboard products, which are typically made of wood and a synthetic binding agent (similar to composite floorboards).

2. Fibre cement cladding

Modern fibre-cement cladding comes in a variety of styles, including vertical or horizontal boards or large panels

Easy to install, this material is durable and doesn’t require much in the way of upkeep. It resists damage from water and fire and has a low risk of condensation. Pre-primed, the boards are favoured for their classic style, while panels such as James Hardie’s ‘Matrix’ range offer a minimalist look perfect for more contemporary styles of buildings.

3. Stone cladding

Often used in modern-style homes, stone has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. Cultured stone is increasingly being used as a feature in exteriors, most commonly for porches, outdoor fireplaces or feature walls, while in some heritage homes, original stone facades are being carefully restored to their former glory.

You can also find stone cladding options to suit different budgets and may still achieve the depth, complexity of colour, pattern and unique texture of more expensive natural stone. Different stones are available to suit almost any style of home.

4. Metal cladding

Colorbond panels are increasingly being considered as a cladding material, often combined with either brick or weatherboard at ground level.

A popular choice for modern, box-like extensions, metal cladding is commonly specified in shades of black. When done well, the result is a dramatic show stopper to delineate between old and new, especially in rear extensions.

5. Brick cladding

Still the most common exterior surface in Australia, brick continues to be in favour as a cladding for new builds, although it’s increasingly combined with fibre cement or weatherboard for first-floor additions.

Trends in recent years have included darker hues of bricks in line with the country’s fascination with all things grey. Thinner profiles of bricks, known as linear and split styles, are in demand, as are paler shades of grey that suit the ever-popular Scandi look.

While a smooth profile is still highly sought-after, there has been a move towards a more artisanal look and feel – especially in inner-city areas – via textured brick with an industrial aesthetic.

The best house cladding options in Australia for 2024

01

Axon cladding, James Hardie

Sleek and simple, Axon cladding features clean vertical lines that imitate vertical joint timber panelling for a classic look. The panels are made from fibre cement and feature a stepped shiplap joint.

Sizes: Available in 133mm Smooth and 400mm Smooth

Colours: N/A (James Hardie external cladding is unpainted)

Material: Fibre cement

Maintenance: Wash down every 6-12 months or every 3-4 months in coastal areas.

Key features:

• Vertical 9mm wide groove
• Fire, moisture and rot-resistant
• 25-year warranty

Find out more

02

Steel walling in Monument (matt finish), COLORBOND

For a striking industrial look, you can’t go past one of Australia’s favourite cladding and fencing materials, COLORBOND. This steel panelling is finished in the dark and dramatic colour Monument.

Colours: Dover White, Surfmist, Southerly, Shale Grey, Bluegum, Windspray, Basalt, Classic Cream, Paperbark, Evening Haze, Dune, Gully, Jasper, Manor Red, Wallaby, Woodland Grey, Pale Eucalypt, Cottage Green, Ironstone, Deep Ocean, Night Sky, Monument

Material: Steel

Maintenance: Wash every six months.

Key features:

• Made with Thermatech to reflect heat
• Corrosion-resistant and non-combustible
• Warranties vary

find out more

03

Lang Mursten bricks in Larson, PGH Bricks & Pavers

Defined by organic texture and long linear lines, these bricks by Danish company Lang Mursten are rich in variation and light grey neutral tones.

Size: 468 x 108 x 38mm

Colours: Gehl, Lund, Utzon

Material: Clay

Maintenance: None

Key features:

• Water-struck bricks
• Unrefined texture
• Unique thin style

find out more

04

Stria cladding, James Hardie

Offering a more contemporary take on classic weatherboards, this Stria cladding is great for an exterior refresh or a new build. The boards can be placed horizontally or vertically, depending on the desired look.

Sizes: Available in 325mm and 405mm

Colours: N/A (James Hardie external cladding is unpainted)

Materials: Fibre cement

Maintenance: Wash down every 6-12 months or every 3-4 months in coastal areas.

Key features:

• 14mm thick
• Fire, moisture and rot-resistant
• 25-year warranty

find out more

Is it expensive to clad a house?

Yes, it can be expensive to clad a house, depending on the size and material being used. According to James Hardie’s Home Guide, a single-storey four-bedroom house can be clad for around $10k. HiPages indicates that weatherboard cladding is the cheapest material to use in an exterior update at between $3.20 and $6.85 per square metre, followed by timber, aluminium, vinyl, and stone veneer which tends to be priced between $100 and $150 per square metre,

The post 5 of the best house cladding options to consider for your design appeared first on Homes To Love.

When they discovered a “solid but uninspiring house” back in 2018, they thought it would be the perfect holiday home. “It had beautiful, tall, established trees and lovely northern light,” says Kate.

The family spent a lot of time there during lockdown and started to wonder what it might be like to relocate from their Hawthorn home and live there full-time. “We just thought, ‘If we’re not going to do it now, will there ever be a good time? We always knew we wanted to do a big reno on it, so we thought if we were going to do that, why not live in it?”

The house was a blank canvas and initially the couple wondered if they should knock it down and rebuild. “That seemed very wasteful and not environmentally friendly,” says Kate. “We decided to work with the original footprint of the house instead.”

However, to live there permanently, they needed to make the place more practical. “We wanted two more bedrooms for the kids, and so we could have friends and family to stay,” says Kate. “We needed somewhere for Simon to work from home, and places to display his sporting memorabilia and collection of Reg Mombassa artwork. And because we love to entertain, we really wanted the kitchen to be central and [function as] the heart of the home.”

Kate and Simon worked with Sarah Bryant from Bryant Alsop Architects to create the right design and layout. “Sarah really helped us with the vibe of the place,” says Kate. “We wanted to create somewhere that felt calm and welcoming to be in. She suggested widening the living room
by adding on a gallery. This meant we could keep the existing roof and have windows on both sides. We took that gallery idea and used it in the new bedroom wing as well.”

Repeating the structural window mullions (large repeated windows) was a sentimental reference to Kate’s family’s beach house around the corner. “My grandfather built his place using plans from Small Homes Service (SHS), which was all about making good design accessible to the general public,” she says. “He had a lot of glass looking out onto the bush and we tried to replicate that. Our big glass window means there’s no wall as such, which we love because it gives such a good connection to the outside and brings so much light in. Technically, this is a beach house, but we think of it more as a bush house.”

Kate project managed the build. “I’d done some small renovations before, but never anything of this size,” she says. “I loved the process. I had a weekly site meeting with the builder [Mark Cleary from Everclear Constructions] and we were renting a house around the corner, so it was easy to pop over most days and see what was happening.”

While most of their original plans stood, they did make a couple of changes to accommodate the impressive blue-gum trees on the property. “We had to modify the plan so we could preserve a tree,” says Kate. “That meant using a screw pile instead of a traditional slab, to protect the roots.” The different slab meant they had to incorporate another level into the house. “At first I thought it would be strange to have steps in the bathroom, but it’s worked out as it divides the bathroom into a wet and a dry area.”

They’d originally wanted to have timber in the laundry, but the building surveyor put a stop to their plans, so they ended up using the same stone they’d chosen for the entry throughout the laundry and mud room as well. “That’s ended up being one of my favourite parts of the house,” says Kate. “It’s funny – the things you have to work around can often bring some of the best solutions.”

Lessons learnt

“The things you don’t see can end up costing a lot,” homeowner Kate Campbell says.

“The house was in really good condition, but we did have to spend a lot of unexpected money on a stormwater pump. We were selling a property in the UK to fund the build, which wasn’t completed by the time we expected. Cash flow was a bit stressful towards the end of the work, but we got there eventually.”

Bryant Alsop Architects: bryantalsop.com.au and @bryant_alsop_architects

NM Landscape Construction: nmlandscapes.com.au and @_nmlandscapeconstruction

Everclear Constructions: @everclearlifestyle

The Design Team

The post A modern family home surrounded by gum trees in seaside Shoreham appeared first on Homes To Love.

“A fabulous window treatment is just as important an investment as a sofa – it can totally transform a room and bring the overall design scheme together,” says Elise Harper, interior decorator at More Than Curtains.

With so many options to choose from – curtains, various types of blinds, and plantation shutters, just to name a few – it’s important to consider your needs. And now, with motorised, voice-controlled smart blinds hitting the market, blinds not only make your home effortlessly stylish, they can now make your life easier!

Ask yourself these questions before making any decisions: Are you looking for privacy from neighbours or a busy street? Do you need full light control? Insulation? Acoustic control? Do you have young children and/or pets and require a fabric that’s easy to clean? Read on…

Benefits of roller blinds

Roller blinds are the most popular choice for Australian homes as they’re easy to operate, take up very little space, come in a huge range of fabrics and are easily motorised.

Roller blinds give you complete privacy when closed and can effectively block out the light, particularly if you choose a blockout fabric.

Their fuss-free look makes them a great fit for contemporary homes, says Frances. “They’re modern and streamlined, and have a clean aesthetic. They’re also versatile enough to be used in any room and work well with other window treatments, such as curtains and sheers. But they’re not ideal for ‘dressing’ a window. In that case, a roman blind would be more suitable.”

If you’re looking to cut your heat and cooling costs, you might consider a roller blind in an energy-efficient honeycomb fabric (also known as cellular fabric). This high-performance fabric is made of honeycomb-shaped cells that trap air to help regulate your indoor air temperature.

Benefits of motorised roller blinds

Love the idea of opening or closing your blinds or curtains at the touch of a button or with just your voice? If so, consider automating your window treatments. Turn your home into a smart haven by controlling your blinds with just your voice using your existing smart home devices to open and close your blinds each day.

“One of the reasons why automation has skyrocketed is the quality of lithium rechargeable batteries. That means roller blinds, roman blinds and vision blinds [a twin-layer design that gives more control over light or privacy] can now be motorised affordably,” says Amelia Taylor, head of product and communications at Wynstan.

“Trudging around the house opening and closing each blind or awning is enough to make anyone cranky,” adds Amelia.

Automating window treatments is also a clever way to eliminate unsightly and potentially unsafe cords and chains, and makes operating hard-to-reach windows a breeze.

Different types of curtain styles

“Curtains are the best window treatment for energy efficiency as they completely wrap the window, preventing cold from the windows entering the room in winter and keeping the heat out in summer,” says Frances Cosway, head designer at White Pebble Interiors.

And they’re not just for traditional homes, adds designer Gabrielle Reinhardt at Berkeley Interiors. Curtains in natural linens in shades of soft grey and muted pastels look contemporary and add a gentle softness to a space. Meanwhile, for a cosy bedroom or sitting room, nothing compares with luxe velvet curtains.”

If you want the flexibility to have softness during the day and full light control at night, consider a layered window treatment. “It gives you the best of both worlds,” says Lucia van Gerwen, interior designer at More Than Curtains. “I’ll often specify blockout roller blinds for privacy and light control combined with sheers in front for ambience.”

Is it better to have blackout curtains or blinds?

While blackout curtains are perfect for enveloping yourself in complete privacy and darkness, blinds offer the ability to control how much light goes in and out of your room. Before making your decision, consider things like privacy, positioning of windows, cleaning requirements etc.

Different types of curtain headings

The heading style of your curtains – the way they’re sewn at the top – affects how they fall. This determines how they look in a room, and how compactly they stack when opened. The main options are:

S-fold A sleek, casual and contemporary style with no pleating. The fabrics folds in an ‘S’ formation in front and behind the track. This style tends to require more stacking room than other heading styles.

Inverted box pleat A tailored look with a flat pleat. There is very little bulk to this style and it tends to be quite low-key and understated, making it suitable for both traditional and contemporary homes.

Pinch pleat A double- or triple-pinch pleat is better suited to classic interiors. The bulk of the pleat is at the front of the heading with two or three neatly pinched folds 100mm from the top of the curtain.

Euro pleat This updated version of the pinch pleat has a more informal feel. The pinch is at the top of the heading rather than lower down, making it a great option to showcase a large-scale pattern or print. Both Euro and pinch pleats look spectacular on rods with rings.

Pencil pleat A pencil-pleat heading is achieved by sewing heading tape onto a flat curtain and pulling the string until a gather appears. It has a much more relaxed, unstructured feel.

What length should curtains be?

There are no hard and fast rules on the correct curtain length – it really comes down to personal preference.

“Many designers like to specify curtains so they’re overlong or ‘puddling’ on the floor. This looks very elegant but can be a high-maintenance option if installed on tiled, timber or laminate floors because they drag on the surface and can gather dirt and dust on the hems,” says Elise.

An ideal curtain length, she says, is 10 millimetres off the floor. “This creates a neat look and holds its shape well.”

How high should you hang your curtain?

“The best spot to hang a curtain rod depends on your window and the height of the ceiling,” says Elise.

“In older homes with lower ceilings, I like to install rods just below the cornice to give the illusion of height. In newer homes with higher ceilings, you can hang them anywhere you like, whether it’s just above the architrave (the moulding at the top of the window), halfway between the architrave and the ceiling or under the cornice. But never below the architrave – this is a dead giveaway of a bad DIY job.”

Benefits of roman blinds

For a soft, sophisticated look, consider roman blinds. They’re ideal for larger windows and come in all manner of fabrics and textures.

“Roman blinds are a little more formal than roller blinds, and are often made in feature fabric to add impact to a room scheme. A roman blind in a statement print can bring so much personality to a room,” says Frances.

“You can also add lovely trims for extra colour and interest,” adds Gabrielle.

Roman blinds are a great choice for traditional and period homes. “Installed in the window reveal, they can showcase beautiful heritage architraves. They are also suitable for windows with furniture below them as they don’t protrude beyond the window,” says Elise. Roman blinds are a smart option for small rooms as they don’t take up space on either side of the window.

Bear in mind that when roman blinds are up, your window will be completely exposed, so it’s best not to install them in rooms where privacy is paramount.

Benefits of plantation shutters

If you’re looking for a casual coastal look, plantation shutters are the way to go. They’re also unlikely to date. “This style is practical, too – you can angle the blades for privacy while capturing light and breezes,” says Gabrielle.

On the downside, they’re not great insulators and do have light bleed. However, “They can reduce floor space in floor-to-ceiling applications as they require a frame installed. Plus the frame blocks some of the light,” says Frances.

Plantation shutters come in various materials, including timber and PVC, which can be painted to match your interior. PVC is more affordable than timber, and better for wet rooms.

Quality varies, so don’t automatically go for the cheapest quote. “Shutters will be on your window longer than a normal blind so it’s worth spending more to get a product that will last,” says Simon Meyer, managing director at Blinds by Peter Meyer and Weinor Australia.

Be wary of shutters being marketed as timber that are in fact timber veneer with a less-than-desirable MDF core.

Benefits of venetian blinds

For an affordable, low-maintenance and easy-to-install window covering, venetians are hard to beat. They’re generally made from timber, aluminium or PVC, and can be tilted to provide privacy or capture light and breezes. Timber venetians can be used throughout the home, while aluminium and PVC are suitable for wet areas.

“Venetian blinds are a more casual window treatment,” says Frances. “They’re fine to use in a living room or wet room, but as they don’t provide complete light block out, they’re not suitable for bedrooms. Also be aware that venetian blinds provide minimal insulation from heat and cold and, like plantation shutters, do not allow as much light into a room as other treatments.”

Slat widths come in a range of sizes. “We offer 46mm, 60mm and 85mm sizes in our custom-painted and stained cedar venetian ranges,” says Simon. “The 85mm size can give you the look of plantation shutters without the price tag.”

Blinds by Peter Meyer also offers polystyrene venetians, which gives you the look of real timber for less, in a material that’s 15 per cent lighter than PVC to accommodate larger window sizes.

Now, with your windows fashionably (and practically) dressed, all eyes will be drawn to the view inside your home as much as the one on the outside.

The post Blinds vs curtains: a buyers guide & how to choose the right one for you appeared first on Homes To Love.

Known for its majestic appearance and handsome plumage, the native Australian lyrebird is also a symbol of transformation and artistic expression. So, when interior designer Nina Hendler of NY Design began work on this family home in Melbourne’s leafy Caulfield, it was especially meaningful that the 1940s portico door featured a striking profile of the species.

“It was the starting point; the house really germinated from there,” says Nina, who had the door carefully repaired. “Every detail in the structure is delightful – and it begins right from the moment of entry.”

The owners engaged a building designer early on and the plans were drafted quickly yet cleverly. Despite the heritage overlay, the council approval process was smooth, yet skyrocketing building costs meant it took some time to obtain quotes. They eventually appointed Kostas Constructions, which became an integral part of the team.

It was a big job, and Nina worked on the joinery and fixtures and finishes, in addition to reviewing the building designer’s floor plans where necessary. When it came to the furnishings and decorative elements, Nina admits it took a while for everyone to get in sync.

“I mainly work on more monochromatic and pared-back projects, and they were sending me totally out-there inspiration,” says Nina. “I took a pause, then just ran with it. It was a fun, risky and welcome challenge that’s left me hungry for more. The client pushed me forwards in a direction I never thought I’d go in, and I pulled her back at times. Eventually, we found a beautiful synergy.”

Although there were a number of practical requirements, success was all about balance. “We wanted to embrace colour, pattern and fun while still retaining a sense of maturity and refinement,” say the homeowners of their brief. “Also, no fads and absolutely no grey!”

They were keen to retain traditional elements where possible, including the ceiling roses and floor skirtings. “We went out of our way to refresh and enhance any salvageable and authentic 1940s elements of the house. Where that wasn’t possible, we chose sympathetic replacements that echoed the original feel.”

The front part of the house and its three rooms – the main bedroom, playroom and library – largely stayed intact, with the exception of an existing entry wall that was ripped out to create a more fluid corridor, and a new set of stairs with a period-style steel balustrade.

Laden with books and a sentimental baby grand piano, the library was designed to feel “formal yet fun”, says Nina, referring to the Animalia-style wallpaper by Cole & Son. The owners’ kids love the space, too, and can often be found tucked away in there with a book.

Not surprisingly, the poorly renovated 1990s extension was demolished to make way for the addition: an extra bedroom with ensuite, plus a laundry and mud room, and then, at the rear, a living/dining/kitchen space.

For some chic but lighthearted playfulness, the mint green powder room has been adorned with images of massive herons and dragonflies. “There is something delightful and whimsical in every room,” says Nina. “This home is pure joy.”

For the bustling household of seven, purpose-built storage was a must in every room. The youngest child has special needs, so it was especially important to include space for medical equipment. There’s a new side entrance to the house designed for wheelchair accessibility and, rather than knocking the old garage and storage room down, they’ve been repurposed into a gym with a bathroom plus kitchenette and office.

In the first few days of moving in, Nina anxiously awaited the unboxing of her client’s art collection. The family had been living in a small unit throughout the three-year renovation and all the art was packed away. “I never saw any of it,” she says, “but the reveal was fantastic – the art was stunning and a perfect fit for the kitchen gallery wall.”

The owners say they “love absolutely everything” about their renovated house. “The space, the warmth, the vibrancy – we smile every time we walk through the front door or go from one room to the next.”

Lessons learnt

“I’m more adventurous,” interior designer Nina Hendler says. “This project challenged me to step outside my comfort zone with the bold use of colour and pattern that my clients desired. It opened my heart and mind to a vibrant new world and now I’m eager to collaborate with future clients who want to explore this path.”

NY Design: nydesign.com.au and @nydesign_aus
Kostas Constructions: kostasconstructions.com.au and @kostasconstructions

The Design Team

The post The bold use of colour and pattern has made this renovated 1940s Melbourne home ‘pure joy’ appeared first on Homes To Love.

“I work here full-time so the allocation of various zones was very deliberate,” Dana says of the layout. “For instance, the office needed to be at the front of the house to allow me to see clients without them having access to the rest of the family zones.”

Dana, who lives with her husband, Carlo [owner of local Italian restaurant Molto Italian], and their two children, both in their twenties, admits that expectations were higher than usual for this project. “It was a real labour of love,” she says. “I felt the pressure to produce something that was beautiful, different and practical.”

Jumping in at the deep end, Dana bypassed the safe ‘classic modern’ route, opting to showcase her company’s potential with a bold and personal design instead. “The style of my home is very me – mid-century with a fun European twist,” she says. “It did concern me to risk such a directional interior, but I feel it shows CID’s ability to design, document and project manage very successfully.”

Keeping the facade sympathetic to local housing stock, Dana found cues for the exterior from online research. “I have always loved the mid-century style, which is quite prevalent in Canberra,” Dana shares. “Inspiration for the exterior facade came from a Modernist European home that I found on Pinterest.”

Expanding on that initial inspiration, Dana chose interesting brickwork detailing and a wall of triple glazing to complete the look. “The facade has no parapet, which was difficult to achieve,” she points out. “At almost three metres high, the glazing was hung by recessing the structural beam back into the ceiling. It’s joined by the thinnest possible steel supports.”

Fun twists were injected with vibrant accents and oversized artworks. “I was yearning to have some fun and be adventurous with colour,” says Dana. Bright fuchsias, zesty citrus shades and sweet pinks pop against a neutral backdrop of soft whites and greiges, giving the building surprising flexibility.

Although the home is full of personal objects, one-off pieces and a tailored colour scheme, a neutral base palette means it can be adapted to a range of interior styles with ease. “The balanced use of colour was very deliberate, with consideration given to resale potential,” says Dana. “Colour adaptability was important to enable a future purchaser with different taste to adjust the interiors at little cost.”

The layout is also dynamic. For instance, the home office is spacious enough to run Dana’s business from, “but one day, when my ‘babies’ move out and we downsize, it will make the perfect formal living area for the next owner,” she says.

A milestone, both professionally and personally, this project was the designer’s first attempt at managing a build from excavation to completion. The experience was something Dana describes as a “steep learning curve” and “extremely satisfying and educational”. “I feel like I’m eternally on holiday here,” she says.

“Our relationship as a family and my relationship with my husband have been affected in a very positive way by living here. It has been well worth all the hard work.”

Lessons learnt

“Use a designer you have researched well,” Dana Tosolini, owner and designer says. Having practiced as an interior designer for more than 30 years, Dana suggests hiring a professional who appreciates your aesthetic goals completely.

“Designing your home and its interior is a very personal experience, so you need to ensure that your designer understands you, your requirements and your ‘vibe’,” she says. “A good designer should be able to adapt to your style, not just put their stamp on your home.”

Concepts Interior Design: conceptsinteriordesign.com.au and @conceptsinteriordesign
Also check out gfcabinetworks.com.au and @icwptyltd

The Design Team

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The layout reminded them of her partner’s family home in Edinburgh. “It felt like home straightaway,” she says. “We knew we needed to do whatever we could to make it ours.” The house was eventually relisted for sale in early 2020 and, as people lost confidence in the market due to Covid, they managed to buy it.

Their first priority was to bring light and warmth into the house, then add “some colour and chaos” to the mix.

“Every other house we’d lived in had always been white,” says the owner. “We knew we wanted to explore living with colour.” It didn’t take long to decide which colours should take centre stage. “For my second birthday, my mum made me two cakes: one pink and one green, because I loved both colours so much. In my mind, those two colours belong together.” They decided to do the renovations in two stages, tackling the bathrooms first with their architect, Kitty Lee.

“I really wanted a Moroccan-themed bathroom,” the owner says. “Kitty found some beautiful tiles. She felt we should do the whole bathroom in the same colour rather than just a feature wall. So, we took a leap of faith.” Which certainly paid off. “Walking into that bathroom is like walking into a cocoon. It’s a magical space – so warm and bright.”

The second stage of the project was the kitchen and dining room at the back. While the footprint of the house didn’t change, the new owners made clever adjustments to create more space. Removing a chimney allowed them to open up the space between the dining room and the kitchen. Adding stackable doors meant they could let in plenty of light and create more space. “The kitchen is small, but the doors make it seem a lot bigger,” the owner says.

This was also where they ran into some tricky issues. “The builders found asbestos and termites. And we discovered a well in the backyard that the house was resting on, so the engineers had to put steel beams across and fill it with concrete.”

This meant that walls they hadn’t intended to remove had to be pulled down and rebuilt. “If we’d known those walls had to come down, we might have laid things out a bit differently. But I learnt to go with it.” The kitchen walls were originally a eucalyptus green. “As a nod to that colour scheme, we chose a green colour for the kitchen cupboards,” says the owner.

Kitchen bench: “The new design allows us all to fit at the kitchen bench. We love sitting there with coffee [on Saturday mornings] and planning our weekends.”
Laundry chute: “Our laundry chute lets us drop clothes down from the upper floor to the marble bench in the laundry. I just wish it washed and folded them and sent them back up again!”
Blue bathroom: “My partner wanted a white bathroom with a touch of colour. We borrowed the idea of these tiles from Brickfields Bakery in Chippendale.”

3 ideas the owners love

To modernise the look, they pared it back with a grey French wash on the walls. The original house also had several archways, but those were reconfigured to ensure a straight line of sight from the front door through to the kitchen. The aim of this was to allow their extensive Mud Australia collection to be on full view, all the time. Those arches are echoed throughout the house, from the curves on the island bench to the curved basins in the bathrooms.

The family worked hard to use local suppliers for as many of the materials as possible, making sure the concrete sinks and porcelain light fittings were crafted in Australia. They were also keen to make the house as simple to live in as possible. “The concrete floors are easy to clean, and there’s underfloor heating, which means we don’t need air-con.”

In the dining room, the wall colour was inspired by the success of the bathroom. “I knew the pink bathroom had a cocooning effect, so we decided to try that with the dining room area, too. We have friends walk in and feel as though they’re in a gelato palace. It was really important for us to have a fun space to share with family and friends. It’s where all the action happens – we’ve been known to push the table to one side and use the room as a dance floor!”

The final touch of colour was the bright yellow door to the studio outside. “The studio was the last thing we did, so I was feeling really bold by then,” says the owner. “To me, it feels like a Parisian corner.”

Kitty Lee Architecture: klarch.com.au and @kittyleearchitecture
Renotech Building: renotechbuilding.com.au

The Design Team

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Offering an opportunity to make a bold statement or add more subtle texture or colour, the splashback is often one of the final pieces in the kitchen design puzzle. And while the same material used across your benchtops can also be used as your splashback, there’s plenty of fun to be had in choosing a punchy finish or colour that contrasts with other elements in the space.

To help inspire your very own renovation, here are 18 of the best kitchen splashback ideas to steal for yourself.

18 kitchen splashback ideas to inspire

A hint of gold

Matte gold kit-kat tiles provide a touch of subtle glamour in the kitchen of this renovated brick bungalow with Japanese-inspired interiors. The chic bronze splashback tile appears gold or deep olive depending on the lighting.

Colour-drenched

Decked out in Dulux Dollar, the colour-drenched kitchen of this creatively reimagined weatherboard cottage makes an earthy statement. Tying in with the benchtops, the splashback is finished in a small green square tile which adds to the visual impact of the space.

Mediterranean muse

In TV chef Silvia Colloca’s Northern Beaches home, a Mediterranean colour palette instantly uplifts, as seen in the heart of the home: the kitchen. Finished with Zellige tiles in Blue Moon, the splashback perfectly complements the timber, marble and bright yellow Smeg oven.

Buttery beige

Subtle and buttery, the tiles in the kitchen of this modern country home in Merricks North, Victoria, proved the perfect pick. While a concrete benchtop adds contrast, timber tones bring the warmth right back.

Pretty porcelain

The Maculato porcelain tiles from Surface Gallery lining this blue-hued kitchen’s splashback venture away from hard lines and into a more organic, soft aesthetic. In contrast, hardy and structural Super White Dolomite from Marable lines the benchtops.

All white

Light, bright and all-white, the kitchen of this renovated California bungalow in Sydney embraces a neutral palette to create a sense of airiness. In the kitchen, textural white square tiles from Phillip’s Tile Company complement the Lord White marble and brass fittings.

Peachy keen

This fun pink kitchen within a renovated Queenslander in New Farm features small, peachy square tiles, which are beautifully lit from the side thanks to a glass pane that overlooks a verdant tropical-style garden.

Blue hues

Instead of going linear, the designers of this WWII Queenslander home have created a sense of movement by misaligning baby-blue square tiles for a brickwork-like effect. The pastel hue also adds a touch of colour to the otherwise neutral-toned space.

Sleek steel

Complementing a warm and textural palette of sandstone, timber and quartzite in the kitchen of this Federation-era Rose Park home is a subtle steel splashback. The same sleek stainless steel splashback can also be found in the adjoining butler’s pantry.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

Mirrors can make a surprisingly excellent kitchen splashback mostly due to the fact that they help enhance your home’s natural light and provide the visual effect of elongating the space like in this monochrome Northern Beaches home.

Marble marvel

Is there any finish as timeless and elegant as marble? In the contemporary kitchen of this renovated California bungalow, Calacatta Cervaiole is tastefully used across the splashback and benchtops, allowing the space’s unexpected red accents to really pop.

Keep it clear

In this bright and airy renovated cottage in Brisbane, the neutral-toned kitchen enjoys double the natural light as well as some leafy garden views, thanks to a clear glass splashback.

Shades of blue

In this colourful 1960s beach shack in Emu Bay, a dark timber servery window frames a blue kitchen that features a gorgeous kit-kat-style tile splashback.

Mini mosaics

Renovated by Brave New Eco, this 1930s apartment in South Yarra leans into its Art Deco roots with its chequerboard tiled floors, bold cabinets and stunning speckled white mosaic tiled splashback from Nagoya Mosaic-Tile Co.

Earthy tones

Situated in Northcote, this sustainably designed family home enjoys an earthy, grounded palette, as seen in the kitchen where a green kit-kat tiled splashback complements timber cabinetry, marble benchtops, concrete floors and brass fittings.

Subtle subway

This soft take on a classic subway splashback adds gentle texture to this laid-back Byron Bay villa. A single full-length timber shelf ties in with the timber cladding around the island bench and cabinetry fittings.

Punchy pink

The colourful home of Kip&Co co-founder Alex McCabe features a vibrant kitchen where all its elements come together to pack a punch. Crocodile bamboo quartzite makes the splashback, with the pink tones complementing the pink concrete island bench.

All about amber

An eco-friendly Melbourne bungalow focused on using recycled materials where possible, so the kitchen island and rangehood are clad in recycled messmate timber battens. Complementing the natural timber tones of the home are glossy amber subway tiles.

The post 18 kitchen splashback ideas to revamp the heart of your home appeared first on Homes To Love.

Eliza O’Hare’s trending design picks

House of Heras

Founded in 2018, House of Heras is the designer child of textile artist Silvana Azzi Heras, a long-time collaborator of Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrmann. Now with a global following, the highly coloured prints appear on rugs, wallpaper, cushions, kimonos and scarves, plus these gorgeous new Hummingbird Garden linen napkins from the Socialite Set, $130 for four.

houseofheras.com

L&M Home’s new spring/summer collection

The new spring/summer collection from L&M Home evokes a relaxed outdoor lifestyle through its use of organic textures, bold patterns and earthen hues. Pictured are the Margot bolster cushion in Jade, $123; Ava stripe cushion, $110, and throw, $310, both in Toffee; Ava rectangle cushion in Chalk, $119; Duet rectangle cushion in Baked Clay, $139; and Evora jug in Dune, $128.

lmhome.com.au

Rui Pereira’s colourful tableware

Designed by Portuguese artist Rui Pereira, the Barro Collection of mix-and-match terracotta tableware will bring a splash of colour to your gatherings. Starting from $72 for two coffee cups.

hayshop.com.au

Bonnie & Neil’s bee hooks

Bring nature inside with sweet brass Bees wall hooks, $32 each, from Bonnie & Neil.

bonnieandneil.com.au

Creed’s candles

Luxury perfume house Creed is adding French-made candles to its range, each with its own heady aroma and encased in a custom porcelain vessel. Choose from five scents named for luxe travel destinations, $179 each.

creedperfume.com.au

Dulux’s peaceful paints

In today’s uncertain times, we’re craving peace more than ever. The 2025 Dulux Colour Forecast bears this in mind, conceiving three colourways — including Emerge, pictured — to make our homes feel like places of refuge.

dulux.com.au

Sheet Society’s stripey spring collection

The spring bedding collection from Sheet Society is a playful mix of stripes, gingham checks, sunburst patterns and design motifs that can be paired together in myriad combinations. All in breathable cotton, flax linen or bamboo; $50 for two striped pillowcases.

sheetsociety.com

Dries Van Noten’s luxury travel essentials

Whip these Dries Van Noten accessories out of your handbag for touch-ups on the go: $385 for the pocket mirror; $345 for the comb.

mecca.com

The limited-edition ASICS x HAY trainers

A style icon gets a modern refresh in these limited-edition ASICS x HAY trainers, $200. Available in-store at HAY Sydney and Melbourne.

hayshop.com.au

Bespoke furnishings from Land

Create your own bespoke armchair, bedhead, blinds or tablecloths with new digital showroom Land. Best part, it only takes four-to-six weeks to be made locally and sent to your home.

landhome.com.au

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For designer Dan Gayfer, the task of bringing his practice’s latest house-renewal project to fruition certainly struck close to home. And that’s something the co-director (with Lewis Marash) of Melbourne architectural and interior design studio True Story (formerly Dan Gayfer Design) found very convenient.

“Funnily enough, at the time of the renovation, I was living just two doors down,” Dan explains. “And our studio was – and still is – only 200 metres down a laneway from the site. It’s definitely the closest job I’ve had to both home and work. As a result, I was probably spending more time on site than I needed to, walking past it every single day, but that was certainly an advantage.”

Nestled among other worker’s cottages on a tree-lined street in Fitzroy North, the single-fronted home’s classic Victorian facade gave no hint of the reimagined delights that were to materialise within.

“We bought the property in 2016 and lived in it for many years before we pushed ‘go’ on the renovation,” say the homeowners. “As Dan lived a couple of doors away in a similar-style house and we had got to know each other, he had a good knowledge of the house – the nuances of the spaces – and its potential.”

It was mid-2022 when Dan and Lewis began working on the project. Faced with a five-metre wide frontage on a 156-square-metre corner-block parcel, the pair were excited by the challenge that lay ahead – to create an inviting and functional three-bedroom abode with indoor and outdoor living spaces, as well as a work-from-home zone.

“Like many old single-fronted homes that have been added to over the decades, the only original areas in the pre-renovated house were the front couple of rooms,” says Dan.

“This house had two bedrooms at the front, and a typical postwar lean-to at the rear, which was quite rundown.” Adds Lewis: “The house, with the bathroom and laundry tacked on the back, felt very disconnected to the outside area, which was really just a small, concreted carport.”

True Story collaborated with Auckland-based practice Lloyd Hartley in the early stages of the project, before Ferne Built was engaged to take on the actual works. While the original front rooms were repurposed as the children’s bedrooms, all that rose beyond is a result of visionary design.

Looking out to a crazy-paved courtyard at the rear of the home, past the open-plan living and kitchen domain and accessed by two steps down, is the luminous dining area. This features space-saving banquette-style seating and a built-in bar.

“The owners love being there with the doors open to the courtyard,” says Dan. “They spend a lot of time on that lower level.”

“There’s an amazing amount of light in the home now, yet it still feels so private,” say the owners. Meanwhile, stairs soar to a second level – revealing, under a sky-lit ceiling, a cosy reading den and study domain as well as the tranquil main bedroom and ensuite.

Both inside and out, Dan and Lewis let nature lead the way. The home now benefits from a strong connection to the outdoors, with an organic palette of tactile timber and stone providing harmony throughout. “We selected a rich brush box timber for the floor, and all of the joinery is blackwood,” says Lewis. Moments of surprise and enchantment present, too.

From the downstairs bathroom – a floor-to-ceiling immersion in verdant green – to the terracotta-tinged ensuite upstairs, glorious bursts of colour deliver playful flourishes.

“We always ask our clients if they are interested in exploring colour in any of the spaces and, if they are, what their favourite colours might be,” says Lewis. “Colour can add a fun element to the interiors and, most importantly, be suited to the owners and the things they like. We absolutely love colour, so it’s just about guiding the owners to select the colours in the palette they desire.”

But perhaps the sweetest addition of all in this home, discreetly accessed from the couple’s private retreat, is the sun-drenched roof terrace. “The orientation of the block means that the rear outdoor space faces south,” says Lewis.

“So, the introduction of the north-facing rooftop terrace, as an additional private outdoor space, was really important. The couple can sit out there with a morning coffee and the paper and enjoy some sunshine.”

“The house can feel small and intimate when it’s just us at home,” say the owners. “But it easily opens up and accommodates many more people when we’re entertaining, without seeming at all cramped.”

Lessons learnt

“All colour can be timeless,” architectural designer Dan Gayfer says.

“Like anything, if colour is done really beautifully and is well-considered so that you can see a strong design intent in using it, then I think it’s going to stand the test of time.”

True Story: truestory.au and @truestory.au

Ferne Built: fernebuilt.com.au

Lloyd Hartley: lloydhartley.com

The Design Team

The post A cleverly renovated Victorian home that maximises on space and colour appeared first on Homes To Love.

Creating a safe haven for their young family was the guiding light for Leah and Samuel O’Connor, owners of this mid-century marvel in Brisbane’s inner north-west. “As the founder of a luxury home-care brand, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the concept of ‘home’,” says Leah. “My philosophy is this: your home is your space, your refuge, your sanctuary.”

When the busy working couple – then with just one child under two – started looking for a long-term family home in 2022, they knew it had to be fuss-free. “Neither my husband [who works as a private equity investor] nor I have a handy bone in our bodies,” jokes Leah. “We were previously living in a Queenslander, which was really beautiful, but it needed more love and care than we had the time or skills for.”

After searching unsuccessfully for months, the couple met a builder in the early stages of construction on a home they quickly realised was ‘the one’. “While we’d been keen to find a property that was already complete,” says Leah, “this house, and the team building it, ticked every one of our boxes, so we decided it was worth the wait.”

Moving the family in with her mum for 10 months while building was underway, Leah enjoyed the unexpected freedom of being able to choose a bespoke palette and finishes. “Buying at that stage of the build gave us the opportunity to change the interior and exterior finishes to suit our style,” she says. “The original scope was a moody and dark aesthetic, so I said to the builder, ‘Anywhere that’s black, make it white.’”

Inspired by the glamorous Calile Hotel in nearby Fortitude Valley, Leah admits to being a neutral lover through and through. “I’ve always said my blood runs beige,” she muses. “I was inspired by the Calile’s neutral colour palette in the communal areas, and colourful designs in the suites.” Emulating a similar scheme, Leah chose light colours and low-contrast materials in the living areas, and bolder colours with interesting details in the bedrooms, bathrooms and underground cellar.

More than just a backdrop for family life, the thoughtful, monochromatic interiors she’s created double as an ideal setting for Leah’s company, Domenica Formulations, to shoot beautiful images. “I knew I wanted to use the home as a photoshoot location for my brand,” she shares. “With the possibility of extending that opportunity to other brands in the future.”

While Leah relished the chance to experiment with the finishes, fixtures and fittings, she and Samuel were both happy to be spared the headache of conceptualising the layout. Designed by Brisbane architect Tim Stewart, the home came as a ready-made package that fit the young family’s needs to a tee.

“Our previous home had bedrooms and living areas spread across two levels, which wasn’t the most practical set-up with young children,” she says. “Moving into this home has been one of those rare moments where reality has surpassed expectations.”

Embarking on the hunt for a family home is rarely streamlined, but for the O’Connors, success lay in maintaining a singular focus. With crystal-clear priorities, every decision along the way became easier to navigate.

“[The ideas of] comfort and sanctuary have been at the heart of every decision we’ve made,” says Leah. And it seems for their kids, those decisions have created a tangible sense of love and warmth.
“My daughter often asks to stay home and play, rather than going out,” Leah adds. “I love that this is her favourite place, as much as it is ours.”

Lessons learnt

“Always sample your choices,” homeowner Leah says. “The greatest joy I experienced during this project was making bold decisions with colours and finishes that bring life and vibrancy to our home. One key lesson I learned is the importance of sampling every element, no matter how confident you feel with online sample cards and colours. In our kids’ bathroom, I didn’t sample the tile and it ended up being purple rather than the biscuit colour I had envisioned. It was a costly mistake, and now I find myself avoiding that room.”

Tim Stewart Architects: timstewartarchitects.com.au and @timstewartarchitects

JMC Construction Solutions: jmccs.com.au and @jmcconstructionsolutions

Domenica Formulations: domenicaformulations.com

The Design Team

The post A neutral-toned sanctuary with a stylish subterranean den appeared first on Homes To Love.

Location was the main driver for Janet and Michael Allen when they decided to move from their South Australian farm to the city. They looked at three properties with a real estate friend of Janet’s, and were advised that the last one, an archetypal Adelaide villa with a Dutch-gable roof in Rose Park, less than a kilometre from the CBD, was in a great spot close to parklands. “It was, by far, in the poorest condition of the houses we looked at,” explains Michael, “but the best area.”

The couple were undeterred, however, as their son, James, is an award-winning architect who was happy to jump on board for the renovation of the masonry home. “Mum and Dad had a huge amount of trust in me because we’d worked on other projects in the past,” he says. “With this place, it was a case of being able to shorthand a lot of the process as we were keen to move along as quickly as possible.”

The only issues were those presented by the structure itself. “It desperately needed maintenance and restoration because of ongoing deterioration caused by rising damp, a leaky roof and a resident family of possums.”

Clearing overgrowth from the 697-metre block was closely followed by stabilising the cracked and crumbling building with 18 piles, each measuring 3.5 metres, forced down through the clay-based soil to rock. Other essential tasks included restoring some original timber floors, windows and doors, and replacing ceilings and plasterwork. “Due to the level of dilapidation, many people would have pushed council to have the place knocked over,” James admits.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen and, once the home was secured, it was restored and extended with a new wing spaced away from the original building by a four-metre square courtyard. This allowed cross-ventilation and light to reach the new sitting room, formerly a bedroom that hadn’t had direct sun for 120 years.

James’s reimagining of the villa – realised by a crack team of builders and craftspeople – is a vision of restored features in the original part of the house, and country-inspired contemporary in the new section, which has slightly lower ceilings in the linking part. All the main living areas are now across the back, and the three bedrooms are supplemented by an office, a workshop, and a studio in the garage outbuilding that’s used by Janet for painting.

Working on the interiors was a highlight for the architect, who advised on everything from materials to paint colours. “We chose some finishes and furniture in consultation with James,” says Janet. “He provided us with a manageable number of options and we visited a few showrooms together. Some things came from our previous home – mainly a few sentimental pieces.”

One of the standout features in Michael’s mind is the Taj Mahal quartzite kitchen benchtop, which is one giant 3.4-metre piece. “James had asked us to visit the stone importer to chose two pieces as we’d been told that the bench was too big for one piece. We were disappointed that we’d need a join in the top, so we picked out two pieces and then, on closer inspection, discovered that the second was large enough to make the top in one piece.

This shocked the stonemason [from Aspex Stone], but, with James’s persuasion, he completed it with a single piece.” Adds James: “There were only millimetres to spare in the raw slab!”

The kitchen bench looks wonderful with the bagged walls and all the other design elements of the main living area, where the couple spend most of their time. They love their new temperature-controlled abode and walk-in wardrobes, but do still visit their farmhouse (kept in the family) and holiday home (on the Murray River, near Wellington) when they choose. The garden’s watering system keeps things under control while they’re away.

Sydney-based James is always welcome, of course. “It’s deeply satisfying to stay there,” he says of the home, which just won a gong at the National Architecture Awards (SA chapter). “Many hands come together to make a building, and good architecture should make room for those hands to do their best work. I think we managed that here.”

Lessons learnt

“I discovered more ways to restore brick and stone,” architect James Allen says.

“South Australia was known for its lack of timber in the early days, so much of Adelaide architecture is brick and stone. There are a lot of lessons to take away in restoring old brick and stone construction. It really emphasises all the things that have changed in how we build today, as well as those things that have stayed the same over 120 years.”

James Allen: jamesallen.com.au and @jamesallenarchitect

Construction by Build Theory: buildtheory.co

Landscaping by David Burnett: @davidburnettdesign

The Design Team

The post An architectural renovation took this Federation-era home from ‘crumbling’ to contemporary oasis appeared first on Homes To Love.

Timeline: Eighteen months from the start of the design phase through to completion in November 2023.

When it comes to marshalling colour and tactility to great effect, Kim Kneipp loves to work her magic. And nowhere is the interior designer’s wizardry on show more effectively than in this reimagined California bungalow in Melbourne’s buzzy Fitzroy North.

Home to freelance writer and editor Maureen, her 15-year-old son, Archer, and their two dogs, the heritage house in Melbourne’s inner north-east springs to life with mood-enhancing colour and creativity. Unveiling its secrets from the moment the front door is opened, the house’s reincarnation is quite a departure from its subdued and somewhat disjointed past.

To Maureen, however, it was the fact that it backs onto verdant parkland and provides a sense of sanctuary belying its bustling urban neighbourhood that awed her when she first inspected the double-storey, four-bedroom property in 2012. “I couldn’t believe I’d found a house that looked directly out to crown bushland and a creek,” she says.

“Yet it’s right in the middle of the beautiful community that North Fitzroy is, and so close to the city. The house itself, though, had much more of a masculine energy to it at the time, which I struggled with. It was all-white with some brown and black highlights.”

After living in the North Fitzroy home as it was for almost a decade, Maureen approached Kim in 2021 after discovering the designer on Instagram. “Her work popped up, and I just loved it all,” she says with a smile.

“It was right in the middle of Covid that Maureen reached out to me,” recalls Kim. “The home had this early-2000s postmodernist extension, but there wasn’t much continuity between old and new. For instance, you’d head up to the main bedroom to see a frosted glass bathroom wall at the top of the stairs. So, if someone was having a shower, you could see their silhouette against the glass! There were lots of strange spaces or elements like that.

“The brief quickly expanded from being a little bit of styling help to a full design makeover – a complete resurfacing and refinishing of most of the rooms – without altering the footprint.”

For both client and designer, with builder Frizco Shopfitting & Building Services taking charge of the works, the collaboration proved an easy fit from the start. “We immediately hit it off,” confirms Maureen. “Kim’s very down to earth, with a wicked sense of humour that I immediately resonated with. She was also very considered in her approach, and articulated her vision through drawings and samples in a way that made the decision making easy. I wanted the house to feel more connected to the amazing north-facing creek view, and to bring a more feminine softness to what felt like an incoherent house.”

Meanwhile, Maureen required no convincing to take a walk on the bolder side with Kim. “In terms of the choices, I was always very open to colour,” she says. “After the Covid lockdowns, I was sick of looking at white and beige. I’ve always been a risk-taker, and I love the feeling you get from colour and how it affects your mood.”

Certainly, this is a home which signals the strength of a nuanced yet entirely cohesive palette. Set against nutty cinnamon walls, there is the moodiness of the front library/ music room with its lush burgundy carpet and Broached Commissions striped-timber coffee table. Notable, too, is the cocooning warmth of Maureen’s bedroom, the brushstrokes of its coral-coloured walls offset by sumptuous teal carpet and custom ombre drapes. Not to mention the exquisite main bathroom, complete with its blush-pink rendered microcement walls, sage joinery, tactile Moroccan tiles and shapely forest green concrete basins. “I think Kim’s magic really comes out in the bathrooms,” reflects Maureen.

“We love colour, although we are definitely more muted and tertiary in our use of it,” says Kim of her design team’s signature style. “We’re not bright colour ladies, but we are bold and strong. And we complement it with lots of detail and texture – we’re obsessed with texture! We also did a lot of colour-matching, making sure we could either two-pack or powdercoat joinery so that it felt like the colour was wrapped around you, rather than stopping and starting in places.”

As Kim explains, her palette of preference is informed by the landscape. “All of our colours have an earthy, natural undertone to them – tones that you would see in the sunset or in the treescape around us,” she says. “We don’t lean towards primary or very clean colours. We like to create spaces that bring calmness, so the colours we use connect us more to nature and the seasons.”

And then there are the delightfully unexpected details that bring a tangible sense of quirkiness and joy to the home. “I remember when we brought the swan taps for the ensuite bathroom to Maureen,” says Kim. “I said, ‘I believe this swan needs to be in your life!’ There is this Hollywood glamour we were bringing into the home. Maureen has a previous life as a musician, and she has all of these wonderful facets to her. I wanted to keep her glamorous rock-n-roll vibe going and, for me, that was personified by an aged-brass swan tap!”

As for Maureen, it’s no surprise she is hard-pressed to pick a favourite space in the home. But she is certain of one thing and expresses it sagely: “Life is too short not to experiment with colour and texture.”

Lessons Learnt

Bold colour can actually be quite soothing.

Sometimes, entering into a white, linen or beige space can be too open, whereas a good selection of colour can hold you like a sofa embrace so you feel cocooned. It also allows for a better interplay of light and shadow – and you need shadow to appreciate light.

The Design Team

Kim Kneipp: kimkneipp.com

The post A bravely renovated period home with a jewel-toned palette appeared first on Homes To Love.

Entering the toddler stage is a huge milestone, with rapid acceleration of their physical, mental and emotional capabilities. If it’s time to update the nursery to a space for your little one to learn, explore and recharge after a busy day, here are four toddler room updates to see them through this next exciting chapter, without breaking the bank.

Create a space that sparks imagination

A toddler’s room is more than just a place to sleep. It’s their castle, their rocket ship and their classroom in one.

Children learn and express themselves through drawing and play, so foster their creativity with a whiteboard easel with washable markers or a chalkboard where they can create their masterpieces. Felt boards with Velcro ‘magnets’ are a great way to display their latest works of art on paper (and can also save your walls from being redecorated).

And at the end of a busy day, a comfy chair also makes a stylish addition to a child’s room and is the perfect spot for reading together and chatting through life’s big questions. 

A dreamy big kid bed

When your toddler graduates to a big kid bed it’s an exciting milestone for them, and the freedom to climb in and out whenever they choose can be hard to resist. From a safety perspective, it’s a good idea to choose one that’s not too high off the ground or tricky to navigate, but also one with the adaptability to ease them into sleeping in their new big kid bed until they get the hang of it.

A cot that converts to a toddler bed is a smart investment that offers adaptability and longevity for the first few years, like the sturdy and affordable Elkie Cot from Amart. When the time comes, simply remove one or both sides, set the bed base to the right height and you’re good to go. Down the track it can also transform into a toddler sofa, and then back again to a cot if a new sibling comes along.

Kids grow fast, so when they’re ready to upsize again it’s important to ensure their bed not only offers comfort, but durability to see them comfortably through the school years and beyond.   

Double bunks are an enduring favourite for their space-saving practicality and double-decker options for siblings or sleepovers. The latest bunks are next level, some offering integrated storage and even the choice of a trundle bed underneath that can be pulled out when needed, such as the Ryu Double Bunk and the Zayden single bed with trundle from Amart.

Storage for all their treasures

Fun fact: Kids accumulate a lot of stuff. So, create space for all their special things with bedroom storage that makes it easy to find their treasures and the everyday essentials they need.

A chest of drawers is a must for clothes, and modular shelving or cube style storage is a great way to make space for books, toys and games. Smaller storage such as tubs and baskets keep bits and pieces such as Lego together and make it easier to pack away at the end of the day. (A parent can dream, right?)

Let their personality shine

As anyone with a toddler in their life will tell you, little people have big personalities! So let your child tell you about their vision for their room. They might have a particular colour scheme or theme that reflects their passion for fairies, dinosaurs or their favourite storybook character.

Let them pick out the linen for their new room, some fun cushions or a cool wall decal. Best of all, when your kid’s interests change you can change these items up easily and relatively inexpensively.

Creating a dreamy toddler bedroom to take them into their preschool and big school years simply takes a bit of imagination, a few quality pieces that will go the distance as they grow, and some playful, personal touches to put the ‘fun’ into functional. And when you see the magic they create in their own happy place, it’s priceless.

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Ryu Double Bunk from Amart

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Elkie Cot from Amart

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Penny Fabric Accent Chair from Amart

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Copeland White Chest of Drawers from Amart

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The post 4 toddler room updates that will go the distance appeared first on Homes To Love.

In fact, pet lovers nationwide are reporting a high prevalence of pet-ty crime from their furry friends when left home alone. According to new research commissioned by Ring, the smart home security company, a whopping 83% of pet owners reported acts of mischief, with canine crimes outweighing feline felonies. This is costing Aussies millions in repairs each year – $222 million for dog-owning households and $153 million for cat-owning households.

So when your home is your castle – and your dog is your best friend – how do you ensure the two play nicely?

“Knowing your pets is half the challenge. Bored pets will find ways to entertain themselves and can get up to all sorts of mischief and destructive behaviour while you are not there,” Australian veterinarian, Dr Katrina Warren tells Homes to Love. “Other pets, (including my own dog Chilli) are opportunists and will do things they may not do when you are home like sprawl on the couch or counter surf. Anxious pets may soil the house, bark or cry. A camera is a very useful tool for telling you whether your pet is anxious/stressed, bored or just chilled out waiting for you to get home.”

“When pets get up to mischief, they are just exhibiting their natural behaviours. Puppies and young dogs will explore by chewing and digging, while bored or anxious dogs will often engage in destructive behaviours when left home alone. Safety is most important and you should manage the areas that your pet has access to when you are not actively supervising them.”

Here are our best ever tips for keeping a stylish home… that also happens to be pet-proof.

1. Pet-proof your upholstery

You love your nubuck leather sofa… and so does your Great Dane, who slobbers all over it as he sleeps. When you have pets, it pays to choose your fabrics wisely.

For cats, velvet fabric works well. Cats don’t tend to scratch it as much, so they won’t ruin it! Ultrasuede and microfibre, similarly, aren’t great for cats to scratch, and they’re easy to clean.

Leather is a great option for dogs, too, as it doesn’t soak up smells or attract hair. Scratches can usually be buffed out, too.

As much as possible, choose fabrics in colours that match your pet. A white couch with a black lab? It’s probably not going to work.

It’s also wise to invest in a durable blanket for your lounge – you can put it under your pet while they relax on the sofa. And always choose cushions and sofas that have slipcovers, so you can remove and clean them when necessary!

2. Pet-proof your rugs

Grace Bonney of Design Sponge has a great tip when it comes to rugs: choose an indoor-outdoor rug, in a material like sisal or seagrass.

These rugs are more durable than straight indoor styles, and can handle deep cleaning well (they’re also UV-protected, if your house gets a lot of natural light).

Go for low-pile rugs (soft, fluffy rugs are like magnets for curious claws) and stick to dark colours in small patterns. Big patterns allow a lot of exposed, solid colour to show, making stains seem more visible.

If you’ve invested in a beautiful rug you’re worried your new pet might destroy, why not hang it on the wall instead, and choose a sturdier or washable floor rug?

3. Pet-proof your walls

Between their slobber, dirty fur and rogue paws, pets can damage walls quicker than you can say “Grab the Ajax!”

Choose a paint finish in semi-gloss, will be easier to wipe down that other paints in a matte finish.

4. Pet-proof your shelving

Open shelving and pets don’t often mix, especially if you have a new puppy or kitten (known for their love of exploring!). “If something is chewed or ruined, it’s because you have given your pet that opportunity,” reminds Dr Katrina. “Remove any dangerous or tempting items from their reach, including toxic plants, electrical cords, and valuables.”

Invest in closed shelving as much as possible, to keep knick-knacks away from curious paws and mouths.

5. Pet-proof your flooring

Wall-to-wall carpet is plush and comfortable, but probably not the best choice for pet owners.

Instead, go for more durable flooring choices, like tiles, polished concrete and hardwood. These are much easier to clean and won’t attract fur.

Arm yourself with a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner that is designed to pick-up pet hair.

6. Pet-proof your legs

Table legs, that is. Cats love scratching and dogs love chewing, but cat trees and dog toys can be pretty hideous to look at. In fact, Dr Katrina says chewing could be something we have to deal with for a fair while. “Chewing is natural for puppies and most will grow out of chewing everything by about 12 months but some dogs will chew items for life.”

Instead, protect your table and chair legs by wrapping sisal rope around them – your cat can use these to scratch against, and you’ll also protect the wood itself.

7. Invest in pet supervision while you’re out

We can’t always be home to keep a watchful eye over our pups (as much as we’d like to be!), so the answer for you may be pet supervision technology like the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera to give you the peace of mind to check in on your furry friend at home, no matter where you are.

With over plenty of pet owners feelings anxious when they’re away from their pets, the use of smart home tech, like indoor cameras, can provide a reassuring window back home.

• Handy home hacks for people with pets

• 10 home design tips with pets in mind

• How to create a pet-friendly garden

• 15 things you’ll only know if you share your home with a cat

More tips on living harmoniously with pets

The post 7 stylish ways to pet-proof your home appeared first on Homes To Love.

From first sight, it’s clear that Eliza and Michael Leake’s family home in Victoria’s Barwon Heads embraces the natural world and skilful creativity. Situated on a narrow block of 530 square metres, the new construction’s two-storey facade is covered in green Moroccan tiles and accented with a blackened-steel framework that will be engulfed with flowering vines over time.

As you step through the front door, the floor plan sweeps into a series of inviting curves wrapped around jungle-like courtyards and a thriving billabong. “There’s a lot of glass in our house,” Eliza offers. “When people visit, they say it’s like being in a terrarium.”

The Leakes own and operate building company Michael Leake Constructions (MLC) and are parents to three older children. They built their previous home many years ago.

Its open-plan layout and spacious backyard – complete with a built-in trampoline and cubby house – were perfectly suited to that splice of the family’s life.

“We enjoyed living there, but teenagers and adult children need their own spaces and privacy,” Eliza shares. “We had also been in that house for about 14 years and, being builders, we just felt like we needed to do another build.”

In 2018, settled in their coastal neighbourhood, the Leakes took the opportunity to buy a block on their street that Eliza’s dad owned – and still lives next door too.

Well-versed in design and construction, the Leakes’ vision for their new family home was clear. “We really wanted an inside-outside feel,” says Eliza. They prioritised natural materials that continued from the interior to the exterior, green spaces, and large stretches of glazing oriented to capture the northern sun. And curves. Lots of curves. “We like to build curvy houses!” she laughs.

With the architectural scope set, the couple turned to the interiors and engaged the Melbourne-based design consultant Rebecca Boykett shortly after holidaying in a Byron Bay beach house she’d transformed.

Following a year of planning, construction began in early 2020 and continued for 18 months. With Michael and his team on the build, the project ran smoothly, despite the ubiquitous Covid-related material shortages and delays.

“Michael is so can-do and just loves a challenge, as well as making things with his own hands,” says Rebecca. “He and Eliza knew this was going to be their long-term house, so there was a lot of heart invested in the job.”

Highly crafted bespoke details and quality natural finishes imbue each space with a grounded authenticity. MLC handmade each window frame and concrete form, and even folded brass wall panels to create the wow-inspiring powder room downstairs. Solid blackbutt ceiling lining stretches uninterrupted from indoors to out, and the incredible green exterior tiles also feature on the home’s northern aspect, further diffusing the indoor-outdoor split.

“Mike and I travelled through Morocco on a motorbike three years before we designed this house, and there are so many tiled buildings there. I love how it looks traditional and modern at the same time,” says Eliza.

It’s the perfect home for a social family, and the kitchen drenched in durable Super White quartzite is at the heart of all the gatherings. Eliza, who loves to cook, wanted the seven-metre-long centre island to remain sink- and cooktop-free.

“We use the island as a long dinner party table,” she explains. “We’ve had 28 guests sitting around it on stools. We even held my husband’s 50th birthday dinner around the island, and it was so much fun.”

There’s no plaster in our house because all the walls are timber-lined — a nod to traditional beach homes in the area.

Eliza Leake, Homeowner

Across from the kitchen is the dining area, marked by statement brass pendant lights with organic forms that echo the home’s unique curves. The kids have a desk nook, separate bedrooms and a living zone upstairs, but the dining table made by Michael is often their chosen study spot.

“They do a lot of their studying there because the billabong’s right outside the windows, and you get the soothing sound of water trickling like a running creek,” says Eliza of the water feature designed by Phillip Johnson Landscapes and constructed by MLC. “At night, the lights come on outside and illuminate everything – it’s just a really beautiful atmosphere.”

Lessons learnt

The value of a solid working relationship is one of the key lessons design consultant Rebecca Boykett learnt from this project.

“My access to the construction site was often restricted due to Covid lockdowns. The Leakes’ home was in a different lockdown zone from where I was, but we were able to make it work because we had an easy working relationship and were very trusting of each other,” she says.

MLC: mlconstructions.com.au

Rebecca Boykett: bec@boykett.com

Phillip Johnson: phillipjohnson.com.au

The Design Team

The post A lush and leafy coastal home complete with its own billabong appeared first on Homes To Love.

So, where exactly do you start – and more confusingly – where do you stop? To tackle this shopping task with absolute confidence, take it step by step. Let’s walk through everything you need to buy (and skip) when it comes to the finding right cookware to suit your diet, kitchen and lifestyle.

• Three frying pans: small – roughly 20cm; medium – roughly 24cm; large – roughly 30cm
• Three saucepans: small – one-litre capacity; medium – two-litre capacity; large – four-litre capacity
• Metal roasting pan
• Metal colander
• Two chopping boards: one for bread and vegetables, another for meat and pungent vegetables, such as onions and garlic
• Metric measuring cups and spoons
• Grater
• Stockpot
• Casserole dish with lid
• Stainless-steel mesh sieve
• Ceramic gratin dish
• Three mixing bowls

Quick guide: What cookware should you have?

The best cookware to buy in Australia: Our Top 5 Sets

Everyone has their favourite go-to set, but these tried and true brands are some of our favourites, based on details including the pieces in each set, features and customer reviews.

01

GreenPan Memphis 7 Piece Cookware Set

$244.97 (usually $349.95), GreenPan

GreenPan is known for its groundbreaking ceramic non-stick technology, which is free from harmful chemicals that may be found in other non-stick coatings, such as PFAS, lead and cadmium. This 7 piece Memphis set has a 16cm saucepan, and 3 different sized pots with lids so you can cook a variety of meals.

It’s also compatible with induction stoves, oven and dishwasher safe and has an average 4.8 rating from customers.

Key features:

• Ceramic non-stick coating
• Phenolic handles for a sturdy, comfortable grip
• 2-year limited warranty

Also available at:

• $233.10 (usually $349), Kogan.com
• $233.10 (usually $259), Catch.com.au

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02

Scanpan Impact 7 Piece Cookware Set

$329, Amazon

Danish brand Scanpan is a long-standing favourite amongst many chefs and home cooks. All made from high quality 18/10 stainless steel, this 7-piece set forms the ultimate cookware repertoire.

It also has an average rating of 4.6 from customers on Amazon, with one Australian reviewer from August 2024 stating: “I only have this for a week but it is a pleasure to cook and clean,” and another from May 2024 stating “Very good product, well made and durable.”

Key features:

• Suitable for all cooktops
• Dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 260°C
• Stainless steel outer with aluminium core base for even heat distribution 

Also available at:

• $299, Appliances Online
• $369 (usually $499), Catch.com.au

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03

Tefal Ultimate Non-Stick Induction Cookware Set 6 Piece

$839.95, Myer

This non-stick cookware set from much-loved brand Tefal includes two frypans, a saucepan, stewpot, wok and sauté pan, covering all the basics and more. Designed and made in France, it is compatible with all hobs and features an extra-resistant titanium non-stick coating that lasts up to three times longer than Tefal’s standard coating.

It also has an average 4.6 rating from customers on the Myer website, where 95% recommend it. One reviewer stated: “These pots and pans are great! My food comes out cooked even and they’re actually non-stick so they’re super easy to wash. I got this as a starter pack when moving and I haven’t had to buy any other cookware, so they’re definitely versatile. Recommend if you’re starting from scratch and need a good set to get started with.

Key features:

• Suitable for all cooktops
• Dishwasher safe
• Eco-friendly, recyclable product (including at selected Myer stores)
• Extremely resilient non-stick coating
• 24 month warranty

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04

Our Place 4 Piece Cookware Set

$630 (usually $1015), Our Place

Our Place has designed this set for multifunctional use, with both mini and full-size versions of the bestselling Always Pan 2.0 and Perfect Pot. Each piece has a sturdy aluminium body, with a slippery non-stick ceramic coating made without potentially toxic materials like PFAS.

This set also comes with a steamer basket, beechwood spoons and spatula and sturdy lids. It’s oven safe up to 230°C with or without the lid, although note that dishwashers are not recommended. Despite that, it has an average 4.7 rating from customers, based on over 55,000 aggregated reviews. One reviewer wrote: “I absolutely love my cookware set! It’s super cute and chic! I feel great cooking because nothing sticks and burns like my old pans. I have so much more confidence knowing that my items performance are great!!! It’s also very easy to clean!”

Key features:

• Suitable for all cooktops
• Oven safe up to 260°C
• Non-stick ceramic coating
• Choice of stylish colours 

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05

Essteele Per Vita Copper Base Induction 4 Piece Cookware Set 

$899.95, Myer

This 4 piece cookware set is made from high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, with a sheet of solid copper lining the base, to ensure the heat spreads evenly and effectively regardless of the type of stove you’re cooking on. It’s also oven safe up to 260°C and has a lifetime warranty.

Customers have rated it an average of 4.6 stars on the Myer website, with one reviewer even saying they’d had their set for over 7 years and had “basically used them everyday since. Extremely hard wearing and robust whilst also looking amazing.”

Key features:

• Suitable for all cooktops
• High-quality stainless steel with a copper coating on base
• Dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 260°C
• Lifetime warranty 

Also available at:

• $880.99, Amazon
• $529.95 (usually $899.95), Catch.com.au

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Factors to help you find the best cookware for your kitchen

When you’re searching for the ideal set of cookware, these are the factors you should consider to help choose a set (or add to your existing collection).

1. Cookware and cooktop compatibility

The type of cooktop you’re using can immediately rule some products in or out. For example, induction cooktops require induction-specific cookware as traditional designs are unsuitable. However, gas and electrical cooktops are also compatible with induction pots and pans. In fact, these pieces generally have a thicker base, so they’re a durable choice to consider in any kitchen.

2. Budget

The best cookware should be affordable for you, so make sure you think about how much you want to spend. Costly ‘forever’ items usually offer material longevity and feature heavy bases for superior heat distribution. However, some budget-friendly alternatives can still do a nice, day-to-day job; they just won’t take you into the next decade of your cooking journey.

According to chef Gordon Ramsay, two saucepans and a frypan are the most critical quality items to own.

“Cooking great food doesn’t mean spending a fortune on fancy equipment,” he says. Buy the best you can afford but stay within budget.

Chef and Tefal ambassador Jason Roberts says: “I find having at least one skillet or frypan and one large pot with a lid is your bare minimum. Going into the winter months, a pressure cooker is also a must-have in my kitchen.”

3. Cooking style

Ask yourself these questions: what’s your current skill level and what do you like to cook? How much cupboard space do you have in your kitchen? Are you prepared to maintain your pots and pans and wash them by hand, or do you just want to bang them in the dishwasher and move on? Do you enjoy making large, complex banquets and have a big family to cater for? If so (for the latter), a complete cookware set with all the extras may be warranted.

But if your repertoire is just scrambled eggs or spag bol for one, step back from all those extras. You don’t need a tagine or a paella pan – right? So, put all that stuff down and refocus on essential items that will genuinely enhance your home-cooking experience, not create clutter.

• Toaster
• A good set of knives
• Stand mixer
• Food processor
• Coffee grinder, used exclusively for spices
• Stick blender, good for soups
• Electronic scales

Kitchen appliances and tools you need

4. Material choices

The best cookware surface will be the one that complements your lifestyle. Here are the pros and cons of the seven most popular:

Stainless steel

Pros

• Easy to maintain
• Extremely durable
• Resistant to rust (though it can still occur)
• Non-reactive to certain foods
• Generally dishwasher-safe

Cons

• Unexceptional heat conductivity (best when blended with another metal to enhance thermal conductivity)
• Spotty heat distribution can lead to potentially uneven cooking results

Aluminium

Pros

• Good value for budget-conscious beginner cooks
• Lightweight
• Excellent heat conductivity
• Anodised aluminium (hardened and darker in appearance) costs a little more, but is less reactive to certain foods and supports better heat exchange

Cons

• Reactive to certain foods
• Can misshape at high heat

Non-stick

Pros

• Easy-to-wash convenience
• Ideal for healthy cooking as it requires much less oil
• Non-reactive

Cons

• It won’t last forever and cheap models have a short lifespan. “I think non-stick cookware is definitely worth it,” says Tefal ambassador Jason Roberts. “But look for something that is tried and true. A lot of light aluminium pans with thin coatings end up in landfill.”
• Older (pre 2013) non-stick cookware shouldn’t be used as it may contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or other nasties
• May not be dishwasher-safe (but typically easy to handwash)

Cast iron

Pros

• Can be a ‘forever’ piece if well cared for
• Holds heat well over an extended time
• Ideal for searing and moves seamlessly from cooktop to oven
• Iconic, striking and desirable

Cons

• Poor heat conductivity
• Requires care. Can rust if neglected or not dried properly
• Reactive to certain foods
• Can be expensive
• Not dishwasher-proof

Carbon steel

Pros

• Naturally non-stick
• Great for searing
• Heats faster than cast iron
• Easier to break in than cast iron (with heat and thin coatings of oil)
• Pricing and longevity sits in between aluminium and stainless steel

Cons

• Requires maintenance. Busy cooks may be put off
• Reactive to certain foods — acidic ingredients can destroy its patina and flavours

Copper

Pros

• Often associated with French cooking, copper is a fashionable, high-end choice
• It gets hot fast and offers wonderfully even heat distribution
• When combined with stainless-steel lining, it is not reactive to acidic foods and there’s no limit to what you can cook with it

Cons

• Copper loses its shine quickly and takes on fingerprint smudges extremely easily
• Must be polished to avoid developing a dull tinge
• Typically very expensive

French ovens

Pros

• User-friendly, functional and versatile
• Iconic, striking and desirable
• Non-reactive to certain foods
• Easy to clean with mild detergent
• Can be put in the dishwasher, provided there aren’t exposed cast-iron parts

Cons

• Pricey

• Three cake pans, ranging from small to medium
• Loaf pan
• Muffin pans
• Cake cooling rack
• Wooden rolling pin
• Tart tin with removable base
• Ceramic gratin dish
• Baking trays
• Pastry weights

Baking essentials

How to care for your cookware

Each material is different, so always follow the specific instructions. Some cookware requires seasoning (warming the pan and coating it in thin layers of oil), and if your cookware material is reactive, avoid acidic food contact and always handwash it with care and attention.

Be aware that the sides of your cookware can be damaged through contact with burners that are too large. Plastic handles can also deteriorate and become toxic if they’re inappropriately exposed to excess heat from neighbouring burners.

Regardless of the material, you must allow all cookware to cool down completely before you move into clean-up mode. Even rust-resistant metals can rust over time if they’re not cared for correctly. Always dry pots and pans thoroughly with a cloth before storing them. Warm, soapy handwashing is always the gold standard for cookware care. But life is short, right? So, if your pots and pans are deemed dishwasher-safe and you’re not personally a fusspot, feel free to put them in the machine and move on.

The post A buyer’s guide to kitchen cookware appeared first on Homes To Love.

The best silver plants for Australian gardens

Blue chalk sticks

Senecio mandraliscae

With an attractive silvery-blue tone and smooth-to-touch texture, this low-maintenance succulent spreads easily to form a dense ground cover.

Sun/Shade: Full, direct sun
Care: Rarely need watering or fertiliser
Size: Will grow to a height of 30 – 60 cm

Kalanchoe ‘silver spoons’

Kalanchoe bracteata

A small, compact, drought-tolerant succulent with oval-shaped leaves that resemble spoons, Kalanchoe is a medium-height plant that will add dimension above groundcover.

Sun/Shade: Full, direct sun
Care: Water weekly during hotter months
Size: Will grow to a height of 1 metre

Licorice plant

Helichrysum petiolare

A fast-growing and lush ground cover that suits most light conditions and soil types. Expect small, cream flowers in spring and summer. It also works well cascading from within a hanging basket.

Sun/Shade: Full, direct sun
Care: Water every 1.5 weeks or so during hotter months
Size: Will grow to a height of 1.5 metres

Silver falls

Dichondra argentea

Silver falls is a creeping plant with long, silver trailing stems. Use as a ground cover or hang in pots for instant impact.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Water regularly during hotter months, allow to dry out between
Size: Can reach lengths of up to 1.5 metres

Curry plant

Helichrysum italicum

An aromatic plant with silver-grey foliage and tiny button yellow flowers, use it as a low hedge, border or in containers. This hardy plant is happy in full sun to light shade and will tolerate winter frosts.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Water regularly until established (approx 12 weeks), then sparingly
Size: Will grow to a height of 30 – 60 cm

Silver spears

Astelia chathamica

An ornamental perennial with silver, flax-like foliage, it will fit right into a coastal or Mediterranean-style garden. It grows well in a sheltered spot with well-drained, moist soil. Pair with salvias and lavender.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Water sparingly, prune as needed
Size: Will grow to a height of 1.5 metres

Century plant

Agave Americana

With its majestic, sculptural shapes, this desert plant makes a dramatic focal point in a garden bed or decorative pot. Keep away from footpaths and walkways, as the spines are sharp. They can also be hazardous to pets.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Water sparingly, prune as needed
Size: Will grow to a height of 90 – 180 cm

Panda plant

Kalanchoe tomentosa

Easy to grow and super-resilient, its soft, silvery leaves have been likened to animal ears, hence the common name, Panda plant.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Water between 1 and 3 days a week as needed, especially when the soil is dry
Size: Will grow to a height of 30 – 90 cm

French lavender

Lavandula dentata

Also known as ‘Fringed Lavender’ this hardy, ornamental shrub flowers non-stop from early summer to late autumn in the right conditions. What it lacks in scent it makes up for in looks, plus it will bring butterflies and bees to your garden.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Water during dry periods, take care not to over-water
Size: Will grow to a height of 60- 90 cm

Dusty miller

Jacobaea maritima

With its soft, finely textured foliage, this plant looks good in both containers and garden beds, and will help tone down brighter blooms. It is also sometimes referred to as silver ragwort or cineraria.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial afternoon shade
Care: Water occasionally
Size: Will grow to a height of 20 – 40 cm

Shrubby germander

Teucrium fruticans

An evergreen shrub from the mint family, which has pretty mauve-blue flowers on arching grey stems. It has a decidedly Mediterranean feel. Water well until established then leave to its own devices.

Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun but can grow in partial shade
Care: Water regularly to establish but ensure good drainage
Size: Will grow to a height of 120 – 240 cm

Lamb’s ear

Stachys byzantina

One of the most popular silver-leaved perennials, it works well as a low border or ornamental groundcover plant. Kids will love stroking its furry foliage.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Require about 2.5 cm of water per week
Size: Will grow to a height of 15 – 60 cm

Felt plant

Kalanchoe beharensis

A slightly eccentric-looking addition with velvet leaves and bold foliage. This plant can grow to a height of 90cm,and is ideal in pots or as part of a succulent garden.

Sun/Shade: Can tolerate full morning or afternoon sun, but requires shade at the hottest time of day
Care: Water every 2 – 3 weeks and sparingly, if at all, in winter
Size: Will grow to a height of 60 – 90 cm

Silver dollar plant

Crassula arborescens

With blue-silver, round foliage, this variety of jade is perfect for containers and can be pruned to shape. As per Chinese legend, place one by your front door to encourage money to flow into the household.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade depending on the climate
Care: Water regularly, especially during summer
Size: Will grow to a height of 15 – 30 cm

Blue fescue

Festuca glauca

This ornamental grass has steel-blue foliage all year round. The dense, blade-like leaves form a nice, neat shape, making it an ideal candidate for borders, edging and rock or cottage gardens.

Sun/Shade: Partial shade
Care: Weekly during summer
Size: Will grow to approximately 15 – 30 x 15 – 45 cm

Silverbush

Convolvulus cneorum

Silverbush known for its attractive silvery-green foliage and wide, open, white flowers that cover it from spring to summer. Easy to grow and very hardy, it prefers a full sun/partly shaded position and requires very little water.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Allow to dry out between watering
Size: Will grow to approximately 60 x 60 cm

Cushion bush

Leucophyta brownii

Perfect for coastal settings, this silvery-grey shrub will flourish in a sunny spot and resists wind and salt spray like a champion. It has a low-growing, bun-shaped habit, making it ideal for hedges, topiary or as a feature.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Water once a week
Size: Will grow to approximately 75 x 90 cm

Bismarck palm

Bismarckia nobilis

Hailing all the way from Madagascar, the Bismarck is a striking palm that will make a great feature in any garden that has enough space. Its large, blueish fronds grow to 3 metres wide and it can reach a height of 20 metres.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Care: Every day for the first month, then sparingly once established
Size: Will grow to a height of up to 20 metres

Westringia

Westringia fruticosa

Also referred to as coastal rosemary, westringia is a dense, fast-growing shrub native to Australia. Its foliage and blooms range from white to mauve, blue and purple, making it ideal for adding both silver and tiny pops of colour to your garden.

Sun/Shade: Full sun
Care: Place in well-draining soil and water frequently after initial planting. Responds well to pruning.
Size: Will grow to a height of up to 2 metres high and 4 metres wide

Philodendron ‘silver sword’

Philodendron hastatum

This variety of philodendron gets its name for the intriguing, silvery sheen of its foliage. It’s great as a houseplant, or outdoors as a climbing plant

Sun/Shade: Shade or partial shade
Care: Place in well-draining soil and water frequently after initial planting
Size: Grow up to 1 metre high and 0.5 metres wide

Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’

Aglaonema commutatum ‘Silver Queen’

Also called Chinese Evergreen, this plant has green and silver foliage that will add interest to any space. It’s also a very hardy plant, and works well both in gardens and indoors.

Sun/Shade: Indirect sunlight
Care: Place in well-draining soil and water when the top 5cm of soil is dry
Size: Up to 50cm high and 40cm wide

The post 21 of the best silver plants for Australian gardens appeared first on Homes To Love.

If you’re considering a kitchen update or building a new home, you might have heard about the advantages of induction cooktops. Induction technology has been embraced by professional chefs for decades because of the precise temperature control and responsiveness it provides and has rapidly become the cooktop of choice for busy modern households.

Known for their speed, reliability and cost-efficiency to run compared to other modes, induction cooktops are more than just a trend—they’re grounded in solid technology. Understanding how they work can help you decide if induction is the right choice for your kitchen.

How induction cooktops work

Unlike conventional gas or electric cooktops that transfer heat to your pots and pans through heating elements, induction cooktops use an electromagnetic field to heat the cookware directly.

The cooktop itself remains cool to the touch because the heat is generated directly within the pot or pan. This method eliminates energy loss, making induction cooktops more efficient than traditional models that rely on indirect heat transfer. As a result, they offer faster cooking times and greater energy savings, making them a smart choice for modern kitchens (and household budgets).

Here’s four ways changing to an induction cooktop can make life easier in the kitchen.

1. Induction cooktops save time

Faster cooking time means greater energy efficiency, but induction saves power in more ways than one. Direct heat means no waiting around. Unlike traditional electric heating elements that need to warm up, induction cooktops convey electro-magnetic energy to your pots and pans with almost immediate heat.

They also allow for fast and accurate temperature control, from high intensity wok cooking through to extremely low and gentle temperatures that can gently warm the most delicate ingredients without the need to double boil.

2. Induction can save power and money on your energy bill

Another appealing feature of induction cooking is its energy efficiency. The cooktop only works when it’s switched on and the pot or pan connects, so there’s no waiting around. When you remove the pan from the element it will switch off automatically, too.

Miele induction cooktops offer automatic pan recognition which evenly heats the surface area of your pot or pan once it has been positioned on the cooktop, making them a highly efficient choice for home cooks. As an additional option, some models have a Full Surface option where you can select PowerFlex zones to give you the freedom of placing your cookware anywhere on the cooktop when you have multiple pots and pans on the go.

3. Induction cooktops save elbow grease

Induction cooktops look sleek, and their clean, minimal styling blends seamlessly into stone, stainless steel or composite countertops. But they’re more than just easy on the eye. They’re also a breeze to clean, because the surface is flat and they don’t get hot, so spills don’t get ‘baked on’ to the cooktop. Miele’s ultra-sleek toughened ceramic surface with Miele Diamond Finish coating is robust and scratch-resistant, so a quick wipe is all it needs. No grates, hobs or knobs to scrub.

4. Induction uses no-touch heat for enhanced safety in the kitchen

If you have little ones around with little hands that love exploring in the kitchen, you need eyes everywhere. Induction cooking functions on no-touch heat that only heats the base of the pan, not the cooktop surface itself.

With no open flame, induction dramatically reduces the risk of fire, and it doesn’t hold high residual heat after use like an electrical element does. Induction systems simply switch off when the pan is removed, and if you accidentally turn it on, it won’t get hot without a pot on it, so you can breathe easy.

The post 4 ways an induction cooktop can make your life easier appeared first on Homes To Love.

Rugs are essential to creating cosiness in the home, and, depending on which rug you choose, can easily become the perfect accent piece or finishing touch to your home decor.

Coming in a vast array of colours and patterns, styles and textures, as well as shapes and sizes, the possibilities are endless.

How to choose a rug for your home

The key things to keep in mind when choosing a rug is to ensure you pick the right size for your space, and to know where to position it in the room. Rugs can easily become overshadowed by out-of-proportion furniture, and can help a smaller room seem even more compact if it’s too large.

When it comes to colour and pattern, if your decorating style leans towards bright and colourful, you may want to opt for a neutral rug to form a versatile backdrop for your home’s decor. Alternatively, a striking feature rug can easily become the crowning joy of any space.

Whether you’re looking for something sweet and subtle, or big and bold, we’ve pulled together 9 of our favourite stylish rugs that will sweep you off your feet.

The most stylish rugs to buy right now

01

Darren Palmer travertine rug in brown

from $1240, Myer

Best for: the modern-contemporary home

A gorgeous travertine style piece that embodies the classic Australian design aesthetic, this rug from Darren Palmer’s new collection is a standout. Soft underfoot and ethically made from 100 per cent wool, it’s a must-have for any modern home.

Sizes: 225 x 155cm, 290 x 200cm, 330 x 240cm

Colours: Brown, silver

Materials: wool

Key features:

• 100% wool construction
• Hand knotted
• 15mm pile height

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02

Etta Ivory Geometric washable rug

from $279.20 (usually $399), Miss Amara

Best for: minimalist or Boho-styled homes

Machine-washable rugs just became a whole lot more chic. This gorgeous geometric rug from Miss Amara is a 10mm pile, handwoven masterpiece that slides perfectly into any minimalist home.

Sizes: 230 x 160cm, 280 x 190cm, 330 x 240cm, 400 x 300cm

Materials: cotton

Key features:

• Machine washable
• Handmade
• 10mm pile height

Shop Now

03

Karma Weave rug in Cream

from $1449, Hardtofind

Best for: minimalist, natural-toned homes

A subtle texture in neutral tones makes this the perfect rug for a contemporary, country or coastal space, adding just the right amount of interest without overwhelming whatever surrounds it.

Sizes: 230 x 160cm, 200 x 300 cm, 300 x 400cm

Materials: 75% wool, 25% cotton

Key features:

• Hand-loomed to order
• Soft yet dense construction
• Wool and cotton fabrication

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04

Darren Palmer Bedrock rug in grey

from $549, Myer

Best for: indoors or outdoors

Functional yet stylish, this robustly designed piece is made of polypropylene yarn in a cool, grey tone that’s perfect for giving your home a contemporary feel. Better yet, it can be used both indoors and outdoors – double the fun!

Sizes: 225 x 155cm, 290 x 200cm, 330 x 240cm

Materials: polyester

Key features:

• Flatwoven
• Indoor or outdoor use
• Low shed and durable design

Shop Now

05

Zelia black and ivory minimal washable Berber rug

from $139.30 (usually $199), Miss Amara

Best for: contemporary homes

Simple in design and monochromatic palette, this washable rug adds just the right amount of style to complement its hard-wearing functionality. Being stain-resistant, this is the perfect choice for households of which pets or kids are a part.

Sizes: 180 x 120cm, 230 x 160cm, 280 x 190cm, 330 x 240cm, 400 x 300cm

Materials: cotton

Key features:

• Handmade in India
• 10mm pile height
• Stain-resistant
• Machine washable

Shop Now

06

Piha floor rug

$629.30 (usually $899), Freedom

Best for: a low-maintenance buy

With an irregular grid pattern, the forest green Piha floor rug achieves the perfect balance between geometry and fluidity. Constructed from a polyester-viscose blend fabric, this is a low-maintenance and pocket-friendly purchase that will last years to come.

Sizes: 160 x 230cm, 200 x300cm

Materials: polyester-viscose blend fabric

Key features:

•  Polyester-viscose blend fabric
• Loop pile wool
• Dense weaving

Shop Now

07

France rug

POA, Living Edge

Best for: a funky addition

Described as ‘hyper graphic’, La Change’s France rug is based off the tri-colour French flag with Nathalie du Pasquier’s iconic designs and motifs of the Memphis movement. Hand-tufted in India from New Zealand yarn, each rug is made-to-order.

Size: Length = Width x 1.41

Materials: New Zealand yarn

Key features:

• Hyper graphic design
• Hand made
• New Zealand yarn

Shop Now

08

Nanimarquina Cal 3 olive rug

$1260, Cult

Best for: a kids’ room

Inspired by Alexander Calder’s famous mobiles, the Cal 3 rug has an iconic feel, designed both to be paired with others of its kind or to stand alone. Made from New Zealand wool.

Size: 130 x 90cm

Materials: New Zealand wool

Key features:

• Irregular, organic shape
• Crafted from New Zealand wool

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09

Coral Cut dark bronze black core

$2630, Designer Rugs

Best for: a kids’ room

Hand tufted from 100% New Zealand wool, this velvety smooth rug adds both colour and texture wherever it sits. Also available in Blue and Mint Green, and made-to-order in custom sizes, shapes colours.

Size: 170 x 240cm, 200 x 300cm, 220cm diameter, 250cm diameter

Materials: New Zealand wool

Key features:

• 100% New Zealand wool
• Made in Malaysia

Shop Now

The post 9 stylish rugs that will sweep you off your feet appeared first on Homes To Love.

Dreamed up and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture and design practice Pleysier Perkins, Inside Out x Brickworks 2024 Home of the Year is a resort-style holiday home for a family of three and friends. Featuring a sunken lounge, stained-glass screens, castellated timber walls and breeze blocks, the home radiates a relaxed retro feel that playfully integrates Southern Californian cues.

With its inviting feel, unconventional use of materials and innovative brick styling, Not a Motel earned high praise from this year’s judging panel.

“Not a Motel embodies joy and casual native charm, with informal, light-filled spaces that exude relaxed holiday vibes and carefree elegance,” Nick James, co-director of Architecture Architecture (who was last year’s winner), says.

Brett Ward, general manager of international marketing at Brickworks Building Products aptly describes the interiors as having “the charm of an Australian beach shack with the retro allure of a Palm Springs motel” and notes that the mid-century elements enhance the home’s overall appeal.

But that’s not to suggest that Not a Motel relies on nostalgia; every element of the home reflects supreme architectural attention to detail. According to the project architect Bertin Barton, not a single sheet of plasterboard went into the build, making it quite a unique Australian home.

“That has created a more relaxed feel with excellent acoustics, even when the place is buzzing with life,” Berit adds.

And of course, we’d be remiss not to mention perhaps the brightest burning star of the show; the bricks. From the brick-encased sunken lounge to the curved outdoor rainshower, Not a Motel reminds us that bricks can be anything but boring, especially when a creative and meticulous approach is taken to integrating the material into a building’s interior and exterior.

“This house is a great example of innovative bricklaying with specially shaped bricks,” explains Berit. “Single bull nose, double bull nose and single full bull nose bricks were used in an unconventional manner to create custom wall lights, ledges, a fireplace and even a sunken lounge, thanks to the tight collaboration between builder and bricklayer via daily video calls that really pushed for an unconventional use of materials.”

Not a Motel is a true masterclass in integrating mid-century elements into a contemporary space. But perhaps more importantly, it’s a joyful space to be in.

“To me, this home feels like pure fun – it’s an interior to really live in, with lots of light, plenty of spaces for entertaining, and a warm natural palette.” Editor Eliza O’Hare says.

As well as the overall winner, six architect and their projects were also awarded titles within the categories of:

• Best new home build
• Best home renovation
• Best sustainable project
• Best use of material: brick
• Best interior
• Best outdoor room

You can see them all in more detail here.

Explore Inside Out x Brickworks 2024 Home of the Year Category winners

See more of Pleysier Perkins’ work at pleysierperkins.com.au and @pleysierperkins.

The post Inside Out x Brickworks 2024 Home of the Year: Not a Motel by Pleysier Perkins appeared first on Homes To Love.

Created to acknowledge thoughtfully designed and beautifully finished homes across the nation, the awards spotlight the professional teams and creatives leading the way in Australian architecture and design.

This year, we sought out projects that embody the idea of ‘home’, highlighting sensitive design and the ability to create emotional spaces through the clever use of materials and innovative treatment of light and space.

There are six award categories and the overall winner is granted $10,000. The categories are as follows:

• Best compact home build (under 200 square metres)
• Best sustainable project
• Best alteration or renovation
• Best use of material (brick)
• Best residential interior
• Best garden design

Without further ado, here are this year’s winners!

Best Compact Build Under 200 Square Metres (Joint Winner)

Draped House, Trias

This is a simple design inspired by mid-century efficiency and economy, delivering a multi-generational solution for a young Sydney couple, who built in their grandparents’ backyard. Small yet flexible, the sustainable home sits around a central courtyard and its materials reference adjacent gum trees.

Visit Trias at trias.com.au and @trias.studio.

Harriet’s House, So, Architecture

A bold extension to a single-storey Georgian cottage defines this project in Launceston. The generous new overscaled room at the back features corbelling and a continuous use of brick.

Visit So, Architecture at so-architecture.com.au and @so_architecture.

Best Alteration or Renovation

Niwa House, John Ellway Architect

Located in Brisbane, this early-1900s timber Queenslander was renovated for a family of four. Its closed-in verandahs were opened up, the living spaces were connected to the street, and a kitchen was built below a Japanese-style garden that draws light into the home.

Visit John Ellway Architect at jellway.com and @jellway.

Best Use of Material: Brick

Mygunyah By The Circus, Matt Gibson Architecture

Derived from an original heritage home in Melbourne, this dwelling now consists of three pavilions. Key features include asymmetry, steep roof pitches, exaggerated chimneys, generous window spaces, and the considered use of brick inside and out.

Visit Matt Gibson Architecture at mattgibson.com.au and @mattgibsonad.

Best Garden Design

Modern Mediterranean, Adam Robinson Design

A pared-back outdoor area with a rustic palette was created to meet the Alexandra Kidd-designed interior of this home. The courtyard has a long concrete bench with ample seating and raised planters with soft planting. Terracotta and stone also feature.

Visit Adam Robinson Design at adamrobinsondesign.com and @adamrobinsondesign.

Best Sustainable Project

Heather’s Off-Grid House, Gardiner Architects

Modern comfort and off-grid living are perfectly partnered in this farmhouse for a family in rural Victoria. Design cues came from the surrounding land, and the structure is serviced by solar panels, water tanks, a wood-fired boiler and a transpiration septic system.

Visit Gardiner Architects at gardinerarch.com.au and @gardinerarchitects.

Best Residential Interior & Overall Winner

Not a Motel, Pleysier Perkins

This Palm Springs-inspired holiday house in Victoria has a welcoming resort vibe. There’s a mid-century-style sunken lounge, stained-glass screens, castellated timber walls, breeze blocks, and an extensive use of bricks fashioned into lights, ledges and much more.

Visit Pleysier Perkins at pleysierperkins.com and @pleysierperkins.

The post Introducing the Inside Out x Brickworks 2024 Home of the Year winners appeared first on Homes To Love.

This structure is not just a cabin, though. It’s the prototype of an “approach to settling”, as Alexander puts it, that he’s developing so he can offer it to others, too. “I’ve always loved being an architect but felt frustrated by the lack of progress made within our profession,” he says.

For many years, while he practiced as a ‘conventional’ architect, he saw many technological advancements. “But the building sector seemed to be lagging behind in comparison to other industries,” he points out.

Alexander found himself wondering if there were ways to build faster and more efficiently. He also wished there were easier ways to build houses that would leave the landscape clean and undisturbed afterward.

“I’m passionate about wilderness spaces and their preservation is becoming more central to my intentions,” he says. He adds that, with our work-life relationships having shifted dramatically over the past few years, there’s more interest than ever in building homes in remote locations.

Hoping to find a way to build houses that would be sustainable and might also “enhance the experience of place” for their inhabitants, Alexander says, “I’ve always wanted to hit a higher value chain. Something that I thought would have a bigger, lasting impact, from an environmental and architectural perspective.”

Perhaps concentrating on smaller projects might provide him with a platform to express his ideas, he thought. But then he realised that, rather than thinking of homes as isolated structures, designing a ‘building system’ might be a more effective approach. It would lead to greater flexibility and might even have the potential to “change the professional landscape a little bit” because it could be produced at scale.

In his research over the years, Alexander had become interested in the potential of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as an alternative to bricks and mortar. CLT is strong, sustainably sourced, clean and precise. It lends itself to offsite manufacture, which means he could design a house with components that would be made in a factory and then assembled quickly at its destination with much less mess and fuss than conventional building, and more control.

Then, he discovered an old architecture-school contemporary of his who owned a furniture factory and had begun manufacturing CLT made from local South African pine in Cape Town, so he wouldn’t have to import it.

Shortly afterwards, an enquiry from a client who wanted to explore building in a remote location led to Alexander developing his concept in earnest and formalising it as a business model now called ANIMA homes. When he reached the point at which he was ready to build a prototype, what better place to do it than on his own property?

Alexander, his wife Nicole and their two children actually live in a beautiful old stone house that’s about 100 years old. It has a terraced garden lovingly landscaped by the original owner, which offered the perfect platform. Although building a traditional garden cottage would never have been a practical possibility, the lightness and dexterity of CLT as a material made it the perfect choice.

There was a spot with an existing garden gate that could serve as a separate entrance, so they decided to go ahead and build the wooden home there. Alexander figured it might have several uses.

While he wanted it as a studio for himself and an HQ for ANIMA, it was initially used as guest accommodation, then made available to tourists and holidaymakers for a fee (via Airbnb).

Interestingly, Alexander isn’t keen on representations of pods and tiny homes in splendid isolation, lording over vast tracts of pristine nature. He prefers “homes being more site-specific and informed by their environment”, connecting with it and relating to it more subtly than the typically grandiose fantasy of having it to yourself.

So, rather than a typical prefabricated pod, he developed a suite of designs with modular sections so that each cabin could respond to its climate, topography, views, and so on.

His personal prototype is less a typical unit than an initial “design response”, as he calls it. One of the things that pleases him most is the way Response 1 (now affectionately known as The Owl House) fits so unobtrusively into the garden terrace. He was delighted that building it left the plants around the house undisturbed, and that it was done and dusted in three weeks. “This design is very respectful of its immediate surroundings,” he says.

The designer chose a 45-degree pitched roof with large, projecting eaves that resonate with his old stone house. Its tent-like shape and high gabled ceiling allowed for extra space on a standing, mezzanine level.

Before building it on site, Alexander and the carpentry team built the house in the supplier’s warehouse and tinkered with the details, trying out variations and modifications until they had resolved all the details to their satisfaction.

“I can’t tell you how much I loved that process,” he says. “It meant there was time for detailed conversations about the way, for example, something like the cladding turned a corner if you changed the widths of the boards by a couple of millimetres… intricate design details that thrill architects.”

He also loved the idea that, while the concept is advanced in terms of its material sustainability and carbon offset – its solar-energy system provides enough power for the cabin and the main house – and is a future-focused way of building, it also embodies something of a return to craft traditions. CLT is a new and very much manufactured product, he says.

There’s no escaping that it’s an industrial product, made by robots and pressed by machines, but there’s a connection to carpentry and the handmade in its assembly, the protecting of the material and the detailing.

“It’s a bit more decorative, so it’s going back to something which has idiosyncrasies and personality to create a character that is missing from a lot of today’s buildings.”

He points out that, in cabins and summer houses of northern Europe and Scandinavia, where they’ve been building with timber for centuries, people tend to use more refined finishes when it comes to the interiors. He was so pleased with the fact that his was a solid-wood house, he wanted it to look like one. Delighted with the craftsmanship, detailing and materiality of the building, he wanted to be able to see it all the time!

Despite the fairly pared-back, minimalist approach Alexander has taken with the furnishings, the interior’s warmth and quietness does have many guests describing it as ‘cosy’. It is, without doubt, too sleek to qualify as cottagey, but what’s certain is that the little timber house has left its architect and, ultimately, the planet, happier.

The Owl House is available to rent on Airbnb.

Anima Homes: anima.homes and @anima.homes

The Design Team

The post A cosy Cape Town cabin informed by its breathtaking natural surrounds appeared first on Homes To Love.

What this means is that the main living areas and/or the garden of a home are north-facing. While not necessarily the front of the home, these spaces can maximise natural light as the sun moves from east to west. This access to sunlight can also dramatically affect the temperatures within your home throughout the seasons.

In comparison, a south-facing direction in a home in Australia could indicate lower levels of sunlight and more reliance on insulating, heating and cooling. So, here’s how the different directions a property faces can affect your home.

North-facing properties

North or north-east facing properties are considered the most desirable for a home in Australia because they get the most direct sunlight through the day, especially in winter when the sun is at its lowest. In the middle of summer, too, this means your garden will be away from the sun’s full force. In an urban area where sunlight is at a premium, this can make a world of difference.

Consider the wind as well as the sun! The summer nor’easters on the East Coast may be great for drying your laundry but you may have to tie down your outdoor furniture.

Our tip

East-facing homes

East-facing homes might enjoy lovely sunrises and full morning sun but that will be over by noon. In summer, mornings can be uncomfortably warm, and in winter you won’t get much heat from the sun at all.

But remember, if you’re in a built-up area you might not be getting a lot of light anyway, so it’s really down to how you manage the light you do get. An architect will be able to help.

You can bet any open house is timed to coincide with the best time of day. Visit a house at other times, such as when the sun is going down, to get a good overview of the light.

Our tip

South-facing house

You won’t get much sunlight at all from a southerly aspect. Without careful management, your house will most likely be dark, with condensation becoming a potential issue that can cause mould and mildew. But sometimes you have to make this work.

If you have water views to the south, for example, you’ll want to find a compromise so have a look at how you can pull light through from the north side.

Placing generous windows at the rear of your home or installing skylights through your home can mitigate the effects of certain aspects.

Our tip

West-facing homes

West-facing houses and apartments get the booby prize when it comes to their aspect. The afternoon sun comes in at an almost horizontal angle and can be intense, particularly when also reflected off water or glass, which can make for a very uncomfortable summer.

The sun from a low angle is especially hard to manage as most awnings and shade devices are designed to stop sunlight penetrating from above. So, a western aspect is best avoided, but if you are determined, just make sure you have a good architect on speed dial.

Internal glass doors can also allow natural light sources to travel further within the home.

Our tip

Which direction should your home face in Australia?

While each aspect has its pros and cons, north-facing wins out for its orientation to the sun. But there are plenty of ways you can alter your home’s design, such as adding the most suitable window furnishings or investing in a good quality dehumidifier, to make your home’s direction work for you.

How do I know the direction of my house?

A simple way to work out which direction your home faces is by using a compass or online map that includes one. Stand out the front of the property and check which way the compass points to determine if its aspect is north, east, south, west or somewhere in between. On a map, use the street address and built-in compass feature to get a sense of the orientation – which can be especially handy if you’re searching for a new home.

If it’s a sunny morning, you can also stand out the front (or in the main part of an apartment) and look at where the sun is placed. If it’s directly in front of you, then your house faces east, if it’s to your left then it faces north and so on.

How does orientation affect passive solar design?

Passive solar design is focused on using a property’s exposure to sun as a natural way of heating and cooling the property. This means maximising heat from the sun during winter, and minimising it during the peak of summer (especially in the hottest part of the day).

Having a north-facing home in Australia can be beneficial when it comes to passive solar design, but you can incorporate elements of passive design into any home.

For example, if you have a west-facing aspect, you could use shutters, blinds, screens awnings or plants to help shade it during summer. As a result, you should find your home stays cooler, which can help you save on energy costs from fans or air conditioning units. Then, in winter, you could simply expose this part of your home to the afternoon sun to get some extra heat from it before closing things up for the night.

Passive designs can have huge benefits from both a cost-effective and sustainability perspective. So, while orientation is one factor to consider, a good architect will be able to help you get passive design elements into your home regardless of its aspect.

The post What does the direction your property faces, its ‘aspect’, mean? appeared first on Homes To Love.

Home for Kimmy Hogan is another canvas for her artistic expression – exemplified by bountiful bursts of colour and creativity. And so it is that the East Geelong house she shares with her husband, Nick, and their three boys comes alive with mood-lifting individuality, authenticity and, perhaps most happily, artful surprises at every turn.

There is a wonderfully bespoke and organic quality to the family’s renewed weatherboard house – a home that presents as anything but a study in either mundanity or minimalism. And to Kimmy, it’s now the home of her dreams. “A white box is definitely not my vibe,” she says with a smile. “I absolutely took inspiration from my art in terms of the colour palette and the texture.”

When the couple bought the compact house on a 559-square-metre allotment in 2015 (having recently moved to Victoria from North Queensland), it presented in an altogether different – and decidedly ‘less Kimmy’ – light.

“Actually, it looked pretty awful,” she laughs. “It was painted entirely in this terrible yellowy-cream colour matched with yellowed timber floors. But we felt the house had good bones, and we loved the fact that it had big windows and big bedrooms, as well as a large double shed we could use as a work space.” After simply freshening up the interior with liberal licks of paint, Kimmy and Nick lived in the home as it was for several years.

Yet, by the time the couple had welcomed their third son into the clan, they felt as though they were bursting at the seams. “We really did need a bigger house,” says Kimmy. “We looked around, but so many of the four-bedroom homes seemed to have shoebox-sized bedrooms and poky layouts. We love this neighbourhood with the park nearby, and have all our mothers-group friends around the corner. So, we decided to stay put.”

After engaging local builder ARCA, it quickly became clear that the only way to expand was up. “We didn’t want to lose any of the garden for the boys by extending out,” Kimmy explains. A luminous second-storey addition was conceived, featuring raked ceilings with exposed beams and a tranquil couple’s retreat overlooking neighbouring trees and rooftops.

On ground level, within the existing footprint, the rear of the home was reimagined to showcase all-new living and entertaining spaces. The entire home was then given a note-perfect cosmetic makeover celebrating tactile finishes, playful patterns and, from the sculptural pendants to the bedheads and mirrors, shapely design.

When it came to the colours and material palette, Kimmy sought the advice of Your Abode Design. The principal, Aimee Wheate, helped bring her vision to life, concocting a nuanced scheme that evokes a feeling of cosiness and serenity through layers of earthy tone and texture against a delightfully buttery base.

From the front door to the back, delicious highlights of terracotta, apricot and blush pink sit harmoniously in the sun-dappled spaces. “I absolutely couldn’t have done it without Aimee,” says Kimmy. “She has all of the technical experience in terms of the actual materials and the different options available, and gave me the confidence to take risks.”

Having styled photo shoots for many years, Kimmy was in her element when decorating the home – yet unexpectedly tested, too. “What you do in a shoot is all about getting a great photo, rather than how you live in a space,” she explains. “It’s very different when it’s your own house – and a place you intend to stay in for many years. We needed to future-proof it in terms of how we’re going to live here, which was the most challenging part. Every decision was thoroughly thought out.”

That said, Kimmy, who’s always loved a treasure hunt, didn’t hesitate to showcase her favourite second-hand finds, all of which hold special meaning to her – discovered at op shops, vintage stores and even the roadside. “I’m a big fan of vintage and quirk, always trawling Facebook Marketplace, and on the lookout for hard rubbish collections. Half of my dining chairs – the rattan bentwoods – were found on the street, which I honestly couldn’t believe!”

Just as you’d expect, though, it’s the gallery-worthy display of art, jubilantly imparting personality and interest to every domain, that is the home’s clear decorating hero. There are standout works by Kimmy herself, and by some of her favourite contemporaries: Bonnie Gray, Annie Everingham, Ash Leslie and Giorgia Bel.

Most of all, Kimmy trusted her instincts in creating a home that has met her three key criteria: warmth, comfort, and the absence of pretension. “I think it’s so worthwhile mixing and matching a couple of higher-end pieces with bargain finds,” she says. “You don’t have to follow rules.”

Now that the renovation is complete, there is no place Kimmy would rather be than with her family at home, a home that tells a delightful story all its own.

For more of Kimmy’s artwork, see kimmyhogan.com.au and @kimmyhogan

ARCA: arcabuild.com.au and @arca.build

Your Abode Design: @yourabodedesign

The Design Team

The post A creatively refurbished weatherboard inspired by the homeowner’s joyful art appeared first on Homes To Love.

During the pandemic lockdowns, the couple moved into the five-bedroom home, which had been built in the 1970s and partially updated in 2015.

“The time spent in lockdown was the perfect opportunity to work out exactly how we used the space and what changes we wanted to make. We loved the bones and energy of the existing house, but just wanted to update it a little and give the outside landscaping an entire makeover,” says Laura.

The couple’s vision required a few structural changes, but the overall footprint was perfectly scaled. “We knew that we wanted to open up the kitchen and make it a bigger, more usable space – though we weren’t sure how to make that happen,” says Laura.

“We also wanted to open up the wall of windows and really make the view a feature. The black-steel window frames were something we were set on before anything else started taking shape.” The only other tweak to the layout included moving a doorway in the bedroom to convert the existing bathroom to an ensuite.

A self-confessed “inhaler of interiors”, Laura had a Pinterest board, Post-it notes on books and magazines, and a big ‘Saved’ folder on Instagram. She narrowed everything down to an efficient PowerPoint presentation with separate pages for each room, then called on the expertise of interior expert Sophie Davies.

“Her work has the lovely classical feel we were hoping to achieve. She helped us finesse our vision for the home and put together the initial mock-ups of the kitchen, laundry and ensuite,” says Laura.

“We were very clear about how we wanted the house to feel, and the word ‘cosy’ kept coming up again and again. We were dreaming of warm, inviting, classic spaces that people wouldn’t want to leave.”

The home sits on a concrete slab, so after sanding and levelling it, oak floorboards from Tongue & Groove were laid in the living areas, instantly creating that first layer of desired cosiness. Then their attention turned to the kitchen.

“Although it was super cute, the original kitchen was outdated and not really suitable for everyday use, so we enlarged it and also reoriented it to overlook the garden and its sea views in the distance,” says Laura.

A substantial island bench now anchors the kitchen space and is the perfect spot for informal meals or gathering people around. “Andy sourced a rustic timber beam from a former local jetty, which was inserted above the stove, adding another beautiful texture as well as a lovely nod to the area’s history,” Laura shares.

The lived-in movie-set vibe of the home is reflected in the couple’s choice of classic contemporary furniture throughout, layered with works by some of their favourite artists, family photographs and treasured wedding gifts.

It’s a home for all seasons, with two indoor fireplaces and an outdoor fire pit, plus huge deck and grass areas, making for a seamless transition from cosy winter cottage to a summer dream home.

Reflecting on her first interiors project, Laura says she loved the experience of working with Sophie on all the interiors, despite the bulk of it happening in between racing from TV sets to film locations.

“I really wanted to challenge myself,” she says. “This was the first time I’ve ever done a renovation, and it was such a joy to see it all come together.”

Not ones to be without another project for long, Laura and Andy are now planning a city base in Melbourne as well, so stand by for the sequel.

Lessons learnt

“I was dead set on having hand-painted kitchen and living-room cabinetry. We had all the doors prepped to do so before we got the quote back from the painter, and to say we fell off our chairs would be an understatement.

We were too far into the process to revert back to two-pack, so we moved forward with it. The cabinetry looks incredible, but was so wildly expensive, we probably won’t ever make that choice again!”

Sophie Davies: sophiedavies.com and @sophie.davies.interiors

The Design Team

The post A Mornington Peninsula weatherboard befitting of a Nancy Meyers film appeared first on Homes To Love.

When it comes to keeping your groceries fresher for longer, there’s no denying the importance of having a hard-working and spacious refrigerator. French door fridges have continued to grow in popularity and are beloved for their flexible storage and convenience of use in households across the country.

As such, newer models of French door fridges have been designed to be smarter and work harder than ever. Here, we share everything you need to know to help you choose the best French door fridge for your home, as well as our favourite models on the market.

The big issue

It’s not all about size, although of course you need a fair amount of space to fit in a cornucopia of canapes. Liam Bryers, general manager marketing for Whirlpool, suggests a minimum capacity of 600 litres will suit regular entertainers. However, adjustable storage can be just as important.

“If you’re cooking for what feels like an army, you’re best off selecting a fridge with a large capacity and flexible storage, such as customisable shelving that you can move to suit your needs,” says Liam.

As a starting point, look for extra-wide shelves to accommodate platters and ones that can be retracted to fit bottles or adjusted to make every inch of the interior count. “Shelves that can be adjusted up and down without having to take it out are a fantastic feature,” says interior designer Petrina Turner.

Location, location

As the fridge is likely to be the biggest single appliance in your kitchen, it’s worth considering where you’re going to put it before you hit the shops.

“If you’re designing a kitchen for entertaining, I’d recommend placing the fridge and/or wine fridge at the edge of the kitchen closest to the zone where the guests will be gathering,” says Petrina. “So, near the breakfast bar if you use it as a servery, bar or set-down area, or at the end closest to the living or dining room if that’s where they’ll be.”

Manufacturers are recognising that space can be an issue in smaller homes, so there are slender models on the market, like LG’s new Slim French door fridge range, which still has impressive capacity thanks to clever internal design.

The cool zones

Today’s fridges boast different areas that can be adjusted to suit whatever you’re storing. “Customisable temperature zones, supported by twin and triple cooling systems, are mandatory for many people these days,” explains Andrew. “This feature offers freedom and flexibility, which has become more important for people who entertain.”

Special zones with controlled humidity can extend the life of your food – which is particularly important for fresh veggies and avoiding the dreaded soggy salad scenario. “For keeping fruit and vegetables fresh, a fridge with a bio-fresh drawer is a must,” says Petrina.

Another useful feature is a shock freezer, which lets you either “blast-chill cooked food if you want to stop the cooking process, or shock-freeze food to maintain its texture, taste, nutrition and colour, ideal for when you over-prepare,” explains Liam.

Smart living

Connectivity has been the buzzword of late, with smartphone-enabled programs allowing you to do clever things such as remotely check the contents of your fridge – one of the features available in Samsung’s Family Hub model. “The Family Hub is an extra pair of hands, from suggesting recipes to ordering groceries and reminding you what time to expect your guests,” says Andrew.

Whirlpool’s new Yummly app will be able to photograph the ingredients of your fridge and suggest a recipe based on the results, while LG’s Smart ThinQ lets you adjust the temperature setting of your fridge remotely via your smartphone.

Eco-efficiency

As it’s switched on 24/7, energy efficiency should be high on your list of must-haves for a new fridge. Check out the star rating – the more stars, the more energy-efficient the fridge will be.

Door-in-door models save you opening the whole door to get frequently accessed items, like milk, while LG goes a step further with their InstaView glass panel that lets you see what’s inside without even having to operate the door. Other eco features include automatic energy conservation when the door isn’t being opened regularly, for example, when you’re away on holiday or for extended periods.

The best French door fridges for 2024

01

Haier 489L French door refrigerator

The Good Guys

Offering a 489 litre capacity with a spacious layout, you can keep your fresh produce, drinks and everyday items organised and easily accessible with this fridge. Not to mention, keep them cool your way with the versatile MyZone compartment – an adjustable temperature zone allowing you to store different foods and beverages according to their storage demands.

Key features:

• 489L capacity
• MyZone compartments to chill different food types optimally
• Water dispenser
• 4.5-star energy rating

In a hurry? Choose Click & Collect from your nearest Good Guys and it’ll be ready for pick up from your local store in just one hour.

Shop Now

02

Westinghouse 491L French door refrigerator

Appliances Online

Westinghouse’s slimline French Door Refrigerator is ideal for smaller homes that are looking for a compact French door fridge with ample storage space. Easy Glide telescopic runners make pulling open each and every drawer a dream, while the modular shelves make organising your fridge for awkward-shaped pieces a simple process. If you’re not a fan of the stainless steel finish, this one is also available in a moodier dark stainless steel option.

Key features:

• FreshSeal Crisper provides the ideal moisture to keep your produce fresh and crisp
• Flexible storage system
• Lockable compartment for medications or similar
• Self closing freezer door
• 491L capacity

Shop Now

03

Kogan 464L French door fridge with water dispenser in black stainless steel

$949 (usually $1599.99), Kogan

Keep your food and drinks fresher for longer with this multi-zone French door fridge from Kogan. With a sleek and modern black finish and a handy water dispenser, it’ll instantly elevate your kitchen design and experience. Plus, with its inverter fan for quieter and more efficient operation and easy electronic temperature controls, it’s a reliable unit that is well-suited for any modern kitchen.

Key features:

• 464L capacity
• Multi-temperature zones
• Easy electronic temperature control
• Frost-free fridge and freezer
• Adjustable shelves
• Inverter fan
• 3.5-star energy rating

Shop Now

04

Samsung 656L Family Hub fridge

Appliances Online

Samsung’s range of Family Hub fridges is designed to make the refrigerator the true heart of the home, transforming this essential member of the kitchen into a central hub for the whole family. Use the touchscreen to pass messages to family members, sync calendars, watch TV, and see what’s inside your fridge all from the comfort of your fridge’s door.

Key features:

• FamilyHub touch screen to manage your fridge efficiently
• Compatible with wider suite of Samsung Home devices, TVs, and Internet of Things products via SmartThings app
• Frost-free design
• 616L capacity

Shop Now

05

Westinghouse 624L side-by-side refrigerator

Bing Lee

Deciding what to cook on a weeknight is easy as you scan your fresh and frozen foods simultaneously with this side-by-side fridge. Plus, with its 624 litre total capacity that allows you to store more fresh produce, everyday essentials, perishable goods and more – it’s an entertainer’s dream.

Key features:

• 642L capacity
• Inverter technology
• Dual crispers
• 2 twist and serve ice makers

Shop Now

06

Whirlpool 595L French door fridge in stainless steel

Appliances Online

Whirlpool’s French door fridge features a special sixth-sense technology that ensures precise and consistent temperature control with minimum fluctuations, ensuring your fresh and frozen goods are kept in tip-top shape for longer. The adjustable shelves and drawers make storing your food a breeze, while the sleek stainless steel finish helps to add a contemporary touch to any kitchen space.

Key features:

• 595L capacity
• Self-defrost feature
• Twist ice tray
• Flexi-freeze compartment to suit your needs

Shop Now

07

Samsung SRF7100B 649L French door refrigerator

The Good Guys

This French door fridge features a minimal exterior with recessed handles, and is sleek enough to suit any kitchen. But it’s the storage design and attention to detail that makes this fridge a true winner. The door compartments are large enough to fit large drink bottles and the vegetable crisper is big and roomy (so you never have an excuse not to eat your five-a-day).

Key features:

• 649L capacity
• Anit-fingerprint finish
• Big bottle door bins
• Movable ice tray maker

Shop Now

08

Haier 492L French door frost free fridge with water dispenser

Appliances Online

If plenty of freezer space is a top priority, Haier’s French door fridge is an option worth considering. It even has a super-freeze function so you can rapidly freeze fresh food to lock in as many nutrients as possible. And, for under $2000, this fridge has all the bells and whistles you could ask for including a filtered water and ice dispenser.

Key features:

• 492L capacity
• Convenient external controls
• MyZone adjustable temperature drawer
• Water dispenser
• SuperFreeze function

Shop Now

09

Fisher and Paykel 569L French door fridge

The Good Guys

This is Fisher Paykel’s largest capacity French door fridge featuring plenty of flexible storage, a stylish stainless steel finish and temperature regulation technology. The fridge compartment is at eye level, while the freezer is equipped with large, fully extendable drawers that will allow you to see everything at a glance. Happy reviewers say this fridge is perfect for a family of four and is easy to use.

Key features:

• 569L capacity
• ActiveSmart technology to maintain ideal temperature
• Humidity control slides in each storage bin create a microclimate that helps keep food fresher for longer
• Spill-safe shelves

Shop Now

10

Mitsubishi Electric 564L French door fridge in brilliant black glass

Betta Home Living

For those who are dreaming of a perfectly organised fridge, Mitsubishi Electric’s French Door Fridge comes with a completely separate and extremely convenient vegetable drawer that ensures your produce stays fresher for longer. Available in a strikingly modern black, a classic glacier white, as well as a sharp stainless steel, this stylish fridge is a practical addition to any kitchen.

Key features:

• 564L capacity
• Tempered glass shelves
• Multi Airflow enables the fridge to evenly distribute cold air throughout each compartment
• LED control panel

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11

Panasonic 500L Prime+ Premium French door fridge in dark stainless steel

Betta Home Living

Spontaneous summer entertaining is now easier than ever. With this premium French door fridge, you can freeze food five times faster than a standard freezer – think cool refreshing drinks in an instant. Make cool drinks, marinade foods or set desserts in just 15 minutes. Also available in stainless steel to suit most interior aesthetics.

Key features:

• Prime Fresh keeps fish and meat fresh for longer
• 500L capacity
• Nanoe X technology inhibits bacteria while deodorising
• Fresh Safe to keep fruit and vegetables at ideal humidity

Shop Now

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The post 11 French door fridges that are made for entertaining and busy households appeared first on Homes To Love.

Built between 1959 and 1960 by an unidentified Hungarian architect, what’s known as Zero House now belongs to recording artists Ben Garrett and Rae Morris, who have a young child.

Fans of great architecture, this is their second 1960s home transformation. They used to live in the iconic Canyon House of north London, which was radically refurbished by Studio Hagen Hall and turned into a bright and textural 1970s California-inspired home.

Similarly, Zero House exudes a strong mid-century vibe. Its sturdy bones were informed by the designs of Charles and Ray Eames, and the interior design – from the materials (lots of wood and exposed brickwork) to the colours (mainly brown, red and orange) – was inspired by movie sets created by American film director Stanley Kubrick.

When they first saw the home, Ben and Rae were won over by the structure’s scale and internal flow. “Everything joins up, but [spaces] veer off and open out in interesting directions,” says Ben.

“We were looking for a mid-century property that we could also run as a shoot location and this place just seemed perfect. The main features are clearly of their era and the staircase is really beautiful.”

Sitting on two floors, Zero House is fringed by greenery and has a priceless sense of privacy, a real treat in a hectic city like London. The entire kitchen is clad in light timber panels, while the airy living room features a custom-made bookcase and fireplace finished in mahogany tiles. To match the property’s wooden doors, the matchbox timber ceilings that run throughout were stained a dark red tone.

Going upstairs, which contains the sleeping areas, the feeling of being in a Kubrick film is even stronger, due to the particularly dark and enveloping shades. The main bedroom is framed by a glass perimeter overlooking the trees.

Coffee-hued cork was chosen to cover the exterior of the bathtub and the surrounding walls, while the walk-in shower is resplendent in bright orange tiles and contrasting white basins.

There is also a timber-panelled recording studio, which is located in a separate low-slung volume at the end of the garden. It’s the ideal place to concentrate and create music, which also leads to a lot of entertaining.

Zero House has numerous places to host gatherings of all sizes. “There’s a large roof terrace, which is great to be on in the summer at least,” Ben shares. “We refreshed the existing sauna [off one of the bedrooms], which seems like a real novelty at this point. And the open-plan ground floor is just the perfect space to hang out.”

To enhance the 1960s essence, the owners limited themselves to key pieces of era-specific furniture. Highlights are the Tulip dining table by Eero Saarinen and the Marcel Breuer tubular-steel dining chairs. “The Willy Rizzo coffee table is also quite fun,” says Ben.

“There’s a big tray in the middle for ice and drinks, which is great for parties. The sofa is the Samuel Wilkinson ‘Fold’ for The Conran Shop in a berry bouclé. It’s always hard to find sofas that look good and feel comfortable and this manages to do both extremely well! But the most impressive item we have is the 1950s Rippen grand piano, which is made of aluminium – it’s incredible!”

The post This mid-century home in London revels in its warm tones and retro feel appeared first on Homes To Love.