Blinds tend to be one of the most popular options because they’re affordable, come in a range of styles and fabrics, and suit a wide variety of needs, whether that’s blocking out light and heat or providing privacy. But there are plenty of options on the market, and knowing where to start looking is half the battle.

“Window covering solutions help manage light, heat and energy at the building envelope, reducing the need for artificial lighting, cooling and heating.” says Managing Director, Residential Division, Steve Saboune, Hunter Douglas Australia.

2024 marks 70 years since Luxaflex, the worldwide leading brand in window coverings, was introduced into the Australian market. “This year is a very special year for Hunter Douglas, as we celebrate 70 years since launching the Luxaflex brand in Australia,” says Steve. “To this day, we continue to expand the Australian product range of custom-made blinds, shutters and awnings, some of which are certified Australian Made, combining the best of international and local innovations.”

As with many things in our home, it’s important to not only weigh-up what it will look like, but also the function your window blinds will serve. Hot tip: don’t forget that you can sometimes see window blinds from the outside too!  To help you decide whether you’d rather Roman blinds or a Plantation shutter, we’ve put together the ultimate guide for choosing the right window coverings for your space. 

The best types of window blinds

Roller blinds

By far one of the most popular window coverings, roller blinds provide an easy up-and-down motion, which lets you flood your space with natural light or block it out as needed. They are usually fitted inside a window reveal or casement and suit the modern, mess-free aesthetic. 

There are a few different fabric types to choose from with roller blinds. Transparent blinds — like unlined linen — are sheer and allow you to have a clear view outside during the day, while those outside can’t see in easily. But take note, at night time when the lights are on inside the opposite happens, so it’s common for people to use a ‘dual blind’. 

Translucent blinds — often made from a polyester or blend — are light filtering but as you can’t see through them, so they provide more privacy throughout the day and night. Alternatively, BlockOut blinds have a solid backing and offer total privacy. They block out all light so they’re great for bedrooms, and also help keep out or retain heat. 

Honeycomb blinds

Honeycomb blinds, also known as cellular shades, have gained immense popularity in homes due to their blend of practicality, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. One of their primary draws lies in their energy efficiency. Luxaflex® Duette® Shades is the most energy-efficient window covering on the Australian market. With superior insulation properties, the unique honeycomb structure traps air to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.

Their sleek and modern appearance adds a touch of sophistication to any space, complementing various interior styles. Additionally, they come in a wide range of colours, textures, and opacities, making it easy for homeowners to find the perfect match for their decor preferences.

Venetian blinds

Enjoying a recent resurgence, the humble Venetian blind has a clean horizontal blade that now comes in a more sleek profile and choice of narrow or wider blades. Venetian blinds can also work in every room of the house. PVC and aluminium designs are a practical option for wet areas, while timber Venetian blinds are a cost-effective alternative to plantation shutters while still providing that popular horizontal-blade look.

Plantation shutters

Plantation shutters offer a blend of timeless elegance and practicality, making them an excellent choice of window covering. Their classic design adds a touch of sophistication to any room while providing exceptional light control, privacy and insulation. Unlike traditional curtains or blinds, Plantation shutters are durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for high-traffic areas of the home. 

Additionally, their adjustable louvers allow full control over the amount of light entering a room.

Vertical blinds

Hanging from the top on a slide-out track, vertical blinds are actually quite practical as the blades can be angled to provide privacy when allowing light to penetrate. Modern designs don’t have problems with their beading like older styles do, as instead there’s generally a weight in the base of each vertical blade, which makes them sit and look better than earlier designs. 

Roman blinds

Made from fabric, Roman blinds fold up in wide horizontal panels, pulled by cords on one side. They are a popular choice to soften the look of a window and room overall. Often paired with curtains, Roman blinds provide insulation and work well in cooler climates. 

The variety of fabrics you can use also provides endless options, including matching patterns and designs to your bedding or soft furnishings. There are also many designs in lightweight sheer fabrics, such as cotton, linen and hemp, which are a perfect choice for coastal-style homes. 

Roman blinds are convenient because you can precisely adjust the amount of light entering a room at any time of the day, as well as helping to keep sound levels down in busy households (depending on your choice of fabric). 

The post How to choose the best window blinds from the most popular options on the market appeared first on Homes To Love.

With a plethora of room planner apps available — many of which are free —  you can now visualise, plan and make all the tough interior design decisions right at your fingertips. Arranging furniture? Go to IKEA’s Kreativ app. Buying a rug? Try Miss Amara’s Virtual Rug Styler. What about styling different colours of bed linen together? There are so many apps that can help. 

Thanks to such advances in AI technology, you no longer need to stand in a store or stare at a website, umming and ahhing over whether something will look good in your home. These apps will simply show you. And we think they’ll end up saving you a lot of time, money and tears in the long run. 

To help you get started on your design journey, we’ve sourced six of the best free house design apps to help you. From intuitive interfaces to advanced 3D modeling, these room planner apps provide a virtual canvas for experimenting with layouts, colour schemes and even specific furnishings.

The best free room planner apps

1. IKEA Kreativ

Only just recently released, IKEA’s new Kreativ app offers users a free, AI-powered mixed-reality experience that lets you scan your room, erase any existing pieces and drag and drop IKEA furniture into the space. You can then rotate, move, swap, stack or hang pieces to work however you wish. 

For those starting from scratch, you can choose from 50 pre-designed ‘showrooms’ and once you’re happy, you can simply save the design, add the products to your cart, and shop online.

Try out IKEA’s Kreativ app here.

2. Miss Amara Virtual Rug Styler

Buying a rug is a big deal. As famously quoted in the movie, Big Lebowski, rugs can really tie a room together, so getting it wrong can be a costly mistake. Apart from deciding what size rug you need, it’s also important to check whether certain patterns or colours will clash with other items in your room. 

Miss Amara’s Virtual Rug Styler solves all of that. Simply take a photo of your room, upload it, and select from Miss Amara’s extensive range of rugs to find something that suits your space. For those stuck on making the final decision, Miss Amara also offers an online styling service.

Try out Miss Amara’s Virtual Rug Styler here.

3. Reece’s Imagin3D Bathroom Planner

Designing a bathroom is tough, and once you’ve made your final call, changing things can be incredibly costly (if not impossible). Plus, when you’re working with such a tight space, it can be hard to know whether you’ve picked the right layout. 

That’s where Reece’s Imagin3D bathroom planner comes in. Enter your specific room dimensions, select from Reece’s range of baths, tiles, tapware, toilets, showers, vanities, mirrors and more, and drag and drop them into the space. You can opt for a floor plan view or a 3D side view, and you can download a detailed product summary and price list once you’re happy with your design.

Try out the Reece Imagin3D Bathroom Planner here.

4. Build your own bed bundles

Just like a fresh coat of paint can transform a space, a new set of sheets can make all the difference in your bedroom. But they can be pricey and knowing that all your different colours will still go together can sometimes be hard to visualise. 

Well, thankfully, several linen bedding brands have developed their own visualiser tools so that you can ‘build your own bed’ and test out different colour combinations before buying.

Try out I Love Linen’s Bundle Builder here.
Try out Cultiver’s ‘Build a Bedding Set’ tool here.
Try out Bed Threads’ ‘Build Your Own Bedding Bundle’ here.

5. 3D kaboodle Planner

Your kitchen is famously known as the heart of the home, so it’s a space you want to nail the design of. Accessed via Bunning’s website, the 3D kaboodle planner is designed to help you bring your kitchen, laundry and home cabinetry projects to life. 

From the layout to the look of the space, right down to your choice of appliances, finishes and fittings, the 3D kaboodle planner lets you test drive the design of some of the most important spaces within your home, get quotes and make orders. There is even a style quiz if you get stuck, and plenty of resources to help inspire you along the way.

Try out the 3D kaboodle Planner here.

6. iPhone Measure app

One app that you may already have without realising is the Measure app which is automatically added on all iPhone Pro devices. Stuck in a store without a measuring tape? No worries. The Measure app uses augmented reality technology to gauge the size of an object or the distance between two points using your camera (and a whole heap of cool tech) and will even save the measurements for you. Plus, if that’s not enough to convince you, there is an in-built spirit level feature so you can quickly check that your art is actually hung straight.

Simply search for Measure in your apps.

The post 6 free design and room planner apps you should know about  appeared first on Homes To Love.

Creating the perfect laundry is easier than you think. Whether you’re opting for a European-style kitchen/laundry or a standalone space, or are considering adding it to your master bathroom, a designated laundry zone will help you keep your home tidy.

Not sure where to start with your laundry? We asked Rebeka Morgan and Kribashini Hannon, founders of the BuildHer Collective to share their top tips and ideas on creating a practical and stylish space.

“The once-forgotten laundry is back, and with a bang,” explain the pair. “Today, we see it being a space that is super functional and beautiful. This important room is now receiving its share of the buzz and increasingly fitted with ‘jewellery’ to match.”

Here are some of our favourite laundry ideas to create the space of your dreams.

How deep should a benchtop be?

The ideal depth for benchtops in a laundry is usually between 600mm and 700mm. One of the key factors that will determine this is the appliances. If you have an underbench washing machine and dryer, they will need to fit neatly under the bench, with enough room to form the tap connections.

Another factor to consider is the sink or laundry trough that integrates with the bench depth. If you use a ceramic farmhouse sink, often the tap will sit behind the bowl, so you need enough space for this.

Plus, don’t forget to allow for clearance on either side of the appliances and sometimes above. Most of the time you’ll need 30–50mm on either side, but check the whiteware specs and installation guides during the design phase.

How big should a laundry be?

If you are building new, the location and size of the laundry are super important. Generally, these spaces are between 1800mm and 2400mm wide – this gives you enough space for the appliances and sinks on one wall, while the other wall can be for shelving or hanging storage and circulation space.

With that said, if you are renovating, you may need to compromise on the size and depth of the room, based on the existing space you must work within. Either way, measure twice to be sure!

How can I make my laundry room more efficient?

A walkway of between 900mm and 1200mm will usually be sufficient to help with the use of integrated items such as ironing boards or drying cabinets.

Also, think about the workflow in the laundry in terms of space and laundry hampers. Rebeka has four in her laundry – one for clean laundry to be folded and put away, one for general washing, one for whites, and one for towels and bedding.

What is the best way to organize a laundry?

Storage is so important, but how much do you need? Write a list of all the things you keep in your laundry, as this will inform what is best for overhead storage and elsewhere. The list will probably be bigger than you imagine.

Think about the overhead storage of chemicals to keep them away from children, and whether these are things you want to see on open shelves or in overhead cabinets. Overhead hanging rods work well – for storing or drying items.

How to save money on a laundry renovation

You can save on the level of finish here. Rather than a full laminate on the insides of cabinets, use standard melamine.

Save on tiling by not tiling the walls to full height – just the floor and a small skirting. Buy wire storage systems if you can’t afford new joinery, although Ikea has affordable cabinetry.

What to splurge on

I [Kribashini] think you should splurge on the quality of your washing machine and dryer, your iron and your storage solutions. But also consider your individual needs. I have a fantastic iron with a water base, but it is large and bulky and I won’t use it if I have to get the board out. I’m always rushing around, so having the iron out is important for convenience.

But honestly, it’s unsightly and takes up so much space! Other items to splurge on are a great sink and storage, which will

add useability and functionality.

If you are building, you’ll have the potential to resolve all your laundry issues with the new design. If you’re renovating, you may need to compromise features to suit the space you have.

Think about high-end touches, such as gorgeous cabinet handles (you only need a few in a laundry space). You could also add an expensive tile or stone you love for the splashback – if it’s a small quantity, you may be able to buy a cheap offcut.

Other things to consider

A laundry can be considered a wet area, so make sure that the new plasterboard behind your appliances and at tap penetrations is fully waterproofed.

You may also like to consider storage for pet food and other related items. And if the trough or sink will be large enough to wash your pet, or sporting gear and other muddy items.

For obvious reasons, families value full-scale laundries and often look for this when buying a house. In apartments, however, having a compact laundry off the hallway, as in a lot of European homes, is perfectly acceptable. Smarter appliance choices like opting for a combo washer/dryer can also help when working with compact spaces.

Ticking off these factors will create a laundry that’s super fit for purpose…

• Sufficient ventilation
• Enough circulation space
• Natural light (if possible)
• External door for access (if possible)
• Durable flooring
• Ample storage
• Bench space for folding
• Good-quality appliances with high ratings for energy consumption and water usage
• Dryers vented to the outside if required (based on model and type)
• Full-height cupboard for brooms, mops and vacuum cleaner
• Doors to conceal the laundry if it is in a bathroom, garage or hallway

LAUNDRY MUST-HAVES

20 of the best laundry ideas

Just in case this country-coastal laundry room didn’t grab you with its looks alone, it boasts a bunch of functionality. At one end, integrated hanging space and a timber bench create ease of use, and at the other, a built-in bench seat by the door provides a space to take off dirty shoes.

Located within a renovated 70s home in Fingal, this gorgeous green laundry carries the same design as the rest of the home, making it a seamless fit. The polished concrete floor adds functionality while the artwork adds a lived-in feel.

The home of design guru Kerrie-Ann Jones is all neutral hues and layered textures. Her peachy-toned laundry is no different and features Bejmat splashback tiles, brass tapware, stone mosaic flooring and decor touches.

Powder blue has a moment in the laundry room of this vivacious home in Bondi. Needing to withstand the demands of a family, the room is finished with lots of storage and hardy surfaces — and even includes a WC.

The most extraordinary aspect of this Sydney laundry by interior designer Caitlin Parker-Brown is that it’s hidden in plain sight. Tucked away behind bifold doors in the kitchen/dining area of this renovated home, the design allows unobstructed access to a sink, appliances, and hanging space, courtesy of LED lights triggered by the doors’ opening and closing.

“The joinery runs the length of the room, making it seamless,” says Caitlin. “And the pale green V-groove doors with timber moon handles are elegant yet striking.”

With cool tones and a serene feel, this lovely laundry by Carole Whiting performs double duty in its Melbourne home. Well proportioned and filled with storage space, its functional features really shine.

Entry to the house from the garden happens here, so there’s a bench seat for taking off shoes and a concealed hanging rail over the sink that allows items to drip-dry unobtrusively, much like a mud-room set-up. The dark-hued walls are elegant and splash-friendly.

This compact laundry in Geelong was thoughtfully considered by SGS’s Rebecca Jansma so that every square centimetre can be used. The all-white palette ensures the room feels spacious and fresh, while terrazzo underfoot, stone on the benchtop and an unexpected brass shelf with strip lighting give it a contemporary look.

“Every bit of this room was mapped out to meet the owner’s requirements,” says Rebecca. “There’s a spot for everything, and all the shelves, drawers and hampers were customised to their contents. The LED strip light is on a separate circuit, so if you’re just popping in to drop some laundry into the hamper, you don’t need the full-room lighting.”

To emphasise the modern-farmhouse aesthetic of this property on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, interior designer Kate Walker specified hand-chipped black limestone floor tiles in a herringbone pattern and gave a calming rural-landscape art piece pride of place. Below it is plenty of room to fold clothes.

“People think you need to have appliances side by side or on top of one other,” says Kate, “but by having the washing machine on one side, you can take clothes from it, use the sink area to sort them and then dry as required, in the dryer or drying cupboard” – the latter a nifty addition that removes the need for pop-up clothes racks when the weather is wet.

Fior Di Bosco stone takes centre stage in this Sydney laundry by Amarot’s Alexandra Marrotte, who used the material to zhoosh up this traditionally utilitarian zone. “The joinery next to the stone benchtop and splashback houses a washer/dryer stack with functional storage space above,” she says, adding that a separate broom cupboard to the right has its own door and powerpoint for easy vacuum-charging and cleaning-appliance use.

The timber cabinetry brings warmth to the cool scheme and is a nice point of textural difference. On another wall is a series of louvred windows, providing ample airflow when required.

Just off the kitchen of a Melbourne home, this laundry has made it possible for the owner to put through a load of washing while cooking dinner. But despite being meticulously planned, there was a glitch in the build and necessity became the mother of invention for the project’s designer, Lena Bruno, halfway through.

“The client and I were looking forward to seeing show-stopping 150mm x 75mm straight-laid blush-pink tiles – and we were crushed when there were supply issues during construction,” says Lena. “With only the 100mm x 100mm option available, the client was hoping for a different look. So I came up with an unusual laying pattern that was drawn to scale and executed by the tiler – an on-the-fly solution that’s given the laundry its own personality.”

Hidden behind the beautiful doors of this sleek laundry – part of a home in the Byron Bay hinterland – is a huge linen cupboard and lots of storage. Also featured are baskets for sorting washing and a set of floating shelves for displaying treasures.

“The mix of materials is definitely the hero design element,” says The Designory director Melissa Bonney. “That includes the fossil limestone benches and splashback, the copper tapware and leather handles, plus timber features that tie in with the truss timber ceiling.” Better yet, this home is off the grid and eco-friendly appliances are fitted throughout, including an energy-efficient heat-pump dryer.

Aiming to surprise and delight the owners of this Sydney laundry, the interior experts at Arent&Pyke chose a predominantly blue palette. “It injects a sense of fun into a space that is generally overlooked,” says designer Sarah-Jane Pyke. “Now it feels like a beautiful space you’d want to spend time in.”

The floor plan was also changed, to connect the laundry to the garden and to maximise styling opportunities, such as the tiled benchtop and blue tapware at the back. Proving this space has both beauty and brains, 5-star energy-rated appliances were selected for the finish.

In the modern makeover of this Californian bungalow, Studio Gorman opted for multi-tonal blue kit kat tiles to create a striking feature splashback that complements the dark cabinetry. A discreet hanging rail helps to make the laundry process easier.

In interior designer Jillian Dinkel’s Federation home this sun-soaked laundry space features striking grey cobblestone floor tiles and cabinetry as well as white exposed brick walls.

The laundry in this cosy country farmhouse doubles as a mudroom, with the space opening to the rear of the property.

In this Scandi-style family home the laundry room features a hanging brass rail which adds a touch of glamour against a backdrop of vibrant pennyround tiles and white cabinetry.

The owners of this Palm Springs-style home opted for a clean and simple look in their laundry with white subway tiles for the splashback paired with grey cabinetry. Open floating shelves add a decorative touch, as does the timber hanging rail.

The laundry space of this chic beach house in Mooloolaba leads towards the rear of the property and features black panels and a timber floating shelf.

The post 18 laundries that master the art of being both stylish and practical appeared first on Homes To Love.

From clever conversions to complete new builds, there are plenty of options out there to build your dream barn house.

What are some of the key design elements of barn houses?

Barn houses are a unique architectural style that combines the rustic charm of traditional barns with the comfort and functionality of modern homes. If you don’t have the scope for a new build, conversion or renovation, you could simply try and incorporate some of the key elements commonly found in barn houses into your current home.

These can include things like open floor plans, exposing beams and ceiling rafters, including natural materials like stone and wood, repurposing existing barn structures or using reclaimed materials from old barns, or integrating the interiors with the surrounding landscape through garden design, outdoor living areas or large windows that frame your view.

20 modern barn house ideas to inspire

Both very much its own space and a reflection of its scape, The Barn at Rangeview is a unique identity, whichever way you spin it. The raked ceiling and wrap-around windows of the barn-style house make the most of natural light and picturesque views.

Rachel Luchetti and her builder husband Gerard Cook have transformed a barn style kit home into a family retreat known affectionately as the Little Red Barn. The red exterior sets this home apart as does the concrete plunge pool with views of the hinterland.

This small barn-style house in Daylesford follows classic barn design, with a high-pitched ceiling, exposed beams and split “Mr Ed-style” doors. Four large windows from an old schoolhouse add authenticity to the new build and flood the space with light.

When Hayley Priest finally got to build her dream home, it was always going to be a barn of some kind. And “It was always going to be black,” she says, with a laugh. The modern barn-style house, named The Highlands Black Barn, is influenced by Norwegian summer houses and New Zealand barn architecture.

The sleepy village of Jugiong in South West NSW has become a destination for Canberrans and Sydneysiders because of the Sir George, a renovated country pub with luxury accommodation that resembles a series of charred timber barns and a converted granite stable.

Inspired by the traditional pitched-roof cabins of their homeland Denmark, couple Michael and Kristine decided to build their own barn-style home with floor-to-ceiling windows by Rylock and Velux. Barn doors are also a feature inside the door, with a 19 metre-long railing connecting a sequence of rustic, sliding doors.

Forget hay bales and hoedowns. This handsome home’s take on the classic barn style house is worlds away from those down-on-the-farm notions. The original cottage on the Byron Bay property had a separate sleeping barn, which inspired the design of the new house, which has been described as the “love child of Italy, Aspen and Malibu”.

A simple coat of red paint has transformed an old 1880s farmhouse into a cosy barn-style home. Before moving in, residents Katie and Luke also polished the original floorboards and updated the home’s wiring. “We love the house’s charm and its quirks,” says Katie.

Regular trips to Europe inspired couple Daniel and Glenny to construct their own brick barn on the outskirts of Castlemaine in Victoria’s Goldfields. “We wanted to build something tat suited the historic landscape around here, and we were also inspired by the architecture we’ve seen in France,” says Daniel.

This modern barn-inspired home, located in the picturesque Perth Hills, pays homage to its owners’ European heritage. The design concept stemmed from the owner’s desire for a simple, honest lifestyle, and the barn-style architecture that is common in Poland.

On Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, one couple’s desire to blend beauty with practicality has produced a modern country home which they have since dubbed the ‘über shed’. From the outside, it could be mistaken for a barn but inside, it’s Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic and modern finishes make you feel right at home.

In the heart of Melbourne, interior designer Carole Whiting and her architect husband Steven have transformed a Edwardian double-fronted house into a charming family home that has a barn-like feel with a Scandinavian twist.

After spending years living in a series of converted garages, sheds and basic kit-home cottages, the owners of this country retreat decide it was time to build something a little more comfortable. And so their son, interior stylist and designer Jono Fleming, helped them design a cosy and contemporary farmhouse complete with cathedral ceilings and a ceiling-height stone fireplace.

After purchasing a property in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a couple set about converting an existing shed into a temporarily liveable space as they drew up plans for their dream home. But after a kitchen, bathroom and three bedrooms were added to the shed, fondly dubbed the ‘shouse’, the couple decided they probably didn’t need to build a new home after all.

After a fuss-free design with open-plan living spaces that made the most of the property’s spectacular views over a golf course to the ocean beyond, the owners of The Shed in Gerroa on the NSW South Coast opted for a modern barn style design with an industrial aesthetic when building their dream holiday home.

With it’s high ceilings, loft bedroom, exposed timber beams and concrete floors, this pool house that doubles as an Airbnb on the Sunshine Coast is a classic example of how a barn-style home can work in a coastal setting. The timber barn doors inside add to the rustic charm.

Custom-made barn doors, timber wall panelling and rustic country decor, give this beach house a barn-like feel. The home’s exterior is also clad in timber panelling and painted in Dulux Domino.

Looking over Lake Conjola on the NSW south Coast is the modern barn-inspired home David Gleeson and Leah Atkins created in just 10 weeks. Leah has always loved the aesthetic of barns, particularly dark-coloured Scandinavian interiors, which were her inspiration when designing this home.

By connecting and converting two barns on their property, Nguuruu Farm, the Prior family created a spacious four-bedroom home. “It’s essentially two pavilions connected by a glass air bridge,” says owner, Murray Prior. “We live in one and go to bed in the other.” The barn-style home boasts six-metre ceilings, rammed-earth walls, and a solar-passive design.

Designed by Slap Architects, this modern barn house in rural Victoria was conceived by two city slickers in search of a more sustainable lifestyle. Minimally decorated with functionality at the fore, the use of natural materials throughout are a nod to the surrounding landscape of West Gippsland.

The post 20 barn-style houses built for modern living appeared first on Homes To Love.

Together they created a hard-working heart of the home that meets the busy lifestyle of a family of four while also celebrating striking design. “Our brief was to have lots of storage and practicality”, says Allison.

Here, Allison reveals her favourite features in her bold and beautiful kitchen.

1. Striking colour palette

Your cabinetry colours, benchtop material and hardware finishes all influence the mood and atmosphere of your kitchen. Allison opted for a relaxed palette using crisp white cabinetry, dramatic grey surfaces and warm brass pull handles.

“We wanted to create an earthy, beachy vibe because we live in a coastal suburb. The beachy colour palette ensures the space is light and bright, with clean, white lines,” she shares.

2. Stylish preparation space

A custom island bench steals the show in this light-filled kitchen, as the luxe limestone surface features dramatic grey veining and a unique curved silhouette.

“We love cooking and entertaining and eat at the kitchen bench with the kids every night, so we wanted the kitchen design to reflect this,” says Allison, explaining that the extended bench allows ample room for seating and extra preparation space.

3. Spacious cooking area

Allison’s cooking area is a mix of function and flair. A matching back bench and splashback create a glamorous look, while the black ovens contrast against the crisp Montauk Classic White cabinetry. “The back run of cabinetry spans more than 6.4 metres and creates an ideal cooking zone thanks to the induction cooktop, ovens, and extra bench space for food prep,” she says.

As for functionality, the simple layout creates convenience with ingredients and cookware stored within easy reach of the cooking zone. “Soft-close deep drawers house bulky pots and pans, while utensil drawers and a spice drawer further enhance the cooking experience,” Allison says.

4. Practical cleaning zone

A well-considered cleaning zone is the epitome of practicality, as it impacts how you use your kitchen daily. Take inspiration from Allison’s kitchen layout to make the cleaning process more efficient, by positioning your bin, sink and dishwasher in close proximity with each other.

“The island bench not only provides an excellent surface for dining and food preparation, but it also features a bin, a sink and dishwasher drawers concealed behind joinery, meaning that cleaning up is a breeze,” she says.

5. Tip-top storage solutions

To maximise storage, incorporate cupboards up to the ceiling to store unused items and enhance the feeling of height and space while you’re at it. For storage beneath your benches, opt for deep drawers that are easily accessible, such as the spacious Shaker-style drawers in Allison’s kitchen.

As for your produce, Allison’s kitchen design keeps the refrigerator and pantry within close reach of the island bench for ease. “The back countertop includes a refrigerator and a pantry, meaning that your perishables and dry goods are taken care of,” she explains.

Brought to you by Kinsman Kitchens. Download a copy of the magazine-style catalogue for more inspiration, or book a Kinsman design appointment here.

The post TV host Allison Langdon’s kitchen blends beauty and function perfectly appeared first on Homes To Love.

Mineral-based and natural, limewash paint is a Belgian basic that dates back to Roman times. It gives a chalky, luminous texture that is subtle, and is suited to older Classic style buildings as much as it is a surf shack or a modern rustic style. Limestone is forgiving, and is often used on porous plaster in grand homes to enhance texture and add depth. It’s loved by designers and architects, but it’s also a budget-friendly choice for DIY home renovators.

What is limewash paint?

This ancient staple paint is made from limestone that has been crushed, burned and mixed with water to make lime putty. The putty is then aged, thinned with water and coloured with natural pigments to create a paint-like substance. The overall effect is a textured, luminous appearance similar to suede, with matt and mottled movement. It adds depth to flat walls, and is often used both indoors and outside. Unlike most house paints that sit on top of a surface, limewash sinks in, so it’s best applied to porous surfaces such as stone, plaster and brick. Modern, pre-made versions of limewash (that have mineral-binding materials added) can also be applied to Gyprock or drywall when a primer or something the limewash can bond to has been first applied. Limewash has an imperfect look similar to Venetian plaster, which almost looks painterly in certain lights.

What are the disadvantages of limewash paint?

Limewash paint is natural, solvent free and hypoallergenic, and it’s naturally bacteria resistant, but it does have some down sides as well. It’s mottled appearance is all the look right now, but it has come in and out of popularity for exactly this trait, and it is possible a more sleek, uniform look will be better suited to your walls. The luminous and chalky appearance of limewash means it may require several coats to get the desired effect, and even then the appearance is difficult to control.

On the up side, the high PH level of limewash paint means microorganisms cannot survive, so it is a great choice for those with allergies. Advocates also argue that limewash has a chemical makeup that removes odours as well as harmful CO2, thereby improving air quality. Unlike normal paint that has solvents – yes paint is now top of the list on household environmental hazards – traditional limewash is made only from natural lime and pigments. Bauwerk, one well-known maker of limewash, uses natural clays, minerals and powder pigments in its paint.

Is limewash more expensive than paint?

Limewash can come pre-mixed, or you can buy limewash and make it yourself, making it a DIY homemaker’s dream budget wall paint. Well-known brand Bauwerk makes limewash paint in sizes ranging from 250ml pots (about $17) to 20 Litre tins, and which can be used on all interior and masonry walls and surfaces and comes in a range of colours. It won’t flake, it’s fire proof, and it is completely UV and colour stable, so it doesn’t need to be reapplied as often as many paints might.

Limewash is easier to apply than a common alternative Tadelakt, which makes limewash a cheaper option, saving expensive labour costs.

It’s not as expensive as paint per litre, but limewash does have its limitations. While Bauwerk limewash comes in hundreds of colours, it is not available in every hue. Limewash is naturally off white, and natural pigments means it also comes in the likes of browns, greys, pale greens, taupe and natural pinks. When you’re applying limewash it will appear darker, and it lightens as it dries. The final colour will depend on the dilution, the material of the surface being painted, and the application of the paint.

How do you clean limewash paint?

Cleaning limewashed walls is not recommended, but that lived-in look is what it is all about as well. It naturally shows much less dirt than standard painted surfaces, but if a touch up is needed you can simply apply a diluted coat of limewash.

The post Everything you need to know about limewash paint appeared first on Homes To Love.

It used to be that only grand estates, castles and quaint beachy cottages with an English or Ralph Lauren vibe were given names. Wouldn’t the neighbours baulk if you turned your 25 Stewart Street into Walkley House on a whim? If you don’t live in a manor, isn’t this forcing a sense of pedigree when there isn’t one?

There’s been an influx of architects and owners naming new builds and modern houses in recent years. We’ve seen the likes of The Palms, Casa Blanca, Barefoot Bay Villa and Sumudra House.

From Frank Lloyd Wright’s legendary Fallingwater to the literary homes we love – think wind-torn Wuthering Heights – some house names summon visions of the people and events that shaped them. Elvis Presley lived in Graceland and Ian Fleming returned every year to his Jamaican space Goldeneye to write another James Bond novel.

• Rosso Verde House by Elke Jacobsen.
• Chester in the Southern Highlands
• Glenfernie in Newrybar.
• Rutherglen House by Josh and Jenna.
• The Palms by PM Concepts.
• Casa Blanca by Dane Power and Mon Palmer.
• Barefoot Bay Villa by Melissa Bonney.
• Sumundra House by The Designory.
• Lavana House by The Designory.
• Bajo el Sol in the Gold Coast.

THE BEST AUSTRALIAN HOUSE NAMES TO INSPIRE

Will a house name add pedigree or be passé?

Houses with names are often architectural homes, or at least heavily designed homes. Some designers name houses but don’t emblazon them with a literal sign, and PLAYA House is an example of this, as are many of the homes ranking in the Dulux Colour Awards. If a house is another run of the mill house in the suburbs, it might be hard to move past a name like “The Cookie Cutter” or “En Masse”. Or, come to that, “Run Mill House”. What would be a good name for a typical ‘60s blond-brick bungalow with zero updates except a skylight in 1992 be, for example?

Can a house name apply to a townhouse, a bungalow, an apartment? It feels regal, stately, and possibly even fun. 

I’m not asking for a friend. I would like to name my house. I scan Etsy for appropriate little house name signs that might work. I smile and nod at “Redwood House” in my suburb, wondering if I could get away with a “Bluegum House” or a “Banksia Something” for our place. It’s not because I’m pompous, though perhaps I can be, but because the name of my street is Kevin Avenue and I’d like to say something else instead when people ask me where I am. 

According to The New York Times, the name of your street does matter. It reports that a name tells us, subtly, whether a neighbourhood is expensive or affordable, brand new or very old. We can uncover – and yes be judgy about – all kinds of things when we know a street name, for example. In its data analysis of street names and sale prices over years, The Times discovered that a name will even impact your house value. Names are better than numbers, says the data, lanes are better than streets, and unusual names are better than common ones. It makes my house-numbered Kevin Avenue concerns seem valid.  

Are you allowed to change your house name?

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Building or renovating your home is an immense project – financially, emotionally and logistically. And it’s critical you have the right people on your team – professionals who not only understand your vision and expectations and can communicate effectively, but will deliver quality services, on time and within budget.

So how do you find the best Australian architects, builders, interior designers and tradespeople for your home build project? And how do you get access to product suppliers that can help bring your vision to life with premium building materials and interior wares?

ArchiPro is the little black book for Australia’s architecture, building and design professionals, materials and product suppliers. The platform is Australia’s ultimate marketplace designed to connect homeowners with everyone and everything you need to complete your project. Here, ArchiPro shares insights to find trusted professionals, discover quality products and bring your dream home build or renovation to life.

ASSEMBLING THE RIGHT PROFESSIONALS

Navigating the intricate challenges of building a home – or even just doing a renovation project – can be intimidating, and one of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing an architect based solely on liking their previous work. It’s a good place to start but it doesn’t mean they will be compatible with your needs. Selecting an architect who understands the nuances of reviving a Federation-style home, for example, won’t be ideal if you’re after a contemporary finish.

This is where you should turn to ArchiPro, which specialises in connecting homeowners with trusted and reputable professionals, contractors and suppliers that can further your journey. To get matched, share the details of your project and ArchiPro will connect you with a curated selection of top-tier professionals, including architects, designers, builders and landscapers, that will hold your hand from inception to completion. For a bespoke experience, you will be able to discuss your aesthetic direction with the candidates to ensure you are aligned. You can also connect with product suppliers at this early stage to start conversations about the aesthetic finish of your build, and plan out which products will work seamlessly for your look.

Inspiration curation

Small details are important when building a home and can often be overlooked when you are focused on another task like landscaping the garden or choosing a style for the kitchen. For a holistic and unified look and feel, you need to consider elements such as feature wall tiles, the fabric for your lounge suite and even the shape of your mirrors, at the same time you are thinking about the home build. Even planning out your networking and WiFi solutions should be considered upfront.

ArchiPro serves as a guiding hand in navigating these intricate details. Its site has informative guides, product showcases and trend reports that will give you inspiration for your build from start to finish, and there’s even a personalised design board where you can pin all your favourite products and inspiration images in one place. And just like finding architects and designers, you can quickly and easily be connected with product suppliers, too.

Making in-person connections

The invaluable experience of face-to-face interactions can help foster a profound connection with your chosen professionals. ArchiPro’s Home Design Evening, in Melbourne on March 22, offers a great opportunity to meet a wide range of experts. The best advice is to go with an open mind and no expectations, then talk to as many experts as you can about your vision. Your aim should be to come away with a shortlist of professionals and suppliers that can help you with your project. You can also curate a list of products – everything from tapware and bedding to interior tiles and furniture – that will help you achieve a seamless design ethos throughout your home. Look out for the ArchiPro’s Home Design Evening in Sydney on November 8, 2024.

Brought to you by ArchiPro.

The post The art of assembling the perfect home build dream team appeared first on Homes To Love.

Every episode promises to reveal the roller-coaster renovation journey of two different homeowners, as they tackle projects of different sizes, in different parts of the country. You can expect the likes of a pink palace on Queensland’s sunny Gold Coast, a French-inspired convict cottage in Tasmania, and a low-cost eco-retreat in the tree tops on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

But when pushed to pick her favourite, Yasmine can’t go past the “tenacious couple who embarked on a very ambitious transformation of a 60s duplex into a Moroccan-inspired riad nestled into the NSW countryside,” she says. “Creating Marrakesh in the mountains… it doesn’t get more challenging than that.”

As an award-winning designer with an extensive roster of unique, colourful and intoxicating interiors to her name, Yasmine’s work has a refined rebelliousness to it. (You can get a better taste for it below!) She admits she’s taken that same approach as a host, often probing the renovators “so they didn’t jump the gun on some vital decisions.” She adds: “Sometimes they took my advice, sometimes they didn’t!”

With the rising cost of living, particularly with trades and building materials in Australia at the moment, the new series explores themes including generational living, conscious downsizing, sustainability, recycling and renovating on tight budgets.

Being privy to all these projects — and their successes and downfalls — has confirmed to Yasmine what she always tells her clients: “That planning is key — from the physical floorplan to project management — and to always have a contingency plan and build in a 20% budget buffer.”

She added that, as a designer who is constantly striving to deliver something authentic and truly unique, her favourite renovations “were the ones where the brief was super niche, and a couple’s inspiration was genuinely theirs.”

Grand Designs Transformations will premiere on ABC TV and ABC iview on Thursday, January 4 at 8pm. It will air weekly, until Thursday, February 22.

How to watch Grand Designs Transformations

Take a look at some of YSG’s best renovations

The clients’ fascination with far-flung cultures saw their treasured art, objects and fabrics star in this penthouse transformation by YSG Studio. “They wanted to transform a dated 90s penthouse on a Sydney finger wharf into a light, whimsical beacon that enhanced harbour views while showcasing their art collection,” she says.

This free-spirited home in Sydney’s northern beaches could be anywhere in the world, from Mexico to the Côte d’Azur. And that is precisely the mood that interior designer Yasmine Ghoniem, director of YSG Studio, wished to create – a free-spirited, international vibe for “a place that savours summer’s glow year round”, as she describes it.

This project — known as Budge Over Dover — involved removing a series of warren-like walls within this expansive home in Sydney’s Dover Heights, and introducing more fluidity into the space. Hemp render, travertine, Moroccan terracotta, and eggplant and pistachio Venetian plaster now adorn the walls and floors.

The post Grand Designs Transformations is the new show inspiring you to tackle your dream renovation appeared first on Homes To Love.

Whether you’re after new timber flooring, or are not sure which type of timber to specify for your new dining chairs, different types of wood will naturally possess different types of qualities. Some timbers are harder, or softer, than others, and the range of shades available across all kinds of timber are countless.

AT A GLANCE

• Hardwoods are mainly used for flooring, decking and timber furniture, while softwoods are used for framework and cladding.

• There are timbers for all budgets — ash, oak, teak and walnut are usually the most expensive, while softwoods are more economical.

• Keep in mind the timber’s resistance to termites and decay.

• Consult the staff at your hardware store or timber yard, to make sure you have the correct timber for your project.

Softwood timber

In broad timber terms, there are two different categories of woods — softwood and hardwood.

Softwood comes from coniferous species such as cedar, fir and pine. They grow quickly and the wood is lighter, has coarser grain and is not as strong as most hardwoods.

While in general softwoods are considered inferior to hardwoods for many purposes, they do have their place in the woodworking world for specific jobs — and because they grow quickly they are very economical. In building, they are commonly used for the framework of houses and areas such as lining boards and cladding.

Hardwood timber

Hardwoods by comparison are heavy, strong and stable. They are used predominantly for piers, flooring, decking and in most timber furniture.

TIMBER: A GUIDE TO ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES

Cedar

The most common type of cedar is western red. As this name implies, it is pinky, red in colour. It is relatively soft but straight grained and is mostly used for outdoors for furniture, deck handrails, wall cladding and window frames because it resists rotting in moist environments. Relatively inexpensive.

Eucalyptus

The most common species in Australia is eucalyptus. Within the species there are a huge variety of sub-species that have vary different properties, including colour and grain patterns. Common ones include Tasmanian Oak (cream), blackbutt (pale brown), spotted gum (mid brown) and Jarrah (red). Prices vary from inexpensive to moderately expensive.

Fir

Often referred to as Douglas Fir or Oregon, this reddish brown wood is imported from North America. While fairly soft, it has straight grain and a high strength-to-weight ratio (moderate strength, low weight) and is a popular choice as a rafter material in Australia. Moderately inexpensive.

Pine

Pine comes in several varieties, but the main ones found in Australia are Radiata, Cypress and Hoop pine. Radiata pine is a very common house-framing timber but it has low resistance to decay and termites unless chemically treated. Cypress pine is prized for its anti-termite properties, which made it a popular flooring material in Australia for decades. Hoop pine is used mainly for plywood. Inexpensive.

Ash

Ash is a white-to-pale brown-coloured wood with a straight, attractive grain. Easy to work, it is commonly used in furniture production where it is a good substitute for white oak.

Beech

A white pale to brown wood timber, beech is native to Sweden, Denmark and Norway, where it is used for everything from firewood to furniture and flooring. Due to its fairly bland grain, beech is often used for furniture which is designed to be painted rather than using more expensive oak or ash.

Birch

Birch comes in two varieties — yellow and white. Very common in Russia and Nordic countries, birch is a fairly hard timber used for furniture and plywood. It is one of the most economical hardwoods and is used extensively by Swedish giant Ikea and by Alvar Aalto’s Finish furniture company Artek.

Mahogany

One of the great furniture woods, mahogany is reddish-brown-to-deep red in colour. While very common in antique furniture, it is not common today as it is not sustainably grown. It has a straight grain and is of medium hardness, so it’s easy for joiners to work.

Maple

Available in two varieties — hard and soft. Hard maple, commonly referred to as Rock Maple in Australia, is an extremely hard and pale-coloured timber, making it the wood of choice for gymnasium floors. Soft maple is lighter in weight and is used mostly in making boxes and pallets because of wide colour variations.

Oak

Used for centuries throughout Europe, particularly in England, oak is still one of the most sought-after woods for furniture. Available in red and white, the latter is preferred because it has a more attractive figure than American red oak and is resistant to moisture, which allows it to be used for outdoor furniture. English oak is regarded as superior to American white oak.

Teak

Teak is a tropical timber native to Burma, Thailand and Bangladesh. There are many ethical reasons not to use teak unless it is either recycled or from plantation sources. Used extensively on boats and in outdoor furniture, teak has a slightly waxy feel and a golden-brown colour. Slow-grown teak is probably the best timber there is to resist sun and rain, but it is now very expensive.

Walnut

An American hardwood, Walnut has an attractive rich brown colour and a beautiful grain. Unfortunately, now fairly expensive and usually only available in fairly narrow boards, it is used extensively in furniture making, and as a veneered board for cabinetry and feature walls.

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To help you stem the tide, here are 5 of the most common types of water damage and what you can do about them.

How to fix damp floors

The signs: Mould growth, timber decay and a musty smell.

The cause: Poor subfloor ventilation, water pooling under the house, blocked vents.

The solution: “First, clear the subfloor of any leaves or rubbish, unblock any vents that may be covered, and check your gutters to make sure water isn’t pooling under the house,” says David Lakes, director and builder at Lochbuild. “Then use a moisture meter, or ask an expert with experience in the sort of home you live in for advice.”

In a best-case scenario, dehumidifiers or low-voltage damp rods in wardrobes can improve the damp, suggests David. If this isn’t enough, subfloor ventilation such as fans can help. “Extra airflow under your property will help – but not fix – a structural timber member if it’s in contact with a leaking tap, groundwater or rising damp.”

The worst-case scenario: “A damp concrete slab. It’s much harder to get to the underside of a concrete slab than timber,” says David.

Water coming in from balconies

The signs: “Internal and external water stains, problems closing balcony doors and windows due to swollen wood, cracked or missing grout on the balcony, and disgruntled neighbours below you,” says Paul Evans, president of the Australian Institute of Waterproofing.

The cause: “Doors that aren’t installed correctly, inadequate flashings, poor waterproofing membrane, insufficient drainage, incorrect tile selection and adhesion are all common,” says Paul.

The solution: “To reduce immediate damage, put towels or buckets down to catch water,” says David. “If you’re in an apartment, it’s best to contact your strata company – treating it yourself could risk voiding any warranty.”

Worst case scenario: Never leave balcony issues to deteriorate. “Decay can spread, electrical systems can be damaged, and in a worst-case scenario, the balcony could collapse.”

How to fix roof leaks

The signs: Water stains appearing on ceilings or walls, along with mould and puddles on the floor. Remember, if you have electrical wiring in your attic or ceiling, this situation could become dangerous.

The cause: There are many… “No roof maintenance, blocked gutters (box gutters get blocked especially easily), a difference in metals on the roof, which causes corrosion, or punctured or poorly installed sarking under a roof,” says David.

The solution: You need to work out where the leak is coming from, which can be much easier said than done. “Look for any big, wet area in the roof space,” says David. “Divide it up and test each area with a hose one day at a time to find the leak.”

The best-case scenario for a leaking roof is a tiny hole, which is often caused by penetration from a roof vent or plumbing. “Use a silicone sealant to temporarily fix it until you engage a professional,” says Paul. “Replacing or repairing existing flashing usually helps, but every roof is different,” says David.

Worst case scenario: “The worst-case scenario is a leaky roof that’s been ignored – it makes the repair harder and more expensive.”

Gutter leak repair

The signs: Damp patches on internal walls or ceilings, water collecting around the base of the building, stains and moss on walls, deterioration to masonry.

The cause: Gutters not being cleaned and badly angled guttering that doesn’t allow the water to flow away.

The solution: “Clean the downpipe connected to the gutter,” says David. Then test the “fall” of the gutter by pouring a bucket of water along it – if it isn’t enough, the water won’t flow away, but if it’s too steep, the water will overshoot. “If this is the case, take it off and refix it,” says David.

“It’s a great result when simple maintenance solves the problem. Worst-case scenarios are often caused by the environment the property is in – I worked on a house surrounded by fig trees that kept clogging up the box gutters and flooding the house. The roof had to be redesigned and reinstalled.”

Top tip: If you’re installing new guttering, add in some safety precautions. “Leaf guards and foam water stops under flashing cost a bit more but might save you some heartache in the long term.”

Bathroom leaks

The signs: “A water level higher than normal when the loo flushes, a shower that doesn’t drain freely, a gurgling drain or a sewer smell indicate poor drain and pipe health,” says David Conroy, plumber and owner of Sydney-based company The Lone Drainer And Pronto.

“These can result in serious leaks.” There are other signs as well. “Damp walls and ceilings, tiles falling off the wall and drops of water on light fixtures can show problems with the waterproofing,” Paul adds.

The cause: “Eighty-five per cent of blocked drains are caused by tree roots in the pipes,” says David Conroy. “The rest is hair, sanitary products, baby wipes (they don’t break down like toilet paper), toilet deodorisers, and, believe it or not, toys and underwear.” If a bathroom isn’t waterproofed correctly, gravity takes charge, and water finds its way down through a weak point in the floor, walls or gaps in the sealant.

The solution: Fixing grout or sealant yourself can help, but it’s worth getting an expert opinion. “Failed waterproofing can cause rotting substructure, bathroom floor collapse or severe water damage to structures below, so you’ll need professional help,” says Paul. “Most of the time there’s no best-case scenario – failed waterproofing requires a complete strip-out of the bathroom and installation of a new membrane.”

When it comes to pipes, “know where to shut off your water supply, then phone a reputable plumber,” says David Conroy. “In a best-case scenario, a speedy repair is done by knowing where your pipes run. Quite often, access is under driveways, paths and gardens.”

Worst case scenario: The worst scenarios are in multistorey buildings where access points are built in without any thought to maintenance, which means you’ll need new tiles once the pipe’s been sorted.”

The post 5 common types of water damage to your home – and how to fix them appeared first on Homes To Love.

New house designs often feature a mix of surfaces for their facades – often a combination of face bricks, composite cladding, timber and even cultured stone or steel as a feature element. All these materials fall into the category of 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 weather as well as provide an element of street appeal. It can also offer sound insulation and fire resistance.

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.

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, rather than being 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.”

Changing or adding to the existing cladding of a dwelling is a big job. Speak to your local authorities, as you usually need development approval to make changes to the exterior of your home. Some areas, particularly in rural locations, have stringent fire regulations regarding exterior cladding.

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, so you should also plan a visit to see what the cladding will look like in situ.

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

Exterior cladding types

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.

Timber weatherboard cladding

Often chosen for first-floor additions or rear extensions, weatherboards are readily available. However, they do need regular maintenance and painting, which can be expensive over time.

Timber cladding has evolved in recent years to become more site-ready and easy to install. James Hardie has a range of pre-primed, site-painted weatherboard in its ‘PrimeLine’ range, available in profiles from contemporary to traditional.

Stone cladding

Often used in Hamptons-style homes, stone has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. Cultured stone is increasingly being used as a feature on exteriors, most commonly for porches, outdoor fireplaces or feature walls.

Modelled in the form of natural stone but man-made, it is more affordable but can still achieve the depth, complexity of colour, pattern and unique texture of natural stone. Different stones are available to suit almost any style of home.

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 charcoal (Dulux Monument is the shade of the moment).

Metal is often used as a dramatic showstopper to delineate between old and new, especially in rear extensions.

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 exterior cladding options

Axon fibre-cement cladding in Dulux Slate Grey, James Hardie

Colorbond steel panel in Monument, Colorbond

Lang Mursten bricks in Larsen, PGH Bricks & Pavers

Stria splayed fibre-cement cladding, James Hardie

Linea weatherboard cladding, James Hardie

PrimeLine pre-primed weatherboard cladding, James Hardie

The post 6 of the best exterior cladding options to consider for your home appeared first on Homes To Love.

Whether you like to read, paint, garden or create, a She Shed is a space for women to retreat to and enjoy a little me-time.

Here, we explore our favourite She Shed ideas from the lives of some incredible creative women.

4 Creative She Shed ideas

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TAMARA BOWMAN: Weaver, Mudgee, NSW

It’s dark, dusty and freezing in winter, but it’s all hers: the rustic woolshed on Tamara Bowman’s property near Mudgee, NSW, is a sweet retreat for this creative gardener-turned-weaver. Beginning life as a two-stand woolshed, it now serves as a space for Tamara to weave baskets (plus store all of the materials required to do so), practice styling and arranges flowers.

It’s also where she displays her many antique finds, such as the French wooden fruit crates that are now used to dry plant material from the garden. “It’s the perfect house, because I don’t have to clean it, but I can arrange it the way I want it,” she laughs.

Even when she’s not using it, the shed is a reassuring daily sight for Tamara, who describes it as “something just for me” after being treated for breast cancer in 2014. “The shed is always in my life, whether I’m in it or in the garden,” she explains. “It’s incredibly comforting, because I know I can always retreat there.”

To see Tamara’s weaving work follow @bowfieldwoolshed or @mudgee2ndwednesdayweavers on Instagram.

Photography: Lisa Cohen

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SANDY MCKINLEY: Flower farmer, Trentham, Victoria

It’s hard to believe that this bright studio on Sandy Mckinley’s micro flower farm, Acre of Roses in Trentham, Victoria, was once a dilapidated chicken shed. Now completely renovated and surrounded by a traditional French potager garden, it’s a luxurious and inviting spot to relax.

The initial plan for the old chook house was to turn it into an office and potting shed for Sandy, and her husband Rob, to share with their gardener. “But every week that we renovated it, it became a more and more whimsical hideaway,” Sandy explains, noting that it’s the shed’s north-facing aspect, which allows sunlight to flood the space, that makes it so special to her.

The Potting Shed, as it is now known, is one of two boutique accommodation offerings at Acre of Roses, but when it’s not hosting guests, Sandy loves to wander around the garden, or spend time reading or painting inside. “It’s a space that I find nurturing and safe, and I think that’s important for getting some balance.”

To book a stay at the Potting Shed at Acre of Roses, telephone 0405 032 566 or visit acreofroses.com.au

Photography: Marnie Hawson | Styling: Belle Hemming Bright

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LINDA CHRISTALL: Creative and collector, Pomona, Queensland

Linda’s move to Pomona, Queensland, represented a big life change. Having walked away from her marriage, her business and her comfortable life a few years earlier, she was keen to build something of her own making. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could achieve a dream on my own, without the support of anyone else.”

What followed was the purchase of a plot of land in Pomona, and the relocation and complete renovation of a delapidated 1940s cottage upon it. Linda had previously owned a vintage decor and furniture shop in Cooroy, and has always loved antique and vintage style, and now, her home and studio are full of it.

Designed by Linda, the potting shed is an ideal outhouse for gardening work, pottering about, reading and relaxing. “It’s such a sanctuary. It’s my relaxed place,” she says.

Follow Linda on Instagram @vintage_country_house

Photography: Hannah Puechmarin | Styling: Cheryl Carr

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JULIA ROCHE: Artist, Wooroola, New South Wales

After leaving Sydney in favour of the space and sense of community a life in the bush offers, artist Julia Roche has found more freedom with her creativity at her 1940s homestead near Wagga Wagga.

“The way I create art is very intuitive and affected by what’s happening around me emotionally and physically,” she explains. “I have a strong desire to keep understanding the history of our landscape and that connection to my space. I’m more considerate of the fact I am working on Wiradjuri land, and the significance that holds and what my place is here.”

She works from within the corrugated-iron woolshed, which was constructed in 1910. Each of her paintings is left outside in the elements to weather and become imbued with dust, rain and sunlight.

For more, visit juliaroche.com.au or follow Julia on Instagram @_julia_roche

Photography: Brigid Arnott | Styling: Jodie Gibbons

The post She Sheds: inside the hideaways of creative women appeared first on Homes To Love.

Like a good raincoat, an exterior cladding solution keeps your home dry and free of moisture while encouraging heating and cooling through passive design principles. It can also help with sound insulation as well as increasing levels of fire protection and reducing maintenance. At the same time, cladding is the external skin protecting a building from the outside environment and a presentation not only of the home but of those who live in it.

These factors all need to come into consideration when choosing what to ‘wrap’ your home in. You also need to think about the sustainability of the materials and the costs involved, whether monetary or environmental.

You should approach the facade of your home as you do the interior – with the aim of balancing everything from texture to colour and tone. Think also about the orientation of your home and its surrounding environment, whether it’s located in the city, beach or bush, and choose a material appropriate to the setting for the best cladding solution.

Changing or adding to the existing cladding of your home is a big job. It’s definitely worth giving a few builders a call for professional advice. Architects and designers can also play a pivotal role in material specification as they’ll know the constraints of the materials and requirements the environment places on your home.

There is a mountain of material out there, so choose something that falls within the constraints of the local building codes. If you’re in a cooler climate, thermal insulation is a must, and dark colours will do well to retain heat from the sun.

On the flipside, pale-toned cladding can help keep a home cooler in the summer months. Fire codes will play a huge role in what you can and can’t use, so if you’re in an area prone to bushfires, check the requirements (Bushfire Attack Levels) of the materials needed.

How you go about it all should be left to the professionals. Whether the existing cladding or facade comes off and you start from your current framing, or you simply ‘veneer’ your home in a new material, this decision should be left to a qualified builder or architect.

Plenty of homes are riddled with asbestos, there may be problems with load-bearing elements of your current cladding and there’s always the odd surprise once you begin ripping a home apart. If you are adding to your home, consider how your new choices sit with your existing palette and balance your materials like you would any other scheme.

Timber weatherboards

Timber cladding has been used since homes were first built, and it can be a versatile and practical surface solution. Timber weatherboards have a great aesthetic and not only do they let your home breathe, they can also be waterproof (vertical boards tend to be more prone to water leaks than the horizontally laid ones), are readily available and can be sustainable. They will however require plenty of maintenance and tends to weather easily. Certain timbers can be an issue in bushfire-affected regions, so know your wood.

Timber sheeting

Plywood sheeting can be very waterproof (look for marine-grade ply) but tends to promote condensation. Dependent on the grade and finish, it can be very durable and, like timber boards, is readily available and can be sustainable. Again, certain timbers have a poor fire rating and the insulation properties aren’t that great.

Steel

Steel can be very low maintenance and extremely durable, highly waterproof and great in fire-affected zones. It is a non-renewable material but can be recycled, and you’ll need to add insulation.

Aluminium and zinc

Like steel, aluminium and zinc cladding can be extremely durable and require very little maintenance. They tend to be great in corrosive environments (think salty coastal air) and can be virtually waterproof. They do however promote condensation and are not the best insulators.

If your heart wants a timber weatherboard look without the constant maintenance, DECO’s DecoBatten is a timber-look aluminium batten that will outlast most other materials in an Australian environment. DecoBatten uses a textured wood-grain powdercoating on aluminium battens (among other applications), resulting in a beautiful, hard-wearing batten that resolves some of the issues associated with timber cladding.

Being aluminium, DecoBatten won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter, plus it is impervious to termite damage, is extremely lightweight and needs minimal upkeep. Most of us with timber cladding fail to realise the effects of an Australian environment on all timber types and are constantly playing catch-up with splintered, dried-out wood.

Fibre cement

These sheets or weatherboards are durable and don’t require much in the way of upkeep. They are incredibly practical material and can be painted, cut, screwed and even nailed. They also resist damage from flood and fire, can seal out the heavy rains and have a low risk of condensation. Cement sheets usually require painting or sealing and usually offer little insulation. Cement is a non-renewable resource and generally can’t be recycled.

James Hardie is the king of cladding in our wide, sun-kissed country. The company’s compressed fibre-cement sheeting is a great insulator, has excellent moisture properties, is long-lasting and impervious to termites and rot.

The new Hardie Fine Texture Cladding brings cement-sheet application a step further, to incorporate texture and warmth where there once wasn’t. Hardie Fine Texture Cladding is as it’s named – a cladding with fine texture that mimics the subtleness and softness of render but without the restraints that come with a masonry brick-and-render build.

Brick and masonry

The classic hardy brick wall is highly durable and requires next to no maintenance (though a rendered wall will keep you busy for years), and with cavities, brick is great at letting a building breathe. Though it doesn’t have the best waterproof capabilities, brickwork is great in fire-prone areas. Brick and masonry work can be recycled, but comes from limited (though well-stocked) resources.

Ceramic

SK1Ns by Austral Bricks brings European charm and character to our shores. Blending the eternal and everchanging beauty of terracotta with contemporary ceramic techniques, SK1Ns has a range of ingenious applications from unparalleled facades to stunning roof lines. Think of it as a terracotta take on shingles but with modern ceramic finishes.

This stylish variation of a classic tried-and-tested material will ensure your home looks good from every angle and evolves with a natural patina. Best installed by professionals, SK1Ns works with battens and breathable membranes to reduce heat transfer within the home and keep things warm and dry – an incomparable solution to beautify and enhance any home.

Stone cladding

Offering high fire resistance and minimal condensation issues, this manufactured durable option offers a more affordable alternative to traditional stone.

Composite materials

This refers to cladding products (such as fibre cement or timber sheet) that are bonded to a foam-backed composite material. These cement and timber alternatives are usually highly waterproof and fire resistant, and some are great acoustic insulators. In general, these options last as long as the bonded exterior material does, but the use of foam in the glue in the binders means these materials are not so environmentally friendly.

The post 9 of the best exterior wall cladding ideas for your home appeared first on Homes To Love.

For those who live and breathe property in Australia, having a north-facing home can seem like the holy grail of house hunting.

What this means is that the main living areas and/or the garden of a home are north-facing (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.

Here’s how the direction your property faces can affect your home…

North-facing aspect

North or north-east facing properties are considered the most desirable 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.

Tip

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.

East-facing aspect

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!

Tip

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.

South-facing aspect

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.

Tip

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

West-facing aspect

West-facing houses (even more so apartments) get the booby prize for aspect. The afternoon sun comes in at an almost horizontal angle and can be intense, particularly when also reflected off water, 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.

Tip

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

The post The aspect effect: what does the direction your property faces mean? appeared first on Homes To Love.

Swathing your home’s exterior with white paint is an effective and relatively simple way to update it without making any structural changes. Aside from looking crisp and clean a coat of white paint can also make a small house look bigger and keep the internal temperature down – Perfect for hot Aussie summers.

Be inspired to freshen up your facade with these 21 homes that boast a sleek aesthetic thanks to their all-white exterior and see the top white paints they used to achieve it.

white home exterior

Surfing legend Mick Fanning’s three-storey house with Hamptons overtones, including attic gables, is a landmark along the Gold Coast seafront. Perched on the dunes, the seaside home – styled by Three Birds Renovations – reflects the love of sun and ocean that helped make him a household name.

white home exterior

It was the white exterior of this heritage home on Sydney’s north shore that first captivated the owners – the classic lines and details were reminiscent of homes in Adelaide, where the couple grew up.

white home exterior

This renovated white weatherboard house‘s fretwork might look original but it was installed by its owner and interior designer Terri Shannon.

white home exterior

The crisp Dulux ‘Vivid White’ facade of this freestanding late-Victorian villa acts as a blank canvas for the myriad of artworks presented inside.

white home exterior

Annual road trips exploring the American coastline inspired this family to add a touch of East and West Coast style to their white-washed Hampton-style waterfront home.

white home exterior

The white exterior with timber pillars on this timeless, coastal-meets-farmhouse family home in the Gold Coast reminds the owner of “coastal holiday homes you find in Byron where you feel completely at ease.”

white home exterior

Bringing an older property into the modern era takes masses of patience and a steadfast vision, but this 19th-Century home on Sydney’s Lower North Shore delivers lashings of elegance and functionality for a family of five.

white home exterior

A white exterior accentuates the Spanish-style garden to spiral columns of artist Annie Everingham’s Spanish Mission-style bungalow in Newcastle. The moment she saw it from the street, she fell in love.

white home exterior

Horticulturalist Natasha Morgan’s 1800s-era timber cottage in Spargo Creek, Victoria features a pretty, white-painted facade. The building was formally used as a post office.

white home exterior

Though it was a Dijon mustard colour, owner Seamus could see that the 1850s property had a lot of charm and potential. “I painted it white outside, then whitewashed the walls and ceilings inside to make the house look more alive and open.”

white home exterior

The renovation of this gracious Victorian terrace in inner Sydney has seen it make an illuminating move into a brighter, more inclusive way of living without shedding its beautiful heritage facade.

white home exterior

A weekend property has been transformed into a yearned for country home with plenty of room for friends and family. The Georgian facade of the country cottage is both inviting and classic.

white home exterior

A minimalist, low-maintenance garden featuring palms and hardy cacti, combined with the crisp white exterior, give this cool Queensland home a Palm Springs vibe.

white home exterior

Homeowner Tam saw past the salmon-pink exterior of this Spanish Mission-style house, transforming it with paint in Dulux Lexicon Quarter. It now boasts a fresh aesthetic to complement minimalist interior.

white home exterior

A new build in the beachside enclave of Casuarina on the NSW north coast blends classic mid-century design with modern Australian architecture. Crisp white walls echo the home’s Palm Springs holiday vibe with a yellow door painted in Porter’s Paints Ping.

white home exterior

This Art Deco home on Sydney’s lower north shore looked as if its best days had sailed, but a masterful restoration and fresh lick of paint has changed its course forever.

white home exterior

The French art deco influence is instantly apparent in this glamorous home’s curved facade. The architecture, custom balustrades and entry gates are all designed by Greg Natale.

white home exterior

The facade of this two-storey home fulfilled the owners brief of contemporary but not stark. “I wanted it to be white with a traditional pitched roof line”, says owner Lauren.

white home exterior

A dark 1950s fibro cottage on Sydney’s northern beaches has been transformed into a light and bright four-bedroom oasis fit for family living.

white home exterior

Once an “ugly duckling”, this 1990s home on the NSW Central Coast is now a welcoming family retreat with a bright and inviting facade.

white home exterior

The exterior of this Georgian-style home inspired by the Obamas’ residence presents a fresh facade painted in Dulux ‘Vintage Linen’.

The post 21 fresh white house exterior ideas appeared first on Homes To Love.

We’ve spoken to the experts to learn the dos and don’ts of installing a stone fireplace, then gathered an inspiring gallery of stunning stone fireplace ideas to encourage your own plans for one – big or small, grand or understated, indoors or outside.

While their first purpose is purely functional, our primal yearning to gather around a fire and solid hearth endures. “There is so much to love about a stone fireplace in the living room, they bring an instant feeling of cosiness to the space,” says Amanda Garcia-Panetta, interior designer and director of Studio Panetta. “Natural stone provides texture and colour variation and also creates a sense of permanence which comes from having a large solid, built-in element.”

But where do you start? With the installation of stone fireplaces on the rise, it remains a significant structural challenge that requires careful planning. It’s important to know first what to plan for, what to avoid and how to safely install a stone fireplace in your home.

Can anyone install a stone fireplace in their living room?

Homeowners have always made a statement with fireplaces. You can completely transform the landscape of a room by making it central to the layout of your living room. If you have a fireplace already but it’s underwhelming in the space, consider giving it some love with a solid stone surround or take the chimney breast right up to the wall to make a feature of it in your living space.

“I think looking at the space as a whole is essential,” says Amanda. “Work out how much room you’ve got for the fireplace, its location and whether it’s the focal point of the space.”

Not all fireplaces are created from solid stone – particularly in newly built homes. Check with your local council or building authority before you build, as some councils do not allow new wood-burning fireplaces, “In which case gas would be the way to go,” Amanda suggests.

DOES YOUR FIREPLACE NEED A HEARTH?

Originally designed to collect embers and ensure a safe distance from the flames, a classic hearth is now optional – particularly for gas fires. “Although not necessary, a hearth can add to the grandeur of a stone fireplace in a similar way a mantel dresses a fireplace,” says Eco Outdoor, stone cladding and flooring specialists. “Depending on your design, a hearth can also be functional, providing additional seating or storage.”

“You can also choose to use an entirely different material such as concrete, timber or a complementary stone to enhance the look of your fireplace. Whatever material you choose, ensure it is suitable for the fireplace application and easy to maintain,” Eco Outdoor suggests.

This will impact the overall design, which needn’t be the traditional mantle-topped box surrounding a central cavity. “I would say the most common mistake would be thinking a fireplace has to look like the traditional format, straight edges with a mantel and steel insert,” says Amanda. “Playing with shape, scale and materiality can yield fantastic results so I would encourage people to get creative,” she says.

How to choose the stone for your fireplace

First, consider whether or not you want to finish it off with a mantel as this will impact the overall design and construction of your stone fireplace. Then, go with your gut.

“You really need to understand the style of the space,” says Amanda. “Ask yourself, is this space contemporary or more traditional? Do I want it to feel rustic or more crisp? This will all inform the stone selection as well as the design and ensure the end result is the desired one and perfect for the space.”

“One of the first decisions you need to make when building a stone fireplace is whether to choose a natural or manufactured veneer,” says Eco Outdoor. “There is a wide range of stone cladding options to choose from depending on the aesthetic you are wanting to achieve,” Eco Outdoor says. “If you are designing a contemporary fireplace, you may want to consider a square-edged tile such as Traditional format, Barrimah or narrow profile of Linear Walling. For a classic and textural design, Random Ashlar, Clancy or a dry stone, like Jindera may be more suitable.

If you have your heart set on a style, find a way to make it work in your home, but consider the practical application of stone. “I would recommend chatting to your stone supplier about what materials would be fit for purpose,” says Amanda. “Ask questions about cleaning, how it will handle the heat and how it will wear over time.”

Who can install a stone fireplace?

While a design-savvy homeowner may be able to conceive a plan to build a fireplace, Eco Outdoor recommends engaging a qualified stonemason to install your stone, particularly if using block stone, which requires a structural frame. “Someone familiar with the product, or a contractor with product knowledge and experience with installing and shaping stone,” Eco Outdoor suggests. Amanda agrees. “It really depends on the material being used,” she says. “If using a stone tile, a regular tiler would be fine for the job.”

Speaking of tilers, don’t forget the importance of choosing the right grout techniques and colours for your fireplace stone – from a recessed joint and dry-laid to a standard or wide joint. “Whether you’re creating a stone feature wall, a garden retaining wall or building a stone fireplace, grout joints and colour can have a big impact on the overall finish,” says Eco Outdoor. “Regardless of the technique and colour you choose, you’ll want your joints to be as uniform as possible. Your stonemason and the supplier can help you decide on the best grout joint technique for your individual project.”

Here, we have collected some stunning examples to inspire your own fireside fantasies:

Timber and stone bring timeless style to a living space so make for worthy investments when designing a new build. Inspired by the time-worn beach houses of Sydney’s northern beaches, this stone was sourced from a quarry in Gosford to get the look right. Planning the inclusion of a chunky timber mantle softens the effect and grounds the fireplace to the herringbone timber floors.

There’s no question the fireplace is the star of the show in this charming weatherboard cottage. Scale is everything here, as the rattan tub chairs tie into stone textures and the simple mantle is a stage for styling simple vignettes. The antiqued mirror refects more stone in the wall opposite.

Soaring ceilings call for dramatic effect in this Gold Coast hinterland home, with a 5.5m stacked stone fireplace set among a wall of glazing. The wood-burning fireplace is glass on both sides, making the bush visible from the inside when it’s not lit, while the flames can be enjoyed from outside on the deck when alight.

Original stone, original style. This simple fireplace has been cleverly modernised with a minimal, light touch with the inclusion of classic design in key furnishings and art.

In true country farmhouse style, this enormous fireplace dominates the living area, towering to the top of vaulted ceilings to draw the eye upwards. A generous hearth is both functional and beautiful, setting the scene for visitors to congregate here.

Size isn’t everything, in fact, the diminutive proportions of this renovated beach cottage allow the tall stone fireplace to take centre stage, reaching right up to the full height of the sloped ceiling.

No matter its size and stature, a fireplace adds charm and value to a property. Simple and beautiful, this all-white weatherboard cottage in the Kangaroo Valley is original and was the drawcard for the homeowners to purchase the property.

Any room in any style of home can incorporate a stone fireplace, as seen in the formal living room of this Hamptons oasis on the Gold Coast. A brand new property cries out for the texture natural stone can bring and it will only improve over time as other finishes soften.

Taking design cues from Palm Springs abodes and easily transitioning from outside in, Golden Quartz stone is featured at the entrance to this coastal mid-century modern home and in this striking fireplace, proving the choice of stone and the way you arrange it has the potential to stamp a definite style on a space.

Designed as a space to relax with family and friends, this newly built fireplace blends rustic random stacked stone with exposed beams and a narrow mantle. The colour of the stone takes on a modern look as it cleverly ties to contemporary details of black beams, balustrading and polished concrete floors.

Stone is just part of the story of this textured living room, where a timber-lined ceiling is echoed in a white mantlepiece. A gas fireplace removes the need for a full hearth.

Renovating this beach house on the Sunshine Coast called for plenty of white paint to update the look but the connection to its natural seaside environment is made with the help of this stunning stone fireplace. A characterful timber mantlepiece was unearthed in a timber restoration shed.

Made from local stone used throughout this contemporary holiday home, the chimney breast is set apart from wood storage, amplifying the soft grey tones. A bold black hearth is a nod to the framing of vast expanses of glass in bi-fold doors and windows.

Sourced from Eco Outdoor, the rugged stone that surrounds this wood-burning fire hits the sandy tones of its beach environment bang on. Perched on the edge of the ocean on NSW’s south coast, this is the perfect place to warm up and unwind after a day on the sand.

The original pink-coloured Hunters Hill sandstone was preserved and celebrated in the fireplace of this heritage cottage, which now sports a striking modern addition at the rear.

This stacked limestone wall houses a gas fireplace and anchors the living area of this open plan family home. A window seat hugs the hearth and is lit by a small wall light to invite cosy reading.

The brief to banish the bland and elevate the mood of this light, bright family home included being clever with texture to include this modern stone fireplace in the main living area.

A central stone fireplace in this renovated Blue Mountains cottage makes a statement in an otherwise white space, the stone picking up details and texture in timber floor and furnishings.

Real housewives know how to deck out an outdoor entertaining area as Chyka Keebaugh’s leafy Mornington Peninsula weekender demonstrates. The stone wall extends upwards to a central wood-burning outdoor fireplace which, while grand, is dwarfed by the surrounding tree canopy – just the way nature intended stone to be.

In the ultimate outdoor room setting, this open wood-burning fireplace is the main focus to gather around at any time of year.

Set your style guide with a statement shroud to complement (or contrast) your choice of stone. This mid-century home has been updated with striking concrete details to work in with the formed outdoor concrete furniture. A sleek concrete heart stores timber and provides practical surfaces for styling and entertaining.

Part sculpture, part fireplace, this outdoor fireplace (designed by the inimitable Greg Natale), proves that all you really need are the essentials to make a space work. The stone is repeated in the nearby retaining walls surrounding the swimming pool.

Using natural stone as a finish throughout the home is a wonderful to link indoors and outdoor spaces. Creating a visual journey in texture and tone, this outdoor fireplace is clad in the same stone as the indoor fireplace, as well as retaining walls surrounding the pool deep in the backyard.

For a contemporary look geared to enjoy the texture, if not the natural colour of the stone, this outdoor living room flips the idea with a central stone fireplace painted white. This idea would also work to update a dated existing fireplace. The textured stone slips quietly into the background, allowing the furnishings and fire to set the scene.

A view to relaxation with this formally landscaped garden with a feature stone fireplace. With enough planning at the beginning of a project, or a good eye for detail down the track, vistas such as this can be created to connect the indoors with the outside to enjoy the best of both worlds.

The post 25 beautiful stone fireplace ideas appeared first on Homes To Love.

Meanwhile, young adults often stay in their parents’ home well into their 20s and many ageing Australians live with their families. Ergo, homes have become more full, with family members of different ages – with wildly different needs – cohabitating.

So, has this taken the shine off open-plan living, where family members hang out in one big kitchen/living/dining space? Are new-home builders and renovators demanding separate rooms to work, study, play or retreat?

Multigenerational dwellings are a thing

Women and men live with their parents, on average, until age 24 and 23 respectively, according to a University of Melbourne report. While some Gen-Zs might enjoy watching British crime shows on the couch with their folks, most probably crave their own space. Throw in a grandparent or two, and the house can feel more crowded than Myer on Black Friday.

Andrew Benn, registered architect and director of Benn & Penna, has seen an increase in demand for multigenerational homes. “It’s a brief that we cherish, as it typically results in fantastic outcomes. Families can very effectively support one another – both emotionally and financially.”

Kids leave the nest and come back, too – sometimes with their own little darlings. “Quite often adult children return to the family home with partners or as a young family,” says Kate Walker, founder and director of design studio KWD. “Parents are now incorporating private suites in their homes to accommodate couples with children.”

But living with family is not without its challenges. “Managing privacy within a larger family unit is one of the bigger challenges we face, particularly with parents and grandparents coming together,” says Andrew. “Often they have very established domestic habits – and are not timid about voicing them!”

Debates on how to stack a dishwasher notwithstanding, the key to success is separating from one another in a tailored way, explains Andrew. “For example, grandparents often need their independence but with regular contact. They also tend to need less space but with their spaces more comfortably serviced. This is quite different to adult kids who tend to occupy more space but need less comfort or contact.”

The rising popularity of escape rooms

No, we’re not talking about the arcade kind where you’re locked in a room with other people until someone cracks a code in order to escape (although, they’re fun too) but a separate space to retreat from the world. Or your family.

Since COVID-19 emerged, architects and designers have received more requests for single-function rooms such as a study, gym, yoga space and even ‘Zoom rooms’ – where you can do video meetings without background noise or photo bombers.

One survey of architects in the US found that requests for home offices more than doubled between 2019 and 2020.

“Pool houses, tennis pavilions and accommodation above garages are also increasingly of interest to double as a guest house for family or friends, and to provide secondary retail income,” says Kate.

Is this the return of the ‘good room’?

Victorian-era houses had a parlour or drawing room. Even Kath n’ Kim had a ‘good room’. But today’s open-plan living doesn’t afford a formal and separate space in which you can entertain suitors or curl up with a book. Is it time to bring it back?

“We love a designated dining room that provides a more formal space to enjoy meals and can double as a study or Zoom room,” says Kate. “One of our favourite ways to design a home is to also have a separate living room, like in my own home, Biscayne. Smaller spaces are much more practical and inspiring to furnish. Creating different moods in a house – and having rooms reveals themselves to you as you walk through – makes it more of a home.”

“There is certainly something romantic about the ‘jewel-box’ Victorian-style home, but I don’t believe these homes have the balance right either,” says Andrew. “The spaces are too disconnected and can be impractical or inflexible.”

Keeping kitchen mess out of sight

While not every budget or floor plan can accommodate a butler’s pantry, it’s a trend that’s probably here to stay. Like a smaller additional kitchen, a butler’s pantry keeps dirty dishes and food-prep mess behind closed doors – sometimes literally. It harks back to a time when whole kitchens were hidden away in a separate room for this reason.

When renovating her inner-west Federation bungalow, Annika Speakman opted for both a semi-separate kitchen and a butler’s pantry. Going against the grain, Annika forewent the open-plan kitchen with big island bench and views of the TV.

“I know, I’m probably one of the only people in Australia who doesn’t like open-plan living,” says Annika. “I grew up in an open-plan house and my parents would be cooking and I’d be like, ‘Turn off the tap, I can’t hear the TV!’ I didn’t want that for my home.”

Are Annika and her husband, Tom, still happy with their decision? “Yes, we are – totally! We love the idea of separate but semi-connected rooms that collectively make one living space,” says Annika.

Kate Walker’s personally not a fan of open-plan living, either. “The layout’s simply not practical when you have family members sharing the home and it is challenging in terms of acoustics,” she explains. “A large open space is also harder to keep tidy, to make cosy and to furnish beautifully.”

“I don’t agree that the open-plan concept is necessarily dead, since working from and spending more time at home during COVID has shone light on the importance of cohesive and functional living spaces. But floor plans need to be tailored to individual lifestyles, for example whether you’re a couple who adores entertaining or a family with young kids that prefers zones.”

How to make open-plan living work

Don’t start putting up walls just yet; you can still make open-plan living work by following a few key rules.

Delineate living, dining and kitchen zones with rugs, lighting and artwork, and incorporate plenty of storage to keep your space clutter-free.

Since most open-place spaces don’t have a lot of carpet or curtains, which help absorb sound, invest in quiet appliances. This will also ensure the TV’s not drowned out by the dishwasher.

And be tolerant! If your housemates’ habits or questionable playlists bug you sometimes, it’s likely that yours irritates them too. A harmonious home life requires some give and take.

The post Is open-plan living dead? appeared first on Homes To Love.

Sure, at a surface level most homes will contain the bare-boned basics: a kitchen, bathroom, some bedrooms, and living and/or dining space. From there, it’s important to think about the smaller and bigger variations that you might want for your home. After all, renovating your home is no easy feat, and hopefully, you’ll only have to do it once to get it right.

To help you create the perfect home and really nail your next project, we’ve pulled together 21 of our favourite home renovation ideas to steal.

Up your street appeal with a fresh coat of paint

There’s no denying that an eye-catching exterior will immediately make a major impact on your home, so whether you prefer a dark and moody exterior, or a crisp white home, be sure to give your home’s facade a loving coat of paint to instantly freshen it up.

This original cornershop was given a grand millennial pink makeover, blending on-trend tones and new brass hardware with original window fittings and character features.

Make a bold statement with steel-frame windows and doors

One of the biggest interior design trends recently has been the resurgence in the popularity of steel-framed windows and doors. For those who love a lighter palette, the dark windows and doors can make a dramatic statement as well as a luxurious touch.

In this contemporary home, the steel-framed doors seamlessly blend with vertical timber elements, leading between indoor and outdoor spaces and allowing ample natural light to permeate through this Edwardian-come-contemporary-style house.

Bring some colour into your bathroom

The classic bathroom usually features liberal amounts of white tiles, a splash of marble or timber, and voilà! Make a feature of your bathroom space with the addition of colour, whether that’s through feature tiles, or even through statement tapware or lighting.

In this colourful Bondi Beach apartment, minty penny round tiles are paired with honed Carrara pencil tiles, Carrara floor tiles, and a Bentu ‘Hui’ terrazzo basin from Remodern plus a custom vanity by Greg Natale.

Control the mess with a mud room

Usually located at a side or back entry, mudrooms add a practical punch to the home and can provide an aesthetic and emotional transition into the house itself.

In this French-inspired farmhouse on the NSW South Coast, a chic mudroom pairs plenty of storage space with a sweet pink door and gorgeously tiled floor.

Create an entertainer’s kitchen

Kitchen islands are fantastic places for the whole family to gather while also packing a striking visual punch. The kitchen is well and truly the heart of the home in this contemporary coastal home and we love the generous kitchen island that’s perfect for guests to lounge at while helping the host prepare some aperitifs.

Take a step onto the dark side

There’s something classic about a white-on-white palette in the home, but we’re making the case for taking a step into the dark side. A dark feature wall can act as a dramatic statement while adding depth to any room in the house.

The sun-soaked kitchen and dining space of this modernised Georgian Regency villa features dark cabinetry and internal doors.

Get wild about walk-in showers

One of the biggest bathroom design trends of the past few years, the walk-in shower has become beloved for easy to clean nature and its ability to amplify a sense of spaciousness in a bathroom, no matter the size.

In this Mid-Century eco-friendly home, Madeleine, who designed the home for her retiree parents, opted for frameless glass that leads to a luxurious shower with a built-in shelf, full-height window, and freestanding bathtub.

Create a calm study space

If you have a spare and unused space in your home, consider adding a clever study nook that takes up minimal space.

In this double-height WWII Queenslander what could have been an awkward void of space has been cleverly converted into a bright, breezy study nook that takes advantage of both views and light.

Make a bold first impression with a colourful front door

There’s no greater way to instantly set the mood of your home than upping your home’s kerb appeal. While landscaping and a fresh coat of paint will do the trick, one of the easiest ways to make a bold impact — or if you’re not quite ready to commit to repainting the entire facade — is with a colourful front door.

This weatherboard cottage in Bowral boasts a sophisticated dark exterior where a sunny yellow front door exudes playful charm.

Add a butler’s pantry (if you have the space)

If you have the space for it, a butler’s pantry can make a world of difference in the home, providing the perfect space for tucking away all your cooking and cleaning when the guests come over, while also adding ample storage.

In Neale Whitaker and partner David Novak-Piper’s country home, a fully equipped butler’s pantry is concealed behind a freestanding nib wall that also boasts extra storage and bench space.

Add some character with a sliding barn door

No matter how big the home, all space is at a premium, so its important to use whatever tricks of the trade that you can to help maximise a sense of spaciousness. Barn doors and internal cavity sliding doors are clever solutions for separating zones without taking up too much space.

In this luxurious home in the Mornington Peninsula this striking barn door adds a rustic touch while also easily connecting and delineating clear zones in the house.

Incorporate (or restore) heritage details

As the saying goes, what’s old is truly new again – so if you’re working with an older home you should do your best to maintain its original heritage features. Not only are they a stunning visual feature, but the original skirtings, mouldings, and ceiling roses, add effortless character to your abode.

When interior designer Jillian Dinkel revamped her Federation home, she made sure to highlight all of the original heritage features to great dramatic effect.

Design a walk-in wardrobe you want to wake up to

If you have the space for it there is nothing more luxurious than a dedicated walk-in wardrobe that’s perfect for keeping your clothes and shoe collection in check. For an extra glamourous touch make sure you add ample open storage so you can see your wares with a quick glance.

The walk-in wardrobe of this Victorian home was carefully planned with custom cabinetry and plush carpet underfoot. Set back from the windows, it allows natural light to flood the space, while keeping the detritus of life behind elegant closed doors.

Rinse off with an outdoor shower

Almost an essential part of any coastal abode, the outdoor shower is the perfect addition to any beachside home – especially if the residents are avid beach-goers. They’re also great for water-loving pets!

In this resort-style new build in the Blue Mountains this outdoor shower is perfect for rinsing off after a dip in the backyard swimming pool, with the surrounding plants and striking brick wall tree providing privacy from neighbours.

Optimise your space with open-plan living

Open-plan living has essentially become a standard design in most Australian homes, with many of us loving the easy transition between zones and ability to have the whole family together in one room. But, open-plan living can sometimes have its pitfalls. Work closely with your architect and interior designer to figure out the best layout that will work for you.

In this amazing concrete holiday home on the Noosa River, a pool forms the centrepiece of the property’s design, where indoor/outdoor living zones meet. Vines cascade from every concrete surface, embracing the connection between spaces.

Don’t be afraid to bring back the banquette seat

When it comes to creating ample seating in your dining room space, you can’t go wrong with an in-built banquette seat. Not only do they look fantastic, but they’re also a great low-maintenance option in the home and can be upholstered however you like.

In this Art Deco-style home the rich emerald green leather upholstery of the banquette seat adds a luxurious contrast to the rattan dining chairs and crisp white walls.

Create a reading nook you want to relax in

There’s nothing better than curling up with a book and soaking up the sun, and a clever window nook is the ideal location for this. Window seats take up minimal space in the home while also providing an additional spot to lounge in – make sure you ask your builder about integrating drawers into the base of your seat as well for some bonus storage space.

The window seat in this light and airy home, designed by Three Birds Renovations, a curved, corrugated bench seat is tucked directly in front of two generous windows, ensuring the area receives maximum natural light throughout the day.

Design a laundry you’ll fall in love with

It’s one of the hardest working spaces in the house but can often be considered an afterthought when it comes to the renovation design process. Creating a designated and functional laundry space with ample storage will make a major difference when it comes to keeping your home neat and tidy.

In this Scandi-style family home, the laundry room features ample cupboards for storage as well as a chic brass hanging rail.

Encourage indoor-outdoor living with a servery window

There’s nothing Australians love more than making the most of indoor-outdoor living, so why not add a servery window to your kitchen? Perfect in both big spaces and small, a servery window will easily keep the whole family together.

This Queensland pool house has been transformed into a cosy holiday home, and despite its compact size, the servery window has become the perfect place to gather.

Let there be light with a skylight

Natural light is one of the greatest assets a home can have, but it can be extremely challenging to add once a home has been built. During your renovation process consider adding in some well-placed skylights – they’ll instantly brighten up even the darkest spaces.

This renovated heritage home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches was built with care to respect the home’s roots, where some parts were added new and others restored. Here, a row of incredible skylights looks up into a hallway above.

Design the kitchen of your dreams

Okay, okay, not the most innovative renovation idea for sure, but hear us out. Creating the perfect modern kitchen that combines form with function is harder than it looks. To start with, you’ll want to nail your kitchen layout, so consider what elements of functionality work best for you and your family.

The kitchen in this luxurious coastal apartment was oriented to make the most of its stunning seascape views, and we love everything about it. Opting for a galley-style kitchen layout, the kitchen includes ample storage as well as easy-to-access appliances.

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The misconception is that using lots of black can make a home feel small, dark and miserable, but our own Shannon Vos has proved that, used in the right circumstances, a darker palette can actually lift and create interest like no other ‘colour’.

How black works in and outside the home

Black is the jack of all trades when it comes to colour and tone. If used right, it can perform a plethora of useful tasks. But in contrast, used for the powers of evil, black can create disaster.

Black creates focus, whether on itself or on something it is used in conjunction with; black cocoons, envelops, frames and draws in. It creates elegance, character, sophistication – and all levels of cool. Black is distinct, it creates order and is used sparingly by designers everywhere to construct cohesion and structure. Used in excess, black can build drama and a sense of mood that no other colour or tone can create.

How to make black work in your home

It’s not enough to just turn your home into a nightclub; for black (and all dark neutrals) to be used successfully in a home, it needs plenty of texture, lots of light and a contrast to offset the heaviness it can create. For that reason, timber, stone and planted elements are a black home’s best friend. Without the tactile softness that Mother Nature brings, a black home can be all too ominous. The warmth and textured grain of timber will soften an otherwise harsh aesthetic, as will the honed surface of stone and the depth and colour of plants.

Darker tones also need plenty of natural light, and when I say plenty, I mean tonnes of it – that’s why a black exterior is so much easier to achieve than a black interior. Natural light softens and creates expanse, which perfectly contrasts the effects of darker tones; this contrast is imperative for a black aesthetic to work. Black can be used indoors if it’s accompanied with either plenty of light, plenty of contrast or loads of tonal variation. Used well, these techniques will help to create character, oodles of comfort and a sense of familiarity in a space you’ll never want to leave.

Where to use black in your home

Darker tones can serve myriad purposes. It goes without saying that you should use them with caution, but in the right circumstances, black can simply transform a space. Darker tones in a small area such as a bathroom need an abundance of natural light, but can look great paired with lighter hues and timber tones. The darkest of them all – black – works as a dominant colour in a home if paired with white, soft grey or even pink.

The juxtaposition of two wildly different tones builds a contemporary and edgy look. A feature wall in black is excellent for highlighting an architectural detail, or as a backdrop for a gallery or display set-up. Painting the ceiling a dark colour can accentuate a view outside, drawing the eye down and toward the vista. As a result of giving attention to what is happening at eye level, the darker ceiling seems to elongate a space.

Black walls, floors, furniture and even decor, paired with white ceilings and, yes, that generous side order of light, can create a dramatic and contemporary look for almost any interior style. This is because of a design principle called ‘natural tonal order’, which states that visually heavier elements (that is, your black floors and furniture) should be lower than the lighter elements (your white ceilings). This creates calm and familiarity in the space.

My own all-black home

In Sydney’s south, my wife Lisa and I are halfway through a renovation in which we’re trying to be as cosmetic as possible (no floor-plan changes) with a 1970s timber-clad home wrapped around a gigantic pool at the end of a battle-axe block. When we were designing it, we were bombarded with Pinterest images of the all-white poolside aesthetic and drawn to the antithesis of them. We had toyed with the idea of a light and bright home, but after considering our northerly aspect and the positioning of the pool and entertaining spaces, a mostly white home would have left us snow-blind in just one summer.

Aside from that, I am in love with the blackened timber homes you see in Scandinavia, and the Japanese method (shou sugi ban) of charring timber to create a waterproof seal. The way those timbers retain their texture and the intricacies of the grain are second to none. So, when I saw the rough-sawn cladding of this place on one of its open days two years ago, I knew we had to buy the home and take it to the dark side.

For the exterior, we chose a British Paints shade called Black Ace as a warm and soft interpretation of black and used a local paint manufacturer, Colormaker Industries, to create the perfect blend of a delicate matt finish with the hardiness of an exterior coating. As a contrast, the decking and its soft grey tones are a win for the environment with a 95% recycled wood/plastic compound from Trex decking, plus there’s warmth from the timber-look aluminium battens by DecoBatten – they look fantastic and feel like the real deal, too. Best of all: no splinters!

We opted for a Colorbond steel roof in their darkest shade, Nightsky, and upgraded the insulation during the process. This keeps the summer heat on the all-black roof from transferring to the inside of the home. Though the roof is much darker than the walls, it almost caps the entire home in a crisp, defined element. This tonal difference from the walls is another layer of tone that builds character and story.

Our black and timber aesthetic is a perfect marriage and, while this could have had a harsher and more masculine look, we brought in subtle tones of rust and soft hues of blush and baby blue (care of the pool) to tone it down until it was the perfect place for us.

Sure, light, bright and white might open a space and create a sense of expanse and cleanliness in the right setting, but a dark and brooding palette can literally wrap you up, keep you warm and tell you stories all night long.

The Block: Glasshouse co-winner and interior architect Shannon Vos is at voscreative.com.au

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Outdoor Renovations

July 26, 2023

19 dark home exteriors that dare to be different

By Homes To Love

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“Heating (and cooling) will usually be the largest ongoing expense you’ll have in a building,” says builder Trevor Badelt of TB Build. “Investing in a good system will save money in the long term.”

But if your home isn’t insulated, you’ll be wasting your money so start with this before choosing a heater for your home. A well-insulated house can save up to 80 per cent in heating and cooling losses, according to government research.

“On a cost/return basis, you can’t beat good insulation,” says Trevor. “If you’re building from scratch, consider reverse brick veneer walls [where the bricks are inside], which help stabilise the thermal mass of the building. A properly insulated roof and windows are essential, too.”

Home heating options:

Wood burner

It’s hard to heat a whole modern home with a wood burner, but it can work well in a single room (with a chimney) if it’s an eco-friendly model. New wood burners can burn compacted sawdust or specially formulated wood pellets with minimal pollution.

Sustainably grown wood burned in a modern slow-combustion burner produces minimal CO2. Wood burners might make a room look charming and cosy but it takes effort to get them up and running. Also, be aware that malfunctioning wood burners can emit carbon monoxide.

Why it’s hot: It looks attractive.

Why it’s not: Not practical for a whole home.

Geothermal heat pump

Geothermal heating systems work by “absorbing thermal energy from the air or the ground and transferring it into a fluid for distribution in the home,” says Nicholas McGloin, business development manager at Radiant Heating And Cooling Solutions. “Operated by electricity, they produce heat more efficiently than natural gas or electricity alone. A traditional electric radiator turns 1kWh into one unit of useful heat, whereas a heat pump converts 1kWh into 3.5 units of useful heat.”

There are two sorts of heat pump – air source and ground source. “Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the external air to heat a liquid, which the pump compresses to heat up,” says Nicholas. “Ground source heat pumps use the thermal mass of the soil around the house to absorb heat during the day and act as a storage heater. The system works by pumping water underground then passing it through a compressor and heat exchanger to raise its temperature. The heat is then sent to radiators or underfloor heating.”

Both pumps have a low carbon footprint and are ideal for underfloor heating systems because they efficiently produce low-temperature hot water. However, they’re expensive to install. “An air source heat pump is approximately $7000,” says Nicholas. “A ground source heat pump, which is marginally more efficient once installed, is typically about $30,000.”

Heat pumps also need big-picture planning. “Installing radiant hydronic underfloor heating rather than ducted air to deliver energy into the home allows heat pumps to operate at a lower temperature than most convective systems,” says Nicholas. “This means they’ll achieve their maximum efficiency, saving you money.”

Why it’s hot: Energy efficient and cheap to run, particularly if you don’t have mains gas access.

Why it’s not: It’s expensive to install.

Reverse cycle heating/cooling

Ducted air-conditioning systems cover the whole home, whereas split and multi-split systems let you control the temperature in one or a few rooms.

“All ducted systems work with a compressor, then outlets in the rooms you want to heat or cool,” says builder Trevor. “Fully integrated ducted systems can be installed in the roof, meaning it’s unobtrusive – but it’s essential to install your system in the right place. The compressor needs to be in a cool, shaded area, and as close to the rooms it’s heating or cooling as possible. The air needs the shortest run possible in the pipes to reduce costs and allow the system to work more efficiently. Many people are moving away from ducted reverse-cycle heating as it’s expensive to run and can cost several thousand dollars to install.”

Split systems are more efficient to run and easier to install.

Why it’s hot: Heats rooms quickly and also gives a cooling option.

Why it’s not: High set-up costs for ducted systems.

Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is produced either by an electric ‘dry’ system or a water-based ‘wet’ system. The ‘wet’ system works by installing pipes under the floor. “A heat pump moves low-temperature water through these, delivering heat evenly at floor level where it’s needed,” says Nicholas. “Because it doesn’t work with convection airflow (as with radiators), bacteria and pollen are less likely to be carried around your home.”

The installation cost depends on whether you’re running pipes on the ground floor or upstairs as well, but estimate upwards of $4000 for a whole house system.

A ‘dry’ system works through a network of wires under the floor. These come either as loose wires or ready-made mats, which will set you back around $330 for 10 square metres. Unlike a wet system you can install them yourself, but they’re more expensive to run once laid.

You’ll also need to consider the sort of floorcovering you lay over underfloor heating. “Solid coverings such as stone, terracotta, slate and porcelain are best for heat output,” says Nicholas. “If you want wooden floors, check with your supplier that they’re suitable. Engineered boards are often more stable in heat than solid timber. If you’re planning to lay carpet, the underlay and thick fabric will slow down the heat output.”

Why it’s hot: Efficient, invisible and cost-effective once running.

Why it’s not: It can take a while to warm up. Installation is expensive.

Gas ducted heating

Gas ducted heating uses “a fixed natural or LPG gas heater to heat the air,” says Trevor. “This warm air is then drawn in by a fan, passed over a heat exchanger and distributed into your home through ducts in the floor or ceilings. The air is then recirculated back to the heater to start the cycle again.”

High-end systems will modulate the gas once the room is at the temperature you want, so only a small amount of energy is used to maintain the temperature. “Heaters can be installed in the roof, under the house or externally, and if positioned correctly, the ducts are barely noticeable,” says Trevor. Expect to pay $4000-$6000 for installation but running costs are reasonable after this.

Why it’s hot: Unobtrusive and cheaper than electric heating.

Why it’s not: Some people find it noisy.

Radiator

“Wall radiators are an efficient way of heating a home,” says Trevor. “Water is pumped from a boiler – ideally, an instantaneous gas boiler that heats up immediately – and travels through pipes to the radiators. Make sure your boiler is as close as possible to the radiators to make it more efficient.”

The installation can be around $5000, but running costs are low. A radiator lets you control how much heat you want in specific rooms, as you can turn it up and down – but because it uses convection currents to distribute heat, the distribution can be uneven. Plenty of slimline modern radiators are on the market, but remember they won’t emit heat as well if hidden behind furniture or curtains.

Why it’s hot: Low maintenance and relatively cheap to run.

Why it’s not: Expensive to install, very visible.

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Living & Dining

April 21, 2021

18 fireplace ideas to warm up your home

By Homes To Love

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But if you get your home’s design right, you can reduce the need for artificial cooling, says architect Andrew Benn from Benn + Penna Architecture. “A bit more thought has to go into it,” he says, “but you can dramatically reduce the temperature of your home with good design.” If your home is in a warmer climate though, a cooling system is worth the investment and there are measures you can take to minimise running costs.

Tracking the sun

When renovating or building, if you’re able to consider the aspect – how the angles of the sun hit your home – that can be a huge factor in keeping your home cool, says Andrew. “You want know precisely what the angles of the sun are at what time of year,” he says.

“The northern sun in mid-summer is directly overhead and easier to avoid. The western sun needs much more thought as it’s coming in at a lower angle and is really penetrating the glass line mid-afternoon, when the temperature is at its peak. That can be a killer in terms of making a house hot.”

Window treatments

In terms of cooling, blinds and the like aren’t going to tick all the boxes. “Internal blinds aren’t very effective since the sun has already passed through the glass,” says Andrew. “By that point, the heat’s in. Same with curtains – the sun hits the blind or curtain, it heats up and then it heats up the rest of the room.”

He suggests opting for external solutions, such as awnings, shutters and louvres, instead. “If the sun hits these, they heat up but the heat isn’t transferred inside. And, because they’re adjustable, you can take advantage of the sun’s warmth mid-winter.”

Fix it with airflow

It’s 40 degrees, you’re marooned on the couch and you’d kill for a cool breeze… yep, we’ve all been there. Andrew explains the two kinds of airflow to harness in your home: horizontal cross ventilation and vertical airflow, otherwise known as the ‘stack effect’.

horizontal or cross ventilation

“If you open a window on one side of the building, you need to have pretty much the equivalent size of window open on the other side of the property. That way, air is sucked in and out and has a cooling effect because it causes evaporation on your body. A big window on one side and a small one on another won’t work as well: ventilation works based on the smaller opening.”

How to create it: When you’re renovating or building, plan the window placements and sizes carefully so you can create a path for air to move through.

Stack effect

“This is when hot air rises up through a building and is exhausted out through the roof, sucking the cooler air from the bottom of the house,” says Andrew. “This air often comes up through the floorboards and the sub-floor area into the space you want to cool. It’s kind of a cyclical motion – hot air goes up and cool air is drawn in to replace it.”

How to create it: Place high-level windows under the ceiling line, or create internal atriums or voids that are taller than the overall height of the space.

Artificial cooling ideas

Limited by the design flow? There are options you can incorporate into the build or retrofit when the renovation is complete.

Ceiling fans

“Fans can be fantastic – they have lower running costs than that of an air-conditioner,” says Andrew. However, ceiling fans don’t actually cool the air – they shift the air around.

Reverse-cycle air-conditioning

If you need that extra cool hit, it can be achieved efficiently, says Toshiba Air Conditioning sales manager John Dwyer. “Our reverse-cycle air-conditioning has heating and cooling in one package and uses inverter technology – so the compressor, or the engine of the outdoor unit, speeds up and slows down to provide the right amount of power,” he says. “That’s where the product has a great advantage in terms of energy efficiency.”

Consider both air-conditioning and fans – the unit will provide that blast of cool air and once the ambient temperature has gone down, turn off the unit and turn on the fans.

Cooling add-ons

If you have ducted gas heating, you may be able to purchase refrigerated ‘add-on’ cooling or evaporative cooling.

Hydronic cooling

“This is where water runs through pipes in the structure of the building, particularly the concrete slab,” says Andrew. It’s effective for heating and cooling, but it needs to be built in while you’re renovating.”

Andrew’s top 7 tips to fine-tune the cool factor

Take advantage of thermal mass. “Building with heavy, thick materials – like a concrete slab – will keep a building very cool.”

Insulate, insulate, insulate. “It’s amazing how many houses don’t have roof insulation – and good insulation is key to cooling.”

Install roof vents. “Whirlybirds are a classic but there are lots of other options on the market. To cool down the house, you just need to make sure there’s a way for rising hot air to discharge.”

Choose a lighter roof. Or paint it – the Greeks have been doing it for centuries! “The more reflective the material is, the more it’ll keep your home cool. If you live in a hot climate, you’d be crazy to choose a dark surface for your roof.”

Plan an outdoor room. “I often promote a high level of design for the garden, including shading, outdoor kitchen utilities and built-in seating. If shaded well, it can be the coolest place on the property.”

Consider pavers over a deck. “Embedding pavers into the cool earth will help reduce temperatures rather than being elevated on an exposed timber deck.”

Turn to greenery. “A well-shaded ground line outside can keep external space cooler, which has a knock-on effect of keeping the inside cool. Deciduous plants can be effective sun shaders, too.”

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