“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”Posts Tagged ‘Architecture’
designEX 2011
designEX is Australia’s leading “trade only” design and architecture event which has been running for the past 23 years. Each year the show alternates between Melbourne and Sydney.And for some inexplicable reason it is held the week after the Milan Furniture Fair.
This year's theme was Unwrap Tomorrow
My first trip to designEX was 6 years ago when I was undertaking my dual Diploma in Colour Consulting and Interior Styling. I organised a group of my fellow students to travel to Melbourne for three days and visit the show. We were like kids in a lolly store and walked around all day with our jaws dragging on the floor. We collected brochures and samples from just about every exhibitor and handed out business cards like there was no tomorrow. We didn’t see everything the first day and with aching feet and backs, we ventured back the second day to spend the morning visiting the stands we didn’t fit in on the first day.
via Australian Design Review
The next year the show was in Sydney. We had all graduated and many were working in the design industry in various capacities. We met up again for a lunch and walk around the show. Not quite so daunting, it was still huge and we easily filled the day. We were, however, more selective on who we visited and which brochures we collected. Having set up my own business and servicing residential clients for 18 months I now knew what suppliers I needed.
Stopping for lunch
I then settled into a rhythm of visiting designEX each year regardless of what town it was in. Melbourne always appeared to be bigger and better than the Sydney show, but I was never sure if that was just because it was an opportunity to be out of town or infact there were more Melbourne based suppliers there, that I didn’t get to see regularly. Many suppliers would launch new ranges at designEX and my inbox was packed with invitations to drop by certain stands to see the new releases.
via The Design Files
So this year, I made my biennial pilgrimage to Melbourne for designEX. It was so disappointing. I know over the years, the show has become smaller and smaller with many of the fabric houses opting to have showings in their own showrooms rather than take a stand at the show. But 2011 would have to be the smallest designEX I have ever visited. Many of the big players were absent and I was able to complete the show in less than 2 hours. The best thing about the show was the “bling” bag we received to store all our brochures.
My Bling Bag
But my trip to Melbourne was not wasted. I do like visiting this southern capital and had a great day exploring a couple of suburbs and suppliers that I hadn’t visited before. But I doubt I’ll be back to Melbourne solely for designEX. Perhaps next year I should head to Milan?
The Making Of A Kitchen
A couple of years ago, I received a phone call from a home owner in the next suburb. They were about to embark on a major renovation and had decided to hire an interior decorator who could help them with the myriad of decisions that needed to be made. One of the main reasons they contacted me, was that I was local and would be able to help with troubleshooting, as both partners worked full time and had two primary school aged children. The other reason was because I had worked on similar Federation houses in the area and the renovation would be sympathetic to the era of the home and they didn’t want to lose that period feel.
Fast forward to this week and the beautiful kitchen I designed for them is featured in Country Home Ideas.
The kitchen was part of the new extension and as all members of the family like to cook, it was to become the centrepiece of the home. Linda and Kevin knew what they wanted, a sort of cross between French Provincial and Farmhouse style. So I dubbed it the “Farmincial” Kitchen. After designing the layout, we went through every pot, pan and utensil in their kitchen and worked out which would be the best location for them in the new set up.
Linda fell in love with the granite slab which worked beautifully with the existing colour scheme we had chosen for the home. The splashback presented a problem as we liked the look of glass but it was far too modern for the style of kitchen. We didn’t like the traditional ceramic tiles either. Linda had seen an image of a splashback that had two colours and liked the idea of a mixture. So in the end we settled on glass 100 x 100 tiles in 4 colours.
We didn’t want it too contrived, so I asked the tiler if he would just put them up, any old how. He was too scared to be left with that weight on his shoulders, so I drew up a plan and he tiled by colours!
The end result is a beautiful family kitchen that is the main attraction in this fantastic home.
A big thank you to Editor, Margaret and Sub Editor, Zoe for featuring my work and to my wonderful clients, Kevin and Linda for not only being fabulous to work with, but also allowing the magazine to feature them.
If you would like assistance with your home renovation, contact us to see how we can help.
Californian Bungalows in Australia
I’ve mentioned before that many of the homes in my area are Federation style homes. The other architectural style that’s prominent around here, is the Californian Bungalow.
via L J Hooker
The Cal Bung, as it is affectionately called, became popular in Australia in the 1920′s. It was imported from Pasadena, California in 1916 by an Australian Real Estate Agent who assembled it for show in the Sydney suburb of Rosebery. It caught on rapidly and was so popular that not many other styles were built in the 1920′s.
via Real Estate View
It even underwent regional adaptations being built in local red brick in Melbourne, local liver-coloured brick in Sydney and in limestone in South Australia. The Queensland version was elevated and made from timber and galvanised iron roofing.
They were typically of sound and solid construction. They were often built of rustic materials including rough-hewn sandstone, heavy timber and wood shingles. The roofs were low pitched with two or three assymetrical gables with pillars supporting the front verandah. They were generally positioned on a good-sized block with a large backyard and usually had room for a driveway and a garage as cars were becoming more popular during the time of construction.
via Simplified Bee
The attractive brickwork at the front often changed to common brick, which was cheaper, down the sides and to the rear of the house. On the inside, the floor plan was more open than the Victorian and Federation homes which came before.
Colour and decor by Inside Out Colour and Design
They are ripe for renovating, as they are usually close to public transport within a relatively short distance of the capital cities. Families tend to add another level either into the roofline or ontop in the southern states, or build in underneath in the north. The back of the house can fairly easily be extended to take further advantage of the indoor/outdoor living and create open-plan family areas. Usually the many period features such as exposed beams, leadlight windows and ornate ceilings are retained.
Decor by Inside Out Colour and Design
If you would like assistance with renovating your Californian Bungalow, contact us for on on-line or in-person consultation.
Colour Defines Location
I was recently at a seminar held by the Design Institute of Australia on Colour. Architect George Freedman was one of the speakers and explored the concept that colour defines location.
The warm sun inspires colour.
Majorelle Gardens, Marrakesh
Houses in a myriad of colours in Mexico
La Boca in Argentina where left over paint was used to paint the houses.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Painted Ladies in San Francisco
Where as cooler climates use more subdued colours.
Waldspirale Residential Complex in Germany
St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow
So what about here in Australia? We have warm sun yet most of our buildings are not brightly coloured. Is that our European Heritage? It’s good to see that there are pockets of daring emerging.
Famous Beach Huts at Brighton Beach. Victoria
New Buildings in Sydney. This one is a residential complex at Pyrmont.
So what do you think? Should we be adding some colour or keeping it neutral?
If you would like assistance with choosing colours for your home, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.
Federation Style on Australia Day
One of the most popular style of houses around my area, is the Federation House. It was an early style of Australian architecture and consists of a sprawling, assymetrical structure. It often will have a verandah that encircles the house and roofs with gables, turrets and dormer windows.
via Domain
There are often unlikely angles, bay windows and towers at corners. It was developed to meet the demands of the prosperous middle classes who wanted to show off their new-found wealth that coincided with Federation itself in 1901. The Federation House borrowed styles from many countries and eras which is fitting for this melting pot of a nation, we call home.
via Domain
Inside the house, colours were muted but decoration was ornate. Australian motifs abound with flora and fauna both displayed in the plaster ceilings or used in fabrics, wallpaper or tiles.
from "The Federation House" by Hugh Fraser and Ray Joyce
Coloured glass or lead-light was used throughout Federation homes and the top panels of the front door often featured panels of colour in soft pastels with Art Nouveau or Australian motifs. Round bulls-eye windows as well as bay windows were popular. The bay window would often house a window seat which is such a versatile design.
Colour choice by Inside Out Colour and Design
Fortunately today, these houses are being remodelled (rather than bulldozed) to include many of the period details but with an emphasis on more contemporary living. The dark, muted tones of the turn of the century are gone and the window coverings are more streamlined and suited to today’s busy lifestyles.
Modern take on a Federation Living room by Inside Out Colour and Design
The verandahs are sought after and have often been extended to create an outdoor living space adjacent to the modern kitchen.
Wide verandah
The bathrooms have been updated but still include that old world charm.
Bathroom Design by Inside Out Colour and Design
I love working with these houses. Not just because they are iconic Australian houses but they lend so well to being enhanced and modified to suit today’s families. If you require assistance with colour or decor for your Federation Home, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.
Happy Australia Day
Colour in Echuca
Greetings from Australia’s Paddlesteamer Capital – Echuca.
Paddlesteamer Canberra
I’ve just dropped in to show you a few of the buildings in this river town that have caught my eye.
Local house painted in grey
Cute house with wide verandahs
Now an office in Echuca
Echuca Post Office now a cafe
I loved seeing all these old buildings with clever colour placement on their exteriors.
If you would like assistance in choosing the colours for your home, contact us to arrange a consultation.
Choosing Exterior Paint Colours
It’s the dead of winter here in Sydney and absolutely freezing. Yet many people are starting to plan paint colours for the outside of their homes in readiness for summer. I’ve been choosing colours all over Sydney so thought I would give you some ideas.
Painting a house via Freefoto.com
A general rule of thumb is to choose three colours – a white or off white for the window frames, and eaves, a colour for the walls and a contrasting colour for the trims.
Modern Architecture via Domain.com.au
Depending on the architecture of the building the trim could be battens and shingles on Federation or Californian Bungalow style homes, or gutters, garage doors and railings for more modern style homes.
Californian Bungalow Photographer Lyn Johnston
This is only a guide and more or less colours could be selected. Window frames could be darker rather than lighter. However, I think that three gives enough variance and difference between each of the architectural features.
Of course, if the house is brick then you don’t need to choose a wall colour, but the colour of the bricks will have a huge influence on the other colours.
Brick Federation Home Photographer Lyn Johnston
If you are painting every surface, then choose the wall colour first as it will be the main colour and the one most people will notice.
If gutters are Colorbond and not being painted, you need to consider their colour.
Colorbond Guttering
If windows are powder coated and will not be painted, then make sure you focus on the colour and choose wall colours that blend or contrast with them.
Windows by Stegbar
If the roof can be seen from the street or the garden, then you must consider the roof colour too.
Expansive roof via Real Estate View
Have a look at the colours your neighbours have chosen. You don’t want to stand out too far from the crowd and you certainly don’t want to be exactly the same. Make sure you’ve considered what you want to achieve by painting your house. Do you want it to look larger or smaller? Do you want it to look updated or keep a traditional look?
All in a row
The architectural style of the home must be considered. A modern style house would not really suit a Heritage palette. You also need to think about what architectural elements you would like to enhance and which ones you would like to hide. I usually try to choose the same colour as the wall for the downpipes. I can’t imagine anyone thinking that they are worthy of being made a feature!
Tuscan Style Home
Choosing a colour is the easy part. Getting the right shade is a bit more difficult. Buy test pots and paint large pieces of paper in the shades of your choice. A Colour Consultant will bring large samples to show you, so you don’t have to do this step. Look at the swatch on all important parts of the house – the northern side that gets most of the sunlight will look completely different from the southern side which never receives any direct light. If it’s overcast, make sure it’s not too pale as full sun will lighten the colour considerably.
Using a professional will help take the angst out of choosing the right colour. Contact me if you would like some assistance.
Cabana Club
Last year my daughter and a handful of her friends met once a month for a Book Club. It was really an excuse for a weekend play-date alternating at each members home.
This year the same group has created the Cabana Club. Again they go from house to house each month building a temporary cabana in which to hang out and drink mocktails. (Where do they come up with these ideas?)
Mocktails being served
The inaugural meeting was held at our home on Saturday afternoon and fortunately we were having a last burst of summer weather so the girls could play in the pool.
Inaugural Cabana at our house
So while the girls were chattering and dancing, eating and sipping, I searched the web for pool cabanas.
Something simple like this one from Landscape Designers Good Manors
Or perhaps a structure adjacent to the pool for entertaining, relaxing and cooking would be wonderful and really extend the living areas of a house.
via Australian House and Garden. Photographer Steve Ryan
A bite to eat between tennis and the pool.
This cabana has it all - fire, lounge seats, dining table and kitchen.
This cabana by Mabley Handler is decked out in summer colours
The girls would love this at the bottom of the garden. A fully equipped house just for the pool.
This is my favourite and belongs to cyclist Lance Armstrong. It looks very cosy.
What did you get up to this weekend?
City or the Bush
Do you browse the real estate section of the newspaper?
It’s one of my favourite past times. I enjoy looking at the different styles of homes and how they have been decorated. Lately there’s one house that has caught my eye.
Apart from the beautifully appointed rooms, it is situated on one of my favourite locations- on a cliff overlooking the water.
When you sign up to my monthly newsletter, you will receive my article How To Create YOUR Harmonious Environment absolutely free. One of the questions I pose is “Where are you most comfortable – country, city or beach?” No question about it, for me it’s near the water.
So this house would be my ideal. I love how you not only see the ocean, but also the coastline. That helps to give perspective to the view and provides a wonderful fairyland at night when the ocean is inky black.
So where are you most comfortable?
Sydney City Skyline via www.rogerswebsite.com
City,
Kangaroo Valley via www.kangaroovalleytourist.asn.au
Country or
James Robertson House
Water
Australian Style
Tomorrow is Australia Day. On 26 January 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain and the first governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove. The raising of the Union Jack there symbolised British occupation of the eastern half of the continent claimed by Captain James Cook on 22 August in 1770.
Each year on this day we celebrate all things Australian – meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars – to name a few. Being a Public Holiday, there are numerous events across the country. The back yard barbies get fired up and the beaches are packed.
So I thought I would take a look at what constitutes Australian Style. The Australian Financial Review compiled a quick snapshot of Australia this weekend and the following statistics were interesting.
90% of us live within an hour of the coast
65% of us own our own home
60% of us live in the five biggest cities
There are 22.1 million of us, growing at a rate of one new person every 1 minute and 11 seconds. That’s 443,000 per year of which 285,000 are immigrants and 158,000 are natural increases. Our overseas born population are made up of 4.3% from the UK, 2% from NZ, 1% from China, 1% from Italy and 0.8% Vietnam.
Image via studentservicesdirect.com.au
I picked up my copy of Australian Style which was first published in 1991 and subsequently reprinted a few times. The dust jacket sums up our style. “Australia is a kaleidoscope of parodoxes, a western democracy at the edge of Asia, an English penal colony that became a multicultural land of opportunity, a place where birds laugh and mammals lay eggs and everything familiar is somehow altered, suddenly unique.”
Australian Style
That about sums it up really, we do not have an Australian Style as such, but rather many different styles. We take influences from all corners of the globe as we travel the world. Tuscan inspired homes sit beside Californian Bungalows and modern apartments. Our geographic location has displaced us from our western heritage and we have been forced to adapt and develop our own style.
We are surrounded by colour. Lorikeets, beach, desert and rainforest all reflect the intense vibrant colours of our country. Our strong light, not seen anywhere else, is clear and hard. Our colour choices for homes and fashion are, therefore, bold.
Rainbow Lorikeet
Daintree Forest via theodora.com.au
Uluru via australiaadventures.com.au
There are however, some iconic Australian Styles in homes.
In Queensland, the timber homes were built on stumps or stilts with wide lattice enclosed verandahs. The stilts were to deter snakes and protect the home from floods. The lattice verandahs became semi-open bedrooms on hot summer nights.
A Classic Queenslander
Further south, Federation style homes and Californian Bungalows were being built during the first half of the 20th Century. These solid, double brick homes are still in demand today and are being extended to accommodate our current lifestyle.
Australian Federation Home
Californian Bungalow
After all, Australian Style is all about our lifestyle – relaxed and outdoors. The lines between inside and out have been blurred. Wide verandahs and courtyards have been translated to Jamie Durie’s Outdoor Room philosophy giving us more space to enjoy the great Australian climate. This Melbourne courtyard is a prime example.
Happy Australia Day for tomorrow!
