Make a Statment in an Entry of a Home.

'First Impressions are always important', or so the saying goes. This is also important for a home. The entry is the gateway to the soul of a home, and an introduction to who lives here. The example above is what can be achieved, when, there is a blank canvas to work with.

The space was contemporary, white, no architectural detail, but had the potential for something much more than what was there. With little architectural detail to work with, colour is the best medium to create detail within the space. The walls were kept neutral, but the ceiling was transformed by painting it a rich chocolate brown. The honed limestone floor already existed and the new ceiling colour accentuated the floor in a way the clients could never have imagined.

With the foundation of the space, transformed, furniture, art and a hall rug were selected to finished the space. The hall rug, is Tibetan, hand woven in silk and wool, with a contemporary geometric design,  in a pallet of grey, taupe and silver. Gilded iron benches gives symmetry either side of the large Antique Gilded French mirror, as well as the modern wall sconces, imported especially from the USA.  A wonderful eclectic mix of styles, that creates an international feel to the space, it can't be defined in terms of style or definition, just a harmonious, balanced mix of good taste and style. The placement of Asian artefacts and contemporary framed  Asian Art finishes the space.

Once a bland nothing entrance, has been transformed by a simple well thought out design approach, that's created a stylish entry, the entrée to the home, for both victors and those who live here.      

'Summer's on Its Way, Make The Most of the Outdoors'.

With Spring well and truly here, we begin to use the outdoors areas of our homes, more and more. The outdoors have become and extension of the interiors of a home, whether used for entertaining or just a quiet space to escape to. With this ever growing style of living, designing outdoor spaces to be stylish and comfortable has become more and more important to home owners. Design projects are now divided into two components, interior and the exterior spaces of a home, with each given just as much attention.

The above image is one such project where the outdoor spaces were given extensive thought, to come up with a liveable and workable environment. The home is positioned on Moreton Bay with extensive views over the water from the front of the house. A large outdoor area from the front of the home allows for social gatherings to take place with ease, and to take in the views. The one downside being that high winds of the water can make the area at times not workable. So the back of the home, was to have its own secluded, sheltered courtyard, quiet, private and rejuvenating.

Mirrors were designed and placed above the sunken pond, to create the feeling of greater space. Furniture is made to endure the environmental factors, and white was selected as the colour finish, so as to be always light and crisp in the hot Summer months. All fabrics are made for the outdoors, as well as the rug, no need to worry about UV and moisture damaging anything. Colours are subtle in upholstery fabrics and bold in cushion colours.

The space is perfect for the family who live here. It can be a quiet retreat, or used as an extension from the dining area of the home, when more space is required for entertaining. Nothing is nicer than on a quiet day, to listen to the trickle of water and relax in a space that is designed in a stylish, yet practical, used and enjoyed by all who live here.

Inner City Colonial

Whether one is working on a small colonial cottage or a home of much grander proportions, both projects are approach in much the same way. Today, the way people and their families like to live, dictates the way house renovations and design are created. In the case of the smaller inner city colonial homes, ones has to be reminded these were the homes of working families of the early 20th and late 19th Centuries.  These were buildings that were built quickly, with no fan fair, they were basic in design, and built for function. Today these homes are prized for their position, in inner city urban hubs, that attract people of all generations who desire a lifestyle and pace that only the inner city ring suburbs of the city can provide. So with the urban renewal, comes a different approach to how we want to live in these classic homes of yesteryear.

No one wants to live in a time capsule or a museum of the past. These homes need to be adapted for 'todays 'living, but, at the same time approached in a manner which is sympathetic to the unique architectural quality they possess.

In the example shown here, part of the complete renovation included, expanding the internal area of the home, by removing the back wall and installing bi-fold doors that open onto a newly created covered back deck, creating an outdoor/indoor living space, allowing light and natural air flow through the interior of the home. This simple architectural change has had a significant positive impact on the home, both ethically and in a practical way as well.

Simply furnished with cleaned lined contemporary furnishing and accessories, has created a comfortable home for living and entertaining. The respect for its architectural heritage has been maintained, but the home is very much a home of today. From humble beginnings, to a new life, that will hopefully last another century and beyond.

Timeless Contemporary

This recently completed Main Bathroom, was part of a complete refit of an apartment building that was built in the 1970's. Solidly built, with spectacular views and a near perfect location, it was asking for a complete rebirth, to begins its new chapter into the 21st century. As stated, the bones of the apartment were great, but very dated, and needed to be opened up as a space, to be suitable for modern living. The great thing about gutting a space like this, is that you then start with a new canvas, which allows a design process to begin from the ground up.

The image of the Main Bathroom above, was part of the renovation of the apartment. These are the times, one had wished they'd taken a before shot, to illustrate what had exactly taken place. But the transformation can be described as a complete rebuild of the space, from a bathroom that was a great example of 70's chic, and although it brought a smile to ones face, to see something quaintly preserved for so long.  Recreating retro style from that period, was not the project intended by the clients or ourselves.

The end result is a clean lined modern bathroom designed to reflect a 'Timeless Contemporary', style that never dates and is functional for the family who now live here. The marble basket weave floor tiles are striking feature in the space, but they do not dominate either, when teamed with understated white glazed subway tiles, and elegant well proportioned cabinet work.  Its a bathroom that impresses when one enters the space, but in a quiet understated way, as the well, the chosen design elements of the space comes together in perfect harmony.

The 70's came and went, in a design sense much is better left as a memory. This bathroom will in many years be a desirable as the day it was created. Understated elegance never goes out of style, this bathroom is all of that and more.  

Inner City Oasis

Gardens and outdoor spaces have become more and more extensions of the interiors of a home and are enjoyed more than ever before for what they are. Outdoor spaces are for entertaining, personal space, private downtime and creating a green environment to refresh the mind and soul. They need not be high maintenance, but simple need to be well thought out, designed to suite the individuals, who will use these spaces for their enjoyment. 

This above image is of a garden that belongs to a project in Melbourne, an inner city town house, where space was crucial, andwhere the design became extremely important. Not only to create a functional and stylish green space, but to create something that was a joy to be in, somewhere to replenish and refresh oneself from the hustle and bustle of the city beyond the walls.

Paint colour became a major component in the finishing of the garden. The high walls you see are of a building next door, so it was important to select the colour that blended this monumental structure into the closed courtyard. A shade of deep mulberry was chosen, although at first it may have appeareda dominate colour to use, once the Virginia Ivy had taken hold, it became the perfect backdrop for all seasons. Winter is bleak in Melbourne, and the deciduous nature of the Ivy, allows the space some colour, a reprieve from grey winter Melbourne environment, just as in spring and summer the ivy in full green display, is shown off to advantage by the background colour. More subtle shades of slate grey were selected as feature colours, which blend in with the limestone walls of the house and floors of the courtyard.

Architectural features such as the antique carved marble bath from Turkey turned into a striking water feature and the French Glazed Terracotta Pots, planted with mature lemon tress, gives the space a very European feel.  

We enjoyed working with other specialists to create this unique inner city space, a green sanctuary, an oasis in the centre of Melbourne that will continue to bring joy to those who live here for many years to come, and, will actually look better with time, as it matures into a splendid outdoor area.   

Compact Inner City Living & Style

How many times has one enjoyed watching the Foxtel program 'Tiny House Nation', which looks at the world wide movement of people down sizing to live in smaller spaces. This is sometimes a great sacrifice for many people, to make the conscious decision on many levels,  to move from large scale homes to something a fraction of the space they were used to. Its enjoyable to see the final outcome, from the use of innovative design ideas to create stylish smaller homes. It proves a point that downsizing does not mean good taste of personal style go out the window at the same time.

At T&A we have never seen the point in so many large upscale homes being constructed that have nothing in them. Empty, lifeless homes on a grand scale. It just makes no sense, which ever way you look at.  

Which brings us to this recently completed project, maybe not a 'Tiny House', like the Foxtel programme, but its only a 100 square meters, and through good design, a lot has been achieved to create a comfortable smaller living space. 100 square meters is not a lot of space, compared to Mac Mansions in the suburbs, but what's been created is a home with three comfortable bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open plan Living Room/Dining Room with Kitchen, that opens to a private courtyard. Its compact, yet comfortable, its has storage space, is open and light, perfect living in the inner city today. Its a great alternative to high density apartment living.

After construction of the interiors were finished, the selection of soft furnishings and colour pallet, was undertaken with the aim of creating an eclectic mix of furnishings with the priority being on comfort. The end result is a mix of the modern, with touches of the classic, to create timeless interiors that are warm and inviting.  

A perfect peaceful retreat, yet situated right in the heart of a busy modern metropolis.  

"Finishing A Room"

Here is a good example of an image taken from a clients project, that best shows how interior spaces can be finished. By using the term 'finished', it means just not dropping pieces of furniture into a space and saying, 'that's that'. Interior spaces need to be personalised, creating character and warmth to a room. We hear the word 'layering' used so often these days, it used to describe the design skill of using art, furniture and objects, to not only furnish and finish a room, but to create a depth to the space, as well as creating visual lines of interest with in that space. This not only creates a room that is warm and inviting to be in, but one that creates continual interest within that space, delighting not only the owner of the home, but anyone who sits and pauses for any length of time within the room itself.

Here in the image, is a console in a hallway passage near a staircase. The console itself, is elevated by the use of marble obelisks, these same very obelisks then frame the bronze sculpture in the centre of the console. The painting behind creates the perfect backdrop to both furniture and objects, and draws in the eye from many different angles in the room. This layered combination, is harmonious in the space, yet can stand alone, as a strong ensemble of beautiful things collected together to contribute to the overall successful ambience of the room.

'A Room with a View'.

When building on smaller inner city blocks of land, creating maximum internal space and allowing light and openness to outside spaces can be a challenge. Here the use of light  wells on the side of the property, allowed light to used to its maximum.  But these light wells were turned into a decorative feature, by creating what looks like a Mediterranean Inspired wall 'niche'. Textured finishes, wall tiles, a water feature and garden urns, finishes the space, and helps disguise what the real function of this so called 'niche' is, that is, to let the outdoor light in.    

The room has wonderful views over the landscaped back courtyard, and in summer the internal area blends perfectly with the outside spaces, ideal for entertaining.

A simple neutral colour pallet was chosen for the interiors. Honed limestone floors, neutral walls and crisp white for architraves, skirtings and doors. Textiles for the upholstery used, were, textured creams in varying shades. Automated Roman Blinds in a caramel and taupe stripe, stack neatly away, or create total privacy when needed.  Rugs were to harmonise with the floor rather than make a statement, and were finished in a contemporary design, woven from wool and silk. French furniture in walnut and cherry wood were either part of the clients existing furniture, or specially chosen for the space.

The finished result, is a restful interior filled with light and space, that is an idea Family Room, or perfect for entertaining all year round.

Outdooor Spaces can become Outdoor Rooms

Outdoor Spaces are so often neglected, they're treated as something that's beyond the back door, away from the home, something used rarely, and misinterpreted in a way that makes many people confused on how to best use these spaces.

But what they can be are wonderful extensions of the interior spaces of a home, taking full advantage, all year round, for alfresco living.

Outdoor spaces become like any other room, designed and finished to the clients needs and lifestyle.

Although always slightly more relaxed in feel than perhaps an interior space of a home, outdoor spaces can still be furnished and accessorised to create comfortable areas for quiet time, or for entertaining.

This particular clients outdoor room shown here, is perfect all year round, cool in summer overlooking the pool, and warm and intimate in winter, enhanced by the outdoor fireplace. The outdoor furniture and fabrics are designed for all weather conditions, taking away the worry of damage due to the outdoor environment.

Our homes have evolved over time to become multifunctional in so very many ways.                Often once neglected outdoor areas have now become as important as the interior spaces within a home, giving those who live there an added option for lifestyle living.

Bedroom In a Inner City Melbourne Home

Bedrooms should be sanctuaries, spaces to withdraw to, for rest and reprieve from the outside world.

This Bedroom pictured above was created for a male client, who wanted to create a space that was comfortable, peaceful and had an understated elegance finish to the room. He had collected antique furniture and Australian art over a period of time and wanted to use selected pieces, but did not want to create a space that was cluttered or heavy in feel.

This was achieved by the choosing a mellow, harmonises colour pallet of creams, caramels, blues and earthen tones. Simple coordinated patterns, textures  and stripes in fabrics, teamed with the textured raffia Wallpaper finish the room, to create a masculine feel that is not devoid of style in anyway.

An elegant, timeless bedroom.