This Varsity Lakes home is a generous 2 storey building with 4 living spaces including the back patio, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and an in-ground pool. Situated across from a canal and green park space, the couple enjoys spending time with their young boys around the local area and wanted to transform their current property into their family’s forever home. It was important that the new spaces reflected the multicultural household and evoked feelings of peace and tranquility through a contemporary design that leaves a lasting impression.
The existing home was a 12 year old spec builder home which was in need of an overall refresh from the dated elements and colours. The overall look of the home was instantly transformed by the fresh white walls and cement look porcelain tiles which now run through the entire property. The locations of the rooms remained, however the layout of each space was reconsidered and some doorways opened up to create a smooth transition from one space to the next.
THE KITCHEN –
The modern and functional kitchen was reconfigured to ensure the space maximised practicality and utilised the existing footprint effectively. The storage was increased and now houses more functional low storage rather than high overhead. The timeless kitchen design was transformed through the light airy palette and range of new appliances, including two ovens, French door fridge, Zip tap, timber wrapped rangehood, induction cooktop and single Pitt wok burner to cater to the client’s traditional Chinese cooking. A custom solid walnut table and booth seating was designed off the island bench to create a casual dining space for the family
The main challenge was ensuring the new kitchen design included an integrated booth dining area which didn’t impede on the overall layout and user experience in the working areas of the kitchen. It was crucial that the layout flowed effortlessly and the thoroughfares around the open plan kitchen, and adjacent dining and living worked effectively.
THE LAUNDRY –
The relationship between the kitchen and connecting laundry also had to flow both visually and practically. The existing door way was removed with a generous open walkway put in its place! This allowed for the kitchen joinery to extend beyond the original footprint, and connect the design of the spaces through the matching joinery finishes, bench top material and walnut veneer. These mimicking elements aided in creating a visual blend of the boundary between these two working areas of the home.
THE POWDER ROOM –
Tucked in a small narrow area of the home, the design of the new powder room maximized the existing layout and water points whilst breathing a new life into it through the material and finishes choices. Tiled floor to ceiling, the new design created a much more moody aesthetic with its floating stone vanity, porcelain pendant lights and curved splash back feature.
THE MAIN BATHROOM –
The existing bathrooms of the home were particularly obsolete with the heavy build in baths and dated tap wear. Linking the material selections from the rest of the design through to the bathrooms was important in creating cohesion between the spaces, whilst injecting a unique touch of character through various curved elements.
THE MASTER SUITE –
The new master suite is definitely one worth being jealous of! We created a tranquil retreat like ensuite for these clients with a raised shower and bath wet area and adjacent double vanity. By eliminating the heavy built in bath and replacing it with a large freestanding bath, mixer and hand shower. The white Japanese mosaic tiles in combination with the walnut framed arched mirrors and brass wall sconce add to the luxurious details of this hotel like retreat.
The bathroom is a walk through from the master bedroom, which connects through to the walk in robe on the adjacent side of the room. Both the bedroom and wardrobe feature walnut joinery through the custom bedframe with bedsides, the built in makeup desk and full height drawers and open shelving. The colour scheme of the bedding and styling items has been pulled out from the gorgeous Lisa Morgan artwork from Studio Gallery Melbourne.
