Fit to Entertain Craving a new, open space is a dream many of us share – after all, more space to call our own is always a delight. WORDS: Natasha Pavez PHOTOGRAPHY: John Downs The renovation was high on the priority list for the owners, who wanted a home that was perfect for entertaining. Tina, owner of Diate Interior Design, was involved from the very beginning, helping her clients find the right home for their needs that could be transformed into the haven they coveted. Once purchased, it was easy to see what could be done. "My clients wanted the home to be opened up considerably," Tina explains. "They wanted the tight, confined kitchen to become the hub of the home." To complete the renovation, the owners enlisted C&R Darvill Builders, renowned for their exquisite renovation work throughout Brisbane. The existing ground floor layout was completely transformed, paving the way for the entertaining hub that now sits in the space. Despite huge changes being made, the family were completely trusting, something Tina recalls with clarity. "The family were out of the country for a lot of the renovation," she reveals. "They were very trusting in my decisions, though!"
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Entering the kitchen, it's clear the stellar teams have created the space the owners desired from the get-go. Superior Cabinets and Design installed the kitchen, driven by the client's wish for a 'bold' statement that could be seen from the moment you walked in the door. "As the client entertains regularly, it was important to have a large servery from the kitchen to the outdoor alfresco area," Greg, owner of Superior Cabinets and Design, explains. "We achieved this through bi-fold doors that open the space right up." Black two pack was used for the kitchen island, dramatically contrasting with the colour-washed American oak veneer for the remainder of the cabinetry to provide an eye-catching effect. "It really hits you from the moment you see it," says Greg.
Appliances were chosen with the utmost care, creating a space that would have even the most reluctant cook reaching for the pots and pans. Guided by the knowledgeable team at Stocks Appliances, it's almost hard to decide which piece we love the most. A built in Electrolux refrigerator is a clear winner in Greg's books, along with the two integrated cooling drawers from Fisher & Paykel. Louise, part of the dynamo group at Stocks Appliances, points to the Zip HydroTap as a must-have feature. "It has boiling, chilled and sparkling water, perfect for entertaining," she says. An Ilve wide range stove provides ample space for cooking, its width cleverly concealed with some Blum Aventos Bi-Fold doors. The fully integrated dishwasher keeps entertaining enjoyable, all the way through to clean up.
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Although the renovation is only part-way through, it's already easy to see the almost revolutionary change in the home's design, creating a home that is equally suited for a crowd of loved ones as it is for a family seeking their hideaway from the rest of the world. And Tina, too, has left her design stamp on the home. "I tried to source new and exciting products for my clients, who were willing to try something different," she says. Christian Lacroix wallpapers and fabrics are used throughout the home, their classic yet modern design uniting the varying spaces of the home. Adding a sweet feminine touch is the floral wallpaper in one of the bedrooms, with mint green and pink accents creating a retro-chic feel. Furthering the luxe factor, Surface View wall murals and Selvedge Group fabrics have been used – which, Tina says, was a little point of difference in the home. A love of comfort reigns supreme, whether it's comfort in the kitchen or comfort in the living room. "I mixed modern furniture with more traditional pieces, focusing on comfort," says Tina. "My clients had some Italian leather sofas and occasional chars they wanted incorporated into the design, and also had a lovely art collection to work with." We're excited to see what comes from the rest of this renovation – with a second-floor extension incorporating completely luxurious features (walk in robes, gold basins and handpainted wallpaper, for a start!), it's clear the perfection will only continue. 122