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All bright now

If you need a little ray of sunshine to see you through the cooler, darker days of winter, say hello to hellebores, writes Tammy Huynh.

Hellebores are the stars of a winter garden. Their pendulous blooms, in a gorgeous palette of colours and patterns, appear from winter and extend well into spring, bringing life to shady areas of the garden. These undemanding plants are commonly known as Lenten or winter roses, but actually belong to the buttercup family. Be wary of growing them if you have inquisitive children or pets as all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.

KNOW YOUR HELLEBORES Hellebores fall into two categories: acaulescent (without stems) and caulescent (with stems). The most popular acaulescent form are the hybrids (Helleborus x hybridus). growing to 45 centimetres tall, these clumping evergreen perennials bear large, cup-shaped blooms in an exquisite assortment of colours, from near black to pure white, and everything in between. Flowers may be single or double and are often speckled, marbled or veined.

The most common caulescent forms include H. argutifolius and H. foetidus. The flowers are smaller than the hybrids, but numerous. H. argutifolius, the Corsican hellebore, grows up to 1 metre tall and wide. Its flowers are lime-green and clustered above the serrated, leathery leaves. ‘Pacific Frost’ has beautifully variegated foliage and blooms and typically grows up to 60 centimetres. This species is incredibly tough, but good drainage is a must.

While similar in appearance, H. foetidus is remarkably different. It’s also known as the stinking hellebore as the foliage gives off a pungent scent when crushed. The dark, deeply divided leaves give rise to bell-shaped, pale-green blooms with red-purple margins. It readily self-seeds, so give it room to spread or remove the seed pods before they drop.

WHAT THEY LIKE Hellebores are cool-climate plants, native to parts of europe. They like cold winters and don't tolerate humidity, so will not fare well in subtropical or tropical climates. Plant them in dappled shade, where they will receive 4-6 hours of direct sunlight in winter, but are shaded in summer. The soil should be moist, well-drained and rich in organic matter. remove spent flowers of caulescent hellebores in spring, especially if you don’t want them to self-sow. Tidy up foliage and blooms of acaulescent forms in spring. In autumn, severely prune any old growth to the ground and feed with an organic fertiliser. add a handful of dolomite lime to boost calcium and magnesium for overall plant health. # Here’s cheer...

Every cool-climate garden will benefit from the addition of hellebores. Here are some ways to enjoy them in your garden: ● Mass-plant them around the base of deciduous trees – use the same colour for impact or plant in drifts of harmonious hues. ● Fill large pots or urns with single plantings of the same variety or for a dramatic display, pair with similar bold foliage plants, like Bergenia and euphorbias. ● Introduce a woodland theme by planting pockets of hellebores with daffodils, snowdrops (Galanthus) and Leucojum. ● Turn up the cool-season charm by planting hellebores among magnolias, camellias, and cyclamens.

Gold-finish tapware and glamorous shell sconces add touches of luxe to this lovely guest bathroom by Three Birds Renovations. For all the details and much more bathroom inspiration turn the page...

BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED SPACES TO ELEVATE DAILY RITUALS

Bathrooms & Laundries

Water feeling

Calming tones and a touch of glam hit the perfect note for this pool-side guest bathroom.

TEXT BY Elizabeth Wilson | PHOTOGRAPHY Maree Homer

THE DETAILS

Newport square tiles in Sky Blue, $103/m², and Annangrove tumbled Carrara-look floor tiles, $90/m², all TileCloud. Kado ‘Neue All Door’ 1200mm wall-hung vanity in Cherry Pie, $2240, Kado ‘Lussi’ above-counter basin, $574, Kado ‘Era’ bath tap set in Brass Gold, $639, and shower set, $1408, all Reece. Dunne 1 antique brass and shell wall light, $299, Beacon Lighting. Empire wall mirror, St Barts. Soap holder, The Society Inc. Axon V-groove cladding, James Hardie. THE BRIEF Arelaxedholidayvibewasthedesiredgoalforhomeowner LouisaShieldwhenshedesignedthisguestbathroom.“Iwanted tohavealittlebitoffuninthisspacebecauseit’snearthepooland contributestocreatingasummery, holiday experience for visiting familyandfriends,”shesays. THE DESIGN APPROACH Louisa,adesignerwithThreeBirds Renovations,workedwithhermentorandThreeBirdsco-founderBonnie Hindmarshtoproducethedesiredresult.Colourwaskeytoevokingthe mood:LouisaandBonniechoseblue-greenwalltiles,marble-lookfloor tilesandwhiteV-groovepanellingtocreateacoastalfeel.Layout-wise, thisbathroomfollowstheThreeBirdsapproach:“Wealwaysaimtomake theguestbathroomaspecialexperience,”saysBonnie.“Wemakesurea vanityortiledfeaturewallisthefirstthingyousee,andthatthetoiletis hiddenbehindthedoor.”Lightingisimportanttoo.“Aimforsoftlighting –it’sanopportunitytouseaprettypendantorwalllight,”saysBonnie. Louisachoseasconcewithshelldetailsforthispool-sideparlour. THE RESULT “It’shardtogowrongwiththiscolourpalette,”says Bonnie.“Theblue-greentilesaremutedandcalmingwhilethe gold-finishtapwareandtrims,suchastheedgingonthemirrorand niche,addglamour.Theoveralleffectisbalancedandharmonious.” >

Three Birds Renovations; threebirdsrenovations.com.

Shape shifter

Going big has paid huge dividends in this space-efficient Melbourne bathroom.

TEXT BY Sarah Pickette | STYLING Beck Simon PHOTOGRAPHY Tess Kelly

THE BRIEF This Melbourne bathroom sits in one of two adjoining postwar semis that were updated by interior designer Mairead Murphy of Kinn Studio. She certainly had her work cut out for her: the original bathroom was small, poorly planned and included a toilet that was visible from the front door! Without shifting its location within the home’s overall layout, Mairead set about improving both the privacy and functionality of the family bathroom. THE DESIGN APPROACH The scope of work on this bathroom included expanding the footprint so there was space to include a separate shower, built-in storage and a new window and door. “Although the houses were built in the late 1940s, they were finished with many 1920s architectural details,” says Mairead. “We took inspiration from these details and the austerity of the era, which placed a lot of value on efficient layouts.” Her approach was to keep things ‘light’, with a bath on feet, a basin that floats on the mirror and shelves that provide an alternative to vanity storage. Initially, a smaller mirror was specified. “I was sketching ideas and I thought ‘this space needs something special so why not super-size the mirror?’ ” Both the mirror and basin are offset in the space, rather than sitting centrally. “This creates a more playful and dynamic geometry against the square tile grid,” says Mairead. THE RESULT “I love the way all the elements in this corner of the bathroom work together,” she says. “There are layers of simple geometric shapes – in the tiles, mirror and shelves – which are countered by the softer, more organic shapes of the hanging plants and the blown-glass pendant light. I also really like how the reflection of the tile grid recedes into the shower alcove in the mirror.” >

Kinn Studio; kinn.studio. THE DETAILS

Catalano ‘Projections 75’ wall-mounted basin with towel rail, $895, Rogerseller. Baroque double-ended rolltop clawfoot bath, from $2550, Cast Iron Baths. Custom-made mirror with American oak shelving, about $1500, Kinn Studio. Prismatic UK gloss-white wall tiles, from $36.95/m², Johnson Tiles. 1500mm hard-wired chrome heated towel rail, POA, Hydrotherm. Hexagon 23mm mosaic floor tiles, $60/m², De Fazio Tiles & Stone. La Paz American oak side table, from $440, Tide Design. For similar wall-mounted mixer taps and spout, try Rogerseller.

Light touch

There’s a beautiful simplicity to this newly expanded Sydney bathroom.

TEXT BY Sarah Pickette | PHOTOGRAPHY Prue Ruscoe

THE BRIEF TheownersofthishomeonSydney’sLowerNorthShore requestedthatarchitectBrookeAitkenandhercolleagueVivianMa createalargerbathroomintheprocessofextendingtheirheritage home.“Theywereafteraminimalandbrightroomthatwouldbe floodedwithlight,”saysBrooke,“sothecolour, finishes and detailing werealldesignedwiththisinmind.” THE DESIGN APPROACH Significantspatialremodellingsawthe existingbathroomexpandedby1.2squaremetresandaEuropeanstylelaundrytuckedintothebathroomjoinery.“Thelackofan externalwindowpromptedtheinstallationofagenerousskylight, whichbecamethefoundationfortherestofthebathroomdesign.” Agenerousamountofstoragehasbeenbuiltintothisspace,inthe formofalargeshavingcabinetandasleekgreyhandle-freevanity thatprovidesatouchofwarmthwhilepickinguponthegrain inthemarble-tiledfloor.Gold fixtures imbue this bathroom with alovelyluxuriousness. THE RESULT “Ilovethesenseoflightandspace,andits simplicity,” saystheowner.“It’sabeautiful,peacefulspace.” >

Brooke Aitken Design; brookeaitkendesign.com.au.

THE DETAILS

Marmi Blanco large-format wall tiles, from $109/m², Earp Bros. Carrara chevron mosaic tiles, $242/m², Surface Gallery. Carrara Extra feature strip and niche, $495/m², SNB Stone. Custom vanity finished in two-pack polyurethane Dulux Grey Pail with Corian Glacier White top, from about $5000, made by DSK Kitchens & Furniture for Brooke Aitken Design. Brodware ‘City Plus’ showerhead, $739, ‘City Stik’ mixer taps, $607 each, hand shower, $485, towel rails, $647 each and basin mixer set, $1006, all in Brushed Europlate finish, Candana.

White hot

Cleverly selected materials star in this family-friendly Sydney bathroom.

TEXT BY Sarah Pickette | PHOTOGRAPHY The Palm Co

THE BRIEF Whitewasalwaysgoingtobe rightforthisnewlyconstructedSydney bathroom,designedbyTheStablesin collaborationwithLuxBuilding.“This Hamptons-stylefamilyhomeislocated rightbythebeachanddesignedto takeadvantageofSydney’sbeautiful climateandoutdoorattractions,”says CatherineHeraghty,founderand creativedirectorofTheStables.“It’s themainbathroom,intendedfor use bythechildrenofthehouse.”

THE DESIGN APPROACH Withaviewto handlingtheneedsofabig,busyfamily, thebathroomincludesaclawfootbath, doublevanityandgenerous,sectionedoffshowerenclosure.“Thebuildersand Ifeltthatglassshowerbladeshadbeen doneathousandtimesover,”says Catherine,“andweagreedthatatilednib wallhadmorepresenceandoffereda senseofluxury.It’slikearoomwithin aroom.”Thepaletteisbuiltupona combinationofwarmwhitesandgreys, realisedtoperfectioninthehandmade tilesfromDiLorenzoTiles.“Eachhas aslightlydifferentcolourandtheir unevensurfacebringsmovement, depthandlighttotheroom.”VJpanelling todadoheightisalovelyclassictouch. “It’salsoaneconomicaloption,because panellingismoreaffordablethantiling.” THE RESULT “Thebathroomfeelslikeit hugsyou,”saysCatherine.“It’swarmand inviting.That’sdowntothetextureand useofwarmwhites.It’sagreatmelding ofclassicHamptonsandcontemporary Australiancoastalstyle.” >

The Stables; thestables.com.au. Lux Building; luxbuilding.com.au.

THE DETAILS

Fez handmade subway tiles in White, $125/m², and Chateau floor tiles in Blanc, $80/m², Di Lorenzo Tiles. Vanity with Talostone benchtop in Arctic White, about $5500 and mirrors, $1100 each, custom made by Uneek Interior Solutions for The Stables. A51.06.S basin spouts, $244 each, and A50.48.PL mixers, $606 each, in Brushed Nickel, Astra Walker. Tribute above-counter basins, $456 each, Caroma.

All is calm

The scale is larger than life, but the moody natural palette delivers a serenity worth soaking in.

TEXT BY Janice Hogg | PHOTOGRAPHY Pablo Veiga

THE BRIEF Give it the air of an exclusive hotel, requested the well-travelled owner for this main ensuite refurbishment. Part of a stunning, end-to-end renovation of his waterfront home on Sydney’s Pittwater, designed and project managed by interior designer Ioanna Lennox, the ensuite was to be “moody and masculine, but feel inviting and warm”, says Ioanna. THE DESIGN APPROACH “The footprint of the new main ensuite is that of the former ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, so it naturally feels expansive,” says Ioanna. “This was a quintessential aspect of the design, because spacious environments evoke a feeling of luxury.” The designer took full advantage of the upscaled dimensions to install a generous Claybrook bath and had Zuster custom-make a monumental, 2.2-metre vanity with detailing and marble handles to match the bedroom’s bedside tables. “The feeling of ease and ‘no effort required’ was carried on from the main bedroom” – thus the oversized walk-in shower can be accessed from two sides. The space is more than up to hotel standard, with its ceiling speakers that channel music throughout, sculptural towel rails on the walls and the large, automated Velux skylight that opens to the sky, all crowned with beautiful Pittwater views that can be enjoyed while immersed in the tub. THE RESULT “I knew we had hit the jackpot when I saw the limestone-style wall panels go in,” says Ioanna. “I stood in the middle of the room – with all the rubble around and not a fixture installed – and thought ‘wow’. The bathroom was already ethereally peaceful and calming.” The owner agrees, adding that the space is “sexy, chic and luxurious. Everyone who sees it agrees it’s just jaw-dropping.” >

Ioanna Lennox Interiors; ioannalennox.com. THE DETAILS

Maximum concrete-look porcelain floor tiles in Mercury, POA, and Artetech ‘Pietra Imperiale’ limestone-look porcelain wall panels, POA, all Artedomus. Issy ‘Halo III’ American oak vanity unit by Zuster, customised with Corian benchtop and marble handles, from $4400, Reece. Issy ‘Z1’ mirrors, from $1780 each, Reece. Ross Gardam ‘Silhouette’ sconce lights, $616 each, Stylecraft. Claybrook ‘Ellipse’ freestanding bath, $6995, Rogerseller. City Plus exposed twin shower in Aged Iron PVD finish, $2160, and Halo wall-mounted basin taps in Aged Iron PVD finish, $884 each, all Brodware.

Make a splash

Graphic tiling and a gorgeous vanity have brought freshness to this family bathroom.

TEXT BY Sarah Pickette | PHOTOGRAPHY Fiona Susanto

THE BRIEF Itwasallaboutthetubfor theownersofthisfamilybathroomin Sydney.“Wewereaskedtoincludethe largestbathwepossiblycould,”says interiordesignerNicholasKaiko.“The modelwechoseis1800mmlongand theadditionofglassscreenscreatesa kindofwetzonefortheowners’young daughter.Shecansplashawayhappily withoutherparentsworryingabout wateralloverthefloor.”

THE DESIGN APPROACH Thisbathroom hasbeencompletelyremodelled,with spaceborrowedfromanadjoining powderroomtomakeitlarger.The graphicblackandwhiteglassmosaic tilesarepartofabroadermaterialstory, saysNicholas.“Theyreferencetheblack andwhitefurnishingsinotherrooms.” Architecturalelementsappearingin thehousearealsoechoedhere.“The roundmirrorandthesoftlinesof thefurniture-stylevanityandcustom lightsreflectthearchesandcurvesthat appearthroughthehouse.”Tocomplete thelook,matt-blackfixturesfrom PhoenixTapwarepopagainstthe simplicityofwhitewalltiles. THE RESULT “Thestrong,lineartilingis balancedoutbythecurvilinearpieces,” saysNicholas.Theresultisafamilyfriendlybathroomthat’sstrikingand timeless.“There’splentyofspacefor bathtoysandbubblestoo.” >

Kaiko Design Interiors; kaikodesign.com.au THE DETAILS

Custom-designed black and white strip mosaic tiles, about $250/m², Surface Studio. Newbury 1800mm inset bath, $1000, Caroma. Custom-designed vanity in Laminex Puregrain, about $2400, steel-framed mirror, about $500, and powdercoated-steel wall lights, $1500/pair, Kaiko Design Interiors. Verotti ‘Felino’ above-counter basin in Matt Black, $569, Harvey Norman. Ultra White large-format wall tiles, about $20/m², Johnson Tiles. Geneva Series low-iron glass doors and door fittings, about $3500, custom-made by CR Laurence. Vivid Slimline basin and bath mixers, double shower and shower mixers, about $1000 total, Phoenix Tapware.

Colour code

A bold palette and smart design inclusions make this family bathroom as fabulous as it is functional.

TEXT BY Laura Barry | STYLING Jackie Brown | PHOTOGRAPHY Maree Homer

THE DETAILS

Ardesia wall/floor tiles in Black, $108.90/m², Surface Gallery. Kit Kat wall tiles in Vintage Green, $159.50/m², Teranova. Silhouette wall lights, $550 each, Ross Gardam. Barcelona 1700mm bath in Black & White, from $7500, Victoria+Albert. Halo wall basin set in Nero special finish, $660, Brodware. Bel wall mirror, $1335, Jardan. Custom vanity with Silestone benchtop in Pearl Jasmine, $5500, Studio Trio. Side table with marble top, $1000, Design Nation. THE BRIEF Robust materials were on the ‘must include’ list for this family bathroom in Sydney – as was a good-looking bathtub. “The finishes had to be hard-wearing and super practical because four young boys use this bathroom,” says interior designer Lauren Mahoney, founder of Studio Trio. THE DESIGN APPROACH Lauren chose to champion the owners’ favourite colour – deep teal – in a feature tile, with moody greys and graphic black added for balance. “The wall tiles bring texture to, and draw you into, the space. I like that they aren’t ‘perfect’,” she says. The all-important bath, with its black exterior and white interior, anchors the room without detracting from the beautiful wall tiles. Lauren opted for large-format floor tiles for two reasons: their size means the floor doesn’t visually compete with the tiled wall, and less grout makes for easier cleaning. A customdesigned floating vanity ensures daily bathroom essentials are hidden from sight, while the beautiful Ross Gardam ‘Silhouette’ wall lights punctuate the space perfectly. Matt black tapware from Brodware provides a finishing flourish. THE RESULT “The feel of the finished bathroom is quite edgy and moody,” says Lauren of the handsome space. “The boys love the bathroom as much as their parents! It’s those teal tiles that really make the room.” >

Classic beauty

Marble and polished nickel are the perfect fit for a new ensuite that sits within the extension to a grand old home.

TEXT BY Sarah Pickette | PHOTOGRAPHY Sevak Babakhani

THE DETAILS

Custom vanity finished in two-pack polyurethane Murobond Paint Just White with custom polished-nickel ferrules and Armac Martin ‘Belgrave’ polished-nickel knobs and pulls. Basketweave Carrara marble floor tiles with Thassos dot, $249/m², Teranova. Neu England wall basin sets, $795 each and bath filler, $2543, all in Polished Nickel PVD finish, Brodware. Victoria+Albert ‘Amiata’ freestanding bath, $5490, Cass Brothers. Thomas O’Brien crystal and polished-nickel wall lights, about $900 each, sourced from the US. THE BRIEF This ensuite graces the extension of a beautiful heritage home on Sydney’s North Shore. “The owners love marble and wanted the space to be white and bright,” says interior designer Natasha Levak. “It had to feel contemporary but also honour the grandeur of the home.” THE DESIGN APPROACH With tall ceilings and a generous floor area, this ensuite has the space to be divided into different zones. “The custom-designed vanity is the first thing the owners see when they walk in,” says Natasha, “so we took great care to ensure it looks like a piece of furniture and introduces a lovely sense of symmetry.” A marble-clad shower enclosure has been sectioned off and a toilet tucked away for privacy. The bathing zone stars a shapely freestanding bath, which sits under the window so it enjoys an abundance of natural light. Wall panelling echoes wainscoting elsewhere in the house and the basketweave floor tiles are a great choice. “They’re a traditional style of tile but by forgoing the usual border tiles, they feel more contemporary,” says Natasha. Classic tapware and polished-nickel handles and ferrules provide the perfect finishing touch. THE RESULT The owners are extremely pleased with Natasha’s use of marble in this space, particularly for the hotel feel it creates. “They find their new ensuite airy, light and calming,” she says. “It’s a beautiful addition to their home.” >

Natasha Levak Interior Design; natashalevak.com.

CLEAN sweep

Symmetry and elegance shine in this bathroom.

TEXT BY Sarah Pickette | PHOTOGRAPHY Tanika Blair

THE BRIEF TheownersofthisGoldCoastbathroomsought “aminimal,symmetrical,openandspaciouslayout,”says MoniqueCherwin,theinteriordesignerwhodreamedup thissereneshowerzonefor4DRenovations.“Theywanted tokeepitsubduedandinstead incorporate a touch of colour intheshowerfittings.” THE DESIGN APPROACH Shiftingtheexistingadjoining laundryallowedMoniquetosnafflemorespaceforthis familybathroom.“Wehadinitiallydiscussedkeepingabath inthespace,butafterafewdesigniterationswedecidedto doawaywiththebathandinsteadgowithadoubleshower, creatingastrong,symmetricallookintheprocess,”shesays. Ashowerseatthenbecameessential,asaspotforthekidsto playwiththeirtoys.Theskylightisanothervitalinclusion, giventherearenowindowsinthisbathroom.“Itfloodsthe roomwithsunshinesoperfectly,”saysMonique.Thetilesin theshowerenclosurearethesamecolourandcomposition asthefloortiles,justsmallerinscaleandlaidin a chevron patternforcharacterandvisualmovement. THE RESULT “Theownerstellmetheirbathroomhasbeen transformedintoaspacethat’sevenlovelierthantheycould haveimagined,”saysMonique. “It’s beautifully refined and easytomaintain.” >

4D Renovations; 4drenovations.com.au.

THE DETAILS

Abaco ‘White Chevron’ 75x300mm wall tiles, $150.50/m², and ‘Shale Sand’ 600x1200mm floor tiles, $93.20/m², Three Balls Red. Milli Pure twin rail-shower sets in Gunmetal (special finish), $1995 each, Reece. Custom-made skylight, about $2500, Velux.

In the frame

Glorious doors and an abundance of natural light combine to create a great ensuite.

TEXT BY Sarah Pickette | PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Warnes

THE BRIEF Makeitindustrial, contemporaryandluxeinfeel:thatwas thebrieftheownersofthisensuiteput tobuildingandinteriordesignerIrisLev ofILDesign.Thespaciousmastersuite wascreatedaspartofabroaderrenovation ofaCaliforniabungalowonSydney’s LowerNorthShore.

THE DESIGN APPROACH “Thisensuite islocatedontheatticlevelofthehouse,so maximisingthecaptureofnaturallight wasimportant,”saysIris.Gettingthe layoutrightalsorequiredcarefulspatial planning.“Wehadtofactorinthesloping ceilinganddeviseawayforthebathtobe visiblefromthebedroomyethavetherest ofthebathroomfixturestuckedawayand private.”Thepositionoftheskylight ensuresthebath’sstatusastheensuite’s starfeature.Steel-framedglassdoors createneatviewsofthetubwhileallowing lighttoflowthroughtothebedroom.Grey tileshavebeenlaidinaherringbone patternonthefloorandalarger-format versionofthesametilecontinuesupthe wall.“Thisissothespacefeelsbigger thanitisandtheeyeisdrawntothetiles insteadoftheslopingceiling.” THE RESULT “Themainbathroomisnow theowners’favouriteroominthehouse,” saysIris.“It’saspotwheretheycan unwindinawarmbathafterahardday’s work,justwatchingthecloudsdriftby.” >

IL Design; ildesign.com.au.

THE DETAILS

Brighton porcelain wall and floor tiles, $110/m², Academy Tiles. Custom-fabricated steel-framed doors, about $4000, Custom Glass. Custom vanity in Laminex Black Nuance with Dulux Brushed Bronze metallic edge, about $3800, IL Design. For similar bath, try Parisi. For similar floor-mounted bath filler, try Phoenix Tapware.

BATHROOM UPDATES

If you’re building, renovating or just want a fresher look, these fine fixtures and accessories fit the bill nicely.

Material world

Harnessing the significant power of texture is a simple – and often affordable – way to update a bathroom. You could start small with these stoneware accessories from Robert Gordon Australia. Pieces are sold individually, starting from $29.95 each. robertgordonaustralia.com

DRY BUYS

With their hand-knotted fringing and coastal tones, Paros bath towels from Aura Home evoke the relaxed beauty of the Greek Islands. Better yet, they’re made with sustainably sourced cotton, so you can dry in style and tread lightly on the planet. Shown here are the towels in Caramel (left) and Jade, which are $49.95 each. aurahome.com.au

LESS IS MORE Efficiency matters when it comes to showers. Step forward Methven’s ‘Kiri Low Flow’ range, which uses just 5.5 litres per minute, compared to the conventional 9 litres. The wall shower, shown left, is available in Chrome for $261. methven.com.au

Colour on tap Take a look at the fun and fabulous Rockwell fittings from The English Tapware Company; they come in delicious colours such as Willow Green, Bonbon Lilac and Sherbet Yellow (shown). englishtapware.com.au

GOOD, CLEAN, FUN

Time to give your cleaning arsenal an overhaul? Resparkle’s range is completely waste-free – buy the silicone-wrapped bottles (above, from $23 each) once, then refill as required with concentrated powdered natural soaps and detergents. Add water and you’re good to go. resparkle.com.au

TUB LOVE

1

PETITE PICK

Base 1560mm acrylic freestanding bath, $1059, Reece; reece.com.au.

Well rounded

Soft lines will always serve you well in a bathroom. Recognising this, the Issy range from Reece heartily embraces organic shapes. Shown right is the Issy ‘Halo’ 1000mm mirrored shaving cabinet in American oak, $2200, and below is the Issy ‘Blossom II’ 1100mm vanity with Carrara marble top, $4050. reece.com.au

2

CIRCLE WORKS

Orbit 1300mm stonecomposite bath, $6995, Rogerseller; rogerseller.com.au.

3

CLASSIC STYLE

Emerald 1750mm marble- composite bath, $7250, Apaiser; apaiser.com.

4

SMALL JOYS

Silkstone Monz 1540mm

freestanding bath,

$4290, Faucet Strommen; faucetstrommen.com.au.

DAB HAND

Mirrorside illumination doesn’t come much lovelier than the Day ceramic wall lights from We Ponder. Priced from $520, each of these Australian-made lights is formed by hand, then dipped in a low-sheen eggshell glaze and kiln fired twice to ensure a robust finished product. weponder.com.au

Finishing touch The range of durable finishes Brodware offers for its Australian-made fixtures has grown to over 40. Shown above is the striking bevelled-edge Halo X wall set in Roma Bronze PVD, $1229. brodware.com.au

STAND TALL Perfect for a powder room, the new Venice pedestal basin (above, $1976) from Omvivo is beautifully sleek and slim. Plumbing is concealed in the pedestal base but accessible via a clever removable rear panel. omvivo.com >

Neutral territory

Soothing shades of taupe and ivory sit pretty alongside elevated basics in this ergonomically designed laundry in Sydney.

TEXT BY Laura Barry | PHOTOGRAPHY Maree Homer

Thanks to the luxury of space, catering to the functional needs of this Sydney laundry could be achieved without compromising on its aesthetics. Three Birds Renovations’ co-founder Bonnie Hindmarsh and homeowner Louisa Shield, a designer with the company, chose to wall-mount the appliances, thereby eliminating the need for bending to load the machines. This also created space for a sorting bench and loads of storage in the process.

“A laundry is one of those rooms that needs to be incredibly practical and functional, but we never give up on the dream of making it look and feel wonderful,” says Bonnie. “Having the appliances up off the floor is a game-changer,” says Louisa. “When clothes come out of the dryer, they get put straight onto the bench and can be folded and sorted straight away.”

What makes this room such a success is the warmth created by the floor tiles, which are the clear hero of the room. Indeed, the cross-shaped tiles in a beautiful palette of taupe and biscuit are an unexpected visual element within the otherwise restrained space. The Shaker-style cabinetry is topped with Talostone Calacatta Gold, a stone-composite product with a marble-look finish. The warm-brown veining effortlessly ties in with the hues in the flooring. Shutters, V-groove panelling and a woven pendant light bring texture to this generous laundry, while touches of brass deliver the desired sense of luxury. “It has become one of my favourite rooms in the house,” says Louisa. >

Three Birds Renovations; threebirdsrenovations.com.

THE DETAILS

Axon wall cladding, 133mm profile, POA, James Hardie. Polished 50mm engineered stone benchtop surface in Calacatta Gold, $469/m², Talostone. Cabinetry in Dulux Stone Master, installed by Carrera by Design. Electrolux SensorWash 10kg frontloader washing machine, $1199, and Electrolux Ultimate Care 9kg heatpump dryer, $1599, Harvey Norman. Polysatin plantation shutters, POA, Luxaflex Window Fashions. Annangrove Mixed Cross tiles in Stone/Tan/Natural, $320/m², TileCloud. Hamimi Design ‘Joosh’ pendant light, $626, Clo Studios. Posh ‘Canterbury’ gooseneck sink mixer in Brass Gold, $545, and Franke ‘Impact’ granite double-bowl sink in Polar White, $1180, Reece.

Neat tricks

Two utility rooms have been transformed into one spacious and storage-filled Melbourne laundry.

TEXT BY Laura Barry | STYLING Karin Bochnik PHOTOGRAPHY Dylan James

The owners of this Melbourne home wanted a supremely functional laundry to accommodate the washing needs of their family of four. Bench space and storage were the priorities, but they also wanted a room with clean, timeless style. Both were duly delivered – without breaking the bank – by Kaboodle Kitchen.

Located in a home built in 1919, the owners wanted to convert the existing laundry and an adjacent storeroom into one generous and more user-friendly space. The dividing wall was removed and the interior modernised in a Scandi style, with white cabinetry, grey tiling, chrome tapware and timber accents.

The fuss-free design features J-pull joinery and finger-pull wall cabinets to ensure a sleek and seamless finish. “Positioning the appliances at the far end of the room has allowed for a solid run of both under-bench and wall-mounted cabinets, which not only looks great but maximises the useable storage,” says Briony Mikrou, marketing and communications manager at Kaboodle Kitchen. Open shelving, made from a laminate that cleverly mimics timber, adds to the storage options and brings a touch of warmth to the minimalist scheme. The benchtop is also laminate, which is robust, easy to clean and more affordable than a natural stone product. Concrete-look tiles on the floor and splashback complete the room’s contemporary overhaul. >

Kaboodle Kitchen; 1800 666 078 or kaboodle.com.au. THE DETAILS

Premium laminate benchtop (cut to form shelving) in Hazelnut, stonelook laminate benchtop in Tapioca, and cabinets in Coconut Milk, all from Kaboodle Kitchen. Wash&Wear +PLUS Kitchen & Bathroom paint in Manorburn, $100/4L, Dulux. Cement-look porcelain floor and splashback tiles; for similar, try Concreto Fumo Natural tiles, $44.95/m², National Tiles. Chrome gooseneck sink mixer; for similar try the Franke TA7181CH Professional Flex mixer, $1048, Appliances Online. Inset sink; for similar try the Blanco Silgranit single-bowl sink in Anthracite, $1339, Harvey Norman.

Small wins

A tiny footprint is no barrier to laundry loveliness when clever design strategies are employed.

STORY Sarah Pickette STYLING Kate Nixon PHOTGRAPHY Kristina Soljo

Sydney interior designer Anna-Carin McNamara, pictured opposite, calls her home “the unfinished house” – because there are always little tweaks and upgrades to be made. Her 2x1.2metre laundry is the latest space to receive a refresh. “My goal here was to achieve maximum bench area and minimum space waste,” she says.

Good planning is the key to a great laundry, says Anna-Carin, and in this room she’s worked hard to ensure it has ample light and airflow, a clever clothes chute, underfloor heating, plentiful storage and hanging space, and powerpoints in the most useful spots.

The wall tiles are a light taupe and the joinery is Laminex Surf in a matt finish. “I also opted for a light taupe on the open shelving; it gives a lovely warmth without dulling the light.”

She used plumber’s PVC pipe to create a laundry chute and painted it the same colour as the ceiling. “It’s added a nice, organic shape and the clothes land straight in the sink,” she says.

Anna-Carin opted for Electrolux appliances: “I have two washer/dryers rather than separate machines. This allows two loads to run concurrently, which is useful since each member of the family has an allocated day to do their own washing. I like knowing the dryer doesn’t guzzle power.” >

Anna-Carin Design Studio; annacarindesign.com.au. THE DETAILS

EWW7524ADWA 7.5kg/4.5kg washer/dryers, $1449 each, Electrolux. Benchtop in Laminex Surf in Absolute Matt and open shelves in Laminex Paperbark, about $5000, by Fisher Fitouts for Anna-Carin Design Studio. Aren Bianco raw-sawn 700x700mm limestone floor tiles, $190/m², and Wyldefel ‘Santorini’ 25x25mm mosaic wall tiles, $85/m², Onsite Supply+Design.

The right tone

Colour comes to the fore in this bright and hard-working Sydney laundry.

TEXT BY Sarah Pickette | STYLING Madeline McFarlane | PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Warnes

SetinabeachsideSydneyhomewheretheemphasisisongood lightandunderstatednaturalmaterials,thislaundryprovided interiordesignerLaraEttewithanopportunitytodothingsa littledifferently.“Becauseitcanbeclosedoff,theownerfeltbrave enoughtouseacolour,”shesays.“Itwasstillimportant,though,to ensurethelaundrymaintainedaconnectiontootherareasofthe home.”Thesoft-bluecolourmaynotappearelsewhere,butthe Shaker-stylecupboardsreferencejoineryinthemainbedroomand familyroom,andthelaundry’sSuper White Dolomite benchtop echoesthestoneinthekitchen.

Theroommeasuresabout3x2.5metresandincorporatesplentyof storageforclotheshanging,cleanlinenandbulkycleaningtools.“It’s locatedclosetothefrontdooranddoublesasabathroomfortheground floor,”saysLara,whotookoverfrominteriordesignerKarenAkers, who’dbegunpreliminaryplanningforthehouse.“Weincluded alargemirrorforthefamilyandgueststobeabletochecktheir appearanceastheyleavethehouse.Itspositioningtakesadvantage of the beautiful light that floods in through the shutters.” #

THE DETAILS

Elysian sink mixer in White, $229.90, ABI Interiors. Custom joinery Kitchen Complex for Lara Ette Design+Decoration. Cabinets finished in Dulux Blue Balm. Super White Dolomite benchtop from Marable. Walls and window frames painted Casper White, $79.90/4L, Dulux. Artwork by Melanie Waugh.

WHERE TO BUY

Locate your nearest stockist by contacting the following suppliers.

# 1stDibs 1stdibs.com A Abey 1800 809 143; abey.com.au ABI Interiors (07) 5520 2775; abiinteriors.com.au

Academy Tiles+Surfaces

(02) 9436 3566; academytiles.com.au

ACS Designer Bathrooms

(02) 9386 9809; acsbathrooms.com.au Amara amara.com/au Anibou (02) 9319 0655; anibou.com.au Apex Stone (03) 9360 0133; www.apexstone.com.au Appliances Online 1300 000 500; www.appliancesonline.com.au Armac Martin, available from Castella 1300 717 120; castella.com.au Armadillo (02) 9698 4043; armadillo-co.com Artedomus (02) 9557 5060; artedomus.com Arthur G (03) 9543 4633; arthurg.com.au

Artisan Furniture Australia

(03) 5224 1444; artisanfurnitureaustralia.com.au Artoz Rugs+Carpets (03) 9431 1345; www.artozrugs.com.au Astra Walker (02) 8838 5100; astrawalker.com.au

Australian Frameless Glass

Installations afgi.com.au AWS 1300 026 189; awsaustralia.com.au B Basil Bangs (02) 9938 4759; basilbangs.com Beacon Lighting 1300 232 266; beaconlighting.com.au Becker Minty (02) 8356 9999; beckerminty.com Bed Bath N’ Table (03) 8595 5444; bedbathntable.com.au Bedouin Societe (03) 9646 3752; www.bedouinsociete.com Behruz Studio (03) 9824 8156; behruzstudio.com Benisouk benisouk.com Better Tiles (02) 9361 4388; bettertiles.com.au Bloomingdales Lighting (02) 8345 6888; bloomingdales.com.au Boffi Studio Sydney (02) 8730 7300; boffistudio.com.au

Bondi Kitchens & Joinery

(02) 9516 0606; bondikitchens.com.au Boyd Blue (02) 8338 8113; boydblue.com Bremworth 1800 251 172; bremworth.com.au Brodware (02) 9421 8200; brodware.com.au Brosa 1300 027 672; brosa.com.au Bunnings (03) 8831 9777; bunnings.com.au Burberry au.burberry.com C Cadrys (02) 9328 6144; cadrys.com.au Candana (02) 9389 8631; candana.com.au Caroma 131 416; caroma.com.au Carrera by Design (02) 9725 5110; carrerabydesign.com.au Casa by Studio Kate studiokate.com.au Cass Brothers (02) 9569 5555; cassbrothers.com.au Cast Iron Baths 1800 111 566; castironbaths.com CDK Stone (03) 8552 6000; cdkstone.com.au

Central Coast Shopfronts

(02) 4329 1999; centralcoastshopfronts.com.au Chunk! Design @chunkdesign Classic Ceramics (02) 9560 6555; classicceramics.com.au Clo Studios (07) 5455 3310; clostudios.com.au Coco Republic 1300 000 220; cocorepublic.com.au Concept Pools (07) 5493 4666; conceptpools.com.au Conley & Co (02) 8065 9411 Corian 1800 267 426; corian.com.au CR Laurence (02) 9851 3444; www.crlaurence.com.au Crave Wares (02) 9328 6429; www.cravewares.com.au Create Estate (07) 5438 8670; createestate.com.au Cult Design 1300 768 626; cultdesign.com.au Cultiver cultiver.com Custom Glass customglass.com.au D Dash & Albert wintonhouse.com.au

De Fazio Tiles & Stone

(03) 9387 2300; defazio.com.au Dedece (02) 9360 2722; dedece.com.au Design Nation (02) 9699 8577; designnation.com.au Di Lorenzo Tiles dilorenzo.com.au District (08) 9388 1855; district.com.au Domayne domayne.com.au Domo (03) 9277 8888; domo.com.au Douglas & Bec (03) 9419 1146; douglasandbec.com

Dovetailed & Doublestitched

(02) 9554 7133; dovetaileddoublestitched.com.au

DSK Kitchens & Furniture

(02) 9316 8300; www.dsk.net.au Dulux 132 525; dulux.com.au Duravit (02) 8070 1889; www.duravit.com.au E E&S (03) 9034 9503; eands.com.au Early Settler earlysettler.com.au Earp Bros (02) 4925 4550; earp.com.au

Eclipse Handcrafted Furniture

(02) 9310 2506; eclipsefurniture.com.au Eco Outdoor 1300 131 413; ecooutdoor.com.au Electrolux electrolux.com.au Elite Bathware & Tiles (07) 3391 1399; elitebathware.com.au Enlightened Living (02) 9318 0833; enlightened-living.com.au Est Lighting (02) 9194 3422; estlighting.com.au Euroluce (02) 9356 9900; euroluce.com.au Evenex 1300 133 481; eltongroup.com F Falcon, available from Andico 1800 685 899; andico.com.au Fanuli (02) 9908 2660; fanuli.com.au Few & Far (02) 4441 8244; fewandfar.com.au Fibrous Design fibrousdesign.com.au Fisher & Paykel 1300 650 590; fisherpaykel.com.au Fisher Fitouts (02) 9966 8711; fisherfitouts.com.au

Florence Broadhurst Fabrics

florencebroadhurstfabrics.com Flowers Vasette (03) 9419 4988; flowersvasette.com.au Form Landscapes 0414 593 353; formlandscapes.com.au

Frances Keevil Gallery

@franceskeevilgallery Francesca Owen francescaowen.com Fred International (02) 9310 3263; fredinternational.com.au Freedom 1300 135 588; freedom.com.au G Gather Co 1800 428 437; gatherco.com.au Gineico Lighting (02) 9690 1522; www.gineicointeriors.com Granite & Marble Works (02) 9519 9900; granitemarbleworks.com.au Gray & Co grayandco.com.au Grazia & Co (03) 9555 5760; graziaandco.com.au Great Dane (03) 9417 5599; greatdanefurniture.com

Greenhouse Interiors

greenhouseinteriors.com.au Gypset Cargo 0412 547 662; gypsetcargo.com H Harvey Norman 1300 464 278; harveynorman.com.au

HG Furniture Solutions

(02) 9693 2288; hgfs.com.au

Highgate House

shop.highgatehouse.com.au House of Bamboo 1300 665 703; houseofbamboo.com.au

House of Isabella

houseofisabella.com.au House of Orange (03) 9500 9991; houseoforange.com.au Hub Furniture (03) 9652 1222; hubfurniture.com.au

Hurford Wholesale

hurfordwholesale.com.au Hydrotherm (03) 9464 4622; www.hydrotherm.com.au I In Good Company ingoodcompany.com.au Inartisan 0411 944 234; inartisan.com Intrim Mouldings 1800 622 081; intrimmouldings.com.au J James Hardie jameshardie.com.au

James Makin Gallery

jamesmakingallery.com James Said jamessaid.com.au Janus et Cie janusetcie.com Jardan (03) 8581 4988; jardan.com.au Johnson Tiles johnsontiles.com.au K Kaboodle Kitchen kaboodle.com.au Kelly Wearstler kellywearstler.com Kerrie Jeffs kerriejeffs.com Ke-zu (02) 9669 1788; kezu.com.au Kitchen Complex (02) 9534 4495; kitchencomplex.com.au Kylie Thomas @kyliethomasartandthings L La Maison (02) 9698 8860; lamaison.net.au Laminex 132 136; laminex.com.au Laura Kincade (02) 9667 4415; laurakincade.com LG 1300 542 273; lg.com.au Libertine Parfumerie (03) 9661 1258; www.libertineparfumerie.com.au Life Interiors lifeinteriors.com.au Lighting Collective (02) 6685 5744; lightingcollective.com.au Lights Lights Lights (03) 9372 8541; lightslightslights.com.au