MY HOME 'LIGHT LIVING'

AFFORDABLE STYLE FOR MODERN LIVING

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DECORATING IDEAS THAT ARE CLEVER AND CLASSY – BUT NEVER COSTLY

LIGHT LIVING STORY AND STYLING TIM NEVE PHOTOGRAPHY JOHAN PALSSON

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MH | A VISIT TO PORTIFINO

The abundance of uninterrupted natural light at the site of this home was the inspiration for its design. The result is a lively interplay of space and light, demonstrating a warm, casual take on modern Australian living.

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OUTDOORS INDOORS Upon entering ‘Portifino’ through a secure courtyard, one is uncertain about what to expect. Stepping inside, it’s clear that the house has a dramatic beauty; a cathedrallike ceiling soars above you with rectangular skylights allowing floods of warm, natural light into the space.

A stunning laser-cut, Moroccaninspired screen that was custom built has been incorporated into the entry architecture and offers seductive glimpses of the room beyond. The central open-plan living space behind it has surprising views that extend far beyond the house. In fact, architects Mondo Living designed the building specifically for ‘rear-aspect’ living, in this case to capture the distinctive light as well as the colours of the surrounding Hunter Valley landscape.

There is an easy, spacious feel that flows effortlessly throughout the entire property, no doubt a result of the open-plan style of the kitchen, dining and secondary casual living area, all of which are visible through the glass EcoSmart fireplace. As well, the covered alfresco areas merge easily with the

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living areas and blur the distinction between indoor and outdoor living.

The strong horizontal lines of a beech buffet and the vertical thrust of the supports create high architectural drama that’s enhanced by the effect created from the strategically placed bulkhead in the main living pavilion – it emits fluorescent light that bounces off the ceiling and gives a luminescence similar to that of the evening sky.

Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, media room and laundry complete the property which was constructed by builder Fyona Coulton. The Portifino design was one she had always desired to build – as she tells it, “the home embraces architectural flair with project home requirements.”

ABOVE: The beechwood panelling and the neutral tones of the CaesarStone benchtops in the kitchen are the basis for the relaxing colour scheme in the house.

OPPOSITE PAGE: The meals area continues the light and modern look of the kitchen.

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A LIGHT AMBIENCE PERVADES THE ENTIRE PROPERTY.

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Sculptural elements and homewares add an organic feel to the space.

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INNOVATIVE ELEMENTS This home features lots of innovative touches throughout.

In fact, Melissa Webster says that many of her clients have visited the property searching for inspiration for their own home. Here are a few of her favourite elements.

• Stunning Moroccan-inspired screens separate the living areas, while still allowing natural light to flow through.

The custom designs were laser-cut in steel panels then powdercoated before they were set in hardwood frames and integrated into the architecture.

• The entry is enhanced by an oversized pendant light – playing with scale creates drama and in Melissa’s words, “gives the ultimate wow factor”.

• In the bathroom, floating benches with integrated sinks were hung on a bracket to create a sense of openness, while floating pedestals, used for storage, help to complete the look.

• The EcoSmart fireplace runs on a low-maintenance ‘clean burn’ system. This striking addition not only provides warmth and comfort, it enhances the contemporary design of the home.

THE NEW RETIREES The property was designed for people who are looking to relocate from Sydney in their retirement or simply seeking a holiday home.

The key themes of relaxation and recreation were executed with a sense of refinement in mind. In this way, Portifino demonstrates a shift in design focus to resort-style living that is prestigious without being pretentious.

NEUTRAL AND NATURAL Furniture plays an important part in openplan living and this home is no exception.

Here, the pieces not only divide the living areas, they also give them definition.

Interior designer Melissa Webster from Habitat Living – based in Newcastle, New South Wales – worked through the specifications for the interior and exterior spaces, including the colour schedules and the product specifications, and finished the look with furnishings that tie in effortlessly with the interior architecture.

“It was wonderful to come in at an integral part of the project rather than at the end ABOVE: The secluded study is small, but the white and neutral colour scheme fits the quiet spot perfectly.

LEFT: Covered alfresco areas merge easily with the living areas, blurring the distinction between indoor and outdoor living.

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when most people contract interior designers,” she says. “This way, we could oversee the whole project from start to finish and plan our execution, including placement of lighting and electrical points to suit.”

Melissa was initially inspired by the beechwood panelling featured in the architecture and she has achieved a sense of lightness and ease throughout with warm, neutral tones, and natural textures in wall coverings and soft furnishings, while sculptural elements and homewares add an organic and primitive flavour.

Splashes of striking Prussian blue in both the artwork and accessories add frivolity and create a break in the light tones on the walls and in the decor. It also evokes thoughts of living near the ocean, prompting Melissa to declare that the home “could easily be picked up and placed anywhere in Australia and still work well”.

ABOVE AND LEFT: The spaciousness of the master bedroom is achieved through double doors which open onto an additional courtyard area.

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STYLISH FUNCTIONALITY

Designed with a sense of refinement in mind, the home is prestigious without being pretentious.

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The main bathroom is separated from the master bedroom by another of the laser-cut screens, creating two entry points to the room – an intriguing design element that is both functional and stylish. Inside, subtle touches like the tone-on-tone flock wallpaper-style print on the tiles reflect the emphasis on quality rather than opulence.

Light pervades the whole area and the sense of openness between the two spaces is further enhanced by the double doors in the

bedroom which provide access to an additional courtyard area. All the accents for the home were organised well in advance and this is evident in finishing pieces like the rustic pendant bedside shades, which were incorporated into the overall lighting plan.

ABOVE: The main bathroom is separated from the master bedroom by one of the laser-cut screens.

The dual entrances are a stylish and functional design element.