Natural Materials
Surrounded by established gardens and with views onto a creek, this two-storey contemporary home designed by JDarc, in collaboration with ap interior design, lends itself to a relaxed way of living.
When Annemarie Pyne of ap interior design was engaged by the clients to conceive the interior of their home, she knew it was an opportunity to highlight the striking architectural features and showcase quality materials and finishes.
For the clients, this was to be a forever home that required minimal maintenance and one that would accommodate their needs into retirement. Beyond this stipulation, Annemarie explains she was given the green light to allow her creativity to inform the design.
“Their brief was very flexible in the way that they did require a certain number of rooms, but they were very trusting of the architect and myself to let us direct the style and architectural features of the home”, says Annemarie.
Beyond accessibility and basic accommodation requirements, Annemarie wanted to capitalise on the architecture which is comprised of three parts and surrounded by a beautiful natural aspect. Expansive six-metre window frame views to the garden and large sliding commercial aluminium doors form a connection between the interior and outdoor spaces.
The stunning surroundings were a starting point for the design, and thanks to a thoughtful combination of materials and a timeless colour palette, the interior is just as impressive. “Our recommendation was to use excellent quality finishes and a classic modern design so the house would continue to appeal for many years. Hence, colours were kept to a stylish, timeless palette.”
The stunning surroundings were a starting point for the design, and thanks to a thoughtful combination of materials and a timeless colour palette, the interior is just as impressive. “Our recommendation was to use excellent quality finishes and a classic modern design so the house would continue to appeal for many years. Hence, colours were kept to a stylish, timeless palette.”
Annemarie explains when you enter the home the first thing you’ll notice is the strong architectural form, including two glass voids flanking a staircase and the Crackenback® Freeform® natural stone wall. Used internally and along the property’s boundary wall, Annemarie says: “The Crackenback was the perfect choice because of its irregular form which softens the strong architectural lines.”
“The stone wall creates a texture and softness which is viewed from most rooms in the house and continues on the front wall in the street”.
The client also fell in love with the natural colour variations in the stone and requested Annemarie extend these colours into other areas of the home, including the master ensuite.
Annemarie drew inspiration for the colour palette directly from the surrounding gardens. “I’ve used classic, timeless colours that portray the colours of the gum tree bark in greige, taupe and ash grey,” she explains. The custom-made cabinetry and plush pile carpet have been inspired by the muted khaki tones of the dried gum leaves, and the clients are slowly building on the Australian palette introducing furnishings in blacks, golds and bronzes.
Throughout the interior, there is a balance of sleek finishes with natural textures. The highly textural sandstone is offset by clear panes of glass. The 2-Pac gloss kitchen cabinetry sits beside the warm tones of the Caesarstone bench tops. To add sophistication and visual interest, mosaic feature tiles and lighting in copper and amber tones are jewels that complete the interior.
Annemarie explains while the hero of the home is undoubtedly the stone wall, another strong element is the how the interior is drenched in natural light. “Large windows have been placed to create individual pockets of scenery that link rooms together through every aspect of the house, so it feels captivating as you walk from one end to another observing the exterior settings,” says Annemarie.
The highly considered layout of this interior ensures the clients can live comfortably in their home for years to come. But it’s the attention to detail and combination of natural materials and colours that make an everlasting impression, transforming this contemporary piece of architecture into a home for modern day living.
Architect: JDarc Architects
Interior Designer: ap interior design
Construction: Desyn Homes
Landscape: Vivid Design
Photography: James Knowler + crew
