Radu Palicica

Lane Dittoe / Architecture by Eric Aust

The Salty Shutters

Richard Mandelkorn

Therese Bombardier

We replaced the brick with a Tuscan-colored stacked stone and added a wood mantel; the television was built-in to the stacked stone and framed out for a custom look. This created an updated design scheme for the room and a focal point. We also removed an entry wall on the east side of the home, and a wet bar near the back of the living area. This had an immediate impact on the brightness of the room and allowed for more natural light and a more open, airy feel, as well as increased square footage of the space. We followed up by updating the paint color to lighten the room, while also creating a natural flow into the remaining rooms of this first-floor, open floor plan. After removing the brick underneath the shelving units, we added a bench storage unit and closed cabinetry for storage. The back walls were finalized with a white shiplap wall treatment to brighten the space and wood shelving for accessories. On the left side of the fireplace, we added a single floating wood shelf to highlight and display the sword. The popcorn ceiling was scraped and replaced with a cleaner look, and the wood beams were stained to match the new mantle and floating shelves. The updated ceiling and beams created another dramatic focal point in the room, drawing the eye upward, and creating an open, spacious feel to the room. The room was finalized by removing the existing ceiling fan and replacing it with a rustic, two-toned, four-light chandelier in a distressed weathered oak finish on an iron metal frame. Photo Credit: Nina Leone Photography

With significant internal wall remodelling, we removed an existing bedroom and utilised a lounge room to pave the way for a large open plan kitchen and dining area. We also removed an unwanted file storage room that backed onto the study and existing kitchen which allowed to the installation of a fully insulated temperature controlled cellar. A galley style kitchen was selected for the space and at the heart of the design is a large island bench that focuses on engagement and congregation and provides seating for 6. Acting as the activity hub of the kitchen, the island consists of split level benchtop which provides additional serving space for this family of avid entertainers. A standout feature is the large utility working wall that can be fully concealed when not in use and when open reveals not only a functional space but beautiful oak joinery and LED lit display shelving. The modern design of the kitchen is seen through the clean lines which are given an edge through the layering of materials resulting in a striking and rich palette. The all-black kitchen works well with the natural finishes and rawness of the timber finishes. The refined lines of the slimline Dekton benchtops complimented by the dark 2-pac and large format tiles make for a timeless scheme with an industrial edge. A fireplace was installed in the seating nook off the kitchen which was clad in rustic recycled timber, creating a textural element as well as bringing warmth and a sense of softness to the large space.

Roundhouse Classic matt lacquer bespoke kitchen in Little Green BBC 50 N 05 with island in Little Green BBC 24 D 05, Bianco Eclipsia quartz wall cladding. Work surfaces, on island; Bianco Eclipsia quartz with matching downstand, bar area; matt sanded stainless steel, island table worktop Spekva Bavarian Wholestave. Bar area; Bronze mirror splashback. Photography by Darren Chung.

Beautiful contemporary open plan family kitchen brought up to date with kitchen island, pendant lighting, herringbone tiles, stunning spot-lit shelves and cabinets. Wooden flooring adds warmth and sliding doors and roof lights bring in the natural light. David Bleeker Photography

Photographer Jack Lovel-Stylist Beckie Littler