The Kew House Volume + II August + 016
Contents + Intro from Andrew Crawshaw 3 + Elwood home main bathroom 4 5 + Kew home kitchen 6 7 + How to maximise a small kitchen 8 9 + Tips for: planning a reno 12 13 + Focus on: selecting finishes 16 17 Welcome to our first ever issue of Having been in the business of creating beautiful bathrooms + kitchens for clients for over 14 years, there is one key lesson I have learnt: craftsmanship is crucial. And in order for the craft to evolve it must follow great design. smar+ is a showcase of great design in the bathroom + kitchen to ignite your inspiration. Enjoy. Andrew Crawshaw
Elwood home main bathroom Crafted as a result of a consistent design aesthetic throughout the home s multiple wet areas, this calm main bathroom uses contrasting black tapware and black window frames to punctuate the cool, grey palette. Warm touches of timber finish the space in the shaving cabinet and roughsawn American oak vanity. Location Elwood Who lives here A couple with their cat, Felix Solution Kitchen, 3 bathrooms + laundry Budget $35,000 $40,000 Construction duration 3 weeks
Kew home kitchen This Italianate Victorian home was completely transformed to create a stunning contemporary space with a seamless nod to the home s past. A curved wall of Carrara marble penny rounds wraps the splashback, tying together soft neutral tones with timeless class. This kitchen won the prestigious award for HIA-CSR Victorian Large Kitchen of the Year 2015. Location Kew Who lives here A couple with their 2 teenage children + their cavoodle, Rupert Solution Kitchen, walk-in pantry + living Budget $120,000+ Construction duration 10 weeks
How to maximise a small kitchen It s the inner city real estate conundrum great apartment, but the kitchen is lacking; in fact, some modern house designs omit the kitchen completely! As to not throw the home out with the dishwater, so to speak, there are several ways to maximise a small kitchen, here are 11 of them: 1. If you have the luxury of renovation on your side, consider opening up the walls 4. The addition of a mirrored splashback and/or a mirrored kicker will trick the eye into thinking your kitchen is bigger than it is, particularly if its orientation enables the reflection of the outdoors. 5. Clean colours, especially separating the kitchen from white, make kitchens feel other parts of the house. Open brighter and more spacious. quirky focal point, and keep 10. A rolling cart (also known Do you want to know more plan kitchens are not only If you have windows, try to the kids occupied while you as a moveable island) is a small ways to get the most out of functional, but they create a emphasise them; natural light is cook dinner! kitchen s best friend wheel your small space? feeling of spaciousness. 2. Think vertically as well as horizontally by installing floor to ceiling storage. Purchase a ladder to access your stored the best (and least expensive!) way to widen any space. The incorporation of a skylight is a magical way to brighten a windowless kitchen. 8. If drawing on cupboard doors doesn t take your fancy, remove them. By either taking them off entirely, or replacing them with glass, windowed storage it out when you need it, stow it away in another part of the house when you don t. 11. Use every inch of your space in your cabinets by installing Contact Smarter Kitchens on (03) 8681 5603 to book a Free In-Home Consultation with one of our awardwinning designers. items; it s practical and the 6. Store items that you use is chic and creates the illusion drawers rather than cupboards. height creates the illusion infrequently away from the of space. Drawers nearly double the of space. 3. Store specially selected regularly used utensils on the bench. Decorative jars add texture and depth to your design. kitchen including big platters, specialty utensils and crystal glassware. 7. Magnetise or paint the kitchen cupboards with chalkboard paint to create a 9. Adding long narrow shelves to the walls creates a streamlined look and makes the eye travel further, lengthening the room. usable space. Difficult corner spaces can be better utilised magic corner units or le Mans shelving. Find out more about this and other smarterspace ideas here.
International designer we love right now: Frederic Kielemoes Kielemoes designs utilise cool colours yet exude warmth Kielemoes designs utilise cool colours yet exude warmth Luxe rustic charm There s just something about Belgian design that we just love. It s clean, to the point, elegant and timeless. There s a minimalistic simplicity that gives it an edge. And Brugge-based Interior Architect, Frederic Kielemoes stunning spaces often barn conversions are no exception. A harmonious union between the old and the new Timeless, elegant materials lend a nod to the buildings architectural history Design: Frederic Kielemoes Interieur Architect Photography: Thomas de Bruyne Cafeine
Planning a renovation Renovating is an exciting and busy time. Dramatically transforming your home into what you want is an exhilarating experience, and the sense of achievement is brilliant. We have all heard the horror stories of home renovations taking twice as long and costing twice as much as planned, but with a little forethought, a bit of research, good planning, and some help from us, you will be well on your way to the home of your dreams. Ideas. It all begins with an idea. You walk into your bathroom and realise it was made in the mid 70 s! You have started entertaining friends a bit more now, and that kitchen just won t be good enough you get the idea. Keep a file of all your renovation ideas for easy reference. It will be really helpful when talking to a professional if you can actually show them how you want something to look. Be sure to indulge yourself in the fact that you are creating a home for YOU. Take plenty of time to sit and dream what you want in your renovated home. Get creative, and get inspired! Budget. After you have gathered all your ideas and created a wish list, it s time to realistically assess how much you can afford to pay. You may have to slightly reign in some ideas that you were considering (that gold plated bathtub, for example) so that you can get the job done. Engaging a company who can provide you with a detailed, fixed project costing at the outset will ensure your project is completed on budget. Design. Engaging a qualified professional at this point will ensure you avoid mistakes and maximize both the aesthetic and functionality of the space. One of the great things about Smarterbathrooms+ is our ability, based on our experience and creativity, to stand back and see the overall picture and understand what will really work well within your space, your property and your needs. Should I Stay or Should I Go? Jobs such as a kitchen renovation, removing internal walls and renovating the only bathroom in your home require careful thought as to how liveable the house will be during the renovation. Engaging a company who can provide you with a guaranteed completion date will ensure your project is finished on time. Further to this the team at Smarterbathrooms+ even delivers you a fortnightly works schedule giving you detailed insights for planning your life around your renovation.
A standout feature of this stunning space connects the entertaining patio with the kitchen: a piston-hinged servery window. With a seamless stainless steel benchtop finish from indoors to outdoors, the clients desire to effortlessly connect the two spaces has been realised.
1. Choice. With the vast array of options available, utilise resources such as Pinterest, Houzz (and smarterbathrooms+!) to save and narrow down your design preferences. 2. Form. Try sticking to a limited palette of three or four materials as a base to work from. Look for light- or natural-coloured joinery to keep the space open and bright, using other materials in small doses for visual depth and texture. Let contrast be the key. 1. 2. Selecting finishes 3. Function. Choose durable and easyto-clean surfaces. Large-format tiles or slabs of stone will minimise grout lines and create a smooth and easy to live with space. Remember to consider what your taps will be used for and the type of basin or bath the water will flow into. Do you need a taller tap or a wall-mounted version to fit over an above-counter basin? Perhaps you need a longer bath spout to extend across to a freestanding bath? It pays to consider these details. 4. Seek professional advice. It s difficult to change things once installed so it s important to get it right the first time. Keep it simple: use an experienced professional who is knowledgeable in the bathroom + kitchen space to guide you through the process and avoid potentially costly design disasters. 3. 4.
Call now for your free consultation: 1300 66 28 38 Or view our online gallery at: smarterbathrooms.com.au Showroom / Office 77 Salmon St Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Showroom opening hours 9am-4pm Monday to Friday 10am-2pm on Saturdays Click here to book a Free In-Home Consultation