The Interiors Addict |
- Architect Joe Snell sums up 2022 homes as “beautiful simplicity”
- Single mum achieves amazing home makeover on a budget
- Indigenous interior design scholarship offered by TAFE NSW and Stylecraft
- Interior designer Greg Natale celebrates 20 years in the business
| Architect Joe Snell sums up 2022 homes as “beautiful simplicity” Posted: 31 Jan 2022 04:00 PM PST Clean lines and pared-back designs for work, rest and playClosed borders, lockdowns, and working from home for much of 2021 increasingly helped Australians identify where they want to live and what they want from their homes. As well as greater consideration for locations outside of metro areas, Australians are identifying the benefits of creating purposeful, separate hubs around the home.  Increased savings, low interest rates, and government grants have contributed to the urgency for real estate, resulting in a fear of missing out or paying too much. "Unfortunately, the quality of Australian home design suffers with such urgency in the market. There's a gap between what homeowners value most and the homes we're building," says James Hardie's marketing director, Cathleya Buchanan. "Australians want a place where they can be safe, relaxed, connect with family and make memories – it's important that the home is designed to be light, bright and spacious. Home builders need to think about orienting living areas toward the north, where the light comes from, and including large windows and openings. Living areas should be open plan and connect to outdoor areas," says Buchanan. As well as a focus on aspect and open planning, Cathleya notes that purposeful hubs around the home will be increasingly sought after in the House of 2022. "The pandemic has shown us that home is more than a shelter," said leading architect and James Hardie ambassador Joe Snell. "The homes of 2022 must be flexible and not as stagnant as they once were. Homes need to provide for entertainment, eating, working, exercising, and retreat. Work is now ever-changing, but the home remains the hub with flexibility the key." Below, Cathleya and outline the design features of the house of 2022. Exteriors and designOn house exteriors, James Hardie believes the House of 2022 is best summed up by the words "beautiful simplicity". Homeowners are inspired by clean lines and pared-back designs with achromatic colour palettes. Profiled cladding products like Linea Weatherboards are being painted crisp white and contrasted with black window frames, black fascia and guttering. Cladding with modest details like Axon Cladding, which looks like vertical joint timber or large format panel Hardie Fine Texture Cladding, a fibre cement wall panel embedded with a fine texture to create a modern aesthetic, are becoming a canvas which highlights homes with simple shapes and hidden rooflines. Timber screens and integrated greenery feature strongly as they pop from a receding dark coloured cladding background.  Joe notes that the Hamptons style is ever popular, but due to the pandemic, the housing look is trending more towards functionality, with houses becoming what they need to be for owners; not what owners think they should be. "Essentially it is lifestyle creating the form, not the form dictating lifestyle." Joe notes two trends that will be present in 2022 include resort style for home holidaying and Scandinavian inspired functionality. "Resort-style homes with similarly designed pools, a fresh weatherboard beach look, and a pergola, with no need to add further decoration, will help create a year-round holiday aesthetic. Those seeking more of a pragmatic, industrial, working house will opt for the Scandinavian look. It's pure and highly practical with a clean aesthetic and will suit a lot of people working from home." He adds: "Homes with little architectural shape can be enhanced by varying lines, textures and colours. Here, the mixed cladding look can reflect a well-known style or a unique personal one. By incorporating a larger range of materials, the look opens almost endless design possibilities, perfect for people who have rediscovered their creative sides during lockdowns." A warm (and safe) welcomeThe pandemic has changed home design. We're now conscious of preventing the virus entering our homes and we want to feel safe when we're socialising with friends and family at home. These considerations will influence new home builds as well as renovations.  We can expect oversized front entryways and covered porches, where couriers delivering packages or visitors dropping off children for a play date can be greeted. Entryways will increasingly become a welcoming hub in the home with design opportunities for textured cladding, lighting, and seating to set the right mood. Snell also notes the house of 2022 may include second living spaces allowing for a getaway from the main living area, which are becoming a big request. "People have a clearer idea of what they want in floorplans. One example of this is an expanded master bedroom to include a lounge for reading. Working a 'retreat' space into the floorplan lends itself to the resort style of home.” WorkThe proportion of people working from home was about 8% in 2019 but was estimated to be around 38% in 2021. Working from home has identified the real need for dedicated work spaces that are not bedrooms or living rooms. "It's important to have work and non-work zones to create separation and allow family members to decompress from increasingly busy, long, and stressful work; especially, when we don't have the commute to put distance between the two," says Cathleya. "Dedicated, sound-proof 'Zoom rooms' for online meetings are increasingly being identified as needs rather than wants. Joe notes working from home is now not just one person needing space, but multiple people needing spaces. "The traditional open plan layout with study nook is out. Now that the whole family is working from home, a study nook is not fit for purpose," he said. Another trend Joe observes is the home office increasingly being placed in the first room at the front of the house. "If you are welcoming work-related visitors, you don't want people walking through the house to get to the office." He also notes some home offices are including a separate entrance for better access. Disconnect One in five (20%) Australians experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress in June 2021. As an antidote to constant connection with work or family while locked down, and improving mental health, the need for quiet alone time become apparent to many. Home designs should consider tranquil, private, slow spaces which can be indoors or in a covered outdoor space. These calm, quiet spaces are used to unplug, decompress, or even meditate. Lockdowns made many feel cooped-up and craving a connection with the outdoors, so outdoor spaces need to be integrated with the house for an easy indoor-outdoor flow. These spaces should be minimalist and uncluttered with an organic feel; including plants, soft lighting, rich textures and careful colour selection such as neutral, earthy paint colours, to aid relaxation. To find out more about how to build or renovate your own dream home, from inspiration on the latest look to advice on modern materials, visit jameshardie.com.au. The post Architect Joe Snell sums up 2022 homes as “beautiful simplicity” appeared first on The Interiors Addict. |
| Single mum achieves amazing home makeover on a budget Posted: 31 Jan 2022 12:00 PM PST They say first impressions count and we were so blown away with the difference Kat Marshall made to her entry recently for well under $1,000, we just had to share the inspiration.   “I was pretty embarrassed about it when people came over,” said Kat, who lives in Gippsland VIC and is single mum to a three-year-old “tornado” Patrick. She’d already started painting her weatherboard house white and as with all renos, one job leads to another! “It looked great but highlighted how shabby the rest was!”  The first thing the 38-year-old did was replace the roofing and the fascia of the verandah. “That was a little beyond my comfort zone and I was able to get a local apprentice builder I knew to do that. I had the awful steel pipe post replaced with a nice timber one, painted it all and it still looked shabby! So I watched a few YouTube videos on how to regrout bricks, went to Bunnings, got a $10 bag of mortar mix and got started. That was the longest task, taking about three days, but was surprisingly relaxing to do!” Next, Kat got some Haymes paving paint to complement the colour of the bricks, and painted the concrete at the top of the steps, outside the front door. “The wall light was a fun little project, and a colour that I thought might look a bit gawdy, but I surprised myself! I pulled it apart, gave it a light sand and washed it, then sprayed with etch primer first, followed by a Dulux spray paint – Duramax in Copper Rose.  “I got some plants from Bunnings and it all came together, leaving me feeling proud as punch of my little project. It made such a huge difference and cost well under $1,000.” Kat says providing a nice home for herself and her son is really important to her. “I purchased this house whilst pregnant and had others move me in about three weeks before I had my little Patrick. “I have done so many projects since I've been here. I got so much done when I was on maternity leave. I was never the mum that slept when the baby slept, I was more of a work my butt off until baby wakes type of person! Honestly, I had a lot going on and I think I used house projects as a distraction.” As well as working full-time, Kat has a side hustle creating custom art, using the extra money she makes to pay for her DIY projects. “I'm independent to a fault and will always try doing something myself before getting someone in, mainly because I know that my finances would never stretch far enough to achieve what I want to, and also because I am a practical person and I enjoy doing the work!” To date, she’s repainted the interior, got new flooring throughout and landscaped the yard! “That was pretty major! I hand dug everything and carried every single rock in from the front as there is no vehicle access.”   She also revamped the kitchen on a budget, doing everything herself except for the installation of new gas appliances and bench tops. And last but not least, Kat converted her garage into an art studio.  Meanwhile, she continues to paint the exterior of the house.  “My Patty boy can be a great help. I get him involved in all of the projects and he always tells me that he's going to build me a new house tomorrow so who knows, I might be influencing his career choice from an early age!  “I do a lot of the work on weekends and after work and occasionally take some leave from work to get through bigger tasks that I can't do with Patty around. At the end of the day, I've had to accept that my projects will always take longer than they would if I had someone around and I'm totally okay with that because the satisfaction that I get when I complete one of the projects is enormous.” Got a reno project to share? Contact us.  Before & Afters Archives – The Interiors Addict There's no doubt that our readers are always very excited for a before and after (it's the most popular category on the site) which means that many of you will…  Self-taught DIY queen gives tradies a run for their money Growing up in a small town, Melbourne's Nicole Herrick saw first-hand just how resourceful her mother had to be. "My mum can make or fix anything – we call her…  Before & after: A fabulous $550 DIY bathroom makeover in Adelaide When writer, stylist and former magazine editor Alexis Teasdale bought her 1920's Tudor-style home in Adelaide a few years ago it was with a view to renovating it. But with… The post Single mum achieves amazing home makeover on a budget appeared first on The Interiors Addict. |
| Indigenous interior design scholarship offered by TAFE NSW and Stylecraft Posted: 30 Jan 2022 04:00 PM PST TAFE NSW and furniture design company Stylecraft have joined forces to offer a new First Nations Interior Design Scholarship in 2022 to further encourage Indigenous Australians to join the ever-evolving local design industry.  With CommSec reporting a 7.4% increase in loans for home renovation in June 2021, and Job Outlook predicting employment in interior design will grow 16.3% over the next five years, it's the perfect time for aspiring interior designers to start their careers. The scholarship will cover the full fees for the Bachelor of Interior Design at TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore, along with providing educational support throughout the studies of the successful applicant. Stylecraft managing director, Anthony Collins, said the scholarship presented an exciting opportunity for aspiring Indigenous designers to get a head start in the thriving interior design industry. "Stylecraft has committed to the scholarship program for three years. By 2024, three students will be in the Interior Design stream completing the scholarship program. We will also work with TAFE NSW to identify any internship or mentoring opportunities for scholarship recipients within Stylecraft or industry partners and clients.  "The ultimate aim of the program is to encourage participation by Indigenous Australians in the interior design profession, and we look forward to contributing to the students' design journey." TAFE NSW Creative and Design Ideation Head of Skills Team, Richard Cass, said the scholarships will be awarded on the basis of study and career potential – including career goals, motivation and creative portfolio. "The Bachelor of Interior Design allows students to develop practical design skills and learn the theory needed to equip them with a sound understanding of design best practice, both in Australia and internationally," he said. "TAFE NSW will ensure that scholarship recipients receive academic support through progressive review and solutions with head teachers, teachers and the Aboriginal Education and Engagement Team. "TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore is a purpose-built design studio where students are able to immerse themselves in design. It's the perfect place to build design skills and get a head start in the booming interior design industry." To applyStudents will need to first enrol into the Bachelor of Interior Design course via this link, and through the application process they can apply for the scholarship. The course starts on 14 February and they’re taking applications now up until the course start date. The post Indigenous interior design scholarship offered by TAFE NSW and Stylecraft appeared first on The Interiors Addict. |
| Interior designer Greg Natale celebrates 20 years in the business Posted: 30 Jan 2022 02:10 PM PST "I was one of those lucky kids that knew what I wanted to be from a young age and I decided I wanted to be an interior designer at the age of 10," says interior designer Greg Natale who celebrated an incredible 20 years in the business at the end of last year. And with a large interior design business, countless product lines and his own homewares empire in the works, it's hard not to be impressed by the designer whose work ethic is second to none.  Growing up as the child of hard-working Italian immigrants, in Sydney's south-western suburbs, Greg found escape in the small screen, with movies and TV shows proving integral in determining his career path. "We didn't travel much as kids as my father was always working, but I travelled through film and television," says Greg when describing the genesis of his design passion. And while set design was never considered ("I didn't even know what that was"), the world of architecture and interiors beckoned with Greg first studying architecture at the University of Technology Sydney, and then interior design at Enmore Design Centre. "My elder sister is a fashion designer, and my father was in the building industry, so I was heavily exposed to design from a very young age. I guess it was a mash up of all these different things, but I was always a creative kid," says Greg who is the only son in the family and has four older sisters.  Greg worked for other people before starting Greg Natale Design in 2001 and has worked hard ever since. "You need to be determined, persistent and very patient in this business as things do take time to take off. You really need to believe in yourself and know that rejections are par for the course," says Greg who has gone from one staff member to a team of 24 who work across his interior design and homewares businesses.  His interior design clients are located all over Australia, and he mainly works on new build large family homes and penthouses, with some commercial work too. Currently, he has a whopping 40 design projects in the works with his large clientele drawn to his singular aesthetic. "For me, it's important to have a signature style. You do want to stand out from the crowd," says Greg,  Following on from the success of his interior design business, Greg started licencing his work about 15 years ago, initially with a collection for Designer Rugs. He is now working on his eighth collection for the rug brand and also creates wallpaper ranges for Signature Prints, tiles for Bisazza, tiles and bathroom ware for Teranova and has a fabric range in the works for Elliott Clarke.  And if all of that wasn't enough, he also launched a homewares line five years ago. Designed in-house at his Surry Hills studio, the range is now sold in Bergdorf Goodman in New York as well as Amara, Luxe Deco and in his own Sydney flagship store in Potts Point. "We've also just launched into all the major David Jones stores nationally. The homewares business is really growing," says Greg, who explains that while he has a lot on the go it's all been years in the making. "I've been giving the homewares business a really hard slog for the last five years and it only really started to take off recently," says Greg.  As for career highlights, Greg was thrilled to be named Belle Magazine's Interior Designer of the year twice. "Winning it twice was a real highlight. I'm also just finishing my third book now which I'm excited about – it's called The Layered Interior and it comes out in October," says Greg. And when it comes to his aesthetic, he believes it is always evolving but that he has felt Modernism's pull of late. "My work is definitely getting more modern and contemporary. I think there is a trend back to Modernism and my work has a lot of modern lines, despite the layers."   Greg Natale’s 2021 interior trend predictions: curves, statement ceilings & bold colours One of Australia's leading designers, when Greg Natale looks into his crystal ball makes interior trend predictions we sit up and take notice. Read on for his take on what… The post Interior designer Greg Natale celebrates 20 years in the business appeared first on The Interiors Addict. |
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