Our Home
The opportunity presented itself for us to design and build our own home again. After many renovations that we have lived through from Victorians homes in Yarraville to the “beach shack” in Noosa, our journey was a big part in what type of home we now wanted to live in and what our “ forever home” would be in Mt Martha on the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula. Even if you are going to be your own designer it’s important to follow a process. It all starts with the design brief… or perhaps a long wish list. A good design brief should focus on the outcome of the design.
My job as an interior designer is to find the key elements for the design to match our clients’ lifestyles, using the same principles on our own home that had a restricted foot print we were able to include ( well most if it) our “wish list” by manipulating the spaces for this design. Attention to detail with budget and construction restraints was imperative; having a husband as a builder of course was to our great advantage always making sure during the process of the build that everyone was on the same page proved to be an asset. We wanted a more contemporary style that reflected our lifestyle, where each space feels totally different and yet it works so well together “Where industrial meets elegance”.
We also wanted to push the envelope in terms of internal space and height and were able to play with ceiling heights to our benefit – in particular the kitchen/living area with its soaring 4 metre high ceilings. The height of the windows were also dramatized to full effect which brings the outside in and allows the tree tops and sky to be constantly on view, using French doors, sliding doors and more doors also blurred the external/internal lines which was such a key element for us. The feature Matrix panelled wall in the living area was also a clever design decision, the black large mother of all fans with the huge 16 bulb industrial pendant added visual interest. We decided on a polished concrete floor throughout the home which actually softens the space and gives the home an earthy appeal. Our entry is bold and beautiful with the striking black and white stripe wallpaper, timber shutters and by using a contemporary door profile on a Barn door system creates an impact through to our dressing room/WIR. Having the main bedroom on the ground floor was one of the key to the design, leaving the second story as a self-contained area for our adult children or visitors. In our ensuite we opted for a 3 meter long double shower in lieu of a double basin vanity to create a very sophisticated resort style room. The TV room is our cosy and calm room where we showcase our memorabilia of our family and travels. The “his and hers” home office is the hub of our design and building business. The black and white theme continues into our Powderoom with its black toilet creating a talking point amongst our guest. The kitchen the most important room of a home was designed with everything to have its own place, to be able to entertain around the kitchen bench or to cook up a storm. Exposing the steel black beam and lowering the ceiling, using dark woodmatt joinery and the beautiful calacutta Primo quartz stone benchtop gave us the sophisticated industrial look we were after.Our brief was to have a contemporary light filled home with an edge and we certainly have achieved this.
House design, interior design, cabinetry design, kitchen and all wet areas design, colours, finishes, fixtures selections, furniture and decor by Debra @imagemakers_interior_design
Builders: imagemakers build and design in collaboration with Zone1
Photographer: Dave @ bwrm.sunshinecoast
joinery finishes @ Polytec
stone benchtops @ quantum quartz