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Bleakley batko house
A Creative Interior Plan for Gabby, Michael and Baby
Gabby and Michael,
I wonder who is more excited about your renos - me or you???!!! There is so much upside with this apartment and with the changes to the floor pan already decided, we are going to create a truly fabulous family home which will be ready to receive a small parcel of joy in a few months time!
So let’s get cracking!
Entrance Hall:
Open the front door and it feels like heaven…. that’s what I want you to feel every single time.
Bearing in mind that Coogee is a beach suburb, I wanted to honour this without falling into a coastal cliche. Pale, sagey greens are the perfect alternative and the colour I’d suggest for the hallway and the living areas is by Porters Paints, Hailstorm Half.
We have yet to decide the engineered floor, but I’m loving this by Austral Flooring, an oak in the colour Cannes. It has some warmth but no yellow tones and would really amp up the calm vibes.
The image on the right is conveniently of a hallway! I’ve included it because it really highlights that softness of tone that we are after. There is a sample of an oak coloured board in your sample pack for reference only.
You need a hallway runner and this is a jute one by Armadillo that is an all time fav - it’s one from the Mojave range and the colour here is Pistachio.
The custom runner size is 80cm x 4m and costs roughly $1300 with trade discount. I know this is expensive but I think it will really be worth the investment as it strongly builds the aura of soft, serene appeal.
Hallways are always a good spot for a gallery - it might not be your thing to have photographs of important people in your life, or of places or events… but if photos are your thing then having them uniformly processed (size wise or B&W v. Colour) and framed in pale oak frames would be a great alternative to art, which could be a consideration further down the track when the coffers are replenished!
Finally, but no less importantly, a pendant light that complements our scheme here. I’m a huge fan of this style because te whole unit emanates light and with a warm globe, the effect is a candlelight mood.
This is a Temple and Webster knock off of a Scandi pendant designed decades ago. But under $400, I think it will be a really economic option that adds to the palette but not overly to the budget.
There is a 55cm diameter one for the hallway, then I thought we could potentially repeat it over the dining table with a 75cm version.
I will also show you below another option by Muuto, below, as these are glorious but at a different price point. It is up to you how much budget you allocated for lights, but I will add, annoyingly, that beautiful pendant lights do some serious lifting and sometimes, going the extra mile on cost pays off.
On the right is the Muuto Strand pendant and which is available in three sizes - a 45cm, 60cm and 80cm.
I like the idea of repeating a design element, following the adage that less is more. Interiors feel so much more integrated and comprehensive when you simplify in this way. Like using the same tiles in bathrooms and kitchens, the same type of tapware throughout, always where there is a chance for a motif, grab it!!
But back to the pendants, the Muuto is at least twice the price, and there may be a delay in delivery time depending on whether or not they need to come from Denmark or whether they’re in stock here in Sydney.
It gives paper lantern vibes - but is in fact made of a resin fabric which is cleaned using a damp cloth.
New door handles are essential!! These from Lo&Co in brushed nickel are perfect. We’d need five pairs - 1 for the front door with a lock, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms plus a privacy snib for the loo, if you want one. They also do door stops if you’d like one for the front door.
Living and Dining Rooms:
By continuing the same colour throughout the shared areas of the house, you increase the sense of space. Interesting fact! So we take Hailstorm Half through along with the glorious oak floors, and then we add!
We need to have a fuller conversation about budget, but I’m assuming we are in the MCM House realm. They’re very popular, very comfortable and very contemporary and all at a pretty good price point after my trade discount is applied.
But firstly, we need to lay down a chunky fabulous rug and I adore this one. You’ll see from the sample, the thickness and texture are so beautiful and I think it’s really well priced. This is also by Armadillo and it’s called Meadow in the colour Pistachio. What is it with nut names??
Luscious. But if you decide that this is a budget item for further down the track, we could always do a beautiful champagne or beige cowhide. Don’t think cowhide splodges!!! I always select hides that are one block colour and with slight longer hair. Think of the ones at the farm Gab.
MCM House Elio Junior is a strong option for you. I’ve been looking at the fabric choices and as much as I adore the velvet, I’m not sure that is the most practical with the imminent arrival of little vegemite fingers!!
The colour above is Bone, also not advisable, but Shale Cuddlelux although appalling in name, is a really interesting alternative! Texture is so important in building that really homely and cohesive feel and this fabric ticks the box. MCM currently6 don’t have any of the fabric in swatches but they do have furniture upholstered in it in the showroom in Paddington, so you can pop in there and ask to shown.
I strongly recommend hides too, not only for their beauty and luxe vibe, but also for their protective qualities. You drape a hide over a sofa and if a wine is spilt, or a vegemite finger threatens, the hide will take the bullet and can easily be wiped cleaned and dried in the sun. Hides are unbelievably resilient and therefore, a practical essential in any house but especially, where little children live. I always say, you don’t ever see a stained cow!!
The colour of the ottoman above is Shale Cuddlelux, but before you make any decisions, we should go in to MCM House and have a good look at other options so that you feel sure,
The sooner we order the better as there is often a 12 week or more delivery time.
The Elio Junior can be configured differently, depending on the space. I’m thinking the corner is on the RHS with a single unit with arm next to it, taking it along the hallway wall. Then a second single unit without arm and a chaise unit with LHS arm along the back wall of the room. In fact, below left is one I made earlier!!! Below right is another perspective on Shale Cuddlelux. (I mean, seriously? the name is supposed to help sell the thing!!!)
Barns and Luce bought the Elio Junior and are thrilled with it - so much so that I specified it in velvet for a client whose children are all grown up… in soft olive and she’s over the moon, too. I think it could really suit your guys.
A round coffee table is an easier shape to get around, if space is limited. Your living area is a lovely size but we have to bear in mind that it is also the way to the kitchen, so large or cumbersome furniture that is too big will drive you crazy,
I saw this in the Globewest showroom this week and I thought it would be perfect for you guys. I love travertine and the colour of this one os a lovely cream. The website photos are not really any good so I’ve included the one I took, which is only marginally better!!
The RRP on this table is $3985 but my trade price is $1895 +GST so although still not cheap, it is a beautiful table and would last forever.
A timber alternative would be chaeaper and MCM do them in a round, but I think the travertine adds a gorgeous counterpoint.
If you think it’s too expensive I’ll keep looking.
Given there is work to be done on the ceiling, we can easily move the ceiling light to above the dining table. This is the most sensible thing as light over the table is a non-negotiable. But do we want two pendant lights? I don’t think so. I’d advise lamp light for the living room side as it adds to the light already available from the dining table pendant without competing with the fitting.
Super reasonably priced, these two are best buddies and look amazing together.
The floor lamp for the living area beside the sofa and the table lamp could go over on the new joinery.
We discussed the placement of the tv and I remember that you resisted my urging to ditch it!!! We could mount it on the wall we are going to extend on the hallway side, or we could leave it where it is. They’re such unattractive but necessary evils and I’m always trying to hide them!! I love watching so I’m very understanding, even though I just wish we could all afford the joinery you can have custom made that hides it away until you want to watch it. However…. it is monumentally expensive and I’d rather spend your money elsewhere!
In time we can add art, but I think you’re right, with so many expense involved in renovating, art will have to wait.
Dining Room:
I told you about the Kin table by Globewest and how much I love it? I can tell you that today, proudly, I bought one for the farm! I got it in black, but I think possibly that might be too heavy handed for your house. So I’d recommend the Natural Ash.
Available in 2.4m length x 1.1m width, the RRP is $5255, it comes down to $2495 +GST after trade discount is applied.
Dining chairs are fairly important too!! I adore these ones in recycled leather from Globewest and the colour could not be more ideal for Arcadia Street!
The RRP is $680 but the me price is $325 +GST. You’d need 6. I’ll need 12!!!! The colour is just so lovely but the nature of the leather means they’d be noise absorbent in a way that timber isn’t. I think they’re heavenly.
And curtains. We want floor to ceiling linen and we want them now! This is a linen from James Dunlop Textiles (kiwi company) and it’s from a range called Palo in the colour Seafoam. I’ve used it before and it’s sublime. I love that it has the blue hint through it but yet it definitely in in the neutral zone. It is sort of like a marle - the curtains will hang floor to ceiling in both the living area zones. Remember we will have a space for them beside the new joinery to side back and be tucked out of the way of the light.
With zero other pics to be found, I have included the one on the right here just to give you a sense of how lovely full length linen curtains look.
Kitchen:
We are awaiting both the drawings and the quote from Max and Elie on the kitchen and the joinery, so for now I will show you what I’m thinking tile and cabinetry wise.
I’m a total fan of terrazzo - it’s pretty much what they sweep up off the concrete factory floor, a mix of cement and aggregate. So it’s porous and needs to be sealed, just like marble or other natural materials. It’s also expensive, not to buy, but to have cut to size. The bench top is a hard working zone and given the lightness of your kitchen, any porosity at all is problematic.
We have the Shilin Slate sample from Max which is very durable and will work beautifully with our scheme.
Above right you see it as a splash back, but I love the idea of using the Tile Cloud Noosa Zellige in Bone as an alternative to splash back as it gives us more texture and interest to have the combo. Imagery is limited, which is why I added that pic!
Tile Cloud Noosa Zellige in Bone is fab.
I would suggest all the cupboards in the kitchen EXCEPT the island bench, be in Irish Linen.
The colour here is the same as the walls - but instead of being Hailstorm Half strength, it’s Hailstorm Double strength! Continuity!
Ok… imagine this island bench vibe in our colour below.
With a softened corner and an overhang at the balcony end, we can save the business end for max storage, but create a seating space with stools that tuck under when not in use.
Tonally, it’s a perfect fit. It gives the island bench an identity that says ‘I’m not just a kitchen extension so don’t treat me like one’!! And with a pale bench top, this could be sublime.
We could then keep the wall of joinery behind the island, as well as the pantry, fridge door and under bench cupboard fronts in Porters Paints Irish Linen. This would counterbalance the island bench and would also maximise the sense of space and light.
The light over the island bench could be minimalist too - I love this one from About Space because it’s got the humanity of the timber without any of the palaver of a fancy fitting that can clutter the airspace.
The ceiling plates can be brushed nickel too and it an be up to 2m long - so we can tailor it to an appropriate size once we know how long the island will be and where you’d like the fitting to extend.
And then for under the overhang, stools! These ones in ash are from Globewest andcost around $400 +GST each. I’m inclined to say 3 but you might decide on 2. Lovely match with the table.
Tapware - without question, Brodware. It’s great quality and it’s Australian. I’d suggest the Yokato range because it’s so cool and has a slightly minimalist vibe with a knurled lever end. I’ve included the two images below from the Brodware website - the one on the left is the brushed nickel finish, but the website won’t convert all images to the favoured finish. The tap on the right is the kitchen mixer with pullout that would be the best. Brushed nickel will be what we specify for tapware throughout the house.
We have the oak flooring throughout, our soft bluey green vibes, beautiful big white pendant light, accent textured rich rug, a hide or two on the Elio Junior and the ash table and soft green leather dining chairs….
Bathroom/Laundry:
Much discussion and head scratching as to which to choose:
A. two bathrooms, one with combined laundry,
B. one combined and larger bathroom/laundry, or
C. a combined bathroom/laundry with seperate second loo.
