Houzz Tours
10 Most Popular Contemporary Homes of 2015
Explore some of the most clicked-on contemporary homes from Australia and New Zealand we took you on tours through this year
On the editorial desk, we get to see a variety of incredible homes come through the site. Some of the most impressive are the contemporary ones, which are tailor-made to the modern style of living – think beautiful open-plan living spaces, high ceilings and geometric shapes. Looking through the past year, there have been ten standout designs that Houzzers have just loved, from a home in Wellington’s hills to one designed by two 8-year-old twin boys. These are the fun stories and incredible designs that have captured the community’s imagination this year.
The rest of the extension mirrored the style of the ‘Tower House’, with smaller structures featuring the same peaked roof. “Tower House developed into more than just an extended house – it became a small village, with each building performing a different function, synchronised by the boys’ tower shapes and anchored by the original weatherboard house,” says Maynard.
Step inside the rest of this adventurous home
Step inside the rest of this adventurous home
2. A weatherboard cottage becomes a money-maker
Architect David Boyle was thrilled when he met homeowner and fellow outside-the-box thinker, Courtney Gibson. Gibson had purchased an old weatherboard cottage in Sydney’s Marrickville and wanted it to be a space for her, her kids and her art, but also as a way to make money.
Boyle turned the single cottage into two properties, enabling Gibson to sell the other for a profit.
Architect David Boyle was thrilled when he met homeowner and fellow outside-the-box thinker, Courtney Gibson. Gibson had purchased an old weatherboard cottage in Sydney’s Marrickville and wanted it to be a space for her, her kids and her art, but also as a way to make money.
Boyle turned the single cottage into two properties, enabling Gibson to sell the other for a profit.
The home is the perfect space for Gibson’s eclectic art collection, with high ceilings, lots of light and long gallery-style walls for larger pieces. This colourful contemporary space was one many Houzzers lusted over, with user LouieT commenting, “Love it! The owner’s personality is everywhere and epitomises the essence of home, it just works on so many levels. A credit to both the owner and architect … Bravo!”
3. Sri Lankan style in the Wellington Hills
This home, built in the hills of Wellington by Liz Wallace of Tse:Wallace Architects, was made for a family inspired by renowned Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa. As fans of his work, the homeowners wanted a Bawa-style design incorporated into their new home in New Zealand.
This home, built in the hills of Wellington by Liz Wallace of Tse:Wallace Architects, was made for a family inspired by renowned Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa. As fans of his work, the homeowners wanted a Bawa-style design incorporated into their new home in New Zealand.
The natural surrounds played a big role in the design, and Wallace had to account for elements including strong winds and, at times, limited sunlight (due to the hilly location).
By collaborating with the homeowners, the designer created a space that caters perfectly to this young family and their distinct sense of style.
Take a look inside the rest of the home
By collaborating with the homeowners, the designer created a space that caters perfectly to this young family and their distinct sense of style.
Take a look inside the rest of the home
4. When one reno isn’t enough
Interior designer Melissa Lunardon and her husband had just finished the renovation of their home, when they decided they wanted to knock it down and build two new townhouses on the same block!
The result is a brand new home with a layout and style that suits the couple to a T, as Lunardon used her own design skills to customise the whole property.
Interior designer Melissa Lunardon and her husband had just finished the renovation of their home, when they decided they wanted to knock it down and build two new townhouses on the same block!
The result is a brand new home with a layout and style that suits the couple to a T, as Lunardon used her own design skills to customise the whole property.
Many of her clients often take note of how she has designed her space, using elements of Lunardon’s style to inspire their own homes.
Tour this contemporary townhouse
Tour this contemporary townhouse
5. Minimalism for a young family
Furniture designers Mr and Mrs White used their own creations and minimalist style to create their perfect home. Located in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, their lifestyle is tranquil and their home a lovely environment for their two young children to grow up in.
The home was originally a simple beach shack that the family shared with Sasha’s parents, which they then renovated to suit their modern lifestyle.
Furniture designers Mr and Mrs White used their own creations and minimalist style to create their perfect home. Located in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, their lifestyle is tranquil and their home a lovely environment for their two young children to grow up in.
The home was originally a simple beach shack that the family shared with Sasha’s parents, which they then renovated to suit their modern lifestyle.
Decorating with various natural textures, including leather, fur and wood, the duo created a timeless design. Together they also demonstrated how minimalism can work in a kid’s area; this bedroom was one of the most popular rooms in the home tour.
Step inside this minimalist home
Step inside this minimalist home
6. A very green house on a very green street
The owners of this Queensland property approached Bark Design Architects, asking them to create a home that would celebrate the coastal landscape, blend into the natural bush environment, be discrete, and preserve the natural vegetation of the site.
The house that resulted from this brief is located on Spoonbill Street where residents engage in community that’s committed to taking care of the environment as part of the Sunshine Coast council’s Living Smart Homes program.
The owners of this Queensland property approached Bark Design Architects, asking them to create a home that would celebrate the coastal landscape, blend into the natural bush environment, be discrete, and preserve the natural vegetation of the site.
The house that resulted from this brief is located on Spoonbill Street where residents engage in community that’s committed to taking care of the environment as part of the Sunshine Coast council’s Living Smart Homes program.
The exterior blends into its environment, with timber cladding that will age into silver over time. The house has two wings that wrap around the central room. Overall, it’s a very stylish ‘green’ property that suits the family’s values and lifestyle.
Find out more about this home
Find out more about this home
7. A worker’s cottage gets space from nowhere
The owners of this house in Perth were in need of extra space for their growing family, and so decided that their home needed an extension. As well as an open-plan living area housing the kitchen, living room and laundry, a boutique, hotel-style master bedroom and ensuite upstairs now overlooks an outdoor entertaining area and swimming pool.
The owners of this house in Perth were in need of extra space for their growing family, and so decided that their home needed an extension. As well as an open-plan living area housing the kitchen, living room and laundry, a boutique, hotel-style master bedroom and ensuite upstairs now overlooks an outdoor entertaining area and swimming pool.
Mata Design Studio made the 407-square-metre property feel sizeable, and created a contemporary space for a very busy family.
See inside the rest of this home
See inside the rest of this home
8. An inside-outside extension
The director of ArchiBlox showed the Houzz community just how good their work can look with this property. He and his family live in this custom modular design in Melbourne, and have really put their stamp on it.
As an extension of their Edwardian weatherboard, this addition brings their home up-to-date and fit for modern living, suiting the family’s intention to spend a lot of their time outdoors with large open windows and a pool.
The director of ArchiBlox showed the Houzz community just how good their work can look with this property. He and his family live in this custom modular design in Melbourne, and have really put their stamp on it.
As an extension of their Edwardian weatherboard, this addition brings their home up-to-date and fit for modern living, suiting the family’s intention to spend a lot of their time outdoors with large open windows and a pool.
Houzzers loved the polished concrete floors in this project, as well as the way the light bounces off the glossy surface.
Explore the rest of this home
Explore the rest of this home
9. Living with big kids and little kids
When two creatives marry, their home can become a work of art. Rochelle and Wojciech Wawrzyniak, both designers, personalised their apartment in Sydney together, with graphics and cartoons taking centre stage. They share the space with their two young sons, who love to play with toys their parents customised for them.
When two creatives marry, their home can become a work of art. Rochelle and Wojciech Wawrzyniak, both designers, personalised their apartment in Sydney together, with graphics and cartoons taking centre stage. They share the space with their two young sons, who love to play with toys their parents customised for them.
The boys’ bedroom makes great use of space with a loft-style bed, which allows them to store their toys underneath and gives them extra space to play.
Step inside this fun house
Step inside this fun house
10. A weatherboard gets a much-needed extension
It was important to the owners of this property that the extension of their Edwardian weatherboard house in Melbourne retain its historical charm. So they enlisted the help of David Moody from Moody Architecture to do the job for them.
Originally a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, the space no longer suited the growing family. Despite the tight budget and council restrictions, Moody was able to deliver a contemporary design which blends beautifully with the original exterior.
It was important to the owners of this property that the extension of their Edwardian weatherboard house in Melbourne retain its historical charm. So they enlisted the help of David Moody from Moody Architecture to do the job for them.
Originally a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, the space no longer suited the growing family. Despite the tight budget and council restrictions, Moody was able to deliver a contemporary design which blends beautifully with the original exterior.
“It was important that every space worked as hard as possible,” says Moody. The new extension incorporates the main family spaces including the living and dining area, as well as the deck and garden. These are hinged around the kitchen, which acts as the focal point in an open-plan layout.
Take a better look at this home
TELL US
Which contemporary home from 2015 do you like the best? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
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Take a better look at this home
TELL US
Which contemporary home from 2015 do you like the best? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
So You Live in a … Contemporary House
Defining Style: Contemporary vs Modern Furniture
2 0 Aussie Kitchens With a Contemporary Edge
After hours of discussion about how to best achieve a suitable extension and renovation for an old weatherboard house in Melbourne, architect Andrew Maynard was delighted when the homeowners’ twin boys showed him a sketch of how their new home should look.
The tower-like structure became the focal point of the design, with this tall building serving as the kids’ study, a space that includes a climbing net as a playful touch.