new house
13. Location: Melbourne, VictoriaWhy we love it: Chevron wall tiles and a round mirror that echoes the curves of the basin and egg-shaped tub. We’re sold.
They also did not want the wine fridge to be visible, but it needed be in a practical location. It is now placed on the edge of this island bench, so that if people want to grab a drink they do not interrupt the flow of the kitchen.
5. Wireless phone chargersIf you own an electric toothbrush, you may have already had cord-free charging in your home for some time. Wireless energy transfer works via coils of alternating currents and what, for our purposes, is best described as magic. Recent improvements in wireless charging mean you can now purchase pads (basically a thin disc) for as little $20 that you can leave on your desk or bedside table. All you have to do is drop your phone and then wait… two to five hours. Verdict: This purchase is worthwhile if you value drop-and-go convenience highly. The more affordable options will not charge your phone fast, so here’s some advice: look for one that can handle high-speed charging. Now, if only you could find your phone…Price guide: $15-$90
39. Rustic glam. Auckland, New Zealand
38. Mix and match. Lille, France
16. Softly, softly. Nantes, France
5. Location: Albert Park, VictoriaWhy we love it: It’s hard to look at this kitchen and not feel a little bench-space envy.
3. Location: Stockholm, SwedenWhy we love it: Minimalist kitchens are all about clean lines, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be warm and welcoming. The use of timber for the cabinets achieves this instantly.
6. Give them a space of their own“A child’s bedroom becomes increasingly important as they grow up, and if they don’t like the space, they’re unlikely to want to spend time there,” says Welsch. “The room needs to be big enough so they can spend time with their friends there. Size in terms of square meterage is not that crucial, but the area does need to be functional, with space to seat guests and pull-out beds for sleepovers. A private breakout space such as balcony or terrace off the room is a nice addition.” It’s also important to let your teen give their input on the design of their bedroom, and stamp their personality on it, says Cole. “Having control over a small part of the home to arrange to their satisfaction can give teens a sense of control and autonomy,” he says. “Aim to keep the bedroom scheme relatively neutral so that new passions can be accommodated as they evolve. Small changes, such as brightly coloured bedspreads and soft furnishings, can have a big impact. If your teen is musical, you’re probably going to want some soundproofing elements.”“And don’t forget to include display space so your teen can personalise their room,” says Welsch. “Natural light and ventilat...
5. Location: San Francisco, USAWhy we love it: Using marble with restraint also works well. This marble-tiled floor, paired with high ceilings, gives this room gravitas.
Silver fallsWhen it comes to under-planting, there really isn’t a better plant than Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’. The grey silvery foliage, which weeps downwards, looks stunning against a charcoal-coloured pot.I’ve used Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ in full sun to part shade. They require very little water. Once established, the foliage will weep down as much as two metres!For best results, try planting a feature tree in a large pot, and under-plant around the inside edge of the rim every 20 centimetres. Over time, this will form a complete curtain around the pot.It’s a good idea to regularly go around the pot with a pair of hardy scissors and trim the foliage to promote new growth.
Blue chalk sticksKnown for their finger-like, striking blue foliage, Blue chalk sticks (Senecio serpens) are a perfect balcony-friendly plant.Blue chalk sticks are a drought-tolerant succulent that prefer a sunny position, but do well in part shade, too. If you’re after a shade-friendly variety, try researching S. herrenaus and S. rawleyanus for more options.I use blue chalk sticks for underplanting feature trees with an elevated canopy, such as frangipanis and magnolias. They also look particularly good with the silvery foliage of olive trees.
19. Breath of fresh air. Portland, USA
10. Natural reflections. Melbourne, Victoria
Bluestone A beautiful and hard-wearing material, bluestone comes in varied shades, ranging from pale lilac to deep slate blue. Pro or DIY? Hire a professional stone mason. Large stones can be extremely heavy and difficult to position, and creating a lovely pattern like the one shown here is an art.Process snapshot: A mason levels and prepares the area, and provides for proper drainage. The dug-out space is filled with about 30 centimetres of gravel and a thin layer of stone dust on top. Finally the bluestone is laid tightly, generally without mortar.
23. Location: McMahons Point, NSWWhy we love it: Pale grey marble, glossy white tiles and mirrored wall cabinets bounce the light around this compact Sydney bathroom, making it feel bright and spacious.
17. Location: Karekare Beach, New ZealandWhy we love it: Because quite frankly, when you’ve got a view this spectacular from your bathtub, who cares if you’re short on space?
19. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Why we love it: Such a great use of a small space. This built-in helps keep mess behind closed doors, while the detail in the framing adds a lovely decorative aspect to the room.
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