60 Australian House & GardenH&G DECORATING
3
PRETTY PALETTE
The kitchen cabinetry
was livened up with
a lick of Dulux Sea Breeze, a
cheerful colour that evokes
the ocean and the summer
sky; against the white
background, it feels fresh and
inviting. The homeowners
and visitors alike love to linger
around the island benchtop,
made of Carrara Quartz by
Quantum Quartz. Traditional
style notes include the brick
pattern splashback of white
ceramic tiles from Floor-Tech,
classic Thonet stools and the
matt-finished nickel drawer
pulls by Kethy.2
SUPER STORAGE
The overhead cabinetry
is a combination of
glass-fronted cupboards
and open shelving. The glass
panels give both definition
and depth and are a great
way to display and store
frequently used glassware.
Finger pulls take the place
of handles and each door is
fitted with a magnetic touch
opening. Above the stove,
the rangehood is covered
by a gently curving timber
panel that also houses a
small shelf for o-used
oils and seasonings.T
his once-plain seaside cottage
near Melbourne has undergone a
refreshing transformation in the
hands of interior designer Fiona Austin.
With a handful of designer details and
a sense of fun, she has moulded it into a
comfortable and personal space that its
owners are thrilled to spend time in.
The home was in a good position with a
north-facing rear garden, but internal
spaces were cramped and the heavy
patterned curtains and carpet were at
odds with the seaside location. Fiona
proposed an extension at the rear of the
house to encompass a new open-plan
kitchen/living/dining area, including a
butler’s pantry and laundry. Thanks to
its pitched ceiling finished with white
lining boards and a cosy stone fireplace,
the extension plays on the cottage-style
appeal of the home’s stone facade. The
kitchen cabinetry is painted Dulux Sea
Breeze, a shade picked up in the living
room accessories; an outdoor kitchen
caters for a crowd when the extended
family gathers. Meanwhile, in the main
bedroom, a new bay window, walk-in
wardrobe and ensuite allow the room to
‘breathe’ – and encapsulate the owners’
preference for traditional style. >