Australian_House_&_Garden_2017_02

HGHOUSES

104 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN

<“We’re8kmfromthecityandfromhereallIcanseeare

thetopsofthetreesandviewsdownintothevalley.It feels

asthoughwecouldbeoutinthehills,”saysCraig.

Downstairsisamainbedroomsuite,theboys’roomsand

theirsharedbathroom,aplayroomandlaundry.Oneofthe

benefits of having bedrooms on this lower level is that

theextradistancefromthestreetensuresabsolutequiet.

A nother aspect that makes the house work so well is its

well-resolved interior. Craig’s sister, interior designer Adele

Bates,steppedintohelphere.CraigandMeganhadsettled

on a warm, industrial aesthetic, with statement finishes in

timber,concreteandblack.Adeleworkedinrefineddetails

to create what she describes as a “clean, contemporary and

minimalisticlook”,withspecialelementsthroughoutthat

addcharmandwarmth.Intheprocess,Craiglearnedalot

from his little sister. “Adele taught me to keep the core

elements relatively simple, then accessorise with different

things to provide a bit of a feature,” he says.

Allinall,it’sbeenagreateducationinthetheoryand

practiceofcreatingahappy,functionalfamilyhome. #

Adele Bates Design,South Melbourne, Victoria; (03) 9686

0852 or http://www.adelebates.com.au.Rycon Building Group,

Blackburn, Victoria; (03) 9894 1500 or ryconbg.com.au.

MAIN ENSUITEleft and oppositeNatural light bounces off

mirrored cabinetry. Custom vanity unit with recycled-hardwood

benchtop. Basin, tapware and bath, Reece. Tiles, Signorino Tile

Gallery. Storage hooks, Top3 by Design. Candleholder, Great

Dane. Bocci wall lights, Hub Furniture.

ENTRYRectilinear windows frame views of greenery, balanced by

a vibrant abstract painting. Child’s armchair, Stylecraft. Cushion,

Abode Living.TheBiggestSplashartwork by Tessa Dodds.

MAIN BEDROOMA feature wall in reclaimed oak deepens the

textural interest of this atmospheric space. Bedlinen, throw and

cushion, Abode Living. Bedside table, Luke Furniture. Blind,

Interior Solutions. Pendant light, Great Dane.

Smart buy:For similar framed mirror, try the Stabekk mirror,

$79, Ikea.For Where to Buy, see page 188.

‘In the main bedroom, stone-look

tiles, timber and flowing curtains

give it that retreat feel.’ Adele Bates,

interior designer