Category Archives: Architecture

Stylejuicer home renovations at no 57

14 September 2020

Finally, I can share with you that our home renovations are starting this week and I’m equal parts excited and scared. We had a date for early May but because of Covid and the schools having to close we had to push the date back to the beginning of September which then turned into mid September. So it’s been an anxious wait but we’re at the start line and I’ll be documenting the s*** out of it over on my Instagram account, builders bums et al. Just follow the hashtag #homerenovationsatno57.

But let me back up briefly to give you some context. When I came to the UK from Germany in 1997 I was amazed by how dated homes and home building technology was. From draughty sash windows to freezing cold or boiling hot water taps – there seemed to be no happy medium, you either scalded your hands or froze your fingers. And don’t get me started on the (lack of) heating and ‘cozy’ fireplaces that are only warm when you sit right in front of them. Or the solid brick walls with no insulation whatsoever, causing condensation and black mould which is so bad for your health. 

At first I tried to see the charm in it all which worked for a good few years but every time I went back to Germany I appreciated the home my parents had built in 1981 more and more. We had underfloor heating, mixer taps to regulate the water temperature, double and triple glazed doors and windows. There may have been a blizzard outside but you wouldn’t have known sitting inside. And BTW those windows still look like new and are still as sealed as ever. Later on my parents installed solar panels meaning we produced our own electricity and even had surplus to sell to the grid. If I’ve learned anything from my parents it’s that there are essential items in your home you should not save on – windows, doors, insulation and heating are some of them. I’m eternally grateful to them for opening my eyes to these sustainable technologies which weren’t even as pressing in the late 1980s as they are now. 

So, what’s the plan for your home renovations you may be wondering. Well, since we have a pretty nondescript 1930s house and period features like cornicing and fireplaces were stripped out a long time ago, we felt no pressure to restore any of it. We could finally go for the modern look and equally modern technology we so craved for our home. The renovation will involve most walls on the ground floor being demolished which in turn will mean some steelwork to support the structure. In addition we are installing a wet underfloor heating system and new double glazed windows and doors. Solar panels are another long standing wish for us but that will come in the future when we’ve recovered from hemorrhaging money.

Writing this blog for the best part of 8 years now has helped enormously to hone in on my own style, my true north and though I appreciate a lot of different styles and settings I’ve always been a fan of simple modern design – it’s my start line after all. You’ll see a mostly monochrome colour palette with restraint materials and interesting textures. Clean lines, statement pieces (in time) and one-off flea market finds will add accents. But natural light will become the key player and there will be a connection to the garden and outdoors throughout the seasons.

This just leaves me to ask you to join me in crossing all my fingers and toes that everything goes according to plan with our home renovations which – let’s face it – is an oxymoron in 2020. Que sera sera…

Some of the homes I’ve featured on Stylejuicer have become inspirations for our ground floor renovation and I’ve included some shots in my mood board above. If you’d like to see more of them just hit the links below:

Residence with Crittall style windows and doors

Converted warehouse by Lisa Koehler

New York loft in Tribeca by Soren Rose studio

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MOODBOARD | all photography via my Pinterest boards

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Converted Water factory by Architects Andrew Simpson

31 August 2020

I love this converted water factory in Melbourne which house seperate living quarters for an extended family within it's beautiful heritage envelope.

I love this converted water factory in Melbourne into residential quarters – in fact I love most all converted industrial buildings. The immediate sense of heritage sets my imagination off and in my head I scroll back through the years, envisaging people from different backgrounds coming and going, most of them probably working incredibly hard to make a living and simply survive.

Architects Andrew Simpson have deliberately juxtaposed the rougher original parts like the brick-, wood- and steelwork with sleek, clean, modern lines and materials. In fact they’ve given this old workhorse a 21st century makeover so it’ll last at least another 150 years.

The client asked for the space to be divided due to the changing needs of their extended family. It therefore features separate entrances and flexible room layouts with sliding doors. The main staircase and entrance hall on the ground floor connects all the spaces and leads to the upper floor where a generous open-plan kitchen and dining area can accommodate most large parties. 

Due to the deep footprint of the building the architects inserted some skylights to draw in more light but carefully counter-balancing the associated heat with a sophisticated ventilation system, all neatly clad in timber, insulating the roof further and giving it a futuristic look.

Living with your extended family might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I reckon a hip space like this former water factory might just make it bearable.

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There are some more conversions of industrial spaces on the blog; check out this gorgeous yoga studio in Sydney and one of my favourite coffee shops in Melbourne, bathed in brick colour.  

I love this converted water factory in Melbourne which house seperate living quarters for an extended family within it's beautiful heritage envelope.
I love this converted water factory in Melbourne which house seperate living quarters for an extended family within it's beautiful heritage envelope.
I love this converted water factory in Melbourne which house seperate living quarters for an extended family within it's beautiful heritage envelope.
I love this converted water factory in Melbourne which house seperate living quarters for an extended family within it's beautiful heritage envelope.
I love this converted water factory in Melbourne which house seperate living quarters for an extended family within it's beautiful heritage envelope.
I love this converted water factory in Melbourne which house seperate living quarters for an extended family within it's beautiful heritage envelope.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Shannon McGrath (with thanks)

ARCHITECTS | Andrew Simpson

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Contemporary residential extension by Cera Stribley

24 August 2020

This residential extension by Cera Stribley in Melbourne is a stunning example of many of my favourite materials and principles coming together.

This contemporary residential extension by Cera Stribley in Melbourne is a stunning example of many of my own favourite materials and principles coming together. Firstly, I just love the black and white contrast throughout especially in combination with the exposed brickwork, tactile wooden dining table and Crittall style doors and windows. It effortlessly combines old and new and connects the house in with its’ Art Deco history.

The residential extension is a combination of stacked boxes with sleek, clean lines clad in charred timber and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the back garden and pool. The architects cleverly added angled window frames which allows for less intrusion by the sun but without loosing the light. It’s as if the house has got blinkers on, giving you some privacy. 

As I said in the beginning there are lots of favourite elements here which might even show up in our renovation plans which I’ll reveal early next week.

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In the meantime have a look at these beauties, all featuring exposed brickwork. A Melbourne cafe, a converted warehouse and super slick renovated and extended cottage.

This residential extension by Cera Stribley in Melbourne is a stunning example of many of my favourite materials and principles coming together.
This residential extension by Cera Stribley in Melbourne is a stunning example of many of my favourite materials and principles coming together.
This residential extension by Cera Stribley in Melbourne is a stunning example of many of my favourite materials and principles coming together.
This residential extension by Cera Stribley in Melbourne is a stunning example of many of my favourite materials and principles coming together.
This residential extension by Cera Stribley in Melbourne is a stunning example of many of my favourite materials and principles coming together.
This residential extension by Cera Stribley in Melbourne is a stunning example of many of my favourite materials and principles coming together.

ARCHITECTS & PHOTOGRAPHY | Cera Stribley (with thanks)

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HOLIDAY RETREAT IN PALM BEACH BY CM STUDIO

17 August 2020

This cool and breezy holiday retreat in Palm Beach was designed by CM Studio as a series of private and public pavilions connected by open courtyards.

With the current heatwave in full swing I was drawn to this cool and breezy holiday retreat in Palm Beach, on one of Sydney’s finest sandy beaches. The architects CM Studio designed the residence as a series of pavilions with bedrooms as separate private quarters and living, dining and kitchen as a public entity connected by open courtyards. 

The high ceilings with their exposed structure plus numerous sliding glass doors and folding windows are ideal to keep the heat at bay and make the most of the views on this small plot. I love that they’ve kept the material palette to a minimum which makes the lush green of the surrounding palm trees stand out even more. It feels incredibly tranquil and calm – just what you need for a break from hectic city life in Sydney.

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If you can’t get enough of holiday retreat head over to Silicon Valley for a beautiful remodel of a 1950ies modernist house or hang out virtually at the über cool Casa Cook here.

This cool and breezy holiday retreat in Palm Beach was designed by CM Studio as a series of private and public pavilions connected by open courtyards.
This cool and breezy holiday retreat in Palm Beach was designed by CM Studio as a series of private and public pavilions connected by open courtyards.
This cool and breezy holiday retreat in Palm Beach was designed by CM Studio as a series of private and public pavilions connected by open courtyards.
This cool and breezy holiday retreat in Palm Beach was designed by CM Studio as a series of private and public pavilions connected by open courtyards.
This cool and breezy holiday retreat in Palm Beach was designed by CM Studio as a series of private and public pavilions connected by open courtyards.
This cool and breezy holiday retreat in Palm Beach was designed by CM Studio as a series of private and public pavilions connected by open courtyards.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Prue Ruscoe (with thanks)

ARCHITECTS | CM Studio

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Architect Madeleine Blanchfield’s stunning home

10 August 2020

This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.

Today I want to show you Australian architect Madeleine Blanchfield’s stunning home. Designing your own home must be the pinnacle for any architect. The culmination of all your knowledge poured into one space has to be in equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. They say creatives make their own worst clients but when it all comes together you usually get results that are pushing the boundaries and create defining showcases.

I have no idea how Madeleine felt when she started designing her own home but I can tell you that I’ve rarely seen an interior that delivers so much interest and wow factor in such a modest space. As the house sits on a slope in Eastern Sydney the living arrangements have been turned upside down and an unexpected dramatic spiral staircase leads you upwards to the communal areas. I love the addition of the circular skylight above the staircase which funnels light downwards and creates an ever changing shadow play.

I’m equally obsessed by the combination of very few but defined textures throughout: from finely crafted wooden panelling, to the textured boarded concrete kitchen island and the sleek metal curves of the spiral staircase. It all feels immaculately planned and executed resulting in a beautiful family home where each window placement is considered, giving stunning views of the surrounding treetops. The muted colour palette emphasises the textures and lets the lush foliage outside sing. I simply can’t get enough of this place so I’ve included a multitude of photos for you to drool over.

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Madeleine Blanchfield’s home is a tough one to follow but for more jaw dropping architecture head over to Graanmarkt 13 designed by famous Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen or check out this spectacular holiday home in Formentera.

This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.
This is Madeleine Blanchfield's stunning home which includes a sexy spiral staircase, beautifully crafted wooden panelling and gorgeous framed views.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Anson Smart (with thanks)

ARCHITECTS | Madeleine Blanchfield Architects

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