The Hawthorn house seen in my previous posts is coming together nicely.
Here we see the kitchen taking shape, after months of anticipation. It's classic clean lines and pure colour scheme in shades of white have created a striking contemporary look, with enough traditional style to blend with the original house.
I'm very pleased with how its coming together.
This weekend we continued to landscape the grounds of our new project on our Sassafras property.
A sweeping set of of garden steps was created with reclaimed railway sleepers which blend perfectly with the surroundings. Closer to the deck a more structured staircase was built to create a connection between the garden and the house.
It's begging to take shape and I'm looking forward to this work continuing.
Next week we will begin to plant...
The entrance is taking shape!
Out of what was once a jungle of overgrown garden, a driveway is formed and landscaping begins. The building, erected last year is being painted and trimmed. Its beginning to take shape... slowly but surely!
I love revisiting favourite projects.
So luckily for me, a beautiful property that I worked on some years ago is in need of some final touches.
I met the owners when the house was at its inception and worked with them closely through its planning and design stages. Throughout the build I designed many interior elements; from the overall interior style, to the colour pallet and details including the kitchen, hardware and all hard finishes.
Five years on the house is still in immaculate condition and revisiting it, I'm proud to say, it still looks as fresh as it did when the build was complete. Clearly, it has timeless style.
The kitchen, seen here, is now complete with some stunning furniture that I designed alongside the owners. We sourced the leather and bronze studs and had the chairs made. The dining table is also bespoke and made of walnut.
I'm now addressing the entire house, sourcing furniture, art and accessories to complete the home.
After a lot of planning, I have decided thats its time to begin a new project at home. The foundations are in place. The concept is fresh, new and crisp! I'm looking forward to it!
I will reveal more as time goes on, and on completion, I hope it will be enjoyed by many. Aesthetically, it will combine my traditional design style with some new and original concepts. I hope it will be very special.
Stay tuned for more insights into this, I will upload more images as things progress.
After a very busy December leading into a non stop festive season and new years, I joined my family on a vacation in the pacific islands. The weather was sublime as we sailed around New Caledonia and some of its neighbouring islands. I saw some truly idyllic landscapes, including some of the whitest sands and bluest water I have ever seen. With little to do but relax and soak up the sun, it wasn't hard to fall into a much slower pace of living!
I'm now making plans however, on my last few nights at sea, for getting home and getting back to work!
I'll be completing some residential projects that l began last year and beginning some exciting new ones as well. I'll also be commencing work on a commercial assignment for a new cafe/restaurant opening in 2013 - I'm really looking forward to this! I have workshops planned in a fresh new format, (the dates for these will be released soon) and I have been asked to begin discussions on a second book, so I'll be travelling, writing and photographing, when I get some spare time!
Of course, I'm also looking forward to new enquiries from you on any of my services, so please email anytime to discuss this or to arrange an appointment.
I hope you have all had a great start to 2013. I look forward to keeping in touch with you throughout the year.
Speak soon,
Justin.
One of my current projects involves the renovation of a beautiful farmhouse on Victorias picturesque Mornington Peninsula. The farmhouse exterior is lovely; with charming architectural details and great proportions, however, the house was built in the early 80's, and it needs an update.... a timeless one.
I have an overall long term plan, and my clients and I have broken this down into sections. The bathrooms - seen here - are the first rooms to be transformed. While doing so I am keeping a definite vision of how the entire house will eventually look.
It must flow, it must be harmonious!
I have designed some very intricate tile work, and luckily we have had a very good tiler! We have used handmade Italian white linen tiles (130x65) with matching caps and pencils, which will be finished with white grout. And, we have used the most amazing "timber" porcelain floor tile that I have ever seen!
A tall Victorian skirting board will complete this room, along with some beautiful wall lighting, a vintage chandelier and tap ware by Perrin & Rowe.
For those who have been asking, the answer is 'yes' - there will be more workshops in 2013. Most likely the first saturday in March, May, July, October and December. Dates will be released soon! Please email your interest.
Following their major order earlier in the year, John Lewis department stores in the United Kingdom have featured "Country Style & Design" on page one of their 2012 Christmas catalogue. There are only three books featured this year, so I am very pleased that they have chosen mine! Thank you John Lewis... and Merry Christmas!
I was fortunate enough today to visit a very grand lady! "Mintaro" in Monegeetta, Victoria. A few weeks ago I had heard of the upcoming sale of this magnificent, yet derelict property. As I was visiting new clients in nearby Chintin this morning, I couldn't resist attending.
Designed by James Gall of Frognall and Noorilim fame for Captain Robert Gardiner (great grandfather of ballet dancer Sir Robert Helpmann), Mintaro has been variously described in references to being “a small replica of Melbourne’s Government House” to “that crumbling mansion on the road to Romsey.”
I had spoken with a few friends, who were in the know, and I had been warned that the mansion was in a very bad way. The last owner, a descendant of the properties founders, had lived there as a recluse as the once stately architecture literally crumbled around him.
He was eccentric and a hoarder - the ball room housed his collection of vintage cars, in various states of repair and another downstairs room was filled with sixteen pianos, waiting to be restored... one day! He refused to admit that the building was slowly falling apart, as leaking roofs weakened the framework and footings, causing major cracks and shifts in the structure and the beautiful architectural details.
Today, however, after a major clean up, the proud building stood tall, ready to be viewed, in all its crumbling glory.
