Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 02 i GDA Kitchens & Bathrooms

the kitchen sink is a fundamental part of the kitchen. Finding the right one for your needs will depend on many factors, including style, shape, size and materials. Stainless steel is probably the most popular type of material. Hardwearing and easy to clean, it is also economical and looks great no matter what your kitchen’s style. Other materials include porcelain, composite, metal and ceramic. Each has its own qualities and style appeal. Here’s our pick of some of the best.…

the surface you select for your new kitchen must be super practical as well as stunning to look at. Covering a large part of your kitchen, the benches and splashbacks are the workhorses of your space. Surface finishes have greatly improved over the years. Our kitchen benches need to withstand lots of use, be hygienic, non-porous and stain-free. Solid surfaces offer many advantages and they look great whatever your kitchen’s style.…

nothing screams old and dated like a kitchen that has no space, flow or function. Set foot into any home built before the 1990s and you’ll find yourself in a small room, squashed with cabinets that hinder any budding cook. For designer Kim Dutton, the task was to create a modern design for a modern family. “Creating flow and a focal point for the adjoining living areas was always the priority for the design of the kitchen space,” says Kim. “A central island is positioned to assist with traffic flow between adjoining rooms, and incorporated into the island is a small, seated area for casual meals or entertaining, with an unobstructed view of the pool.” Slowly renovated over five years, the home has a large footprint and the kitchen space…

Space is a commodity much loved by Australians. We spend a lot of time outdoors in parks, bushland and on beaches. But when it comes to inner-city dwellings, the folk of yesteryear lived different lives to what we do now and it can be seen in the design of most homes in our major cities. So when presented with a kitchen that had been stripped back to its roots, Darren Genner from Minosa knew he had to reinstate that old-world charm somehow. “The original kitchen in this home was like most inner-city terraces, located at the back of the house in a tiny room,” says Darren. “We basically took an old space that was falling apart, with all of the charm stripped out of it over the years, and we…

Since time immemorial, bathing has been considered to have powerful healing properties. The Romans knew a thing or two about bathing and Cleopatra’s beauty was considered the result of her daily bath — albeit in milk and honey. Today we can forget the milk and honey, and can instead infuse our baths with healing herbs and delicious fragrances while soaking away the aches, pains and worries of the day — because bathing is more than just a way to keep ourselves clean. There are so many designs and materials your bath can be made from, including stone, cast iron, porcelain, marble, engineered stone, fibreglass and acrylic. Acrylic baths are lightweight and affordable, stone baths are more expensive and heavy and require a reinforced floor, but they hold the heat for…

One of the most important considerations when creating your bathroom is ventilation. Excess humidity can cause mould if ventilation is poor, and mould can contribute to allergies and other ailments. Ensure you have good natural ventilation and look at good-quality mechanical ventilation if extra is required. Consider underfloor heating as it, too, can contribute to a healthier environment. Conserve water and energy with low-flow taps and toilets, water-efficient showerheads, thermostatcontrolled water heating, hydronic-heating towel rails and LED lighting. Choose eco-friendly materials, including all surface materials, glues, grouts, joinery and accessories. Avoid acrylic or fibreglass baths and basins and go for more eco-friendly, durable products such as porcelain, and steel enamel, which can be recycled. When choosing surfaces for flooring, ensure they are fit for purpose, durable and slip-resistant.…

waking up in the morning when on holiday, with days of relaxation and lazy contemplation ahead of you, is a treat we all look forward to. In conjunction with architect Bojan Simic, this is the feeling designer Kate Walker wanted to evoke when designing this stunning bathroom. “It was important the bathroom had two of everything, with the exception of the bath,” says Kate. “The owners get ready for work at the same time, so it’s important they each have their own space.” Five-star elegance can be seen in every corner and material chosen, from the imported Balinese stone bath to the white marble benchtops. Every feature is meant to convey a sense of luxury, even if it did push the budget. “The biggest splurge would have to be the…

“we want our bathroom to look like a glamorous hotel suite.” That was the brief for this long-overdue renovation. The apricot tiles, corner spa bath, handbasin and fixtures had long since seen their day and for this couple a complete bathroom makeover couldn’t come soon enough. Energised to launch into their full home renovation, the owners sought advice and design expertise to create their dream bathroom, with a nod to sustainability. The existing bathroom was completely stripped out and a wall removed between it and a hallway into the master bedroom. This created a large area, enabling the design of a spacious, glamorous ensuite for two. The design features a double shower enclosure, WC enclosure, freestanding bath and a sleek, white 90cm wall-hung vanity that keeps the space looking light…

With so many amazing products to select from when designing a new kitchen, it’s easy to get bamboozled by the array of choices. If you want to up the ante in the glamour stakes but not too much, you could simply add a few statement pieces — a gold or brass tap and a few pendant lights. But why stop there? Luxury products for your kitchen include marble or marble-look finishes, glossy and metallic surfaces, stunning hardware and gorgeous appliances. Your choices don’t have to scream “bling overload” but you can make your kitchen shine with clever design and product placement. Stainless steel has been the standard in kitchens for years, but other metallic finishes are gaining in popularity in our kitchens and bathrooms. Gold, copper, brass, bronze and silver…

in many countries in Europe, freestanding or “loose-fit” joinery for kitchens and bathrooms is the norm. This is because many people rent in those countries and the kitchens are not built-in to start with. In Australia, where a larger percentage of people own their homes, we are more inclined to customise and build-in our kitchens. While loose-fit, modular kitchens may not be for everyone or suit every home, there is certainly an opportunity for this type of product if the built-in look is not for you. VIPP Vipp is a Danish company that has been around since the early 1930s. The style of its products has changed little in those years. The company’s ethos is buy once, buy well, and its products are designed for longevity, putting an emphasis on…

When shopping for a cooktop, first you’ll need to decide on the energy source you want. If gas is connected to your property, you’ll have more choices. If you want induction, you may need to up the ampage of your electricity to cope with the higher power usage. If using electricity, you have the choice of ceramic — flat surface — and coil — raised surface. Check out the various sorts available and decide on the colour, style, size and cooking type you prefer. You can visit appliance showrooms to get a good look and can even take part in a product demonstration, which is a great option if you’re looking to spend up big. Whatever product you choose, ensure it is high quality to provide the durability and cooking…

built in the 1880s, this home still had its original fittings, complete with an ancient gas stove. Needless to say, the kitchen was begging for a modern update. The homeowners wanted a simple design that included clean lines and elegant finishes. Materials selected include angled shark-nose finger-pull handles, Eveneer Even Walnut veneer panels, Calacatta marble splashback and Caesarstone benchtops. The Smeg oven and cooktop meld beautifully with the industrial vibe of the space. The floor-to-ceiling cupboard units are a feature design element of this open-plan kitchen. They act as an architectural component of the project, as opposed to merely joinery, as they define and divide the space, allowing three different uses in the one area without walls. The back room is the engine of the home and the kitchen is…

kitchen design has undergone many style changes over the years. Gone are the days of separate tiny spaces for kitchen, living and dining. Today it’s all about how space, style and flow can fit in with our modern lifestyles. Travis Dean from Cantilever Kitchens was presented with a kitchen, part of a 100-year-old warehouse in Sydney’s trendy Redfern, that had no form or function and needed a completely new floor print. “The design of the existing kitchen did not suit the apartment’s overall style or the client’s furnishings, with a palette of dark purple laminate and exposed galvanised steel feature panels,” says Travis. “The orientation of the kitchen in the apartment created overshadowing onto the workspaces; it didn’t make the most of the natural light that spills in through the…

this stunning kitchen is part of a new build and features wellappointed design and clean architectural lines. Positioned between the home’s interior and exterior living spaces, the fabulous kitchen is both practical and visually stunning. Cabinets in dark tones topped with stainless-steel benchtops are softened with spotted gum timber veneer for the breakfast bar, architectural flyover and battens. The foyer and battens form a visual screen between the kitchen and living area, defining the space in the void above and giving the kitchen a feeling of grandeur. The increase in light to the space is amplified with a clearglass splashback, which captures the northern sun and provides light throughout the day. As this area links the living spaces and the outdoors, it was important it remain sleek and uncluttered; clever…

One of the most used fixtures in your bathroom, your vanity/basin must be functional as well as beautiful. Selecting a vanity and basin to fit your bathroom requires careful consideration. Will it be recessed, semi-recessed, freestanding, wall-mounted, abovemount, undermount or integrated? Not only do you need to choose the style, but the colour and finish are just as important. Today we have many choices — not everything has to be white-on-white. Once you’ve decided on the vanity/basin combination, ensure the height at which it’s installed allows you to easily access the tap and water. If the basin sits too high it will be difficult to reach, and if it’s too low you’ll find yourself bending over and ending up with backache. When choosing your vanity, think about the items you…

nestled between centuries-old terraces in Sydney’s Potts Point is an ode to modern architecture. North-facing with spectacular views over the harbour city, this three-storey residence turns heads. Containing an office, studio apartment and main home, it was only fitting that the bathroom should serve as a tranquil oasis from its hectic surrounds. “We hoped to achieve a bathroom that was simple and seamless, so the focus of the room was light and shadow,” says designer and head of Smart Design Studio, William Smart. “The home draws inspiration from the owners’ passion for art, graphic design and the Heidi Weber Museum in Switzerland designed by Le Corbusier, a place they visit frequently. It also pays respect to the historic terrace houses of this precinct, though in a completely contemporary way.” Light…

One of the most hard-working appliances you will ever use in your kitchen is often the most disregarded: the kitchen tap. It must suit the style of your kitchen while delivering water, and also be the right colour and style. Other important things to consider are its WELS rating, quality of manufacture and materials used. Water efficiency and water quality are important issues in the kitchen. The higher the WELS rating (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme) the better, and the less water you’ll use. A quality manufactured tap will last much longer than a cheap one and your water quality will also be better. Stainless-steel taps top my list as the best material for the kitchen. It not only looks great, it’s also hardwearing with antibacterial properties, is easy…

just when we thought an oven is an oven … it’s now so much more. It’s also a fashion statement, with so many styles and colour choices, but the function remains the same: to roast and bake delicious food. The question is, which one is right for you? If you love to cook, a great oven is a must. Think about fabulous roasted vegetables, baked casseroles, steamed fish and more. Your cooking style, family size and entertaining preferences will dictate your end needs. Fortunately, there’s something for everyone when it comes to size and function, so check out our selection and get cooking!…

a little bit mysterious, a little bit moody — and even a little bit sexy, this kitchen had to live up to its penthouse reputation. Multi-awardwinning designer Mal Corboy knew this, and was allowed to run with his ideas. “The home had a 10-year-old imported kitchen which was tired and falling apart,” says Mal. The clients wanted a very sophisticated, moody look for the entire apartment, so Mal has used dark tones and textures to create an atmosphere of sensuality and grace. The blend of Bisazza tiles in the splashback contrasts perfectly with the lighter tones of the Calacatta Arabescato benchtop to create a space that is enticing and graceful. “I came across some new veneers which I felt fitted the brief perfectly,” says Mal. “From these, I took inspiration…

building a new home from scratch allows for every detail to be well considered, ensuring no compromise is necessary. This is clearly evident in the stunning kitchen of this gorgeous home. Not only is the design strikingly beautiful, it also incorporates allencompassing functionality — ideal for the most accomplished cook or entertainer. Designed for a growing family, the open plan, which adjoins both casual and formal dining areas, allows the brilliant, custom-designed mosaic tile splashback to take centre stage, leaving a lasting impression. Varying cabinet heights, finishes, textures and tones give the space great form and functionality, complementing the surrounding area perfectly. Beautiful granite benchtops, custom joinery, handle-less profiles, strategic lighting and discreet ventilation are all expertly crafted into the design; while not dominating the space, they still provide a…

When you first see this kitchen, you could be forgiven for thinking you had walked onto the set of the latest James Bond film. It’s hard to believe this sleek, sexy and suave kitchen is the heart of a family home set on the banks of Victoria’s Yarra River. Given a blank canvas to work with, designer Kate Walker and architect Bojan Simic have produced a kitchen that is not only functional for a family, but also beautiful to look at. “The overall brief was to create a modern, functional and timeless home for a family of five,” says Kate. “The family are big entertainers, so it had to be a great entertaining house with open spaces and lots of windows to create a light and airy feel.” The kitchen…

a 19th-century villa in one of Sydney’s most prestigious suburbs had designer William Smart excited as soon as he saw it. A chance to perfectly combine turn-of-the-century architecture with today’s modern styles has produced not only a home full of old-world charm, but also a bathroom to match. Working within the constraints of a heritage-listed building, William knew the design for the new bathroom would have to ooze elegance, but not be over the top. Unable to alter the existing footprint, William focused on maximising the space’s potential. “We packed out the walls adjacent to the existing small window to create the illusion of a full-height window with a deep reveal, adding a sense of height and elegance to the space,” says William. “This constraint also allowed us the opportunity…

when it comes to a new build, almost nothing is impossible. That was the case with this stunning new home in which the owners spent time designing their dream bathroom. The owners wanted a luxurious space that was both timeless and unique, an elegant haven in which they could relax and unwind at the end of a long day. They wanted the bathroom to exude a luxe hotel feel and requested a double walk-in shower with overhead outlets to suit the ambience. The large area features a beautiful free-standing bath, which takes centre stage. A clear-glass wall separates the showering and bathing zones, yet ensures the space remains on full view, highlighting the fabulous marble-tiled feature wall. The tiling featured in this project is particularly noteworthy as it plays an…

ask any homeowner and they will tell you renovating is stressful. However, undertaking a renovation on the 38th floor in one of Brisbane’s premier locations will make even the most hardened homeowner anxious. This was the scenario Kim Duffin faced when asked by the clients to transform their tired bathroom into a North African oasis. Having travelled extensively throughout Morocco, Kim knew his clients would appreciate the subtle hints of the popular North African country, especially the bronze screens that welcome you into the plush space beyond. “Together with the colour palette, a Moroccan pattern to the screens was chosen,” explains Kim. “These screens also provide a soft visual buffer between the entrance to the suite and the sleeping and bathing zones.” The nod towards opulent Moroccan interiors extends throughout…