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Australia’s best houses 2021: Playful colour is out in force

May 24, 2021 Leave a Comment

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The shortlist for the 2021 Houses Awards was revealed recently proving yet again that Australia is home to a seriously talented design community. With categories ranging from Australian House of the Year to apartments, renovations and houses in heritage contexts there are many incredible projects to be found. But, today weโ€™re going to focus on one trend that the judges identified – the thoughtful and playful use of colour.

Pony by WOWOWA Architecture: Brighton East, VIC
Located in Melbourneโ€™s Brighton East, this renovation’s palette was inspired by the colour and apricot brick detailing that was found in the original 1960’s home. Sporting an avocado inspired tiled bathroom, burgundy and coral bedroom joinery and a pastel peach and yellow kitchen that is one of the most joyful we’ve ever seen, we love!

PONY by WOWOWA Architecture. Photography: Martina Gemmola
PONY by WOWOWA Architecture. Photography: Martina Gemmola
PONY by WOWOWA Architecture. Photography: Martina Gemmola
PONY by WOWOWA Architecture. Photography: Martina Gemmola
PONY by WOWOWA Architecture. Photography: Martina Gemmola
PONY by WOWOWA Architecture. Photography: Martina Gemmola

Highlands House by Other Architects: Southern Highlands, NSW
โ€œThis is decidedly not the starkly minimal holiday house. We are happy that our clients possess a (carefully concealed) entertainment system and a comfy couch!โ€ says Other Architects director Grace Mortlock.

Highlands House by Other Architects. Photography: Clinton Weaver
Highlands House by Other Architects. Photography: Clinton Weaver

A country escape for clients that live in a city apartment, this is not your typical weekender. A sunny shade of yellow adorns the ceiling in the master bedroom while sage green paint makes the exterior pop against the surrounding bushland. Light timber acts acts in unifying relief.

Highlands House by Other Architects. Photography: Clinton Weaver
Highlands House by Other Architects. Photography: Clinton Weaver
Highlands House by Other Architects. Photography: Clinton Weaver
Highlands House by Other Architects. Photography: Clinton Weaver

Porous House by Possible Studio: Upper Coopers Creek, NSW
Located in the Byron Bay hinterland, Porous House is a social experiment between multi-generational families working together on the rehabilitation of an adjacent patch of remnant rainforest. The colourful interior draws on motels, cabins and caravans as well as a variety of disparate sources.

Porous House by Possible Studio. Photography: Anna Hutchcroft
Porous House by Possible Studio. Photography: Anna Hutchcroft

“The colours, patterns and objects reflect the diverse passions of the occupants for sci-fi cinema, Memphis Style, AlmodoรŒยvar films, animeรŒย, moireรŒย patterns, 80/90โ€™s music, robotics, the Labor movement, collage and quilting,” says Possible Studio’s Sandra Kaji-Oโ€™Grady. The bright interior colours stand in stark contrast to the rich green found in the surrounding forest.

Porous House by Possible Studio. Photography: Anna Hutchcroft
Porous House by Possible Studio. Photography: Anna Hutchcroft
Porous House by Possible Studio. Photography: Anna Hutchcroft
Porous House by Possible Studio. Photography: Anna Hutchcroft

Dulwich Hill House by Tribe Studio Architects: Dulwich Hill, NSW
Located in Sydneyโ€™s inner-west suburb of Dulwich Hill, this eccentric Californian Bungalow is situated on a double north-facing block. With many alterations having taken place over the years, Tribe Studio Architects decided to work with some of them and remove others. 

Dulwich Hill by Tribe Studio. Photography: Katherine Lu
Dulwich Hill House by Tribe Studio. Photography: Katherine Lu
Dulwich Hill House by Tribe Studio. Photography: Katherine Lu
Dulwich Hill House

โ€œInspired by the whimsy and originality of the existing home, we chose to judiciously remove or retain elements, including a 1950โ€™s frosted glass pirate ship door, flat veneer panels, and electrical fittings. Some tasteful 1980โ€™s work, such as mock-Victorian decorative plaster ceiling mouldings and led-light windows were also retained,โ€ says Tribe Studio principal Hannah Tribe.

Dulwich Hill House by Tribe Studio. Photography: Katherine Lu
Dulwich Hill House by Tribe Studio. Photography: Katherine Lu

A new addition sits behind the original home housing new bedroom and bathroom accommodation under a skillion roof. Playful use of colour can be seen through the joinery in the library and new bathroom in particular.

The winners of the 2021 Houses Awards will be announced 30 July, 2021. 

For more on the Houses Awards 2021

Jen Sievers
The New Zealand artist using colour to spark joy
Painting from a light-filled studio in the Waitakere ranges outside of Auckland, Jen Sievers is a New Zealand artist on a self-described mission to โ€˜paint joy.โ€™ “I infuse my work…

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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