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House makeover inspired by Blackman Alice in Wonderland lithographs

October 11, 2021 Leave a Comment

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Along the winding back streets and neighbouring beach trails of the Mornington Peninsula, is a hidden gem of colour and texture. A beach house turned modern full-time residence, Denis and Juraโ€™s Blairgowrie property is layered with Japanese charred timber – known as Yaki Sugi – pre-cast artisan concrete and bold, colourful accents.

Denis and Jura aspired to create a bespoke home that responded to how they live and reflected their personal style. The Stylesmiths lead interior designer, David Puckering, collaborated closely with them to realise their vision via a truly unique design. It encompasses the interior architecture and decoration of the entry, living, dining and kitchen. Previously, these zones were overwhelmingly open plan with no delineated spaces to lounge, dine or sit quietly. 

As a pharmacist with a strong passion for renovating, Denis has a history of designing shopfronts for his businesses. However, this project called for some experienced ingenuity, so The Stylesmiths were engaged, and it wasnโ€™t long before ideas started evolving and the initially small brief extended to include a larger collaboration.

Heavily inspired by the coupleโ€™s existing collection of limited edition Alice in Wonderland lithographs by the late Charles Blackman, the vast space has an overall gallery feel centred around the six pieces. Soft furnishings and accessories in exuberant colours mirror the wild yet soothing energy of the images, bringing the fantastical story to life. Especially dreamy is the hand knotted Designer Rug by Dinosaur Designs that effortlessly anchors this vibrant lounge space.

In the entry hang, the original Blackmans are tastefully contrasted by the block multicolour piece that draws your eye to the end of the hall. The 1993 poster โ€œFestival of Saint-Denis, Franceโ€ was a perfect addition for owner Denis given the name, encapsulating the coupleโ€™s love of interesting art that provokes emotion. The enormous piece replaces what was previously a glass door leading outside to the entertaining area by the pool, but the sight of the BBQ and lounge chairs left no room for imagination โ€“ now visitors are required to peak around the corner to discover more.

Stepping down from the entry into the generously sized living space, itโ€™s easy to appreciate the benefits that having an integrated island entertainment unit brings. The new addition not only provides an architectural focus to orientate furniture around, it also breaks up the floorplan and forges two distinct zones that establishes much needed structure. The custom-built unit ties in the elements of the home, intersecting modernist minimal sensibilities with robust materials grounded in nature such as concrete, timber, blackened steel and handmade tiles. 

Yaki Sugi charred timber wraps around the exterior of the home, harmoniously blending with the surrounding native vegetation and doubles as a fire-resistant faรงade. The timber is also applied inside the home as a feature wall in the lounge introducing a sense of connectivity that balances out the entire design. The timber panelling has been oil bent and left to set with a snake-skin texture that adds depth, presenting the perfect stage for one of Blackmanโ€™s lively lithographs, continuing down to conceal push-door storage. Below the blackened timber is a large plinth of polished concrete extending the width of the room, another nod to refined organic materials. The new entertainment unit mimics this previously existing plinth, duplicated by the same local craftsman designed specifically for fireplace and TV cabinet to sit. 

Custom joinery set on cast concrete was designed to ensure the unit looks as discreet with doors open and TV on, as it does closed when the neighbouring fire is alight. The technical door mechanisms are but one layer of this deceptively simple construct – brass mirror panelling around the foundation creates the illusion that the concrete is floating. To accommodate the heat emitted from the Oblica fireplace, a layer of blackened steel wraps around the TV compartment to protect it. Treated with an acid wash which naturally oxidises the steel, the nuanced and random effect observed up close adds the element of โ€œperfectly imperfect,โ€ which Denis and Jura adore.

Slim, cream brick tiles cover the reverse side of the central unit that divides the living room from the dining area. The handmade tiles are made with sand granules that subtley allude to the coastal setting and enhance the visual impact of the dark Aboriginal portrait layered on top.

In the kitchen, original washed timber, grey splashbacks, and cream pendants typical of beach house style, have been given an upgrade with dramatic accents that continue the moody theme. Stylish matte black cabinetry and bronze mirror splashbacks add an organic warmth, matched in the pendant that adds functional light along the island bench.

David notes how important it is to be guided by your clients. “They understand the quirks of the house more than anyone.โ€ Thus, when Jura insisted the island seating wasnโ€™t practical for them, additional custom storage was an easy solution. A set of drawers now sit under the bench in the same veneer as the cabinets, with a hidden tech station in the middle drawer maximising the space. Similarly, open wine squares were covered to create a camouflaged bar unit that doesnโ€™t distract from the more important elements. All new European appliances in black blend into the design, essential for any enthusiastic cook.

This reinvented mid-century project is a series of balances between colour, material and character, linked via lighting design chosen to create drama and contrast. Drop track lighting is positioned to highlight Blackmanโ€™s flamboyant artwork around the lounge and dining areas, which are all encased in museum glass to prevent any reflection or damage. Flush mounted spots that have been matched to the drop tracks providing more utilitarian light, whilst the dining pendant builds on the layers to create pools of light that fill the space with personality.

Photography: Gus MacDonald Photography | Interior Design: The Stylesmiths (lead designer David Puckering)

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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˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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