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Inspired use of cobalt blue and toilet seats in office reno!

February 2, 2017 3 Comments

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When Sydney reno specialists Integriti Bathrooms (they did my bathroom recently) moved into new offices in Willoughby, they had great 1920s bones but were in a shocking state of repair. Enter interior designer Lynne Bradley, who helped bring the design-loving boss’s vision to life.

“It was near to derelict when they took over the lease so it was a huge effort to evolve it into the light, airy and functional space that it is today,” she says. “When I first viewed the office, the team at Integriti had already taken care of most of the structural details, so I had the pleasure of coming up with functionality and of course, the aesthetics. I felt that it was paramount that from the front door to the top floor, the brand was loud and clear, communicating who they were to customers and suppliers.”

She quickly decided to make a feature of theย the cobalt blue from the company logo as a signature colour that would unify each space in varying ways and add energy. “In addition to this, adding texture was extremely important. Rather than hanging a sign in the entrance, I was keen to play on inference by suggesting a collage of toilet seats, of course with the signature blue as a teaser. It’s a fun talking point, with no doubt as to the nature of the business.” She’s even recommended that this feature wall be changed seasonally, from toilet seats to taps to tiles to basins!

Integriti Bathrooms managing director Andrew Stenos, admits: “When Lynne approached me with her ideas, I initially thought the bright blue would be way too bold and the toilet seats, just bad taste. Through some convincing and time to think, I was converted, but I can’t lie, even during the process I questioned it for a moment. Once it was all brought together and styled, I fell in love.”

Moving from the entrance to the top floor, we just love how the staircase has been punctuated with one blue post which sits comfortably amongst a black and white palette. “By adding a charcoal dado line on one wall on the top floor hallway, a sense of flow between each room is created,” explains Lynne. “The client meeting room was in great need of storage, so I looked to the existing architectural features of the building to create patterned and textured cabinetry. The recessed panels on the cupboard doors give interest and depth to this small room and the soft grey colour and bespoke brass hardware (from Made Measure) add a touch of glamour.”ย Rather than including the signature blue through paint here, Lynne instead ordered a stunning coloured cow hide (from Art Hide) to soften the room and inject much needed energy, trimmed to fit perfectly.

It was really important to Andrew to get this workspace right. “My vision was for a light-filled, designer look; bright, welcoming and a place where a team would be happy to work and feel like they’re at home. Some of my inspiration was drawn from beautiful spots I’ve been to in Sydney and seen in design mags, with a special reference to P.Johnson Tailors’ Paddington showroom. We’ve renovated some of their spaces and I was in complete love with the design and interior style of their shops.

The perfect place for staff to relax

“As we didn’t have a huge budget, we decided to keep the scheme simple, black and white. The black windows and whitewashed floors were expensive but so worth it. This left us with a good canvas to start with but it lacked life and felt a little sterile. We wanted it to feel clean, sleek, vibrant and young, as our culture is very much driven by being extremely understanding and cool guys. I wanted it to be the furthest thing from a normal, boring office and wanted our team to not like where they work but absolutely love it!”

In the staff boardroom, the cobalt blue was injected through a custom coloured glass โ€˜white boardโ€™. “Creating a flat lay through the centre of the boardroom table added much needed visual stimulation and texture that can be changed depending on products and samples that need to be discussed,” says Lynne.

The open plan office area features a classic fireplace that has gone from bland to high impact through the introduction of beautiful ceramic tiles (Di Lorenzo), blue paint, mirrors and much needed styling. “This is now the centrepiece for this space and is another talking point for visitors to the office.”

Lastly, the team wanted a โ€˜fall outโ€™ area to relax and meet in. The generous proportions of the comfortable sofa, patterned rug (west elm), coffee tables, cocktail equipment, replica Castiglioni Arco lamp and artworks (also by Lynne!) complete the room.

“Never be afraid of using bold colour and creating humour,” Lynne says. “Also, reference the architectural features of your space to create unity. I believe that a building asks for its response!”

Andrew added: “As we are a boutique bathroom builder, it was so important for us to be able to seperate ourselves and make us look unique and individual. As we value design so highly, it was a must that design was the focus and that is why we employed Lynne. Her time was a great investment and I truly think we have the best office of any bathroom builder in Sydney.”

We think he might just be right.

Find out more about Integriti Bathrooms | Find out more about Lynne Bradley Interiors.

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

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Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
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None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

โœ”๏ธ ventilation holes
โœ”๏ธ no need to remove the lid for small items plus it hides your dirty laundry from view
โœ”๏ธ easily removable and washable inner laundry bag that velcros back on 
โœ”๏ธ corrosion resistant so fine in bathroom or laundry 
โœ”๏ธ Brabantia make things as sustainably as possible
โœ”๏ธ compact, sleek, European design
โœ”๏ธ 10 year warranty
โœ”๏ธ tall and skinny so takes up less floor in my tiny laundry

The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

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So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

Read an extract, the chapter on elevating your living room, on the blog today via link in bio.

Published by @thamesandhudsonau Pix by @chriswarnes 

#livingroomdesigns #nataliewalton #coffeetablebooks #designbooks #interiorsbooks #livingroominteriors #elevateyourspace
Kids and husband messing with my vignettes again๐Ÿคจ

PS. The coaster was RIGHT THERE ๐Ÿคช
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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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Comments

  1. AvatarGrace says

    February 7, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    I love the office design and styling and Lynne Bradley has done a wonderful job. It’s modern and inviting. I must admit though I’m stumped as I was expecting to see cobalt blue on the Integriti website yet it’s orange everywhere!

    Reply
    • AvatarLynne says

      February 8, 2017 at 4:33 pm

      Hi Grace

      Many thanks for your lovely comment. You’re right, there is very little blue on the Integriti website, and what is there isn’t cobalt blue. The premises have large signs outside the building that are both cobalt blue and orange, and the team wear branded shirts with cobalt blue on them, which is where I got my inspiration from.

      Reply
  2. AvatarGeorgia says

    February 8, 2017 at 9:11 am

    How fun this must be to walk into each morning. It’s bright and fresh and fun!

    Reply

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