REVELATIONS

H&G INSPIRED BY
‘ ALI WAS CLEVER WITH HER USE OF SPACE AND THE WAY THE HOME FLOWS.
WE’VE HAD A PARTY FOR 80 PEOPLE AND IT DIDN’T FEEL CRAMPED.’ JANET
< “When I was brought in to the job, the front of the
house had been retained in its original form. Aside
from the addition of decking and french doors at the
back, the house had not been previously renovated,”
says Ali. “It was liveable, with decent light and a deep
garden, but the rooms were tiny and awkward. Ample
storage, access to natural light and a practical floor
plan were top priorities. I needed to cater to a growing
family and make use of every inch of available space.
Accommodating Janet’s collection of art and unique
pieces was also high on the list.”
Janet and Peter asked for a separate zone for the
children downstairs that could be closed off. “The play
zone was created in a space that would otherwise have
been a thoroughfare,” says Ali. “This space breaks up
the length of the house and provides an area for study,
play and storage. A full-height glazed sliding door
separates the kids’ zone from the rear living room.”
Janet loves cooking and entertains frequently, so she
wanted the kitchen to be the focal point of the living
and dining area. Sliding doors opening onto the deck
encourage indoor-outdoor living. When the doors are
open, sitting at the 3m table feels like dining outside.
The raised ceiling over the kitchen dining area
differentiates it from the cosy living area, where a
raised stone hearth doubles as a shelf for lanterns and,
with the simple addition of cushions, additional
seating. An integrated stainless-steel shelf above the
kitchen bench also provides a home for Janet’s blue
and white china and Stelton pieces.
Understated and natural materials were chosen:
hardwood flooring to ensure continuity and flow
through the house, natural stones and stainless steel
for surfaces, and a predominantly white colour palette.
“I really wanted Janet’s colourful personality to shine
through,” says Ali. “And the materials needed to
withstand the wear and tear of a young family.”
Stained floorboards, black mosaics on the bathroom
floor and mid-grey carpet were chosen as much to hide
the inevitable marks of family living as for their
aesthetic appeal. It’s typical of the fine attention to
detail that has make this project such a success. As
Janet says, “Our home is extremely functional and has
everything a busy young family needs”. >
Ali Ross Design, Malvern, Victoria; 0429 434 715 or
www.alirossdesign.com.
30 Australian House & Garden