In my 33 years I have not once lived in a new build. Growing up in the country, all of the houses we either lived in with my parents or rented when we were older were built in the 1980’s or earlier. Even now, our first home here in Perth was built in 1996. So although its design is fairly modern, its lacking a lot of features that current new homes contain. So when I was offered to bunk up with my buddy Em from Stilettos & Bricks for the night in the Industria display home courtesy of Summit Homes, I jumped at the chance! As an interior decorator I see a lot of new builds. But most of them are either empty or in need of decorating. The Industria is fully furnished and decorated and is a home that takes the industrial interior style to a whole new level. Even from the outside, the home has an industrial look about it and was easily recognizable when we pulled up for our stay recently.

The Industria is a 4×2 with all the features you would expect from a new build. Although almost 2 years old, the home which is located in Baldivis Western Australia, has everything a family could ever need in 2018 and beyond. The 221.62m2 design is a perfect family sized home and one that entertainers will love. My favourite area of the house has to be the huge open plan kitchen, living and dining areas which sit under a gorgeous raked ceiling with exposed beams. Such a bold, industrial statement to match the equally stunning gourmet kitchen. Boasting a Tasmanian Oak breakfast bar with waterfall ends, a massive walk-in pantry, hidden scullery, plus plenty of storage and bench space, this kitchen is geared towards modern family living.

Another favourite area was the spacious master suite which features exposed brick walls, impressive raked ceiling, and oversized windows that give the room a light and airy feel. I also love the inclusion of the barn-style door which leads through to the indulgent walk-in robe and ensuite. The styling in this room and the rest of the home which is by LaVie Interiors is perfection. The absolute definition of industrial transformed in to a well decorated and functional space. Another beautifully styled room is the theatre room. These days we see a lot of cinema style theatre rooms which consist of oversized chairs for lounging, a giant screen and not much else. In this home though, the room has the extravagance and feel of a theatre room yet is styled to be more functional and therefore able to be used as a second lounge room or somewhere to simply relax in style. The size and location of the room also lends itself to being used as another bedroom or home office if you aren’t in need of a movie room.

To make the most of our stay, Em and myself decided that the beautiful timber breakfast bar deserved and equally beautiful grazing platter. So along with the help of some amazing Perth businesses, we put together a spread with enough food for 15 people. Even though there was only the two of us…🐷 An assortment of fruit, cheeses, breads, dips and more were the base of our platter which was made even better with some sweet delights from some wonderfully talented lady bosses. The naked cake was not only a beautiful creation, but damn tasty as well. Fun fact; Jemma from All The Cakes studied under well know Australian pâtissier and chef, Adriano Zumbo. And the gorgeous custom Summit Homes cookies by Oh Cookie Co were so amazing, that unfortunately after using them in the grazing platter, we devoured them all and forgot to share…🙊 Of course, the grazing table wouldn’t have been complete without some decoration. Tanya from Sea Of Love Studio supplied the gorgeous bunch of fresh blooms and Nat from Aura Crystals supplied us with some amazing quartz platters which we displayed food items on. Em and I were so happy with our creation that we may join forces and add ‘grazing platter creators‘ to our resumes 😉

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Getting to experience even just one night in the Industria really opened my eyes to what it means to love in a quality built home. Impressed isn’t even enough to describe how I feel about the Summit built home. There is no cut corners. The finishes are well thought through and the quality of them is top level. The attention to detail when it comes to how the home has been styled is the perfect way to show potential clients just how amazing their future home can be. I’m not going to lie, I was a little sad to go back to my home. But thanks to Summit, I was able to experience for myself what its like to live in a home full of modern technology and design and after hearing more about the Summit building process, it has opened my eyes to the possibility of me wanting to build in future. Something I always felt intimidated by in the past. I am very thankful to Summit Homes and the Style Studio By Summit for opportunity and also to Em from Stilettos & Bricks. Never have I danced or laughed as hard. I couldn’t have enjoyed myself as much without you there ❤

Zoe – The DIY Decorator 

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The Hamptons style of interior decorating is one that is always on trend. Due to its light and airy sophisticated look which gives a holiday home appeal, it is popular amongst home decorators of all ages and is a style we are constantly seeing on TV, in magazines and all over social media. So why is it so popular? Due to the use of fresh tones and timeless furnishings, the Hamptons style is a very elegant look and so it doesn’t date like some other interior trends do. So how can you create a Hamptons style in your own home? This is something I am asked often as here in Australia, Hampton’s style pieces can be harder to source. So I’ve collaborated with Australian business I Wanna Go Home to show and explain to you how by using the right furniture pieces, home decor pieces and colour palette, you can bring this style to life.

As the I Wanna Go Home team will tell you, the key element to the Hamptons style is white, white and more white. Build on this with other key decorative elements and accent with touches of colour and texture where it counts. Think of your Hamptons decorating journey as one with 3 layers. Layer one: The base, which is hard finishes of the room. Layer two: The furnishings, which are your larger furniture pieces. And layer three: The styling, which are the decorative items which finish the space and pull it all together. For all three levels, you are looking for crisp, white finishes to create the bright, open look which is true of the Hamptons interior style.

The ideal flooring choice for The Hamptons look inside your home is to go for timber floorboards. Pale timbers with grey undertones that give the air of effortless coastal style. If carpet is preferred, look to natural tones and simple textures that evoke sandy shores and driftwood. For the walls, again we are looking for neutral colours such as white or ivory. Light and airy window dressing and statement lighting is also key to creating a genuine Hamptons home. Metal, timber of wicker pendant lighting are often popular choices. Keep to light-coloured benchtops and choose all white finishes for kitchen cabinetry with featured areas of open shelving or glass paned doors.

When it comes to selecting furniture pieces for your Hamptons interior, think relaxed luxury resort style with deep, overstuffed sofas upholstered in pale neutrals. Sideboards and side tables in natural timber or white adds extra dimension to the room, as do occasional tray tables and cane or rattan armchairs with plump upholstered cushions. Shop for pieces that ooze the luxury, coastal style of the Hamptons such as these pieces to the right from I Wanna Go Home. The Australian Hamptons style furniture and homeware store stocks quality timber and MDF pieces which come fully assembled and are therefore better quality than a flat pack item. Offering delivery to all metro and regional areas around Australia, I Wanna Go Home also help you save money when furnishing with Hamptons style pieces by offering furniture bundles such as the popular Halifax essential Hampton’s bundle.

For decoration, layer with rugs in natural fibres of jute and sisal or woven with textures of natural cotton and bleached wool. Washed out blues also work beautifully on timber floors. Cushions piled on sofas is must and this is where you can bring in a little colour. If you are looking for accessories and items such as coat racks and floating wall shelves in Australia, I Wanna Go Home offer free delivery on these items. What colours should you use for the Hampton style? China blues and ocean inspired tones such as sea glass blue and sand work together and with the style so well. Texture is also an important feature to keep in mind when decorating. Quality linens, jute edges and piping on cushion edges really adds a whole new layer to the space. Use items such books, glass lanterns, china bowls and pieces of coral to create decorative vignettes around your living spaces on top of tables and counter tops to complete the Hamptons look.

Use these tips to guide you in creating a Hamptons style home which will give the look of luxe, whilst always being in style.

Zoe Gilpin – The DIY Decorator