Abstract painter Kirsten Painter and her husband were planning to overhaul their home in suburban Melbourne soon after they bought it in 2009. “Then life got in the way,” Kirsten says. The couple’s two children were starting high school, and she decided a large-scale renovation would prove too disruptive for them.
By the time the kids graduated, Kirsten was raring to go. She already knew designer Kristel Marshall and her company Studio Joy from Instagram and decided to give them free rein.
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To make the living room a focal point, Kristel used peach tones here but nowhere else. Taubmans Lambs Tail paint works perfectly with Kustom Timber flooring, and the Plumy sofa from Domo is a neat fit.
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In an adjoining room, a Studio Ciao plant holder introduces a complementary lilac tone. Green pieces A Sarah Ellison Paloma coffee table anchors a green rug and armchair in the seating area by the fireplace.
“It’s the biggest compliment when a client puts their trust in you, and Kirsten did that from the get-go,” Kristel says. “It was a bit of a dream.”
The home was designed in the 1990s by an architect who lived there himself. “It’s so liveable as a result,” Kirsten says. “It’s north-facing, with loads of light, and it just flows.” Aside from a new kitchen and bathrooms , Kirsten didn’t request any big changes, allowing Kristel to spend her time on the interior design.
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A monochrome striped plant holder by Studio Ciao is both functional and decoratively playful.
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Kirsten loves flowers and gardening, so interior designer Kristel placed plant holders and vases strategically throughout the home.
“Kirsten didn’t want fuss and I’m a fan of clean lines, so we settled on the idea of light-filled, uncluttered spaces,” Kristel says. Kirsten also hoped to hang some of her own brightly painted works in the home.
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Kirsten stands in front of her Let’s Go Dancing artwork, which helped inform the home’s colour palette. Beside her, an extravagant golden Domo floor lamp commands attention but doesn’t overpower the painting.
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Kirsten hoped to use the living room to display a rotating selection of her colourful artwork, so she and Kristel chose subtle furniture that wouldn’t compete. The rug is by Halcyon Lake, the marble coffee table is from Just Adele, the light fixture above it is by Paris Au Mois D’Aout and the armchair is from Frankie + Coco.
“I pulled colours directly out of Kirsten’s work,” Kristel says. “They became the foundations for the palette.” She was careful not to choose shades that would overwhelm the paintings, instead choosing pastel-coloured materials such as a commanding slab of blue marble. “It’s not often that you get the OK to design a baby-blue kitchen ,” adds the interior designer.
Gallery: 17 bathroom design ideas to inspire your renovation (Real Living)
A freestanding bathtub makes a striking focal point in this spa-like bathroom which is further accentuated by matte black tapware and the black window frame. To replicate this contemporary urban oasis, use a neutral colour palette of whites, greys and black, then add texture through furniture, tiles and accessories.
A simple grey and white palette is always a winner, and here we see it used to great effect. Brass tapware adds a point of difference, and a curved walk-in shower provides easy access.
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Embrace the current fixation with millennial pink and up the sophistication stakes with sleek gold tapware and a tiled feature wall. You can also get a similar look using waterproof, removable wallpaper.
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Bathrooms don’t have to be sleek and shiny. Take this stunning room with its glorious mixture of textures – the concrete-look tiles provide a lovely contrast against the timber accents. It’s also a combo that works well in a kitchen or laundry, so you can continue the look throughout your home.
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If peace and serenity are top of your bathroom wish list, look no further. The stone bath and basins of this gorgeous space are the epitome of calm, not to mention the breathtaking ocean view.
A few clever tricks for maxing your ensuite space : go for a large-format tile (50cm or bigger) on your floors and walls, keep your ceiling white to draw the eye up, add a double sink if space allows, and don’t forget decorative touches like gold tapware to add personality.
This Mediterranean-inspired spa-like haven is full of natural materials and rustic touches that make it shine. For example, an integrated showerhead is simple yet luxurious addition, creating a serene and soothing ambience.
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You can never have enough natural light in your bathroom and this ensuite makes a compelling case for it. With smooth lines, soft curves, and a built in skylight, it’s the ultimate the sanctuary.
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If you’ve splashed out on a show-stopping freestanding bathtub , make a star of it by placing it on a raised platform, and if space and budget permit, add a strategically placed skylight above for the ultimate illumination.
When space is limited, a slimline vanity adds a touch of hotel-style elegance to your ensuite without covering up those gorgeous wall and floor tiles. Mirrored cabinets provide storage and help the room seem larger.
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Don’t let a tricky space get the better of you! This clever bath and shower design makes great use of its windowside position, with the exposed brick wall adding a nice industrial touch.
Put your own stamp on your bathroom by opting for colours and finishes you love. Here, a wall
of soft grey terrazzo tiles creates a seamless backdrop for the statement timber tub, polished herringbone floors and dazzling brass tapware.
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For walls that go for days, long, vertical tiles are your friend. This reno has also incorporated a lightwell to illuminate the charcoal ceramics, while at night-time, in-built LED lighting makes the rain shower glisten.
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While plain and simple works for some, others may appreciate the more ornate things in life. If you sit in the latter camp, consider adding a gilded mirror, vintage vanity or hand-painted feature tile for a bathroom you’ll never want to leave.
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Strong lines meet soft curves in this modern and edgy monochrome bathroom design , where bold tiles and touches of timber add graphic interest.
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Create a day spa feeling in your bathroom with decorative finishings. Think timber-look tiles on the floor, sheer curtains at the windows, a coffee table to store all your tub-time essentials and a striking chandelier overhead. But not all lighting can be hung over a bath – check with your electrician first.
Give an old bath a new lease on life with a fresh lick of paint. The prep work is key, so make sure the surface is free of rust and grease and has been sanded back before applying a metal primer followed by an undercoat and then your top coat, all oil-based.
17/17 SLIDES
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The stunning slab of blue calcite marble anchoring the palette was sourced from Signorino. Dulux Angelic Blue proved to be a perfect colour match, so Kristel used it for both the kitchen cabinetry and the island base. The island countertop is Caesarstone Fresh Concrete and the tapware is from ABI Interiors. Bobby bar stools from Design By Them and a striped plant holder by Studio Ciao inject even more fun into the space.
Contrast is central to Kristel’s work, and the combination of clean-lined minimalism and lively colour in this project for Kirsten exemplifies her approach. “I love to mix contemporary European furniture with strong Australian pieces, which I’ve done here by combining Ligne Roset, Sarah Ellison and others,” Kirsten says.
The end result, she adds, “is everything I hoped it would be. It’s playful, but at its heart it’s sophisticated”.
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A slab of Caesarstone Fresh Concrete atop wall-mounted drawers by Total Cabinetry Solutions creates a neat display area in the living room. Above the shelf, a print by Dave Kulesza mirrors the clean-lined vibe of the home. The mementos include a vintage orange Perspex vase and a concertina vase by Kirsten Perry.
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The second living room, with its white Soft Studio curtains and garden views, was designed for quieter moments. To give the space its own feel, Kirsten and Kristel selected a sofa and armchairs by Sarah Ellison. The throw cushion from House of Orange adds a pop of colour and personality.
HOW TO MAKE A ROOM FEEL COSY
To make a room feel cosy, choose vivid or dark colours. To help it feel larger, pick out pastels or light colours.
Cool tones work best in rooms with plenty of natural light. In a darker room, consider neutrals and warm tones.
A rule of thumb is to use a varied palette in social rooms and a pared-back palette in private spaces.
Blue mosaic wall tiles from Artedomus and Marazzi Ghiara flooring by Design Precinct create a cool and airy atmosphere in the bathroom. A slab of Calacutta Nuvo marble from Ceasarstone tops the custom vanity.
Most of the furniture in the home is contemporary, which makes the antique French dining table – a family heirloom – seem extra-special. The comfy dining chairs are by Ligne Roset.
In the master bedroom, Natty + Polly wallpaper sums up Kristel’s playful-yet-sophisticated ethos. The bedhead is by Eva, the bedside table is from West Elm and the pendant light is by Nordic Tales. The room wouldn’t be complete without a vase, sourced from Makers Mrkt.
3/3 SLIDES
Photography: Stephanie Rooney
Studio Joy is at studiojoy.com.au and @studio__joy