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Blurring the boundaries
Blurring the boundaries from Home & Apartment Trends volume 2117
Anyone who has lived in a tropical climate knows that during the hot season, the last thing you want to do is spend time inside. This is why homes in these locations are often designed in such a way that the line between inside and outside becomes blurred.
Designer Di Henshall planned her own family home so that in the heat of summer, doors can be folded right back.
"The house had to be like a beach pavilion – in summer, the entire walls between inside and out disappear," she says.
A good example of this is the breakfast bar. While the bar itself is inside, the bar stools are outside. The gas-strutted window opens right up.
"It pushes itself up and stays up just like a kiosk," Henshall says.
It rains frequently during the summer here, but as the temperature remains high, people still want to sit outside to stay cool. This meant the outdoor living areas had to be covered so they could be enjoyed in all weather.
There are two main outdoor seating areas, which Henshall has named the Gin Pit Upper and Gin Pit Lower. The television in the kitchen is visible from the upper area, so effectively it acts an additional living area. The lower gin pit is cooler and protected from the sun by a huge tree.
"It's a good spot for people-watching. No one can see you, but you can see everyone," Henshall says.
The home's location directly on the waterfront provided further motivation for making the most of outdoor living space. It shares a circular island with approximately 50 other residences, connected to the mainland by a tree-lined causeway. Houses cluster around a central park, with one row of houses oriented toward the park, and the other row – including this home – facing out to embrace the expansive river views.
An outdoor pool provides another refuge from the summer heat, and the infinity edge provides a seamless visual flow from pool to river.
The main living room is situated adjacent to the pool, with sliding doors opening the area right up.
As Henshall enjoys to cook, the kitchen is open plan so she can interact with guests in the living and dining areas. A long, narrow window above the cooktop is a popular feature.
"I put it there so I've always got something to look at. It's much nicer than a blank wall," she says.
Another consideration in the design of the home was Henshall's family, which includes two teenage sons. Providing private spaces for them was essential.
"The boys have the whole downstairs back of the house with their own entrance, television room and ensuite, but they're still very much connected to the rest of the house," Henshall says.
As both the boys and their parents like to entertain frequently, there is plenty of space to accommodate guests. While the home has only three bedrooms, both the television room and office can be turned into extra bedrooms if necessary. With this in mind, the office has a pull-out bed and ensuite bathroom.
"We've had up to 14 people staying here at times," Henshall says.
Lighting is also a significant feature, with more than 300 lights used.
"Lighting can completely change the mood of a room," Henshall says.
The living room ceiling has several different levels to allow lights to be installed under the panels. Also in the living area is a large Philippe Starck light with an articulated arm. This can be pulled like a dentist's drill to wherever it's wanted in the room – even right over to the sofa.
The furniture is a mix of vintage items and furniture made by Henshall's company. Outdoor furniture is custom made in waterproof fabric.
"They're made in such a nice fabric that you wouldn't think it was waterproof."
The 1940s rolled-arm chairs in the living area are old favourites and have been re-covered three times. Some furniture has been shipped from Europe. Henshall says one of her favourite vintage pieces is a theatre prop from the 1950s – a magician's stand.
Building a house in a tropical climate gave designer Di Henshall the inspiration to create a home in which outdoor areas function as extensions of the indoors.
The new home sits alongside a waterway.
Views through to the rear of the house are seen from the front entry.
A large tree provides shade to outside areas.
An infinity edge pool blurs the definition between the pool and the water.
Kitchen bar stools are situated outside under cover alongside an indoor/outdoor bench.
Hand-blown porcelain lamps from Limoge are recessed into the wall of the living area. Other lighting features in the room are the large Philippe Starck light, and a lamp that Henshall pieced together from a corset found in London and a base from Paris. Persian rugs feature throughout – on the floor of the living area is a Nai'in rug.
The kitchen is fully specified with appliances – including a steam oven – as Henshall loves to cook. For added convenience, a walk-in pantry leads outside to a herb garden.
The chair to the right of the stairs is made following a 1958 Danish design called The Harp. Henshall found it in Copenhagen and had it shipped home. The magician's stand can be seen on the landing of the stairs.
(clockwise from top left) As Henshall deals with colour and movement all day, she wanted her bedroom to be simple and peaceful.
Sinks have cantilevered shelves underneath for storing towels.
Louvres connect the bathroom and master bedroom.
Pale coffee-coloured wallpaper in the study gives a studious feel to the room and helps to cut down light reflection.
Credit List
Interior designer/builder/kitchen designer
:
Di Henshall, MDIA, AAA, HIA, KBA, Di Henshall Interior Design (Noosaville, QLD)
Window and door joinery and hardware
:
G James Commercial
Flooring
:
New Age Veneers; Forbo Flooring
Kitchen manufacturer/cabinet supplier
:
JC Bain & Sons
Benchtops
:
Stainless steel from Suncast Sheet Metal
Kitchen taps
:
Hansa
Photography by David Sandison
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