Trendsideas

For our ancestors, a flickering fire signalled warmth and safety – here, as part of a sunken al fresco lounge, it also signals a cosy hub for conversation

A Scandinavian look was required for this interiors makeover and the feature Matai/Rimu – solid wood flooring is just one stand out feature of many that meets the brief

For this interior, the foyer features a gouged wood credenza as a grounding point with Erin Schirreff art hanging above and ceramic sconces to the sides

All weather furniture has come a long way and this social setting under the skies combines sophistication with resistance to the elements

Practical storage puts on a stylish face in this Hamptons-look renovation where understated living room cabinetry is finished with panelled faces

Off-form concrete is tamed by the warmth of wood in this contemporary Sydney harbour home that values calm, privacy and natural light along with optimised indoor-outdoor connection front and back

Strong material choices recommend this pared back kitchen, which balances family-friendly functionality with being a visual feature for the adjacent living spaces

A clean-lined tub sits graciously on a raised pedestal in this bathroom sanctuary, as much a pleasure to look at as it is to soak in – Patagonia Quartzite wall and floor surrounds complete the intended spa-like presence

For this living/dining/kitchen volume, slot windows bedded in feature board-formed concrete connect to a roaring Escea Fireplace on one side and garden outlooks on the other

Pale-toned tile flooring plays a key part in this new home's living space – purposefully receding to the eye so the character rock wall and character wood stair can take the limelight

Exposed steel portals frame this kitchen, with each steel member having an LED strip to provide understated ambient lighting – task lighting is provided under the kitchen cabinets

Coral hand-blown lamps by Soktas, from ECC Lighting, grace this powder room entry wall – the handblown, brass detailed glass lights turn on via a hidden sensor