Simply effective

Materials such as timber, stone and stainless steel enrich an understated interior scheme that is textural rather than colourful

A view of kitchen area made from stainless countertop, interior design, kitchen, brown — A view of kitchen area made from stainless steel

A view of the open plan layout of ceiling, furniture, home, interior design, living room, room, table, wall, window, black, white

A view of the dining area with the ceiling, chair, dining room, floor, flooring, furniture, hardwood, home, interior design, laminate flooring, living room, room, table, window, wood, wood flooring, gray, black

A view of the lounge area with the ceiling, floor, furniture, home, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, table, gray, red

A view of the kitchen with its sleek countertop, interior design, kitchen, gray, brown

A view of the bar area with the cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, table, orange

A view of the stairwell constructed from a architecture, ceiling, daylighting, floor, glass, handrail, house, interior design, lobby, property, real estate, stairs, black, brown, gray

A view of the bathroom area with the architecture, bathroom, floor, flooring, glass, interior design, purple, room, tile, wall, blue

A view of the bedroom area with the bed, bed frame, bedroom, floor, furniture, home, interior design, light, property, room, textile, wall, window, window covering, window treatment, gray

Finding materials that match the parents' desire for a stylish home with the practical realities of accommodating children, is often a difficult proposition. But one that can be conquered with expert advice and a daring combination of textures.

A solution adopted by designer Glenn Holmes of Design Department is to use hard-wearing materials that also have aesthetic value.

"Rather than always design the scheme with specific colours in mind, I often take my cue from the textual quality of the materials," he says.

It's a view he kept in mind when designing the interior of this multi-level, open-plan house. A place in which individuals have their own space yet don't feel cut off from the hurley-burly of the household.

This large three level home on Sydney's waterfront has been built around the shell of a 1950s home. It has plenty of communal areas and the emphasis is on casual living. Aside from the bar, dining and lounge featured here, there are family rooms on the levels above and below.

All the living areas can be opened out for a wide, open flow or they can be closed off by a succession of partitions. For example in the living room, solid teak slat-screen doors open into an office.

Visually connecting the communal areas of this home are reclaimed timber floors. The grain of the ironbark gives a feeling of richness and warmth, Holmes says.

In the adjoining living room, honed Himalayan sandstone has replaced timber to enable underfloor heating. But a solid bench made from ironbark provides the cantilevered base for speakers and television, as well as storage space.

The dining table is made from recycled red gum and has suede-backed chairs. This creates an interesting textual contrast between the hard wooden table and the smooth leather chairs, Holmes says.

In the kitchen it is the large stone benchtop on the island that is the focal point. Its mottled appearance stands out against the sleek surfaces of the stainless steel cooktop and sink and the kitchen cabinetry.

"The kitchen is the real hub of the home as it sits in the middle of everything. The owners enjoy casual entertaining and this layout enables them to keep in contact with their guests during the meal preparation," says Holmes.

As the kitchen is situated in such a prominent position, consideration has been paid to how it appears from adjoining areas. Most of the cabinetry has been installed below bench height, out of sight. Above the benchtops, crockery is displayed behind opaque glass cabinet doors.

"The appeal of glass is that whatever is placed behind it creates an interesting shape. There is still the impression of clean, uncluttered space but with the additional appeal of shadow play," Holmes says.

Inspired by the home's waterfront location and the owners' love of sailing, Holmes has made the adjoining bar in the shape of a ship's hull. The base has been painted with a marine finish for authenticity and the benchtop is made from Sydney blue gum.

The nautical theme is echoed in the use of stainless steel wire for the stairwell. Its engineered quality against the natural wooden stairs creates a visual statement at the core of the home, says Holmes.

Mixed materials are even a feature of the powder room, which has a glass mosaic tiled wall, a basin with an aluminium band and a timber floor.