Mediterranean Modern
Woollahra Entertainer’s Terrace project
We are always grateful for the pleasure of working in collaboration with great designers like Alexandra Kidd Interior Design. This time it was to convert this cold, uninviting, dark and dated three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Woollahra, into a warm and friendly, contemporary home, full of natural light and renovated to last the test of time.
This is a wonderful example of the warm side of minimalism – here’s a modern Mediterranean courtyard, embracing a pared-back design aesthetic with a rustic, earthy colour palette. The winning combination of powdery concrete, uneven stone, old brick plus some re-used for the new build and painted a warm white, slick grey limestone paving and multi-tone terracotta tile is a material masterpiece.
A generous distressed, polished concrete bench seat spans the width of the ample courtyard to cater for entertaining large groups of friends and family with plenty of extra seating evokes a breezy charm and enhances a sense of space and serenity.
The raised planter cladded in varied coloured terracotta baton tiles disguise the air conditioning units and creates a lush, modern, green vista as you gaze out the kitchen/dining windows to the courtyard beyond. The BBQ sits on a polished concrete benchtop with earthy terracotta tile cladded cabinets below.
The plant palette offers depth and texture and is layered with soft feminine planting with seasonal flowering that pays homage to the classic Victorian terrace. Plants included are Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' (Lavender Spur Flower), Hydrangea quercifolia (Oak Leaf Hydrangea), Anemone x hybrida (Japanese Windflower), Buxus microphylla (Japanese Box), Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' (graceful Spurge), Elaeagnus macrophylla (Oleaster).
Paving is a soft warm grey laid Garonne limestone in random length for a more classic approach. The stone wall was existing, given a thorough clean and repointed. The existing ladder was discovered on site, cleaned up and painted to fit the new surrounds. It is a functional element and is used for access to the higher garden for maintenance. A pair of arched, metal-framed mirrors reflect light and adds a depth to the space. Outdoor entertaining in this space feels unrestricted, with plenty of comfortable seating, an outdoor kitchen and dining area that is a perfect example of the integration between indoors and outdoors that result in a close connection of the home to its physical environment.
View project
CREDITS
Interior design Alexandra Kidd Design
Materials:
Plant installation Ladybug Landscapes | Plants Exotic Nurseries | Paving Eco Outdoor | Terracotta cladding Gather Co | Furniture Cosh Living
Mirrors Paterre Australia
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