A genuine sense of energy and connectivity sees the overhaul of this early 1900’s Queenslander come to life. While charm and character were never lacking, the redesign of the kitchen, dining and alfresco areas are now connected by a gallery-like foundation, allowing the vibrant colours of the featured art to pop against a carefully considered monochromatic palette of materials – timber, clay and concrete. Bright and breezy, with an open-plan layout ideal for the social lifestyles of its owners, the Ashgrove House is the definition of dynamic living.
Outdoor room – Banquetteseat pad in an olive and beige raffia fabric from Westbury Textiles. Scatter cushions in a Donghia outdoor fabric from South Pacific Fabrics. Kose ceramic platter, Ondene. Karman pendant light, ECC Lighting+Furniture. DuluxVivid White.
“I wanted to create an alfresco area that was fresh, easy and timeless,” says interior designer Alexandra Ponting. Modern design leads the way: the Gervasoni ‘InOut’ table, Roda ‘Orson 001’ chairs and striking Karman ‘Moby Dick’ pendant light are all conversation points. Lounge lizards might prefer the 4m-long banquette, which offers plenty of seating without impacting on circulation space.
Kitchen
The brief
Located at the rear of a gracious 1930s weatherboard home in Brisbane, this kitchen hadn’t been updated since the 1970s. The owners wanted to transform it into a modern, airy living space where their adult children, grandkids and friends could congregate and enjoy the connection to the rear deck, garden and pool. They called on Sydney interior designer Alexandra Ponting from AP Design House to come up with a layout that could accommodate large crowds without compromising on food prep and cooking space. Stylistically, they wanted a scheme that was contemporary yet mindful of the home’s heritage.
The solution
Alexandra devised a monochromatic palette of off-white and soft greys that is simultaneously classic and contemporary. While tonally restrained, it’s high on visual interest, thanks to the interplay of V-groove joinery, textured porcelain tiles and white concrete benchtops. The highlight of the space is the use of a textured-porcelain subway tile for the rear wall/splashback and the base of the 3000x1000x940mm island bench. The V-groove joinery, meanwhile, references the home’s Queenslander roots.
MDF cabinetry is routed with a vertical V-groove detail, a nod to the home’s original weatherboards. “It was important that this new kitchen spoke to its surroundings,” says Alexandra. The joinery is complemented by simple, streamlined pull handles.
The brick-like porcelain tiles are handmade and no two are the same. This produces slightly irregular grout lines, a deliberate design inclusion. “I’ve combined the monochromatic palette with a mix of uneven lines versus perfectly straight ones, and smooth surfaces versus rough surfaces,” says Alexandra.
The rangehood has been encased in joinery and then tiled so it ‘disappears’ into the tiled splashback wall. “A contrasting rangehood would have interrupted the flow of the room,” says Alexandra. “This custom rangehood is still a feature but it is understated and doesn’t compete with other elements.”
An integrated Liebherr side-by-side fridge/freezer and pantry are housed in this wall of tall joinery.
The large island bench accommodates a crowd without impinging on prep space. “This L-shaped design with long galley and larger-than-normal island allows for seamless flow,” says Alexandra.
‘It’s minimalistic at first glance, but when you’re in the space you realise how much warmth and interest has been created through the use of the considered and diverse materials.’ Alexandra Ponting
Material Used :
1. Tall cabinetry - MDF routed with vertical V-groove detail, painted Porter’s Paints Lime Wash in Milk.
2. Benchtops - Custom concrete in Pure White, poured off-site, Mixed Element.
3. Splashback, rangehood cladding and island bench - Climatica ‘Muro Vecchio’ handmade porcelain tiles in Blanco (gloss), Ace Stone+Tiles.
4. Tap - Armando Vicario ‘Tink’ side-lever kitchen mixer in White, $770, Abey.
5. Sink - Schock ‘Typos’ 13/4 bowl in Alpina finish, $858, Abey. Pendant light ‘Mouette Asymmetric’ pendant light, Artemide.
6. Kitchen stools - ‘Butter’ bar stools, $450 each, DesignByThem.
7. Flooring - Reclaimed wide-gauge timber floorboards, stained chestnut brown.
THE APPLIANCES
1. Stove - 90cm freestanding gas cooker in White, Smeg. Rangehood Smeg, with custom tile cladding.
2. Fridge/freezer - Integrated Liebherr fridge/freezer.
