Cranbrook 2020 Design Brief
Aleesha invited me to help her bring her design ideas to life in her new build home. She wants to transform her new house into something that is modern, fresh creating a comfortable environment. With lots of visitors the home needs to make everyone feel safe and welcome through the use of natural colours and textures including burnt orange, green, mustard and a touch of black. Patterns introduced need to be simple and subtle, not too much clutter and the use of feature plants in each room bringing nature inside.
With a family on the horizon, Aleesha would like one of the bedrooms to be easily transformed into a nursery. The butler’s pantry will also need a door for future little footsteps. With two gorgeous fur babies, including them in the design is also important. Aleesha is happy to upgrade her current dining chairs, but as the remaining furniture is in great condition and in neutral tones, there is no need for any major furniture purchases. This is more a styling solution to help bring her fantastic ideas to life and create a house that flows from one room to the next without feeling like a show home that you cannot actually live in.
The Colour scheme
The Floor Plan
These are the hand rendered floor plans for Aleeshas house, reflecting the furniture placement and colour scheme. The first section shows the entry, study, open plan kitchen/dining/lounge with the butlers pantry. The second section shows the bedrooms to the rear of the house.
The entry
As the first thing that anyone sees, it is important to create a welcoming entry. This is the first opportunity to introduce the colour scheme and design style so its an important area. The Design concept for this area included the purchase of a console table, a mirror, some decor items in the colour scheme and the use of an existing hat stand.
Study/Music Room
This is a lovely generous room which could also double up as the music room. Whilst the existing feature wall is lovely, in keeping with the new colour scheme, consider a wallpaper behind the in built desk. A textured rug and some large plants will bring this space to life.
The Kitchen
This house has a lovely brand new kitchen with marble wall tiles, granite benchtop and butlers pantry. As the sink is a feature of the island bench it is one of the first things you see when you walk in the room. There is an opportunity to update the sink and tapware. Also add in a barn door to separate butlers pantry.
The Dining Room
Aleesha is keen to update her dining suite, and this can be a forever piece of furniture. Maximum size here would be an eight seater. In addition, by removing the ceiling fan the addition of a feature pendant would look great over the table. The wall space could use some great wall art.
The Lounge Room
A green feature wall, another lovely textured rug, soft furnishings and a floor lamp will bring this part of the open plan space to life.
The Master Bedroom
An existing timber feature wall behind the bed with a niche offers the opportunity to bring in a feature colour inside the niche. A textured quilt cover in burnt orange, with contrasting cushions and throw will make this a cosy space. A pre loved feature chair we found on marketplace in the corner with some plants and some new bedsides will finish off this room.
The Guest Bedroom
Here the lighter pink tones can be used, to create a cosy atmosphere for guests. A nice rattan bedhead and chair will work well.
Future Nursery
A feature wall in green with beading gives the back wall some interest. Nursery furniture from Mocka would look great in this room when the time comes.
