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St Ives Residence

This high-end residential design is a perfect example of how to blend luxury with natural world. Set within an extensive garden that seamlessly transitions into the surrounding bushland, this project transformed an uninspiring space into a true retreat.

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Project by Branch Out Landscape Design
Place Roseville Chase
Project Type Residential
Category Residential
Installer https://www.outdoorresidential.com.au/
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St Ives Residence

The old pool area, previously a prominent but poorly designed feature, has been reimagined as the centrepiece of the property. The renovation focuses on enhancing the connection between the house and garden, creating additional inviting areas for family and friends to enjoy this beautiful space.

A touch of Modern Meets Timeless Elegance

The pool area’s redesign incorporates eye-catching glass mosaics, bringing a contemporary flair to the space. Balancing these modern elements, our Classic Travertine pavers had been laid throughout. This paving not only defines new areas but also harmonises with the elegant white Sandstone walls and the warm tones of the house brick.

Travertine features prominently throughout the garden, elevating the sense of luxury. A new staircase from the renovated balcony, an expanded pool lounge, and a garden patio ensure a seamless flow around the property. The French Pattern layout of the paving adds an extra layer of sophistication to the overall design.

The Beauty of Travertine

At the heart of the St Ives Residence’s design is the First Choice Classic Travertine. Its neutral beige tones offer versatility, complementing a wide range colour scheme. This Travertine particularly shines when paired with the blues, greens, and peacock colours often found in pool areas and mosaics, while also creating striking contrasts with darker hues.

In essence, the St Ives Residence is a true showcase of the harmonious integration between luxury and nature. The careful selection of materials, such as Classic Travertine, plays a key role in achieving this balance, resulting in a space that’s not just a house, but a true sanctuary of design and comfort.

Products Used

Create lasting beauty and functionality with products designed for both aesthetics and strength. Our carefully selected products not only elevate the visual appeal of your project but also ensure long-term durability.

First Choice Classic Travertine

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Roseville Chase Residence

TAKE US THROUGH THE INITIAL STAGES WHEN YOU WERE DESIGNING THE HOME.

We were very fortunate to work with the noted Southern Highlands Architect, Martin McGrane, on the creative design and layout of our home. Together with Martin, we created a beautiful, contemporary open plan home to enjoy with our family and friends.  This is our forever home.

Through a friend of ours, we came across an interior designer, and a beautiful outdoor material, the Cathedral Limestone, which we just fell in love with. We worked closely with Peta Daniel, Interior Designer from Daniel Baker Design, based in Sydney.  Which was wonderful, Peta just got us and what we were wanting to achieve in our home and helped us to make it a reality, in the selection of materials and finishes.

 

WERE THERE CERTAIN PEOPLE/PLACES THAT YOU TOOK INSPIRATION FROM WHEN DESIGNING/BUILDING THE HOME?

We were looking for a contemporary design, however, I didn’t want it to be too modern.  Inspired by a property in LA, that my husband came across, which we took some concepts from and added our ideas, and made it our own.

The LA contemporary look and detail leading into the house from the front door was something that we just loved.  Along with having one row of tiles that runs along the inside of the glass sliding doors leading into the living/dining room from the alfresco space was also a unique detail we wanted to include.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING PROCESS?

The build started in February 2020, and with all the delays throughout COVID, material delays, supplier issues, constant rain, mud pools, you name it, we had it!  Encountering all the possible elements, it felt like we were living in gumboots most of the time during the build.  It took 3 years to build the property, and 8 months just to get the roof on!

We had a deadline for our home to be finished by, which was our daughters’ wedding, being held in March 2023.

There were delays happening everywhere, including issues and delays with the quarry who were providing the Limestone that was to be used in all the outdoor areas surrounding the property.  We had chosen Cathedral Limestone in an alfresco finish with a lovely organic distressed finish on the edge, that we knew would complement the other natural materials we were using.  Time was of the essence, and it came to crunch time and the quarry could not provide a guaranteed time of delivery.  We thought what a disaster!

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH SAREEN STONE.. AND HOW THE TEAM HELPED TO OVERCOME THE SUPPLY ISSUE WITH THE CATHEDRAL LIMESTONE.

Working closely with Michael Mastro, from Sareen Stone, he had been in constant contact updating me as best he could.  Then an alternative solution was presented, another Limestone of the same size and finish, with similar tones, which I hoped would work and arrive in time.  Sareen Stone had been behind the scenes working closely with another quarry, to create a new product ‘Lavarosa Anticato’, just for our project, so that we had a solution and were able to finish our home in time for our daughter’s wedding.

When the material arrived, we couldn’t have been happier.  We just loved the Lavarosa Anticato, and it worked so well with our colour palette, and love it even more than our previous selection.  We were over the moon!

 

DESIGNER COMMENTS:

Working with Kate and Eugene on this project was wonderful. They were passionate about the overall design but also the finer details and the interplay of the natural materials with the surrounding landscape.

It was very important that the natural material palette was harmonious, and that each element was both complementary and warm.

I’ve worked with Michael from Sareen Stone on a number of projects and have always been impressed with his professional advice and clear communication. The magnificent home warmly wrapped with the “Lavarosa Anticato” is simply stunning.   A beautiful project!

Peta Daniel, Daniel Baker Design

 

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

Interior Designer:  Daniel Baker Design, 0414 341 778
Architecture:  Martin McGrane Architects, 0412 242 253
Photography and short film:  Bolt Media, 0426 607 040