Product in Focus: Cobblestones

Charcoal Granite Cobblestones Circular Driveway

Add a creative dimension to driveways and paths – or an element of surprise – as with this impressive circular driveway feature at a residential project in Sydney’s Vaucluse by Landsberg Garden Design and Quercus Gardens featuring our Charcoal Granite Cobblestones.

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Image: This impressive circular driveway feature in Vaucluse in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs was created by Landsberg Garden Design and Quercus Gardens using our Charcoal Granite Cobblestones.

While they are often used for residential driveways and paths, Sareen Stone cobblestones also make a great choice for commercial space interior floors, including at Bankstown Sports Club’s iconic Lucky Cheng’s Noodle House. Sareen Stone’s Charcoal Grey Granite Rectangle Cobblestones was installed on the restuarant’s floors by Paynter Dixon constructions.

granite--cobblestone-driveways-sydney Byron Martin Photography

Image: Visit Canterbury-Bankstown’s Lucky Cheng’s restaurant to see Sareen Stone Charcoal Grey Granite cobblestones in situ. Installed by Paynter Dixon Construction. Image Credit: Bankstown Sports.

Hunters Hill Residence

About Keith Pike Associates

Keith Pike Associates is an architectural design practice located in Birchgrove, in Sydney’s inner west. Their work is contemporary with a focus on detailed luxury, specifically the use of premium stone.

Recently, Keith Pike Associates and Pilgrim Building completed a makeover of an existing two-level waterfront property in Hunters Hill.

The project involved extensive reorganisation of the floorplan to provide a natural spatial flow, from the entry, through the house, downstairs and out to the extensive alfresco facilities fronting the harbour.

Lookalike Travertine Porcelain Tiles for Elegant Indoor Living

Keith Pike chose to use Sareen Stone’s Lookalike Travertine Porcelain tiles and Statuario Marble Look Porcelain tiles throughout the kitchen, dining and living areas of the house.

Subtle Luxury at Caballo Estate with Turrell Building

Caballo Estate is sophisticated, luxurious, yet subtle at the same time. Using raw materials and a minimalist colour palette to create a beautiful facade, this project demonstrates the power of simplicity.

We talked to Neil, founder of Turrell Building to learn more about the project.

Stunning luxury selections of fixtures and finishes brought it all together, keeping the house modern and contemporary for decades to come.

Tasman Marble – Not Your Usual Marble 

What To Expect From Marble?

Marble is a metamorphic rock with characteristic veining and movement throughout. It has been prized in architecture since classical times and has therefore become a symbol of culture and refined taste. 

When working with the quarries, only high-grade class Marble is selected, providing a consistent finish and durable product.

Marble is recognised for its characteristics of bold colours and striking veining. To accentuate this look, Marble is typically supplied in a honed or polished finish, and is used in kitchens, bathrooms, or selected for hotel lobbies, and commercial projects, for its premium appearance. 

As the honed or polished finish on Marble tiles has a low slip rating, it is commonly used on interior floors and walls, and because of this low slip rating, it is not suitable for outdoor areas

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Pictured: Pietra Grey Marble in collaboration with Stillone Design, image by Maree Homer

Sophisticated Beecroft Project with Chateau Architects + Builders

The home was architecturally designed, and the clients came to Chateau with the drawings completed, looking for a local and reputable builder and designer, to bring their vision to life, and to assist with the final selection of materials. 

The Story Behind Tuscan Gris Limestone

Inspired by the demand for our best-selling beige and sandy-coloured Cathedral Limestone, which our clients love for its beautiful texture and large format that looks stunning in alfresco areas, we were looking for a mid-grey coloured Limestone.

Ocean Point Dream Home

We have been following the journey of Ocean Point Avenue being built on Instagram. We’ve witnessed how the bare land in the coastal Coffs Harbour location was developed into a stunning home with unique features, premium finishes and a tranquil atmosphere. 

In this article, we talk to Nathan from Bentley Homes NSW, a local builder in Coffs Harbour, in charge of both the build and the design behind this project.

The Vision

The outdoor and alfresco areas were a focal point of this build. The house wraps around the alfresco and pool area making it a stunning feature of the home. 

The master bed, kitchen, dining and living rooms all overlook the north-facing pool and alfresco area, flooding the home with natural light. 

Where did you draw your inspiration for this home?  

“Given the location of the block we were mostly aiming for a modern coastal feel to this home, but I feel we drew inspiration from a range of different styles to create this place,” explained Nathan. 

Any Kid’s Dream Backyard

“Being a battle-axe block of land it was tricky to design but we feel we did the best with the space we had and it really created a unique and beautiful home. 

And of course, we have made the most of the backyard space including dedicating the entire back triangle of the block for a kid’s zone, including a sand pit, trampoline and climbing frame with space for a swing set and mud kitchen in the future. It is truly any kid’s dream backyard, ” said Nathan.

ocean point ave alfresco

We love the alfresco area. It looks like you’ve got everything covered. What are all the different features and the thinking behind them? 

“The alfresco area really is something else, probably our favourite part of the home! With a northern aspect, it is full of light and overlooks a large backyard and pool area including a Balinese-style hut and tropical gardens. 

The alfresco area includes a large outdoor kitchen with BBQ that can be used all year round and seems to have become an essential part of the modern-day build in our Aussie climate,” said Nathan.

silver ash travertine french pattern

Premium Silver Ash Travertine In A French Pattern

The Silver Ash Travertine is a mid-tone grey stone with soft patterns of brown and dark ash tones interwoven into its surface to add contrast.

With its dominant grey and brown colours, it contrasts well against light and dark fixtures and showcases the patterns and beautiful natural variation present in natural stone, which adds a design statement to any space.

This Travertine is suitable for all modern and period-style homes and commercial spaces. It is popular in residential projects when used for floors, walls, pool surrounds and footpaths. It also works beautifully when connecting indoor and outdoor spaces.

silver ash travertine pool

French Pattern also referred to as Ashlar pattern or Versailles Pattern, is a modular pattern that is reminiscent of a stone floor from historic European palaces, adding an interesting feature to the floor and making it look elegant and impressive. 

You selected our Silver Ash Travertine French Pattern for the alfresco area, pool and spa hut. What was the thought process behind this and how did it work with the rest of the design? 

“A standout feature of this build is definitely the use of timber and stone throughout the home both inside and out. 

The Silver Ash Travertine floor combined with a blackbutt lined ceiling on the both alfresco and pool area is just stunning together. Using the French pattern Travertine throughout the alfresco, pool and spa hut area made them all flow together,” said Nathan.

silver ash travertine floor

What’s your favourite part of the build? 

“It is definitely difficult to choose a favourite part, obviously we are in love with the alfresco and pool areas but also need to mention the large open plan living/dining/kitchen area. 

The kitchen overlooks the pool and there is a large set of stackable doors that creates a large opening between the living and alfresco. 

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The living area also has a gorgeous stone-cladded fireplace where the glass wraps around the corner allowing it to face the living and alfresco areas,” explained Nathan.

What would be your #1 advice to people embarking on a journey of building their dream homes? 

It can be a stressful time, but don’t let it be. Do your research on products and try to think practically when making tough decisions. Try to enjoy the whole process and everything in between! 

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About Bentley Homes NSW

Bentley Homes are quality home builders in Coffs Harbour, Nathan Bentley and his business partner, Ashley Trengove. They specialise in quality, custom-built homes, extensions and renovations throughout Coffs Harbour and the surrounding areas. 

In addition, they offer a full range of building and renovation services, from decks and pergolas to home extensions and of course, new home construction.

They work throughout the Coffs Coast including Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and Toormina, Bonville, Repton, Urunga, Korora Beach, Sapphire Beach, Moonee Beach, Emerald Beach and Woolgoolga.

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Products Used in This Project: Premium Silver Ash Travertine

Resort Style Living in MacMasters Beach

We are excited to share this stunning resort-style home in MacMasters Beach built by Balanced Building, which we had the privilege of photographing and experiencing in person. In the article, we talk to James and Chrissy Lewry, the owners, about the renovation and design of their forever home. 

They’ve transformed their alfresco area into a resort-style outdoor living with a beautiful pool, jacuzzi, outdoor living room, lounge and entertaining areas, creating a holiday atmosphere in their own backyard. 

They’ve used our elegant cream-coloured Crema Vialle Alfresco Limestone to provide soft undertones and beautiful rich texture. The stunning design earned the MBA Award in the Concrete Pools category.

As soon as you step onto the property, you feel a sense of quiet and tranquillity. You are surrounded by beautiful greenery, and the neutral soft colour palette used throughout, makes you feel so relaxed like you’re in a resort on holiday. 

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Before Image
After Image

Chrissy, what a transformation! The difference between your before and after photos are truly amazing!  What was your design vision for the project? Was there a particular style you were going for?

“The original home had a country homestead feel, we wanted to modernise the home and give it a Coastal/Modern look with a relaxed resort-style feel,” explained the homeowner Chrissy.

Chrissy has a natural talent when it comes to interior design and styling. Although she has never formally studied interior design, creating beautiful spaces has always been her hobby. 

Winning the award for the pool and being recognised by the Master Builders Association, competing with renowned architects, builders and designers, is a true testament to her natural talent.

She has used a beautiful neutral palette throughout the home, all the way from the front door through to the outdoor resort-style living area, from hard materials to soft furnishings and everything in between, creating a fresh, beautiful feel. 

With lots of natural light, different areas for lounging, and calming aesthetics, the relaxed style makes you feel like you’re on holiday in a beautiful resort.

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Sophisticated Living at Home Herbert

This week we talked to Cate from Catherine de Meur Interiors about the stunning interior transformation when renovating the lower level of the family residence and its alfresco living area to create a timeless contemporary design with soft muted colours. 

The team at Catherine de Meur Interiors overhauled the kitchenette and the alfresco area of Home Herbert and created a seamless transition from inside out by using our Manhattan Limestone and other design elements. 

The bathroom posed a challenge by lacking natural light and offering limited space but revamped it into a stylish space.  

Project Phoenix with TDDP Architects

A synergistic collaboration between the client and TDDP Architects to transform the design led to the exploitation and expansion of the spatial dimensions of the original house. The inclusion of custom natural stone affected a seamless look and showcased breathtaking views. 

A focal point of the house is the Swiss-engineered descending window in the main living area, which allows for an uninterrupted transition between the external and internal space.  

This flawless separation is reinforced by the presence of natural stone, which visually and technically brings together the indoor and outdoor space.