The project at Cobbittee Street in Mosman in collaboration with Get Smart Landscaping underwent a major innovation with unique inspiration from the iconic Raffles in Singapore and coastal Byron Bay.
We talk to Marty from Get Smart Landscaping and find out more about the project and the vision behind the creative inspiration of the design.
Unique Inspiration
The inspiration for the design was drawn from the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the goal was to combine this vision with the relaxed coastal atmosphere of Byron Bay.
The combination of grandeur and the classic Australian beachside town can seem unusual but they worked really well together.
Everyone knows what to imagine when mentioning Byron Bay: neutral colours, relaxed vibe, and contemporary BOHO style with natural tones reminiscent of sand.
Raffles Hotel in Singapore Icon
First opened in 1887, the design of the Raffles hotel in Singapore evolved over time. Often described as “colonial-style luxury”, today, it is a heritage icon and its elegance and compelling history draw travellers from all over the world.
In terms of design, it is a classic expression of an era of grace and civility, with a dominating neutral “off-white” colour palette. The neo-Renaissance architecture is complemented by tropical touches such as high ceilings, extensive verandas and Marble and timber interiors.
Marty adds: “Our time in Singapore had special meaning to us so it was nice to be able to incorporate that element into our home.
The iconic rounded doors and the fresh and clean colour palette were the elements we absolutely loved. Combining it with a relaxed style of interiors, resulting in a contemporary and unique design.”
Stunning Entrance
The home welcomes you with a Charcoal Grey Cobbled driveway and Tavira Limestone set against a beautifully landscaped garden.
The off-white colour of the exterior of the house set the tone of what’s to come when you step inside, creating a luxurious, elegant and calming entrance.
Making Outdoors Shine
When creating the design for the project, the focus was placed on the main elements that elevated the whole concept, the views, the rounded doors and the cabana at the pool.
“One of the key design elements was to highlight the amazing views with the tall rounded doors that open up to the Tavira tiled deck, creating a stunning spot to sit and enjoy the view,” explained Marty.
The Raffles-inspired rounded doors added a sense of grandeur to the design and made the transition to the outdoor area unique and luxurious.
The mission was to highlight the stunning Mosman location and make the outdoor space an integral part of the house.
Sandy Tavira
To make the connection between the indoor and outdoor space more seamless, the same Tavira Limestone tiles were selected for both areas.
“We selected the Tavira to completely eliminate the divide between the indoors and outdoors. The sandy wave finish of the stone created a coastal vibe we were looking for,” added Marty.
This beautiful Limestone has a lightly textured finish ensuring it works perfectly for both covered and uncovered outdoor spaces and is one of our most popular Limestones to use around pools.
Its durability, together with the lovely light colour and subtle markings, makes it a practical flooring option for residential projects and creates a contemporary relaxed atmosphere.
Colour Scheme
Inspired by the off-white colour scheme of the Raffles hotel and the sandy vibes reminiscent of Byron beach, Get Smart Landscaping placed great importance on the use of colours.
“We were specific with paint colours and chose the colours for the interior and exterior of the house so that they would compliment the natural stone and the overall design.
We used light Dulux ‘Summer Cloud’ 50% strength to paint the house and the kitchen was painted dark grey ‘Atlantic’ by Porters Paints.”
Sleek Finishing Touches
Our Black Charcoal porcelain tiles with an enhanced grip have been selected for the garage floors.
They meet the functional requirements of easy maintenance and a safe antislip surface.
The dark charcoal colour of the floor creates a sleek sophisticated design that contrasts with the colour schemes and soft textures in the rest of the house.
What were some of your favourite parts of this project?
Well as tough as it is to choose, would have to say there are 3 favourites:
- The cabana and pool which is such a lovely space to stop, enjoy the surroundings and relax
- The ceiling where we used Havit flooring
- The rounded doors suit the house and the interior design so well
About Get Smart Landscaping
Get Smart Landscaping is a leading landscape and garden design company, providing a range of services to Sydney for more than 26 years. With a dedicated team, they work closely with you from the very beginning.
The Managing Director, Marty Roberts, has over 20 years of experience in the landscaping industry. His passion for plants & landscaping was inspired by a childhood spent growing up, and helping out on a sheep and cattle farm in the Marlborough Sounds along New Zealand’s stunning coastline.
After 6 years working for the largest stock and station agent in New Zealand, he relocated to Sydney, starting Get Smart in 1992. Starting with 2 men and a ute, Get Smart now has a dedicated team of over 20 staff.
Current Trends with Get Smart Landscaping
“We have noticed that there is a trend towards the use of neutral colours when it comes to natural stone.
The calming beige and light soft grey colours complement the landscaping and add a relaxing ambience to the pools, creating a personal oasis in your home.
Products Used In This Project:
Charcoal Granite Cobblestones
