The home of Mia and Callum Macleod is an all-round stunner. But the heart of the home - and the most-used room - is their cool open-plan kitchen.
Mia and Callum (pictured, with their children), wanted their kitchen to be user-friendly and fun. Everything has been designed so that the younger kids can just act like kids without getting into any mishaps, and without adults having to say "no". It was also designed to be entertainment central. "There are usually a lot of people here," Mia says. The green stools are originals from a school science lab.
Colour-blocking is the order of the day in this kitchen - the cherry-red island bench injects a surge of vivid colour into the predominantly white space. To accessorise a theme like this, less is best. Choose one or two pieces in the same colour as your focal point to make a big, bold and lasting impression.
Mia and Callum Macleod's cool upstairs master bedroom and bathroom is a zone that's been thoroughly thought out. The room reflects the family's love of open spaces that require little maintenance. It also suits their self-professed "barefoot lifestyle".
"We didn't want to feel we were living in a box," Mia says. "Like the rest of the house, our room is open and you can walk around wet from the pool or dripping from the beach."
Having four children and long hours of work meant the couple wanted a place of their own, but one where the children were welcome at any time. The only thing that's not common family property is Mia's luxurious bathtub, which is her special place to wind down.
The room is a light and airy space. The doors to the verandah (which have a view to the beach) are usually open, so there's plenty of airflow and light. And the windows above the bed and bath face west and catch the late-afternoon sun and the glow of sunsets. Perfect!
Charm and character combine in this country-style bathroom that is influenced by French and Balinese design. The look is simple to achieve - black and white mosaic-patterned floor tiles, classic freestanding bath (clawfoot styles work well with this theme, too), rough-textured off-white walls, and vintage-style chrome and silver accessories mixed with distressed wood cabinets for storage needs.
INDOOR