clasic home design

Recycled Timber Kitchen Counter, Drawers and Cupboard Doors

Image from, photo by Pernille Kaalund

Earlier this year I was designing a kitchen for a client using recycled timber for the kitchen counter and recycled painted timber for the cupboard and drawer fronts. If you wish to try this as a DIY project there are a few things to consider when sourcing the timber and designing your kitchen counter.

Tips:

• Avoid using timber that has lead paint on the surface.
• Avoid timber that has been previously damaged by water.
• Install a sink with a drainer to avoid wet dishes on the timber surface.
• Use a food grade, non toxic, wax/oil sealer for the bench top.
• Think about possible joint movement when using recycled timber.
• Try to use recycled timber where possible. If you have to use new timber consider sourcing timber from a certified sustainable managed source.

Have fun,

Recycled Roof Tile Lights

Found these recycled Spanish barel roof tiles in a Spainsh restaurant in Melbourne. Great idea converting these tiles into both pendant and wall lights.

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Natural Circular Home :: Latest Project Update

I am so looking forward to the next couple of months as one of the projects we were involved with the interior architecture and decor shall soon be completed. 

This house is a very special house using natural materials, many hand crafted details, bespoke furniture, hand made lighting and a curved floor layout based on harmony and balance. From memory I think there is only one straight wall in this home!

I have just received a few sneak peak photos with the house still under construction…

View as you approach. No straight walls here!

View into sunken lounge area.

View into kitchen area with an in-situ cast concrete island unit and rear kitchen counter.

The gorgeous copper range hood installed...

Entrance area before installation of hand made crystal pendant light and recessed floor artwork.

Reverse view of entrance incorporating the handmade crystal pendant light.

Upstairs office area.

It is amazing the sense of calm you get from spaces and rooms based on curved layouts and symmetry. I cannot wait to see it all finished.

Callignee II :: Recycled House From Grand Designs Australia

{image credits: Alicia Taylor & Lifestyle Channel}

This project is one of my all time favorites for its aesthetic design and outstanding sustainable approach. 

Built from the remains of the original house, which was destroyed by the tragic bushfires of Black Saturday in Gippsland, Victoria, in 2009, this home recycles what it can from the fire and adds the latest fire resistant materials to make a eclectic, warm and resilient new house. 

This home is best explained by these links to Grand Designs Australia's house tour and video diary.

Eco or natural initiatives from this project:

1. Reuse, recycled materials where possible from your original house.

2. Due to the need to use fire resilient materials, this new home uses a mix of recycled timber, surviving structural steel, burnt concrete, glass and rusted Corten panels for the interior walls, floors & ceilings. This illuminates the need for any internal; plasterboard, panelling, painting, architraves, tiling, skirting and tiles.

3. Reduced your house size - Think about the number of rooms you really need, can some be dual use and what size do you really need? By reducing your house size you reduced your building, materials and running costs.

Designer - Sean Hamilton, Hamilton Design  

Builder - Chris Clarke, Swale Developments

For more building & project info

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Recycled Driftwood Christmas Tree Ideas

For those of you that are heading to the coast for Christmas and are looking for an alternative to the traditional Christmas tree how about a little DIY project inspired by these eco-friendly tree options.

image via All about you

Just gather a few pieces of driftwood and create your tree. Instructions to create this lovely tree above can be found at All about you.

Alternatively you can purchase these from Folksy and Karen Miller of Devon Driftwood Designs.

image via Folksy

image via Devon Driftwood Designs

What a great idea for a coastal Christmas holiday or beachside holiday home. 

I now have to find some driftwood for our tree. Have fun.

Woven Pendant Lights

Check out these great handmade Luna Luna woven pendant lights designed by Stephanie Ng Design. Made from 100% treated Merino wool which wraps around the roof of the light fitting creating some interesting pendant feature lights.

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They would make a great look either as an individual or hung as a cluster.

Have fun,