THEDESIGNJOURNAL
INTRO
Welcome back to The Design Journal! I am so glad we are back sharing our monthly e-magazine with you.We hit pause for a while as we tried to simplify tasks in our team, but I’ve realised I have missed sharing our behind the scenes, tips and latest trends with you
We are quite active on Instagram sharing our story, but we all know (or don’t know) how algorithms work
So here we are, back in your inbox sharing what we love!
This August issue, we share a few new trends we are seeing in fixtures such as tapware, cabinetry handles and door furniture These may seem such small details to consider in a renovation or new build, but to elevate a home to another level, it’s important to not miss out on those small details I find these elements are like jewellery, it finishes off the look.
We also shed light on the recent ban on silica based reconstituted stone and share alternative that we are sourcing for our clients
I hope you enjoy reading and I look forward to seeing you next month
MelissaLunardon
FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
FIXTURE TRENDS
CABINETRY HARDWARE
And it doesn’t stop at tapware We’re loving the introduction of these textures to cabinetry handles. Handles are like jewellery to an outfit It completes the look and creates a polish that gives you a sophisticated touch
TEXTURED TAPWARE
In the studio we’ve been keeping our eyes on a rising trend that's adding an exciting layer of depth to kitchens and bathrooms textured tapware We’re seeing a surge in ribbed, fluted, and knurled patterns that offer a tactile experience These textures not only elevate the visual appeal of your space but also provide a unique touch, literally and figuratively, to your renovation or new build Whether you’re aiming for a contemporary edge or a nod to traditional elegance, these tapware styles bring an extra layer of sophistication
INTERNAL DOOR FURNITURE
To create a cohesive look select complimentary internal door furniture that’s rich in detail. You don’t need to match the same colour for all fixtures Mixing metals looks great!
Whether you’re updating a bathroom or kitchen, consider adding textured tapware to create that wow factor your space deserves
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NAVIGATING THE BAN ON SILICA BENCHTOPS
We walk you through the different stone benchtop options and what happens if you have already chosen a silica benchtop
Towards the end of last year, the Victorian government put out a blanket ban on installing and manufacturing reconstituted stone that contained silica
Quite a few of our projects that are yet to commence construction, had selected reconstituted stone with silica
Thankfully, lots of our suppliers had created a silica free range of stone that would replace their current range Lots of brands like Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz and Stone Ambassador have created a range that is made from recycled content that is safe to use, and best of all, they have managed to colour match their range of stone
In this article, we break down the different types of stone available for you to choose from for your benchtops We will list these options, to what we believe is least expensive to most expensive
First up,silica- free reconstituted stone
This is the safe alternative to the previous reconstituted stone that was out on the market There are so many brands out there, that differentiate in price and colour options
This is a cost effective option and is great for kitchen, bathroom and laundry benchtops You cannot use this as a splashback if it is less that 250 mm approx away from an open flame such as a gas cooktop
SILICA FREE RECONSTITUTED STONE
NATURAL STONE
There is more to natural stone than marble Homeowners think of marble as the only choice and hear about how porus it is and want to steer clear, but there are a number of different types of natural stone that mother nature has so beautifully created Let’s take a look at our favourites we like to specify
Traditional marble like calacatta and statuario are the traditional looking marbles you see in homes. It is porous, meaning it absorbs things like red wine, curry powder etc This should not deter you though There are beautiful, ancient towns all all over Europe and the world, that feature marble floors and walls, yet still to this day they look wonderful If choosing marble, you need to embrace the imperfections and age well over time.
PORCELAIN
Next up is porcelain Now the cost of porcelain sometimes pars with natural stone, but the reason you would select porcelain over natural stone is for is durabiliy and low maintenance. Porcelain is gaining popularity in residential interiors because it is to tough enough for busy kitchens, outdoor bbq areas, facade cladding and shower floor and walls It is resistant to scratches, heat and stains Plus it is easy to clean and comes in lots of colours to mimic natural stone.
As porcelain comes in 12mm, it can be fiddly for stone masons to work with and some recommend not using an undermount sink to protect the edges
Brands such as Cosentino (Dekton) Vasari and WK Stone offer realistic looking porcelain slabs If you are in the Melbourne CBD, I encourage you to check out Cosentino’s showroom! It's absolutely stunning and shows off lots of the porcelain and reconstituted ranges in kitchen and bathroom setups
TRAVERTINE AND LIMESTONE
Travertine is a type of limestone that has wonderful movement and patterns We are seeing this stone used in tiles and also in benchtops
There is lots of variety and features pits that can be filled or unfilled to create a real tactile experience
It is recommended to seal limestone bench tops and floors to prevent staining yet it adds such a rustic or refined look to any space.
QUARTZITE AND DOLOMITE
Both of these are a popular choice for our clients who want a hero kitchen benchtop without worrying about maintenance
It is very durable and can be used for benchtops, splashbacks and is a great alternative to marble
There are so many beautiful variations out there, and a few that are popular with our clients are Taj Mahal, Super White and Infinity White
GRANITE
When people think of granite benchtops, it takes them back to the 80's or dated American kitchens but there is a reason why granite is becoming popular again and it is because it is one of the most durable natural stones on the maret It is most commonly used around fireplaces, bbq areas and now we see it in kitchens It is bold and is built to last!
