See how we partnered with NSW project home builder, Bannerman Homes, to create a modern French provincial haven for their latest Sydney display home.
Project Details
Home Builder: Bannerman Homes
Design: The Amaroo
Location: Home Quest Display Home Village, Bella Vista
Project Brief
The project home builder, Bannerman Homes, wanted a French Provincial style with a modern twist. For a display home, mixing elements of traditional style with contemporary trends is a great way to draw people in and cater to a wide range of design preferences.
Project Process
Step One – Space Planning
My involvement in the project started before the build when I had the chance to review the floor plans. My goal was to maintain the open floor plan while adding a feeling of opulence and luxury by harnessing balance and symmetry throughout.
This allowed us to highlight the simple but elegant staircase and showcase the wine cellar under the stairs. The entry point to the wine cellar (from the dining area) with its modern glass doors creates interest as you pass the staircase, pulling you into the dining area. This leads to an open-plan living area, with access to the alfresco entertainment area.
Step Two – Design Inspiration
Taking inspiration from the home builder’s choice of classic French Provincial style, I had input on all the interior colours, materials, finishes and even the exterior colours. I also helped with the selection of furniture and homeware to bring the display home to life.
I created 3D renderings to showcase my concepts and ideas for each space. I then created mood boards to help the home builder visualise the look and feel of the finished design, featuring natural warm tones and iron and stone elements throughout.
Step Three – Custom Features
The stunning French provincial kitchen oozes sophistication while featuring a contemporary profile for a modern twist. Custom joinery was designed with symmetry to balance the French provincial elements. These include decorative mouldings, gold accent handles, and rustic iron pendants to add a feeling of old-world romance.
We introduced contemporary wainscoting to the walls, inspired by the ornate furnishings and decorative timber mouldings of the time. The colours chosen throughout channel the classic French provincial style but with a contemporary twist. This is most obvious in the soft straight lines of the kitchen, effortlessly mixing the old and the new.
Step Four – Finishing Touches
Furnishings were selected to bring the French provincial style to life. This includes a selection of traditional and modern pieces, mixing contemporary lines with the plush opulence of yesteryear. The generously proportioned couches in the living area combined with the streamlined dining area perfectly capture the modern French provincial feel.
The exterior colour scheme is simple but effective, making the entrance to the home the focus. A pitched roof and strategically placed mouldings were used to create a feeling of grandeur, with all eyes drawn to the impressive double-sided front door. By just adding the essential features of the French provincial it was easy to achieve a contemporary twist.
Design Challenges
As a display home, I needed to ensure everyone who entered fell in love with the home in one way or another. This is not always easy as you can’t please everyone! But, after 20 years in the game, I understand how to mix styles to appeal to a wider audience. I also know how to create an emotional connection to help visitors imagine themselves living in the space.
Resisting the urge to over-decorate or add too many elements is key. Display homes that are over-furnished and over-accessorised will compromise the space, design, and feel. It’s essential to let the architectural elements, interior materials, and finishes tell the story.
Design Solutions
Even though this is a generously proportioned home, it was still important to make the most of the space available and create different zones for living and dining. Utilising the space under the stairs as a wine cellar was a great space-planning solution while guiding people towards the open-plan living areas at the back of the home.
Mixing different styles and design elements throughout the home helped zone larger spaces. The more modern feel of the dining room differentiates it from the living room nearby, which channels wainscoting for a more traditional French provincial look. However, the open-plan room works thanks to a common tonal palette and plush finishes tying everything together.
Design Highlights
The under-stair wine cellar is definitely a design highlight of this home. This is not only a functional storage solution – it’s a design feature in its own right. The use of glass adds interest to an otherwise forgettable space. The lighting plan, which uses strip lighting along the floor and soft lighting to highlight the contents of the cellar, further elevates this space.
Design Summary
I loved working on this project and having input from the very beginning. This allowed me to identify ways to make the most of the space and help achieve the home builder’s ultimate aim of getting people to fall in love with the plan and sign on to build their dream home.
Let’s create magic together
If you’re a home builder looking to elevate your next display home or a homeowner wanting to create your dream home, an accredited interior designer can help you create magic.
From space planning to exterior design to electrical layout, a good interior designer can bring everything together and ensure nothing is left out.
Not sure if working with an interior designer is right for you? Why not give Nancy from Design to Inspire a call? With almost two decades of experience in the project home industry, Nancy is here to guide you through the home-build process to bring your dream to life.
Book your free discovery call to find out more.
