A BELLINGEN home is a finalist in the Dulux Colour Awards.
Now in their 40th year, the awards recognise the innovative, original and ambitious use of colour in the built environment.
The home project is one of 94 finalists from over 540 entries nationwide.
The winners will be announced at Barangaroo Restaurant at Sydney Opera House on Thursday, 28 May.
“This Bellingen family home is situated on a steep incline… with tree top views on one side and a bright grassy hill on the other,” interior project architect Fiona Hicks said.
“The main living space is tall, open plan and flooded with light.
“A thoughtful colour strategy was needed to deliver a calm and grounded interior – a space from which to enjoy but not be overwhelmed by the bright, green views.”
The multiple blue and peach hues for the main living space were selected by identifying what features of the site had been edged out of view.
“In a gentle way the red earth and blue sky were brought inside,” Fiona said.
A sharp painted datum created a ribbon of colour around the room.
“It brought a human scale to the tall space, allowed the timber doors and aluminium windows to be united and offered a perfect backdrop for the family’s art and furniture,” Fiona said.
In the kitchen, IKEA shelving is elevated and has been painted by the owners to match the alcove.
“[It’s] a low-fi technique that allows the family to reuse existing shelving, reducing the extent of expensive joinery but also allows flexibility in the future.”
The bathrooms and laundry share the same tree-top and grassy hill outlook.
Again, warm hues – oat, pink and maroon – were introduced to counter the bright green view, but in these smaller more active rooms the aim was a happy vibrancy.
Colour-loving house owner Rebecca told News Of The Area, “We are a young family with lots of life happening all day every day.
“We wanted a home that had the same big energy and personality in our spaces.
“We know it is such a privilege to be able to build a home so wanted to ensure we used the opportunity to make it something unique.
“And paint is such a cost-effective way to achieve that versatility and impact.
“I love the sense of energy and surprise of walking into spaces with these off-book combinations.”
By Andrea FERRARI
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.