Bachelor Pad

A Port Melbourne townhouse with city views was the new home of a young single male client of interior architect and designer In Design International.

Their long-term brief was to convert this bachelor pad into a home more suitable for his ‘future wife and family’. Their short-term brief was to introduce a more contemporary ambiance to reflect the owners’ personal style.

IDI suggested a new front door and entry hall floor finishes, full gut and refurbishment of the kitchen and bathrooms including additional robe area to the master bedroom and re-configuring the linen and broom closet as stage one.

The client bachelors’ life revolves around his kitchen, particularly at the moment, as he doesn’t own a dining table yet. The kitchen is his main area for entertaining and it serves as the food storage and prep area along with dining, serving coffee, cocktails and drinks.

And for now, it doubles up as the electronic hub station home office when required. IDI’s semi industrial style capitalized on the unfussy appeal of concrete looking surfaces, without the inherent challenges of deploying real concrete in a renovation situation.

Material and finish selections were almost monochromatic with a heavy use of greys, charcoals and blacks offset with muted metallic and stainless steel.

This made the kitchen bold, masculine, and relaxing.

The kitchen boasts an over-sized island bench and suspended gantry that serves as practical storage and allows for an entertainment factor. It also provides the opportunity to express personal décor styling choices as they emerge and change over the years. And flush full height doors and hidden drawers keep the look sleek and easy to maintain.

Project Details

Completion date – 2019

Project Team

Interiors Architecture and Design

In Design International

In Design International (IDI) was founded in the French Alps by director Penny Del Castillo. The studio is now based in Melbourne, Australia and boasts an award-winning team of interior architects and designers that has an extensive portfolio of completed refurbishments.

IDI has completed work for some of Australia’s iconic hotels, including most recently Sebel Sydney Manly Beach, Adina North Bank, Sebel Flinders Lane, (Grand Mercure) Basildene Manor WA, Novotel Brisbane among many others.

IDI is accustomed to creating bespoke spaces for exclusive wellness retreats and spas like the ones complete for Novotel Nusa Dua, Grand Mercure Puka Park, One Wybelenna Brisbane, O’Reilly’s Lost World – Rainforest Retreat, and Batu Karang Resort & Spa.

Private residential projects extend across bachelor living and beach houses to contemporary homes for both high profile executives and celebrities.

In Design International’s offering has spread to date only by word-of-mouth from repeat clientele who respect the studio’s dynamic team of experienced talent, with principals across interior design, furniture design, fashion, graphics, and hospitality.

www.indesigninternational.com.au

Construction

Better Bathrooms and Kitchens

Based in Melbourne, Better Bathrooms and Kitchens are a complete specialist bathroom and kitchen renovation company that custom designs and builds. They have more than 30 years of experience managing projects from the design concept, and through the build process to completion.

www.justbetter.com.au

Photography

Isamu Sawa

Born in Japan and raised in Australia, Isamu Sawa is one of Australia’s leading commercial photographers with a career spanning more than 25 years. He has worked for commercial clients including Mercedes Benz, Mazda, Holden, Domaine Chandon, and Penfolds.

Sawa’s editorial work has also featured in GQ, The Age and Vogue magazines.

Apart from archtectural and interiors photography, he regularly shoots portraits of well-known identities including fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, actor Geoffrey Rush, and champion cyclist Cadel Evans.

www.isamusawa.com.au