Smooth Mix

The Sunday Times, Home Magazine, 25th January 2009

A seamless extension - with meticulous attention to detail - has enabled this 1910 Inglewood home maintain its original charm.

Cutting corners when extending a home amounts to "design murder", according to Max Sardi, design consultant at Dale Alcock Home Improvements.

Max says there are some things you just cannot compromise on.

"It's a crime if you don't carry through with the original ceiling height of the house," he says.

This 1910 Inglewood home is a prime example of how an addition can be seamless.

"Homes of this style are rich in terms of skirtings, architraves and timber window frames," Max says.

"They're the things you should try and match when you're doing an addition."

The home has 3.2m-high ceilings - a design trademark from this era. The owners of the home wanted a seamless addition to their original residence, but with a contemporary twist.

"They wanted the kitchen and bathroom - which they were very particular about - to be a bit funky," Max says. "They wanted to keep the style true to the home but with a modern spin."

The bathroom could rival those found in five-star hotels with its open, resort-style shower, and stone shelf that wraps around it.

"It was a bit of a challenge to understand exactly what they wanted, but the results make it worthwhile," Max says.

A freestanding bath is another focal point in the spacious bathroom. There is also a double vanity and hidden toilet.

Even though Max has been designing homes for more than 10 years, he says this bathroom is something he'll find hard to forget.

"It is one that sticks in my mind," Max says.

The kitchen, living and dining areas are open plan and lead to a timber-decked alfresco area.

"The clients also wanted a big, open kitchen with lots of cupboard space," Max says.

"The overhead cupboards were to be as tall as possible."

Stone benchtops provide a durable and aesthetically pleasing work surface. Downlights have also been used to great effect.

"The owners wanted a contemporary look that wouldn't date in five minutes," Max says. "So they chose good, solid colours."