Brisbane house price hits new record: What is your home now worth?
The Courier-MailMARCH 23, 20196:00AM
Brisbane house prices are continuing to grow, with new figures revealing they have hit a record high for the 26th straight quarter.
Lizzy and Gerard Tibbetts are looking to buy in Sandgate. Photo: AAP/Megan Slade.Source:News Limited
BRISBANE house prices are continuing to grow, with new figures revealing they have hit a record high for the 26th straight quarter — making the Queensland capital the envy of its cooling counterparts.
The latest Real Estate Institute of Queensland Market Monitor, to be released today, shows the annual median house price within the city’s local government area rose 1.1 per cent in the 12 months to the end of December to reach a new high of $675,000.
The Brisbane LGA median house price has jumped 25.9 per cent since December 2013, when it was $535,000.
The last time the city recorded an annual drop in its median house price was back in December of 2012, according to the REIQ, but it has climbed slowly and steadily ever since.
The suburbs of Paddington and Petrie Terrace. In the year to December 2018, the median house price in the Brisbane local government area rose to $675,000. REIQ. Image: AAP/Darren England.Source:AAP
According to the REIQ, Brisbane’s housing market “continues to be one of the nation’s most consistent capital-city performers”, delivering moderate but sustainable price growth — so far defying the downturn gripping Sydney and Melbourne.
Among the top suburbs for house price growth in the Brisbane local government area were Sandgate, Hendra, Mount Ommaney, Albion and Hemmant.
TOP GROWTH SUBURBS FOR HOUSES IN BRISBANE LGA
Suburb Median price Annual change %
1. Sandgate $750,000 18.1%
2. Hendra $1.115m 14.7%
3. Mount Ommaney $1m 13.8%
4. Hemmant $545,000 13.3%
5. Albion $858,000 13%
(Source: REIQ, based on 12mths to December 2018)
REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella said the figures showed Brisbane house values had continued to rise at a time when many capital cities were seeing prices go backwards.
“Because (Brisbane) hasn’t experienced that incredible accelerated growth, we’re not going to have that boom/bust experience that other capitals have.” Ms Mercorella said.
But she said that while Brisbane’s growth had been buoyed by increased interstate migration, improving economic fundamentals and strong demand, its resilience was flagging.
“Brisbane has so far withstood the headwinds facing the property markets in Sydney and Melbourne,” she said.
“Our property market has all the ingredients for a strong performance in 2019, including low unemployment, high levels of infrastructure spending that is creating jobs and high interstate migration levels, which creates demand for housing.
“But what we need is a clear signal from the government that responsible lending doesn’t mean limited lending. Currently, limited access to finance is threatening to stifle the market.”
REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella. Photo: Claudia Baxter.Source:News Corp Australia
Ms Mercorella said it was realistic to expect home price growth in Brisbane to be flat for the rest of 2019, but the city had the fundamentals to “really take off” in the near future.
“There are plenty of reasons to be confident and more people are wanting to invest in the Brisbane market because of what’s happening in Sydney and Melbourne,” she said.
“Not only are we affordable, but we offer a good return on investment.”
Ms Mercorella said areas that were most likely to feel the slowdown would be the growth corridors on the outskirts of Brisbane, such as Ipswich and Logan —areas where first home buyers and investors were most prevalent.
“Investors are likely to be the ones facing most of the brunt of tougher conditions in 2019,” she said.
“In addition to a federal election, which always slows activity in the real estate market, there is the threat of looming negative gearing cuts and CGT reforms, plus Queensland investors are also facing the headwinds of a rental legislation review.
“These factors all add up to a potentially very sluggish 2019.”
But buyers’ agents say investors are recognising the growth potential in the Brisbane housing market because of its affordability and lifestyle.
Daniel Walsh, of investment buyer’s agency Your Property Your Wealth, said he had noticed a clear shift in property investment activity away from Sydney and Melbourne to Queensland in the past 12 months.
Your Property Your Wealth’s Daniel Walsh.Source:Supplied
“Two or three years ago, people were wanting to invest in NSW and Victoria; now we’re seeing them turn to Queensland” Mr Walsh said.
“We had been investing heavily in Victoria over the past two to three years, but yields have started to diminish.
“It’s more attractive in Brisbane in terms of investors seeing greater rental returns and affordability.”
Mr Walsh is forecasting Brisbane to be a standout performer over the next three to five years.
“We’ve had wages increase, job numbers increase, more people are moving to the area and now all these green shoots are showing we’re ready for a boom in Queensland,” he said.
“It’s got all the ingredients for a boom, we just haven’t seen it just yet.”
Over the next six years, the top 10 infrastructure projects in the pipeline are forecast to inject $17 billion into the city and result in significant job creation.
Artist impression of the Queens Wharf development underway in Brisbane.Source:Supplied
Tourism is one of the most promising growth industries driving the local economy, according to the REIQ.
State government figures released in September show Queensland’s share of the cash international tourists spend in Australia grew more than all other states.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said international visitor expenditure grew 11.5 per cent — more than double the national rate.
“We also saw record highs in international visitor numbers, with 2,762,000 visitors spending $5.9 billion in Queensland,” Ms Jones said.
28 and gerard 29
Lizzy and Gerard Tibbetts are looking at buying a house in Sandgate, which recorded the strongest median house price growth in 2018.
The couple recently sold their home in nearby Brighton and have inspected a three-bedroom character home at 12 Wolsey St, Sandgate, which is on the market for offers over $749,000.
This house at 12 Wolsey St, Sandgate, is for sale. Sandgate recorded the strongest house price growth in the Brisbane LGA in 2018.Source:Supplied
“We’re looking to have kids in the next few years, so we’re after something a bit bigger and those sorts of houses that have a bit of history,” Mrs Tibbetts said.
“That’s why we like it here — it’s by the water and has a lot of original homes.”
The pair, who have been married about 18 months, also love the community feel of Sandgate and its affordability and proximity to the CBD.
“I can get there on the train in half an hour, but not pay the prices you would in suburbs like Paddington,” Mrs Tibbetts said.
“And it’s not cut up into 300 sqm blocks!”
Marketing agent Zac McHardy of Harcourts Pinnacle – Aspley said he was not surprised Sandgate had recorded growth of more than 18 per cent in its median house price in the past year because it had been experiencing a period of gentrification.
“There’s a lot of older homes in the area with older people living there and a lot of them are being sold and people are renovating them and moving in or selling them off, and that’s making a huge difference to the area,” Mr McHardy said.
Inside the house at 12 Wolsey St, Sandgate. The suburb has a lot of older, character homes.Source:Supplied
He recalls moving out of Sandgate when he was 17 because there was “nothing to do”, but that had changed dramatically.
“There’s an actual lifestyle here now,” he said.
“It’s the only place in the Brisbane City Council area on the north side of town that offers waterfront you can actually use properly.
“The whole place is just a community; just a cool place to live now.”
Activity on the waterfront in the suburb of Sandgate. Picture: Josh Woning.Source:News Corp Australia
Mr McHardy said mostly owner occupiers were moving into the suburb, but interstate investors were also buying in.
“We’re already seeing the difference (in price),” he said.
“Shorncliffe is just too expensive, so people move to Sandgate, but it’s now starting to become expensive, so they’re moving to Brighton and then they’ll move to Deagon.”
Closer to the CBD, the more affluent suburb of Hendra has also recorded double digit house price growth in the past year.
The median house price has shot up nearly 15 per cent to $1.1 million.
This house at 28 Raceview Rd, Hendra, has just hit the market. Photo supplied by Ray White.Source:Supplied
It’s not as positive a story when it comes to the Brisbane LGA unit market, but there are solid signs of improvement.
Brisbane’s median unit price slipped 2.2 per cent in 2018 to $440,000, according to the REIQ.Source:News Corp Australia
The annual median unit price fell 2.2 per cent to $440,000 in the 12 months to December, according to the REIQ.
But some suburbs bucked the trend and recorded double-digit growth in unit prices, including Acacia Ridge, Rochedale, Yeronga, Gordon Park and Carseldine.
Agents continue to find the investor-level unit sector challenging, but demand for units aimed at owner-occupiers has improved, according to the REIQ.
The most popular price range for units in the Brisbane LGA is $350,000 to $499,000.
TOP GROWTH SUBURBS FOR UNITS IN BRISBANE LGA
Suburb Median price Annual change %
1. Acacia Ridge $444,017 36.6%
2. Rochedale $747,500 34.1%
3. Yeronga $525,000 21.4%
4. Gordon Park $382,500 17.7%
5. Carseldine $375,000 15.4%
(Source: REIQ, based on 12mths to December 2018)
Originally published as New high for Brisbane house price
3 critical tax issues Aussies face in the upcoming election
Katarina Taurian
2 minute read
In the lead-up to the 2019 federal election, Australians will need to consider three important tax issues that could greatly impact individual taxpayers.
Speaking to Nest Egg, Rami Brass, who leads tax services for national accounting firm RSM, said that there are currently three front runners for the top tax issues in the upcoming federal election, and they all stem from the Australian Labor Party’s proposed tax policies. These issues are changes to negative gearing, capital gains and franking credits.
Negative gearing
Under the proposed Labor Party policy, negative gearing will be limited to new housing. Losses from negatively geared property, other than new housing, will not be allowed to be claimed against salary and wage income, but will be able to be claimed against positively geared properties, Mr Brass said.
“Individuals who have negatively geared share investments will continue to be able to offset negative gearing losses against investment income. However, as with negatively geared property, any excess losses will not be able to be offset against salary and wage income or against any future capital gain on the sale of the investment,” he said.
“Essentially, the ALP policy will result in the addition of a new category of tax loss: the investment loss. This will result in a new layer of complexity when preparing individual tax returns, with taxpayers impacted having to appropriately calculate, apply and carry forward investment losses in addition to dealing with capital losses.
“It also raises issues in regards to existing properties and what happens when loans are refinanced and there are borrowings in regards to improvements on existing rental properties.”
Capital gains
Australians who have or are looking to acquire investment assets may also be impacted by Labor’s proposed policy to halve the capital gains tax discount from the current 50 per cent to 25 per cent.
“It is not all bad news, though, with the ALP indicating the policy will not apply to investments made before the implementation date and will be fully grandfathered, in line with the approach to negative gearing changes,” Mr Brass said.
“Combined with the proposed ALP limitations on negative gearing, individual taxpayers looking to capitalise on existing tax concessions to build their wealth will face challenging times with complex and conflicting changes to existing law.”
Imputation credits
Finally, the Labor Party is proposing to disallow cash refunds of imputation credits. Under current laws, the imputation credit system allows a taxpayer to be entitled to a credit for the tax paid on dividends paid by companies to shareholders, Mr Brass said.
“A taxpayer who receives franked dividends can use the imputation credit to reduce their tax payable, and where there is no tax payable, or excess imputation credits, the taxpayer is entitled to a cash refund,” he said. “Under the proposed ALP policy, individual taxpayers will no longer be eligible for refunds of excess franking credits.”
Mr Brass said that the original intent of the imputation system was to prevent double taxation, so shareholders who would ultimately be taxed at marginal rates on the distribution of company profits would receive a credit for the share of tax paid by the company on that profit.
“The concern of the ALP, which may be justified to an extent, is that where the marginal tax rate of the individual is lower that the company tax rate, the government loses out on tax revenue,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the individual taxpayers likely to be impacted most by the proposed change will be low-income earners which on face value appears unfair and inconsistent with overall ALP policy.”
What happened when the IMF ran big stress-test on Aussie banks
The IMF has just run a massive stress-test on all the Aussie banks, involving a 10% fall in GDP, a 30% drop in house prices, a blow-out in credit spreads and a recession similar to what the US experienced during the GFC. In my column today I discuss their findings, the implications for the bail-in of bank hybrid securities, and APRA’s evolving policy approach to the banks issuing bail-in-able bonds (click on that link to read for free or AFR subs can click here). Excerpt only:
The IMF found that Australia’s five largest banks’ CET1 ratios fell from 10.6 per cent to only 7.2 per cent, comfortably above the 5.125 per cent CET1 threshold at which Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital hybrids are switched into shares. “These results are broadly similar to those obtained by APRA in its bottom-up stress test conducted one year earlier,” the IMF noted.
The IMF also interrogated Aussie banks’ exposures to global systematically important banks (GSIBs) overseas, and documented a much lower level of interconnectedness compared to Asian, European, Japanese and US banks’ correlations with one another. (Interbank exposures domestically were likewise found to be “relatively small” at just 5 per cent of assets.)
An interesting feature of the IMF’s paper was its explicit call for APRA to introduce a “creditor no worse off” regime to protect the investors that fund our banks “as an additional legal safeguard to the bank resolution framework”. This is a significant development in the context of APRA’s current consultation process regarding its evolving “total loss absorbing capacity” (TLAC) framework, which the government (and the IMF) has stated should conform with global best practice.
In addition to requiring hybrids to convert into equity if a bank’s CET1 ratio falls to 5.125 per cent, which injects extra “going concern” capital while a bank is alive, APRA also has the right to unilaterally switch AT1 hybrids and Tier 2 subordinated bonds into a bank’s ordinary shares if it declares a “non-viability” event. This gives APRA access to “gone concern” capital to recapitalise a failing bank with equity once it has become non-viable.
APRA defines these rights in the prudential standard that dictates the terms on which banks can issue AT1 and Tier 2 securities, which are then embedded into their contracts. In March 2018 APRA upgraded the Banking Act to legislatively acknowledge that hybrids and Tier 2 bonds can be bailed-into equity under their contracts.
It is not widely appreciated that this means that Aussie hybrids and Tier 2 bonds now possess both “contractual” and “statutory” (or legislative) bail-in. More technically, APRA created a circular reference in the legislation that endorses bail-in only where the security’s contract explicitly references APRA’s bail-in rights, which carves out depositors and senior bondholders where no such contractual terms exist.
The problem identified by the IMF (and global investors) is that APRA’s non-viability clauses have not been properly defined and do not protect against regulatory decision-making errors. Here global best practice recommends two core principles. First, that the “gone-concern” bail-in right should only be invoked when a bank is truly “gone” (ie, about to be placed into administration). And, second, that if a regulator erroneously imposes losses on creditors, they should have legal recourse to sue for appropriate compensation.
Under Title II of the Dodd Frank Act in the US and the European Bank Resolution and Recovery Directive, creditors are entitled to receive the same economic outcome in any gone concern bail-in that they would experience if the bank was resolved via standard bankruptcy processes. This is why the IMF implores APRA to adopt a “creditor no worse off” protection, which ensures regulators exercise their bail-in rights carefully and mitigates the risk of errors caused by carelessness and/or political pressures to inflict punitive damages on certain stakeholders.
As a consequence of APRA’s nebulous non-viability clauses, global investors have historically required Aussie banks to pay an extra risk premium when raising money via securities that are subject to them, which is inevitably passed on to bank customers.
In the context of APRA’s TLAC consultation process one interesting development was the French bank, BNP, issuing a 5 year, “non-preferred senior”, or “Tier 3”, TLAC bond last month to Aussie investors, sourcing $475 million at a cost of just 1.75 per cent above the bank bill swap rate (BBSW).
The government’s financial system inquiry expressly recommended APRA consider this type of Tier 3 product, which has become global best practice, to ensure our banks can source TLAC capital in the lowest cost and most liquid manner possible. Trying to raise an extra $80 to $90 billion of TLAC funding via Tier 2 subordinated bonds (or $125 billion including existing Tier 2 maturities) would make our banks some of the most financially unstable in the world. This is because their capital structures would have a globally unprecedented 6 to 7 per cent sleeve of illiquid and volatile Tier 2 securities (compared to just 2 per cent for banks overseas) that would be impossible to refinance during stressed market conditions.
Tier 3 bonds rank higher than Tier 2 in the capital structure, have superior credit ratings, and are classified by global investors as “senior” rather than “subordinated”, which means the capital available to invest in them is orders of magnitude larger than Tier 2 (actual global Tier 3 issuance is about 10 times larger than Tier 2).
At just 1.75 per cent above BBSW, the spread on the BNP Tier 3 issue last month was also notably 75 basis points cheaper than the 2.5 plus per cent spread the major banks would have to pay if they attempted to originate $125 billion of Tier 2, and this assumes benign market conditions.
Tier 3 issued by the major banks would likely carry the same A band rating as BNP’s bond, and in Australian dollars would price well inside BNP at about 1.5 per cent above BBSW or roughly 1.5 times the cost of current senior bonds (where the latter are subordinated to deposits but rank above Tier 3 in the same way that Tier 3 ranks ahead of Tier 2 but below current senior).
Following APRA’s recent upgrades to the Banking Act, it has room to accommodate a Tier 3 security via an “other securities” carve-out. Yet if APRA wants our banks to be able to access global Tier 3 markets at the same cost and with the same liquidity as rivals overseas, it will have to embrace a creditor-no-worse-off protection and ensure its bail-in clauses can only be exercised in true gone concern events.
Reference: https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/what-happened-when-the-imf-ran-big-stress-test-on-aussie-banks
Housing Dream Turned Nightmare Spurs a Backlash in Australia
Housing Dream Turned Nightmare Spurs a Backlash in Australia
(Bloomberg) — A generation of young Australians priced out of the property market and frustrated at a widening wealth divide could prove pivotal in triggering a change of government in May.
The main opposition Labor party has made tackling the growing gap between so-called baby boomers and millennials a key plank of its campaign to win office for the first time since 2013.
The center-left party, which is leading Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government in opinion polls, is pledging to curb tax breaks for property investors that helped drive home prices beyond the reach of many Australians. Labor leader Bill Shorten is also promising to scrap tax refunds worth A$5 billion ($3.6 billion) a year for share investors — a policy that’s angered wealthier retirees but is more popular with under-35’s.
“Younger voters are missing out on political and economic benefits that previous generations have enjoyed and Shorten has been smart enough to make that an election issue,” said Jill Sheppard, a political analyst at the Australian National University. Labor is “targeting its message at younger generations that fair reforms are needed.”
While Australia has avoided recession for 27 years, the spoils have not been shared evenly as older people capture a greater share of the nation’s wealth. According to the Grattan Institute, households headed by people aged 65-74 were on average A$566,000 wealthier in 2015-16 than the same age group was 12 years earlier. That far outstrips growth in other bands and compares with just A$38,000 for the 25-34 age group.
Such a concentration of wealth among older Australians can hurt the real economy, according to Danielle Wood, an economist at the Melbourne-based think tank. Younger Australians priced out of the property market, for instance, are forced to live further from cities — lengthening their commutes and reducing the likelihood of second income-earners working full time, she said in an interview with Bloomberg Television Thursday.
“Housing affordability has clearly been the No. 1 economic issue for younger Australians in the past decade,” Wood said.
While prices have retreated 12 percent from a mid-2017 peak, Sydney’s median house price is still more than A$900,000 and the city is the world’s third least-affordable housing market. Only 45 percent of people aged 25-34 own their own home, down 16 percentage points from the 1980s.
As well as pledging to subsidize rents and build 250,000 new homes, Labor plans to scale back a perk called negative gearing, which allows investors to claim the costs of owning a rental property as a tax deduction against other income. The curb is backed by 51 percent of voters, with support rising to 59 percent among those aged 18-34, according to a Newspoll published Feb. 11.
The same poll put Labor ahead of Morrison’s Liberal-National coalition, on 53 percent to 47 percent, though an Ipsos poll this week put the lead at just 51-49 percent.
Shorten also plans to scrap tax refunds paid out to shareholders under a system known as dividend imputation. Labor says ending the refunds, introduced by a Liberal-National government in 2001, will save the budget A$56 billion over the next decade and relieve the burden on younger taxpayers.
Morrison says curbing negative gearing will cause the housing market to tumble even further and jeopardize the economy. His government also opposes ending the refunds, saying the policy would strip a key source of income for many retirees, who have staged protests against the plan.
Labor, which unlike the government has a portfolio for young people, is also pledging more concerted action to curb carbon emissions and support renewable energy. Morrison has faced nationwide protests from school children over his inaction on climate change.
Shorten has long sensed an opportunity in capturing the youth vote. In 2015, he called for the voting age to be lowered to 16, saying there was a “democracy deficit” for young people disengaged with conservative government. A growing number of young Australians are politically engaged, with more than 70 percent of 18-year-olds voting in the 2016 election, up from about 50 percent in 2013.
Labor is tapping into a growing sentiment among younger Australians that inter-generational inequality must be tackled. In 2010, 42 percent of voters aged 18-25 supported a redistribution of income and wealth, according to a study commissioned by the Australian National University. By 2016, that had grown to 63 percent.
Wood of the Grattan Institute said she was watching for signs that the “stark polarization” of voting behavior seen in the U.K.’s last election — with young people increasingly supporting Labour and older people backing the Conservatives — would be repeated in Australia. Key factors that drove voting patterns in Britain — housing affordability, educational costs and stagnant wages for young people — were also apparent in Australia.
“I do expect that we might see a little bit more of this generational polarization than we have in the past,” she said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Jason Scott in Canberra at jscott14@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ruth Pollard at rpollard2@bloomberg.net, Edward Johnson, Chris Bourke
Reference: https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/housing-dream-turned-nightmare-spurs-140000851.html
14 Clever Ways to Partition a Room Without Blocking out Light
When you want just the right amount of space and light, get creative with glass, slats, beads, exposed framing and more
Bryan Anthony 7 December 2018
Room dividers can help direct foot traffic, define spaces, create a sense of privacy and hide unsightly areas. But while solid room dividers, such as folding screens, can create privacy and hide unsightly objects, they can also block out light and make a smaller space feel confining. If you want to divide a room without losing light and depth, consider these 14 ideas.
1. Vertical timber slats
Floor-to-ceiling vertical timber slats separate this living room from the home gym in this home in New York, USA. The evenly spaced slats let sunlight from the gym’s windows wash into the living room, echoing the vertical pattern in the adjacent blinds.
Floor-to-ceiling vertical timber slats separate this living room from the home gym in this home in New York, USA. The evenly spaced slats let sunlight from the gym’s windows wash into the living room, echoing the vertical pattern in the adjacent blinds.
2. Horizontal timber slats
A screen of horizontal slats provides a clever place for hanging the flat-screen TV while gently masking the closet in this bedroom in Seattle, USA.
A screen of horizontal slats provides a clever place for hanging the flat-screen TV while gently masking the closet in this bedroom in Seattle, USA.
3. Glass partition
This elegant house in Brooklyn, USA, features a large master bathroom with an adjacent living area. The glass and black-steel partition separates the two areas physically but not visually.Its industrial-grid pattern provides a stylish juxtaposition to the room’s traditional design.
This elegant house in Brooklyn, USA, features a large master bathroom with an adjacent living area. The glass and black-steel partition separates the two areas physically but not visually.Its industrial-grid pattern provides a stylish juxtaposition to the room’s traditional design.
4. Perforated partition
A perforated wall separates the bedroom from the living area in this small Moscow apartment in Russia. Spots of sunlight break through, filling the windowless living area with diffused light.
A perforated wall separates the bedroom from the living area in this small Moscow apartment in Russia. Spots of sunlight break through, filling the windowless living area with diffused light.
5. Tree trunks
Five tree trunks placed vertically from the floor to the ceiling provide a visual divider between the hallway and the living area in this home in Nuremberg, Germany.
Five tree trunks placed vertically from the floor to the ceiling provide a visual divider between the hallway and the living area in this home in Nuremberg, Germany.
Read how a New Zealand bungalow used shelving as a room divider
6. Art installation
The room divider in this New York City apartment is an art installation by a Cuban artist, says designer Eddie Lee. The piece is made from phone books with holes cut in the middle, allowing them to be attached by floor-to-ceiling metal rods.
The room divider in this New York City apartment is an art installation by a Cuban artist, says designer Eddie Lee. The piece is made from phone books with holes cut in the middle, allowing them to be attached by floor-to-ceiling metal rods.
7. Glass wine cellar
For dedicated oenophiles, there may not be a better way to divide a room than with a wine cellar. This Las Vegas, USA, home features floor-to-ceiling wine storage that uses glass to separate the dining area from the living room.
For dedicated oenophiles, there may not be a better way to divide a room than with a wine cellar. This Las Vegas, USA, home features floor-to-ceiling wine storage that uses glass to separate the dining area from the living room.
8. Pillars
Though they’re often there to make a house structurally sound, a row of pillars (structural or cosmetic) can also create separation between spaces. In this Nuremberg home in Germany, a row of five square pillars – and a change in levels – separates the living and dining areas.
Though they’re often there to make a house structurally sound, a row of pillars (structural or cosmetic) can also create separation between spaces. In this Nuremberg home in Germany, a row of five square pillars – and a change in levels – separates the living and dining areas.
9. Gauzy curtains
Curtains aren’t just for windows. A curtain can also be a good way to close-off one space from another. Here, sheer curtains separate two areas in this home in New York, USA, while letting light filter through.
Curtains aren’t just for windows. A curtain can also be a good way to close-off one space from another. Here, sheer curtains separate two areas in this home in New York, USA, while letting light filter through.
10. Window frames
If curtains aren’t necessarily for windows, then it stands to reason that windows don’t always need walls. The designer of this industrial loft in Atlanta, USA, used an array of individual windows to separate the dining area from the living room.
If curtains aren’t necessarily for windows, then it stands to reason that windows don’t always need walls. The designer of this industrial loft in Atlanta, USA, used an array of individual windows to separate the dining area from the living room.
11. Glass block bricks
Glass blocks are a staple in many mid-century homes, but they’re most commonly used in windows as an alternative to panes. However, glass blocks can also make a great room divider that filters light and creates separation and privacy, which is the case in this home in London, UK.
Glass blocks are a staple in many mid-century homes, but they’re most commonly used in windows as an alternative to panes. However, glass blocks can also make a great room divider that filters light and creates separation and privacy, which is the case in this home in London, UK.
12. Metal beads
Strings of beads hung from the ceiling might conjure up a groovy ’70s vibe, but as this New York City loft shows, a metal-bead curtain makes for a chic room divider.
Strings of beads hung from the ceiling might conjure up a groovy ’70s vibe, but as this New York City loft shows, a metal-bead curtain makes for a chic room divider.
13. Decorative partitions
A patterned wood divider adds a sense of privacy with a bit of old-school glamour to a large room. This master bedroom in Toronto, Canada, features an Art Deco-inspired partition that separates the bedroom from the ensuite.
A patterned wood divider adds a sense of privacy with a bit of old-school glamour to a large room. This master bedroom in Toronto, Canada, features an Art Deco-inspired partition that separates the bedroom from the ensuite.
14. Door frame and studs
If you’re ever having a hard time deciding between knocking down a wall or keeping it, this apartment in Germany might inspire you to find a happy middle ground. By leaving the original door frame and studs standing and removing the plasterboard, the designer created a sense of separation without losing any light.
If you’re ever having a hard time deciding between knocking down a wall or keeping it, this apartment in Germany might inspire you to find a happy middle ground. By leaving the original door frame and studs standing and removing the plasterboard, the designer created a sense of separation without losing any light.
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Curious about how you could divide a room without sacrificing light? Connect with a local interior designer for some ideas
Best of the Week: 34 Brilliant Bathroom Vanities
A striking vanity is a great way to make a design statement in a bathroom – here are 34 examples to inspire you
Georgia Madden 28 November 2018
Senior writer, Houzz Australia
Re-doing your bathroom? If so, choosing a new vanity is likely to be high on your to-do list. You’ll want whatever you pick to be practical and functional, but it’s also an opportunity to add a little character to the space. We’ve gathered together 34 of our all-time favourite vanities from Houzz around the world to show you just what’s possible.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
1. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Features: Warm, honey-toned timber, oodles of storage and double sinks that allow two people to get ready at once.The perfect set-up for busy mornings.
Features: Warm, honey-toned timber, oodles of storage and double sinks that allow two people to get ready at once.The perfect set-up for busy mornings.
2. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Features: A striking black frame and legs echo the dark grout lines in the wall tiles, and contrast beautifully with the vanity’s pale-veined marble detailing.
Features: A striking black frame and legs echo the dark grout lines in the wall tiles, and contrast beautifully with the vanity’s pale-veined marble detailing.
3. Location: Sydney, NSW
Features: A handsome vanity in rich chocolate timber adds gravitas to this contemporary bathroom.
Features: A handsome vanity in rich chocolate timber adds gravitas to this contemporary bathroom.
4. Location: London, UK
Features: A custom-designed vanity made from recycled plastic with charcoal-coloured basins creates an eye-catching feature in this groovy ensuite.
Features: A custom-designed vanity made from recycled plastic with charcoal-coloured basins creates an eye-catching feature in this groovy ensuite.
5. Location: Toronto, Canada
Features: An elegant timber cabinet repurposed as a vanity makes a charming addition to this compact bathroom.
Features: An elegant timber cabinet repurposed as a vanity makes a charming addition to this compact bathroom.
6. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Lynne Bradley Interiors
Features: Gently curved lines, slender legs and a chic, matt-charcoal finish give the custom-designed vanity in this guest bathroom a luxurious feel. And notice how the shape of the mirror ties in with the curvy aesthetic – a lovely touch.
Designer: Lynne Bradley Interiors
Features: Gently curved lines, slender legs and a chic, matt-charcoal finish give the custom-designed vanity in this guest bathroom a luxurious feel. And notice how the shape of the mirror ties in with the curvy aesthetic – a lovely touch.
7. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Austin Design Associates
Features: Sharp lines and a two-tone finish give this suspended vanity a fresh, contemporary edge. The marble finish is then repeated in the bath surround to create a sense of cohesion.
Designer: Austin Design Associates
Features: Sharp lines and a two-tone finish give this suspended vanity a fresh, contemporary edge. The marble finish is then repeated in the bath surround to create a sense of cohesion.
8. Location: New York, USA
Features: Pink-painted cabinetry, a marble countertop and brass hardware are a pretty irresistible combination.
Features: Pink-painted cabinetry, a marble countertop and brass hardware are a pretty irresistible combination.
9. Location: New York, USA
Features: We adore the attention to detail here – the sleek, handle-less cabinetry, the mix of different storage types and the chic, gold accents in the tapware, mirror frames and lights. Simply sublime.
Features: We adore the attention to detail here – the sleek, handle-less cabinetry, the mix of different storage types and the chic, gold accents in the tapware, mirror frames and lights. Simply sublime.
10. Location: Brtonigla, Croatia
Features: A little timber cabinet repurposed as a vanity becomes a striking feature when set against swathes of marble.
Features: A little timber cabinet repurposed as a vanity becomes a striking feature when set against swathes of marble.
11. Location: Nashville, USA
Features: The generous dimensions of this vanity set-up not only allow it to accomodate twin basins, but a dressing-table area too. The pale pink and marble combination give it a soft, feminine feel.
Features: The generous dimensions of this vanity set-up not only allow it to accomodate twin basins, but a dressing-table area too. The pale pink and marble combination give it a soft, feminine feel.
12. Location: Paris, France
Features: Forest-green painted walls and white hexagonal tiles create a stunning backdrop for the warm timber tones of this mid-century style sideboard-turned-vanity. Tres chic.
Features: Forest-green painted walls and white hexagonal tiles create a stunning backdrop for the warm timber tones of this mid-century style sideboard-turned-vanity. Tres chic.
13. Location: Orange County, USA
Features: Blonde timber and deep, powdery blue make an irresistible combination, and we love the addition of the step stool – a handy feature when the little ones are trying to reach the basin to brush their teeth.
Features: Blonde timber and deep, powdery blue make an irresistible combination, and we love the addition of the step stool – a handy feature when the little ones are trying to reach the basin to brush their teeth.
14. Location: Venice, Italy
Features: The vanity’s bold vertical panelling creates a striking contrast against the oversize, round mirror here. The look is then cleverly grounded with a black-stone countertop.
Features: The vanity’s bold vertical panelling creates a striking contrast against the oversize, round mirror here. The look is then cleverly grounded with a black-stone countertop.
15. Location: Hampshire, UK
Features: A simple black-and-white bathroom is made great, courtesy of this exquisite mother-of-pearl cabinet that has been transformed into a vanity.
Features: A simple black-and-white bathroom is made great, courtesy of this exquisite mother-of-pearl cabinet that has been transformed into a vanity.
16. Location: New York, USA
Features: A beautifully balanced arrangement; heavy, black drawers, a slender white countertop and fine lines in the mirror frame and wall sconces.
Features: A beautifully balanced arrangement; heavy, black drawers, a slender white countertop and fine lines in the mirror frame and wall sconces.
17. Location: Gloucestershire, UK
Features: Green-painted cabinetry and leaf-pattern wallpaper draw the outside in – an inspired scheme for a bathroom in a family home in the countryside.
Features: Green-painted cabinetry and leaf-pattern wallpaper draw the outside in – an inspired scheme for a bathroom in a family home in the countryside.
18. Location: Boston, USA
Features: The exposed pipework and brass hardware on these twin vanities give this bathroom a classic 1920s vibe.
Features: The exposed pipework and brass hardware on these twin vanities give this bathroom a classic 1920s vibe.
19. Location: Charleston, USA
Features: A fine-lined, blonde-timber vanity, white-panelled walls and touches of gold and marble – a subtly sophisticated set-up.
Features: A fine-lined, blonde-timber vanity, white-panelled walls and touches of gold and marble – a subtly sophisticated set-up.
20. Location: Boston, USA
Features: This slender vanity is a great choice for a compact bathroom, providing just enough space for a basin and storage both inside and on top.
Features: This slender vanity is a great choice for a compact bathroom, providing just enough space for a basin and storage both inside and on top.
21. Location: New York, USA
Features: A classic black-painted vanity with brass hardware is given a lift with fun, polka-dot wallpaper and touches of pink in the lighting.
Features: A classic black-painted vanity with brass hardware is given a lift with fun, polka-dot wallpaper and touches of pink in the lighting.
22. Location: Dallas, USA
Features: A rich timber finish, deep drawers and generous dimensionsmake this vanity as practical as it is handsome.
Features: A rich timber finish, deep drawers and generous dimensionsmake this vanity as practical as it is handsome.
23. Location: Paris, France
Features: This sweet vanity in caramel-tone timber is the perfect fit for a little bathroom nook, and with its off-centre hand-towel rail, it’s just a little bit quirky too.
Features: This sweet vanity in caramel-tone timber is the perfect fit for a little bathroom nook, and with its off-centre hand-towel rail, it’s just a little bit quirky too.
24. Location: Austin, USA
Features: With its grey-washed timber finish, this vanity sits beautifully alongside the marble subway wall tiles. Accents of gold and leather complete the sophisticated aesthetic.
Features: With its grey-washed timber finish, this vanity sits beautifully alongside the marble subway wall tiles. Accents of gold and leather complete the sophisticated aesthetic.
25. Location: Barcelona, Spain
Features: A rustic timber bench-turned-vanity, exposed pipework and stone basins create something of an earthy, industrial vibe here.
Features: A rustic timber bench-turned-vanity, exposed pipework and stone basins create something of an earthy, industrial vibe here.
26. Location: Connecticut, USA
Features: A projecting front section not only provides space for a larger sink, but more room for storage. And we adore how the marble countertop extends to the splashback.
Features: A projecting front section not only provides space for a larger sink, but more room for storage. And we adore how the marble countertop extends to the splashback.
27. Location: Orange County, USA
Features: The soft, honey-toned timber of the vanity blends in beautifully with the light-grey subway tiles and pale floor. Pops of black in the storage baskets and wall sconces create balance.
Features: The soft, honey-toned timber of the vanity blends in beautifully with the light-grey subway tiles and pale floor. Pops of black in the storage baskets and wall sconces create balance.
28. Location: Madrid, Spain
Features: An old Singer sewing machine table makes a one-of-a-kind vanity – and plenty of fodder for conversation!
Features: An old Singer sewing machine table makes a one-of-a-kind vanity – and plenty of fodder for conversation!
29. Location: Seattle, USA
Features: Thehighlight of this moody bathroom scheme is a time-worn chest of drawers that has been cleverly converted into a vanity complete with marble countertop.
Features: Thehighlight of this moody bathroom scheme is a time-worn chest of drawers that has been cleverly converted into a vanity complete with marble countertop.
30. Location: Baltimore, USA
Features: A wall-hung vanity with minimalist lines in deep powder blue contributes to the calm, uncluttered feel here.
Features: A wall-hung vanity with minimalist lines in deep powder blue contributes to the calm, uncluttered feel here.
31. Location: Denver, USA
Features: A traditional, freestanding vanity with lashings of storage. And we adore how its rust-coloured finish picks up the pops of colour in the floor tiles.
Features: A traditional, freestanding vanity with lashings of storage. And we adore how its rust-coloured finish picks up the pops of colour in the floor tiles.
32. Location: London, UK
Features: By choosing a subtle mushroom hue for the body of this vanity rather than ubiquitous white, the owners have ensured that it stands out against the duck-egg blue walls and bath surround, as well as the white subway tiles.
Features: By choosing a subtle mushroom hue for the body of this vanity rather than ubiquitous white, the owners have ensured that it stands out against the duck-egg blue walls and bath surround, as well as the white subway tiles.
33. Location: London, UK
Features: This compact, curved vanity in a fine-veined marble finish adds an elegant touch to a small bathroom.
Features: This compact, curved vanity in a fine-veined marble finish adds an elegant touch to a small bathroom.
34. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Peter Schaad Design Studio
Features: This vanity’s mustard-green finish is right on trend this season, and here it works a treat alongside grey floor tiles and black fixtures. Extra points for echoing the colour in the frame of the mirror cabinet.
Designer: Peter Schaad Design Studio
Features: This vanity’s mustard-green finish is right on trend this season, and here it works a treat alongside grey floor tiles and black fixtures. Extra points for echoing the colour in the frame of the mirror cabinet.
… here’s a closer look at that gorgeous mirror-cabinet detailing.
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Which of these vanities sets your heart racing? Tell us your faves in the Comments, save the images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more stunning features in homes around the world? Check out Houzz’s Best of the Week: 33 Beautiful Banquettes and Built-In Benches
Council backflip on proposal to reopen Warwick Pde, Castle Hill
Residents in Warwick Pde, Castle have been concerned about a council proposal to reopen the street to through traffic. Picture: Supplied
- Castle Hill: proposal to reopen Warwick Pde sparks outrage
- Motorists vote on the worst roads in the Hills Shire
Residents have almost won their battle to prevent the Hills Shire Council from reopening their street to the outside world — after a strong petition of more than 100 signatures was issued last week.
Last month, council officer suggested reopening Warwick Pde, Castle Hill to through traffic after a study reviewed “safety and traffic volumes in the areas of Parsonage Rd and Warwick Pde, Castle Hill”.
A poll of residents conducted by the Hills Shire Times revealed an overwhelming 92 per cent of respondents said the street should remained closed.
A leaked Hills Shire Council report said, following community engagement, council had decided to retain restrictions on access to the residential street.
“The purpose of the program was to seek the community’s views on a proposal to remove the four single lane raised thresholds in Parsonage Rd, re-open Warwick Pde to through traffic at the intersection of Parsonage Rd, and adjust the entry threshold at the intersection of Warwick Pde and Verletta Ave,” the report said.
“After receiving feedback from the community, it is proposed that the four single lane raised
thresholds in Parsonage Rd be removed but the restrictions on access at the intersection
of Warwick Pde and Parsonage Rd should be retained.
“It is also proposed that no changes be made to the entry threshold at the intersection of Warwick Pde and Verletta Ave.”
On Tuesday last week, Hills Shire councillor Samuel Uno issued council with the petition on behalf of residents.
Cr Uno attended meetings with residents alongside Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne and councillors Ryan Tracey, Tony Hay and Alan Haselden.
Cr Tracey said the proposal had “caused alarm to the residents and young families in the street and surrounds”.
“Without an appropriate traffic study and precinct wide traffic plan the proposal to open this narrow road to through traffic would be considered premature and against the community’s wishes,” he said.
Councillors will vote on the proposal on Tuesday, November 27.
How to Repair and Maintain Sash Windows
Three experts reveal how to get sash windows running smoothly and looking beautiful
Julie Butterworth 21 November 2018
Sash windows are the beating heart of any period home. They come in a range of styles and configurations and when they go wrong, they demand an eye for detail and an expert hand. From upgrading cords to fitting new sections, here’s what to consider if you need to restore yours.
Identify your sash window design
The two main styles of sash are Georgian (pictured above) and Victorian (pictured below). Georgian windows have glazing bars and multiple panes of glass within the moving sashes. Victorian versions have one or two large panes in each moving sash. Later, Edwardian designs featured a mix of the two.
The two main styles of sash are Georgian (pictured above) and Victorian (pictured below). Georgian windows have glazing bars and multiple panes of glass within the moving sashes. Victorian versions have one or two large panes in each moving sash. Later, Edwardian designs featured a mix of the two.
Sash windows can be singular, or form part of a bay. Unlike casement windows (with hinges) and hopper (or tilting) windows, sashes have the advantage of remaining flush to the wall when open and do not impede blinds and shutters.
Styles can change with variations in window sills, sash horns, glazing and moulding profiles. These features can help you assess if your windows are likely to be original (or based on original designs) and will inform any decisions around possible repairs and refurbishment.
Understand how sashes work
Sash windows comprise an outer frame or box, and usually a pair of vertical sliders or ‘sashes’. However, they can be fixed so neither sash moves; or single hung, where only one of the sashes moves, usually the bottom one.
Sash windows comprise an outer frame or box, and usually a pair of vertical sliders or ‘sashes’. However, they can be fixed so neither sash moves; or single hung, where only one of the sashes moves, usually the bottom one.
Traditional sash windows operate using a pulley and counterweight system. Cords are connected to weights that sit inside the frame and counterbalance the movement of the sashes, holding them in place when they’re pushed up or down.
Be aware of what can go wrong…
Sash cords can break over time, resulting in the weights being lost in the sash box. If there are gaps around the sashes, the windows can rattle, let in draughts and leak. Poor redecoration is also a factor and can cause windows to stick.
Sash cords can break over time, resulting in the weights being lost in the sash box. If there are gaps around the sashes, the windows can rattle, let in draughts and leak. Poor redecoration is also a factor and can cause windows to stick.
General neglect and inadequate maintenance can cause the wood to decay and rot, but thankfully timber is, for the most part, repairable.
…and what’s involved in fixing it
Replacing the cords and weights inside the box frame is one of the more straightforward and least costly repairs associated with sash windows.
Replacing the cords and weights inside the box frame is one of the more straightforward and least costly repairs associated with sash windows.
“More extensive repairs often require sectional replacement,” says Adrian Thompson, managing director at UK-based Refurb-a-Sash. “This can include renewing the lower sill, replacing sash frames or renovating the existing box frame.”
“The timber windowsill gets the brunt of the weather, so can often require a lot of renovation work,” says Chris Herrington, technical manager at Ventrolla in the UK. “The rot seeps up the window from the sill, causing the decay – and sometimes a completely new sill and lower box assembly is needed.”
For any sectional replacement work like this, the window is taken apart, any rotten timbers are routed out to get back to the sound wood, and new timbers are spliced in. Once the work is done, the window is re-hung and balanced so it works smoothly.
Find a tradesperson with heritage experience
“Period properties require exceptional attention to detail, as windows were not made to a standard specification,” says Richard Dollar, managing director at The Sash Window Workshop based in the UK. “Make sure the company you choose has experience of working on similar properties. Are they members of any accredited bodies?”
“Period properties require exceptional attention to detail, as windows were not made to a standard specification,” says Richard Dollar, managing director at The Sash Window Workshop based in the UK. “Make sure the company you choose has experience of working on similar properties. Are they members of any accredited bodies?”
Windows are an important element of your home and can involve significant expense. “Ask your supplier for written referrals, visit their workshop and check their credentials,” says Thompson. “If the suppliers are based miles away, how will they service any guarantee work?”
Get three or four quotes for any work, Herrington advises, “but make sure you’re comparing like with like when assessing price differences.”
Weigh up glazing options
It’s possible to install replacement double-glazed sashes into existing box frames using slim glazing panels. “Our workshops make these to match the profile of the existing sashes,” says Herrington, “and you can choose from a range of timbers and glass types, such as acoustic or thermal.”
It’s possible to install replacement double-glazed sashes into existing box frames using slim glazing panels. “Our workshops make these to match the profile of the existing sashes,” says Herrington, “and you can choose from a range of timbers and glass types, such as acoustic or thermal.”
Be aware that while fitting double-glazed sashes into an original box frame does not constitute the wholesale replacement of an original window, you may still need to seek permissions for the work, depending on where you live.
Windows of Opportunity: Your Guide to High-Performance Glazing
Fit draught-proofing
Draught-proofing is important because of the way sash windows are designed. “Gaps around the sashes mean they can rattle and let in draughts, rain and dust,” says Herrington. “Installing a draught-proofing system in the gaps solves these problems.”
Draught-proofing is important because of the way sash windows are designed. “Gaps around the sashes mean they can rattle and let in draughts, rain and dust,” says Herrington. “Installing a draught-proofing system in the gaps solves these problems.”
Another option is timber secondary glazing, says Dollar. “This involves fitting an additional glazed screen on the inside in front of a sash window. It can improve thermal efficiency and reduce noise, and is often a popular choice in [heritage] listed buildings.”
Shutters and window treatments can also contribute to energy efficiency, says Thompson. “Fully closed plantation shutters and interlined curtains can make a big difference in winter.”
Consider the costs
Costs will vary enormously depending on the condition and size of your windows and the complexity of the work and materials involved. For the straightforward replacement of all four cords in upper and lower sash frames, expect to pay upwards of approximately AU$220 per window (some companies have a minimum cost or charge a call-out fee as well).
Costs will vary enormously depending on the condition and size of your windows and the complexity of the work and materials involved. For the straightforward replacement of all four cords in upper and lower sash frames, expect to pay upwards of approximately AU$220 per window (some companies have a minimum cost or charge a call-out fee as well).
Draught-proofing can cost upwards of around AU$600 per window, with larger windows fetching higher prices, and more complex renovations and upgrades often costing double this or more.
Decide if it’s better to repair or replace
As well as the cost, the condition of your windows will be a key factor in whether you choose to repair or replace a sash window.
As well as the cost, the condition of your windows will be a key factor in whether you choose to repair or replace a sash window.
“We like to think we can save a window that looks beyond repair,” says Herrington, “but it depends on customer preference and budget. Original timber is far better quality than the wood we get today, so with a little bit of care and attention, plus some ongoing maintenance, timber windows can last another 100 years.”
If the frame is still in good condition, you may be able to just replace the moving parts, says Dollar. “One advantage of timber windows is that they can often be repaired if issues are dealt with promptly.”
“There’s no golden rule around repair versus replacement,” says Thompson. “The important thing is to ensure any work is faithful in style, appearance and operation to the original, and maintains the integrity of the building.”
Check your local council regulations
If your home is heritage listed or you live in a conservation area, speak to your local council’s heritage officer about any work you want to carry out on sash windows.
If your home is heritage listed or you live in a conservation area, speak to your local council’s heritage officer about any work you want to carry out on sash windows.
“In [heritage] listed buildings, it’s always preferable to renovate rather than replace,” says Herrington. “However, we are seeing more cases of slim double glazing being authorised for installation in listed homes.”
Draught-proofing or changing the sash cords and weights will not require planning permission, says Dollar, “but more major repair work, such as re-glazing or installing new sashes into existing frames, may.” If you’re unsure, speak to your local council.
“Consent should be sought for double glazing and renewal,” says Thompson, “but works in conservation areas should not be an issue, as long as homeowners stick with timber, and the windows end up with the same appearance and design as the originals.”
What to Consider When Renovating a House in a Heritage Overlay
Keep up with regular maintenance
Once any repair or restoration work is done, it’s important to check timber and paintwork frequently. “We recommend painting or varnishing external timber sills annually to make sure they’re weather-tight,” says Herrington.
Once any repair or restoration work is done, it’s important to check timber and paintwork frequently. “We recommend painting or varnishing external timber sills annually to make sure they’re weather-tight,” says Herrington.
Open sash windows often to prevent them from sticking, Dollar advises. “Check any handles, trickle vents and working parts every year and lubricate them with silicone spray or light oil,” he says. “The timber framework of windows should be cleaned thoroughly every year, too, including the working parts.”
For 10- to 12-year repainting cycles, Thompson recommends using modern microporous paint. “Then, other than cleaning traffic film off the paintwork and occasionally oiling the pulley and locks, sash windows will be relatively maintenance-free,” he says.
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Have you recently restored or upgraded your sash windows? Share your experiences in the Comments section below, save this story for future reference, and join the conversation.
Best of the Week: 34 Decks That Deliver
Embrace the outdoor lifestyle with a deck that meets your dining, lounging and entertaining needs
Joanna Tovia 15 November 2018
A deck can flow out from your house and blur the boundaries or be designed as a destination in itself. Let these designer decks inspire an enhanced outdoor room at your house. Staying home might suddenly have a whole lot more appeal.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
1. Location: Geelong, Victoria
Designer: Mihaly Slocombe
Features: Transparent roof sheeting allows this deck to bask in natural light.
Designer: Mihaly Slocombe
Features: Transparent roof sheeting allows this deck to bask in natural light.
2. Location: Notting Hill, UK
Features: Built-in seating, coffee table and planters make for a cohesive whole.
Features: Built-in seating, coffee table and planters make for a cohesive whole.
3. Location: Mahia Peninsula, NZ
Designer: Julian-Guthrie
Features: A deck that mimics the landscape.
Designer: Julian-Guthrie
Features: A deck that mimics the landscape.
4. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Designer: AP Design House
Features: Light and lovely, with louvres for privacy or to keep out the wind.
Designer: AP Design House
Features: Light and lovely, with louvres for privacy or to keep out the wind.
5. Location: Meroo Meadow, NSW
Designer: Benedict Design
Features: A deck off the bedroom – the perfect private escape.
Designer: Benedict Design
Features: A deck off the bedroom – the perfect private escape.
6. Location: Bellevue Hill, NSW
Designer: Luigi Rosselli Architects
Features: Seamless indoor/outdoor connections with a retractable cover.
Designer: Luigi Rosselli Architects
Features: Seamless indoor/outdoor connections with a retractable cover.
7. Location: Bardon, Queensland
Designer: Arcke
Features: Built-in seating makes entertaining here easy.
Designer: Arcke
Features: Built-in seating makes entertaining here easy.
8. Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Designer: Justin Humphrey Architect
Features: Ingenious design from whichever angle you look at it…
Designer: Justin Humphrey Architect
Features: Ingenious design from whichever angle you look at it…
…especially this one, which shows the angled facade beautifully.
9. Location: Cincinnati, USA
Features: A deck for little doers.
Features: A deck for little doers.
11. Location: Coromandel Peninsula, NZ
Designer: Geoff Brown
Features: Indoor/outdoor living is essential with views this spectacular.
Designer: Geoff Brown
Features: Indoor/outdoor living is essential with views this spectacular.
12. Location: Bruny Island, Tasmania
Designer: Maguire + Devine Architects
Features: Every deck should have one.
Designer: Maguire + Devine Architects
Features: Every deck should have one.
13. Location: Byron Bay, NSW
Features: Decks don’t have to be big to serve a valuable function.
Features: Decks don’t have to be big to serve a valuable function.
14. Location: Fairfield, Victoria
Designer: Excelsior Master Builder
Features: A deck accessible from more than one room of the house is all the more useful.
Designer: Excelsior Master Builder
Features: A deck accessible from more than one room of the house is all the more useful.
15. Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Designer: Tim Ditchfield Architects
Features: Time for two.
Designer: Tim Ditchfield Architects
Features: Time for two.
16. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: BG Architecture
Features: Curves in all the right places.
Designer: BG Architecture
Features: Curves in all the right places.
18. Location: Central Coast, NSW
Designer: True North Architects
Features: A tiered deck creates outdoor rooms.
Designer: True North Architects
Features: A tiered deck creates outdoor rooms.
19. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: C.O.S Design
Features: Leaving the tree in place meant it became a feature.
Designer: C.O.S Design
Features: Leaving the tree in place meant it became a feature.
20. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Auhaus Architecture
Features: The rear deck is a sunny spot to gather in the cooler months.
Designer: Auhaus Architecture
Features: The rear deck is a sunny spot to gather in the cooler months.
21. Location: Mill Valley, USA
Features: A deck needn’t be on the same level as the house.
Features: A deck needn’t be on the same level as the house.
22. Location: Portland Maine, USA
Features: A deck is a great way to connect a home with a guest cottage.
Features: A deck is a great way to connect a home with a guest cottage.
23. Location: Auckland, NZ
Designer: Dorrington Atcheson
Features: This deck carries right through the house.
Designer: Dorrington Atcheson
Features: This deck carries right through the house.
24. Location: Omaha Flats, NZ
Features: A deck with a fireplace becomes a destination people are drawn to.
Features: A deck with a fireplace becomes a destination people are drawn to.
26. Location: Christchurch, NZ
Designer: Morgan & Pollard Landscapes
Features: A sheet of glass over the pool bridges the decks.
Designer: Morgan & Pollard Landscapes
Features: A sheet of glass over the pool bridges the decks.
27. Location: Hamilton, NZ
Designer: Creative Space Architectural Design
Features: A cantilevered roof gives this deck a point of difference.
Designer: Creative Space Architectural Design
Features: A cantilevered roof gives this deck a point of difference.
28. Location: Cambridge, NZ
Designer: Turner Road Architecture
Features: Weathered timber can create just the contrast a house needs.
Designer: Turner Road Architecture
Features: Weathered timber can create just the contrast a house needs.
29. Location: Surry Hills, NSW
Designer: Angus Mackenzie Architect
Features: No more lawn mowing is required in this backyard.
Designer: Angus Mackenzie Architect
Features: No more lawn mowing is required in this backyard.
30. Location: West Leederville, WA
Designer: Tim Davies Landscaping
Features: A leafy but low-key spot for a chat.
Designer: Tim Davies Landscaping
Features: A leafy but low-key spot for a chat.
31. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Features: A timber deck can be just the thing to bring warmth to a modern space.
Features: A timber deck can be just the thing to bring warmth to a modern space.
32. Location: Auckland, NZ
Designer: Jessop Architects
Features: A pergola and outdoor heating sets up a deck for all seasons.
Designer: Jessop Architects
Features: A pergola and outdoor heating sets up a deck for all seasons.
33. Location: Kensington, NSW
Designer: Angus Mackenzie Architect
Features: A deck that progresses from inside to out.
Designer: Angus Mackenzie Architect
Features: A deck that progresses from inside to out.
34. Location: Wimbledon, UK
Features: What looks like a pool is actually a skylight over the lounge room below. Talk about doing double duty!
Features: What looks like a pool is actually a skylight over the lounge room below. Talk about doing double duty!
Tell us
Which deck do you like best? Tell us in the Comments, and don’t forget to save your favourite images into an ideabook.
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Did you miss last week’s Best of the Week? Catch up here with Best of the Week: 31 Great Conservatories From Across the World