Sweeping aside the stereotypes

Published: 27 Jun 2013

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An enlightened approach

A flyer for a local furniture store came through the mail the other week, proudly proclaiming its special senior citizens range. The photographs showed lumpy, old-fashioned pieces of furniture that my 76-year-old mother wouldn’t have anywhere near her house.

It’s a mistake assuming that an entire demographic of people has a particular taste in anything. My youngest son chose pitted olives as one of his first foods. My mum loves contemporary interiors. And she would absolutely love what Australian-based Gilmore Interior Design has created for apartments at The Gracewood Community development in Kellyville, Sydney. Mellow yet interesting interiors using a soft yet rich palette of Resene colours. Gorgeous.

Gilmore Interior Design and McFadyen Architects have been involved in all stages of the development. The brief from the client, the Baptist Community Centre, involved designing a display apartment that was welcoming and colourful with a contemporary feel.

Resene Half Sisal was used as a general neutral colour throughout. Darker neutral tones in a custom colour match and Resene Cougar were used in the lounge and bedroom respectively as feature colours. Resene Chalky, a warm sunshine yellow, was selected for the foyer and kitchen.

Splashes of colour can be seen in the furniture, soft furnishings, artwork and decorative items throughout in midnight blues and grassy greens. A thick wool residential carpet was specified to create a feeling of warmth.

What was your overall philosophy for the project?

Our overall philosophy was to create an interior with broad appeal. We wanted a fresh contemporary, upmarket look to complement the architectural design of the complex, while appealing to the retiring community ranging from 55 years upwards.

What is your favourite colour and why?

Our favourite colour is Resene Half Sisal. It is a versatile general colour with a neutral tone but has an interesting depth that works well with various feature colours from soft primary hues to deep taupes.

What are you most pleased with in the interior design?

The success of the overall design is evident from the way the colours and furniture selections flow from room to room. Complemented by carefully chosen artworks and decorative items to finish the look of the apartment, the buyers instantly feel like they have walked into a space that could easily represent their future home.

What was the biggest challenge with the project?

Creating a contemporary space in an existing traditional house proved the most challenging part of the project. The sales and marketing suite was set up in the original homestead on the building site. This was used as the display apartment until the first stage of the development was constructed. It was important to ensure the space being sold was accurately represented. We had to design the apartment within a building with an older style and different layout. 

pictures

Photographs by Geoff Ambler, [email protected]

A warm welcome

The sunshiny yet mellow yellow of Resene Chalky beams out from the entrance foyer of the apartment. The interiors were designed by Gilmore Interior Design. 

Working with an open-plan space

The open-plan living space is pulled together with a main neutral of Resene Half Sisal with a feature wall in the moodier Resene Cougar. 

Bringing the colour through

A closer look at the feature wall finished in Resene Cougar. Shots of yellow in the furnishings echo the Resene Chalky in the foyer. 

A mellow study area

Resene Chalky is used again in the study area.  

Letting nature lead the way

Resene Half Sisal is a superb background for furnishings in natural fabrics and fresh greens. 

A whole-scheme approach

The kitchen is part of the open-plan space and blends effortlessly with the overall colour palette. 

A contemporary twist

Resene Cougar appears again as a feature wall in the bedroom, alongside Resene Half Sisal for the other walls. Teal and chocolate bed linen gives the room a contemporary feel. 

the look

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