Mindi Cooke
How to reimagine this iconic staple of Aussie home design.
The Australian landscape is like no other in the world. Rugged and raw and coastal and calm, tree-lined and textured, it spans the whole gamut of backdrops that often find their way into the styles we use to decorate our homes. There’s something for everyone.
A big part of the Australian home construction and design story is house bricks. More than simply a building block, bricks are always in vogue and homes built with them will stand the test of time.
That said, choosing bricks for your home is a big decision to make and whilst they have continued to evolve over the years with our tastes and demands, it’s gratifying to know that major brick producers don’t stand still when it comes to style, embracing local and international design trends and pushing the boundaries of what we ever considered possible when building with bricks.
But what is your personal style? The ability to express your style through the interior design and decoration of your home stems from a selection of colours, textures and style of furnishings that reflect who you are.
“I believe key to knowing your style is about having confidence in what you like, what makes you feel happy, and what you enjoy,”
Julian Brenchley, Architect
“Look for colours, textures and designs you connect with,” says architect Julian Brenchley. “Choose finishes and building materials that you like and feel comfortable with, and then incorporate them into your home.”
Brenchley agrees and says there are a lot of reasons to recommend bricks. “Offering many design configurations and placement options, bricks are low maintenance, provide visual interest, endless colour options and don’t require painting. The marketplace is becoming more sophisticated and is looking for high-quality building materials. Bricks can supply this.”
But it doesn’t stop there. Bricks can play an integral part in any decorating scheme and feature both internally and externally to realise a cohesive palette of colours and textures that tell a style story from beginning to end, incorporating wall paints, fixtures and finishes for use on tapware, flooring, cabinetry and tiles to bring the desired look together.
This week, PGH Bricks have released eight key design styles set to inspire Australian exteriors, from classic, contemporary, eclectic or artistic – that easily translate to interiors and bring together a cohesive look for your home.
“We all want a house we love and that feels right for us,” says Sonia Simpfendorfer, Creative Director at Nexus Designs. “It is yours, and should make you feel good. Integrating your personal style into your choices is the perfect way to express yourself and create flow between your home and all aspects of your life.”
Grey All The Way includes a wide range of greys. Simple, stylish and versatile, it is the “on-trend colour” for contemporary homes with long-term chic appeal. With the ability to adapt to the personality of any space, grey plays effortlessly with colour and texture. Greys have strong adaptability, which makes them the perfect palette for everyone.
Calm and fresh, Sophisticated Neutrals is a palette that has the ability to enlarge a space and emphasise natural light. Subtle but refined shades of crisp white, stone grey, and cool concrete are the most widely used and accessible colours to date. With this trend, neutral colours such as greys, beiges, and off-whites are becoming more sophisticated.
Dark and Stormy is for those looking to make a statement that is bold and fearless, yet chic and elegant. This dramatic palette will ensure their home stands out from the rest. Incorporating charcoal greys, bitter chocolate, deep ocean shades and gleaming metallics, it is also highly adaptable, equally at home in rural or urban areas, and ideal for showcasing clean lines and architectural detail.
Back to Nature draws inspiration from nature, botanical elements, wood, stone and earth. It combines rustic shades of bronze, grey-greens and soft browns to create a feeling of tranquillity, simplicity and warmth; a great palette for bringing a low-key cool look to modern homes while also creating a sense of warmth and welcome.
With Red Revival, reds are back and in a BIG way! It is both an exciting colour to use as well as being highly adaptable, making it a hot trend for homeowners wanting to make a big style statement. Classic red bricks are making a new statement that feels “confident and strong.” No longer considered the safe suburban choice, they are now celebrated for their natural beauty, classic colour and honesty.
Originally inspired by urban loft and warehouse living, Industrial Chic is created by combining raw materials such as brick, timber and steel. The trend is now spilling over into the residential design scene at the custom architectural design end, which is exciting. Industrial chic inspires a cool modern living that is simple, clean and focuses on functionality.
A Touch of Texture is a mix of rough against smooth, cool with warm, or matt with glossy. This look is all about using different textures to bring depth and interest to the home. Texture is just as effective as colour when it comes to adding character to exteriors and interiors. It also provides a feeling of craftsmanship, especially when using beautiful brick.
Perfect Imperfection is ideal for homeowners looking for an imperfect, rustic, handmade look. The beauty of the “handmade” and artisan is showcased in this authentic and unique palette that feels just right for the modern home.
“As designers, we work with people across Australia helping them make decisions about their homes, both inside and out,” says Simpfendorfer. “We know how many decisions need to be made when building or renovating a home and the overwhelming number of products and colours there are to choose from. That’s where PGH Bricks 2018 Trends can help.”
What style are you? Visit PGH Style Quiz to find out your style and explore moodboards in 8 different styles to get started on the perfect palette for you.
