The right orientation

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Picasso March 1, 2018January 7, 2022

The right orientation

Energy efficiency and everyday practicality combine in the contemporary Picasso 250 design by Gallery Living

FEATURES YOU'LL LOVE

Niche work: In the family living. a niche streamlines the TV and entertainment unit creating direction for your furniture placement.

Light and appealing:
You'll enjoy how light the home feels and how naturally warm it is as well.

Height and style:
Who can go past the raked ceiling and the highlight windows.

When choosing a new home, it pays to think about the long-term. How expensive will the home be to heat in winter or to cool in summer? Will it have good light throughout the day, and will it make the most of the view or aspect you have? All things considered, finding an energy efficient design that will help reduce your longterm bills and create a nice living environment is an ideal combination.

So look no further than Gallery Living's Picasso 250 design. Contemporary in looks, with a high-pitched skillion roof, a wall of windows and doors and a longish design, the Picasso 250 is all about bringing eco living to suburbia. This is the largest Picasso in a range of size variations, and the 250 showcases the design with one side facing north and the garage - which is a separate building - angled slightly in line with the block's shape.

Inside there are three bedrooms, a study, two living areas and two bathrooms plus a pergola and walkway link to the double garage. On the outside the home has been dressed in whiteish -grey tones and just as many of us will wear light or white colours on hot days, it gives a cool, fresh impression.

The front door isn't immediately obvious from the street, and instead it sits back a little way, past the garage and front living room, with a side facing entry point. It's a feature I rather like as it gives that extra element of privacy - and it means you'll be able to leave the door open (security screen door still locked, of course!) to let sunlight or a breeze in without worrying that everyone going past can see inside your home.

The Picasso 250 does feel very private inside, with a series of long but narrow windows providing good light, and the focus is most definitely on the side-facing yard. The 15m-wide design is displayed on an angled block, but even on rectangular blocks, it will provide a decent-sized backyard behind the garage.

Its connection to the indoors via wide sliding doors and full-length windows is emulated throughout the design, with an easy flow of living zones along one side of the design and sleeping quarters running the length behind these main rooms. Gallery Living's sales manager, Russell Slater, says the Picasso 250 is one of the brand's most popular family homes.

"The Picasso design is a signature home for us and was designed to be a clever hybrid of highly energy -efficient 'eco' homes with the practicality of the modern family home," he says. "Energy -efficient home designs are rapidly emerging from niche interest to increasingly becoming a vital component of everyday family homes."

Built with lots of glass, high ceilings (2.7m rising to 3.Sm) and good insulation, and with louvre windows being used to their full advantage and for cross ventilation, the choice of materials for Gallery Living homes is one of the key differences of the brand, Russell says. "One of the principle benefits of avoiding using materials that retain heat for a long time - for example, concrete roof tiles and clay bricks - is that we can dramatically increase the glazing ratios of our living areas," he says.

"In winter this allows a large amount of light to stream in and warm the slab - the key thermal mass of the home. It's very rare for us to heat this home during winter days. "Also by using an external pergola with timber slats, we block the higher summer sun from coming through the northern windows, resulting in minimal use of air-conditioning. Plus, it's just lovely to live in an open, light home."

The Picasso 250's two living areas are a contrast: the front lounge is large but cosy, with lush carpet and black walls enveloping the space. It feels snuggly and nurturing, and is a space you would retreat to at night or in the middle of winter. The main open -plan zone is long, light and bright and extends from the entry hall, combining the dining, kitchen in the middle and family lounge at the rear. The pitched ceiling rises toward the external wall and it has amazing height, while the white walls and porthole windows add a coastal vibe to this long, leisurely space.

This large zone will be appreciated by families who want to keep an eye on children, whether they are doing homework, playing or watching TV, as well as those who like to entertain. "It's perfect for families - or families to be - who like modern, energy-efficient designs and who place a high value on comfortable living with direct flow from inside to outside," Russell says.

A decked area separate to the house has an outdoor barbecue kitchen. It's a nice change to find an alfresco away from the main building, and this represents one of the many upgrades you can opt for. It's still within line of sight of the kitchen, but that's not a hard task as the kitchen is enormous, with its long island bench dominating the open plan and being the heart of the space.

A double sided breakfast bar at one end gives you a casual eating area, and there's plenty of bench space and a bank of storage on the back wall. "Everything is open and designed to centre around the kitchen," Russell says. "The style is clean and angular, which perfectly captures the light as it streams in." Like the front lounge, a carpeted zone frames the family living and this is a clever way to keep feet warm when you 're relaxing on the couch.

25-Feb-18 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

Find out more about the Picasso 250 (South)

Top Storage Ideas

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Monet October 11, 2017September 20, 2023

An ideal downsizer

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Van Gogh September 13, 2017January 7, 2022

An Ideal Downsizer

Retirees or downsizers looking for a smaller home but with a double garage will find Gallery Living's Van Gogh 175 a top option

If you're looking at retiring, you will want a home that not only makes life easier but will happily accommodate the grandchildren. Sitting at 175.3 sqm total size, the compact three-bedroom, two-bathroom Van Gogh 175 design by Gallery Living is ideal for older families looking to downsize without missing out on modern features.

Features such as a double garage so you can securely park two cars or have some extra pottering space, a main open plan living zone, plus the the option of an alfresco out back. The master suite is placed at the front of the home, ensuring privacy from the other two bedrooms as well as good security, both an essential when the grandchildren come to stay.

Complete with a walk-in his and hers robe and a good size ensuite with a long vanity, the homeowners will be provided with a private oasis. Past the internal garage entry, the hallway opens out to reveal the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area which adjoins to an optional alfresco via sliding doors.

With the galley kitchen overlooking the living zones, and featuring a walk-in corner pantry and plenty of benchtop and storage space, it's perfect for entertaining family and friends. Behind the kitchen, a second hallway takes you through to two further bedrooms and family friendly three-way main bathroom. The bathroom is cleverly sectioned off, with a large bath and shower room, a separate toilet and wide vanity in the open powder room.

A laundry is placed next to the bathroom, and has backyard access and plenty of space to keep washing, linen and household cleaning items. Both bedrooms offer spacious dimensions, ensuring there's room to add further storage if required.

Perfect for a courtyard or villa allotment, this compact llm wide home is ideal for couples, singles or families wanting to downsize or simply enjoy low maintenance living without it costing a fortune.

07-Sep-17 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

This exact house model is no longer available, to see a similar house please view the Van Gogh 190

Attractive connection

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Miro July 27, 2017January 7, 2022

Attractive connection

Wrapped around two internal courtyards, the Miro 280 design by
Gallery Living is a home that will be energy efficient, beautiful and long-lasting

So you've found a new home and you love it. But what about in five or 10 years' time? Will you still love the look and feel of it down the track? Well, I may have found a design that fulfils long-term appeal, but also provides light and beauty, innovative design and a contemporary point of difference to other home options.

Setting itself apart is the spacious four bedroom, two-bathroom Miro 280 design by Gallery Living. It's one of my favourite designs that I've seen in the past two or three years. With a distinctive floorplan, that from above looks like a capital I (or an H on its side), it is designed around two internal courtyards that teem the home with light throughout the day.

There's two main living zones in the Miro 280 - placed on either side of one of the courtyards and with windows and doors on multiple sides of these spaces as the sun moves during the day, so does the light coming in. A new version of the Miro 280 design is on display to view at Mt Barker in the Aston Hills development.

Gallery Living's Juliet Haslam says the Miro 280 steps away from traditional home design and often surprises visitors walking through with its innovative layout. "It is a modern evolution from the traditional large box family home, bringing architectural details, functionality and ever present connection with the outside," Juliet says. "We wanted to challenge tradition that larger family homes always struggle to have direct light in every living area.

By wrapping the house around the central courtyard we ensure every living area is light -filled and open. With clever window design specific to each different block, we can use this unique feature to make this large family home very energy-efficient, dramatically cutting down household heating and cooling costs. "The central courtyard also clearly separates the front section of the house to a parents' area that opens out into its own outdoor areas."

As soon as you open the door of the Miro 280 display at Aston Hills, it's clear you're entering a home with a difference. The view to the internal courtyard is ahead, and beyond that the kitchen, yet the open lounge next to you is partially blocked from sight with a striking black partition wall creating an element of privacy. There's tall windows in all directions and you could initially think this home will lack privacy, but, like the front lounge, careful placement of partition walls as dividers and room angles ensures there will be privacy for all family members.

The home offers four bedrooms with the master suite being to the far right of the design past the front lounge, while the remaining three bedrooms are at the opposite point of the home facing the rear and side gardens. All but one comes with good-size wardrobes as standard, and in between the spacious study has the option of being a fifth bedroom.
The study is positioned at the home's narrowest point between both internal courtyards, so if you do work or study at home, it will be a tranquil space. The study and the courtyards help define the home's zones: the parents' wing to the front, the family open plan area at the rear and the children's wing off to one side.

Juliet says the Miro 280 has become one of Gallery Living's most popular family designs. "The Miro 280 is a family home for people who want a large, light -filled, affordable home," she says. 'We are often told by people coming through the home for the first time how surprised and impressed they are by it. "From the front the Miro is deceptively simple but as soon as you walk-in the front door the home opens up around the internal courtyard. "The front section of the lounge and master bedroom creates a parents' sanctuary, and as you move into the home, past the study, the open plan living, kitchen and dining create a great open family space that leads directly to either the rear yard or side alfresco that is perfect for entertaining and an outdoor kitchen. The children's rooms are in a separate area, which also includes a large amount of storage space."

As well as good storage throughout, including in the hallway and in the double garage, the interior of the Aston Hills display showcases Gallery Living's middle level specification that includes many of the standard fittings, and also a few upgrades. Elegant Quickstep floorboards seamlessly flow through the living zones creating a warmth in the larger spaces, while carpet softens the front lounge and bedrooms. The galley-style kitchen and its impressive Caesarstone-topped island bench with waterfall ends (optional upgrade), and cupboards on both sides is a flagship space.

The lowered ceiling, mirrored splashback, drop down pendant lighting and views on either side to the outdoors makes it feel genuinely social and the hub of home life. Striking semi-commercial style sliding doors (upgrade) lead out to the alfresco, which is a standard inclusion but has also been finished with some extras. "The alfresco under the main roof is standard and we have finished it with optional extras of hardwood timber decking, a feature wall and outdoor kitchen," Juliet says. "All living areas are directly connected to the outside, and the large alfresco is perfect for modern entertaining." Not to be forgotten is the design's wet areas, which have been impressively finished with timber laminate on vanities, spacious proportions and complete privacy.

The laundry is a fabulously long space leading to the second courtyard, while the three-way main bathroom is a great free-flowing multi-tasking space allowing several people to use it simultaneously. The ensuite, however, shouldn't be undervalued, despite being positioned unusually at the front of the home, Juliet says. "Traditionally the master bedroom faces the street and the ensuite sits behind it," she says. "By flipping this we have changed the master bedroom from the least private to a most beautiful bedroom with a sliding door straight out to internal courtyard, letting you pull back the curtains and enjoy the view on those rare parent sleep-in mornings. "The front ensuite also doubles as a sound buffer, which is perfect for noisy streets."

The Miro 280 design is suited to a wider block of 18m or greater and one that is 30m deep, and also would look great on acreage, particularly with its mix of designer weatherboard, Hebel and corrugate exterior cladding.

"We aim to design homes that look great today, and will still look great in 20 years' time. Aside from looking great, the fact that these materials do not retain excess heat, means that we can really increase the amount of glass (and hence light and warmth) in the design compared to using conventional materials like clay brick and concrete roof tiles."

23-Jul-2017 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

Find out more about the Miro 280

Top 4 alfrescos – Miro 280

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Miro July 18, 2017January 7, 2022

Monet 265: It’s a work of art

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Monet May 2, 2017September 20, 2023

Monet 265: It's a work of art

Natural light and a bold palette create a home with vibrancy and personality in Gallery Living's Monet 265

Colour, light and vibrancy are three qualities that make for a pleasant living environment, and when they all cometogether it's easy to see how a home will be a welcoming place to live. Such is the case with Gallery Living's new Monet 265 display home at Aston Hills, Mt Barker. It's the unique design of this three/four bedroom home that captures light through it right to the centre of the home, but when paired with dashes of monochrome, it becomes a creative pace with something interesting at each turn.

I admit the Monet 265 is one of my favourite floorplans, as I love the idea of an internal courtyard that centres the living zones and filters light to each at different times of the day. The design comes in various size options but the layout is similar to its compact Monet 195 version, which you'll find at Evanston South.

In the 265 there's a double garage and a study (or fourth bedroom) at the front, then a dramatic living room with a black feature wall that opens to a central courtyard, before a window-lined hallway guides you to the kitchen, dining and second living zone. What's delightfully different about this design is the multiple outdoor zones linked to these living areas.

The rear lounge/dining area is bordered by a choice of two outdoor leisure areas, so the aspect from any point in the living area is going to feel connected to the back garden or alfresco. The dual aspect of sunlight, plus windows on a third side, will also give you ample spots to bask in the sun as the weather cools, while in summer it will offer great cross-ventilation when everything is open and the breeze blows through.

Gallery Living's Sales Manager Russell Slater says the Monet 265 is a luxury courtyard home with large living and entertaining spaces, both internally and externally. "The use of a large central courtyard makes light the consistent theme of the Monet 265, along with a very luxurious feeling of space," he says. "It also allows for seamless integration of designed outdoor spaces as part of the internal house aesthetic.

Families benefit from the courtyard as they enjoy the open/light benefits associated with large, open-plan living areas, but also the important functional benefits of spatially separated (but visually connected) living spaces, allowing families to feel connected while pursing individual activities. "It's a home that is a breath of fresh air to return to everyday with open light and generous sized functional spaces and lots of storage."

Pitched towards professional families who want light-filled open spaces and separate living and working areas, Russell says the study at the front provides the option to operate a home office or studio. The home's structured sophistication starts at the entry, where a raised ceiling with box edge is a stunning feature.

The open-plan kitchen is another standout and, as Russell says, it's the heart of the home. "Every home and family revolve around the kitchen in today's busy life and a large island bench is so much more than a food-preparation space, becoming the secondary dining table, homework area and perfect entertaining hub of the home," he says.

"It's important for us that the kitchen is spacious and situated where it can directly link to all other living areas." A dedicated breakfast bar at one end of the long island has room for bar stools on two sides, while the white and timber-look cabinetry and a discreet walk-in pantry make it a sleek space that is accented with white subway tiles and dark grout lines.

Within the living/dining zone, storage is integrated along the middle wall with a built-in cupboard and a set of floor-to-ceiling shelves, which become a feature of the space. Mirroring the bold black wall in the first lounge, the second living space has a recessed wall for the entertainment unit to sit within, and by being painted black it adds another focal point.

"It has been important in this design to streamline the interior spaces with clean, unbroken finishes that allow for the central courtyard to be the focus," Russell says. "Window placement has been carefully considered, and the large amounts of storage carefully integrated into walls so as not to detract from the openness and light."

This ties in with the home's aesthetic, which mixes openness with a structured feel, polished off by the arbours that feature in both outdoor courtyards. "The interior is an open and sophisticated blend with modern architectural details such as feature windows, varied ceiling heights, semi commercial window frames and square set cornice details," Russell says.

The Monet 265 will best suit a block with a minimum 15m width and 30m depth, but also corner blocks as displayed at Mt Barker. "We chose to display this plan as it is readily adaptable to take full advantage of a corner allotment (which many traditional plans struggle with)," Russell says. "The specification on display is representative of a medium level of upgrades and reflective of the level of finish most people choose for this house in their building contracts."

What I really like about this design is that it utilises a block so well and doesn't leave any part of it unused. The living zones all face one side and, with a clear view to the rear yard and courtyard, there's a clear connection to the outdoors. On the other side where the bedrooms run in a row, there is room enough for a path that leads to a private courtyard outside the master bedroom.

Gallery Living's designers have indented the floorplan, allowing for a courtyard nook to be an extension of the master bedroom, so I'd add a set of sliding doors here and use it to its full potential. In between the bedrooms (all with built-in wardrobes) are the laundry and bathrooms, with a long ensuite off the master, which includes a wide shower, double-basin vanity, designer mixer taps and 2.lm-high tiling as standard. The main bathroom follows suit but is separated into a powder room, bath/shower room with a curvaceous Caroma Classic bath.

30-Apr-17 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

This exact house model is no longer available, to see a similar house please view the Monet 230.

Point of difference

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Picasso February 21, 2017January 7, 2022

Point of difference

The alternative style of the Picasso 250 design by Gallery Living makes it an ideal choice for a home, a holiday residence or a retirement haven

Gallery Living's Picasso 250 is the perfect answer if you're looking for a home with a difference and one that is open, light -filled and energy efficient. It has been designed to soak up the northern aspect with its skillion roof, raked ceiling and highlight windows that create low-to-high cross ventilation. The Picasso 250 is a unique home design with a modern mixed-material facade and a double garage at the front that creates much-needed privacy.

Almost out of sight from the street, the entry has been made into an indoor-outdoor focal point and it's this subtle difference that is appealing. With three bedrooms plus a study, two bathrooms and two living areas, the long 24.5m design has a thoughtful layout with a focus on open and airy rooms created by its high pitched ceiling. The first living area sits at the front of the home, followed by the spacious master bedroom with ensuite, the study, two minor bedrooms and a three-way bathroom, all running the length of the southern side.

This leaves the northern side for an open-plan dining/kitchen/family area, with three sets of sliding doors and windows opening out to the main garden. This home has been designed so one of the longer sides of the home orients north in order to maximise the home's energy efficiency throughout the year. As seen in the display at Evanston South, an alfresco with a timber deck and outdoor kitchen (upgrade) is an optional inclusion which adds a fabulous entertaining area adjacent the garden.

The central kitchen also looks directly design out to the garden and creates a real hub of the home, with a lengthy island offering ample benchtop space, storage and a good dynamic within the open plan. It essentially separates the dining zone from the lounge without, while still allowing wide corridors and uncluttered lines to keep the open plan free-flowing and family friendly.

Features you'll love: Let there be light: Square portholes line the open-plan area above the sliding glass doors for additional natural light. They add an interesting element to the unique design, enhancing the sense of space and a distinct feature.

Let's go outside: The outdoor area is perfect for entertainment and enjoying meals in the fresh air. The space can be converted to an indoor-outdoor zone and opened right up thanks to the three sets of glass sliding doors lining the north side.

Time out: The second living area set at the front of the home offers space away from the open-plan zone. Thanks to the distance from the main living area. it is perfect for movies or a read of your favourite novel in peace.

19-Feb-17 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

Find out more about the Picasso 250.

Space Saver

admin 1 Storey, Dali Villa, Media Articles October 17, 2016January 7, 2022

Space Saver

For those after a smaller home and low-maintenance living, Gallery Living's Dali Villa 170 will be the perfect size for retirees, singles and couples

Proving you can build a spacious home on a narrow block, Gallery Living's three-bedroom, two-bathroom Dali Villa 170 has been architecturally designed to maximise spaciousness.

Long and narrow, and designed to fit on villa blocks, the Dali Villa 170 reduces the need for passages and includes two living areas to create an open feel for modern living. The addition of an open-plan living/dining/ kitchen zone at the rear further increases its sense of space.

Although the Dali Villa is at the smaller end of the home-buying spectrum with a total of 156sqm, it is ideal for retirees, couples or first home buyers looking for a home that's not too big to look after, but larger than a homette.

The single hallway down the centre of the home creates an easy-flow floorplan with more spaces than you may expect. The master bedroom is positioned at the front, complete with a spacious ensuite and walk-in robe. The first living area is subtly tucked away from the street for privacy and quiet, providing an alternative option to the main living area, while opposite it is a study, which could also be a nursery, playroom or even a fourth bedroom.

It's an addition that will not go to waste. Branching off the hallway are bedrooms two and three, both with built-in wardrobes and natural light streaming through the large windows. A practical three-way bathroom in proximity to the bedrooms allows for multiple users. The division of this room makes the most of the space and promotes easy living.

The good-sized laundry backs on to the main bathroom, a welcome surprise for a design of this size - and it also provides direct outdoor access. The Dali Villa 170 is suited to blocks 9m or 10m wide making it perfect for subdivisions and also the more affordable blocks within them. The smaller allotment also goes hand-in-hand with low-maintenance living, both inside and outside the home.

The Dali Villa is also available in two slightly smaller configurations - the 130 and 155.

Features you'll love

Welcoming entrance: You don't realise how much you appreciate an undercover entrance until it's pouring with rain and you can't find your keys.

Master privileges: If a large master bedroom isn't enough, the walk-in wardrobe with ample hanging space and storage plus ensuite complete with shower and large vanity ought to do the trick.

Garage included: This narrow design has even allowed room for a single garage.

16-Oct-16 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

Find out more about the Dali Villa 170.

Follow the Light

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Picasso May 2, 2016January 7, 2022

The Picasso 215 is a light energy-efficient home

Follow the Light

The Picasso 215 design by Gallery Living is a light energy-efficient home

The four-bedroom Picasso 215 design from Gallery Living dares to be different. That's partly because it plays to its strength - making the most of a northerly aspect on a block to deliver a light-filled and energy-efficient home that enhances modern living. It can also offer a point of difference in street looks, via a mix of composite building materials and a skillion roof and raked ceiling with highlight windows allowing low to high cross ventilation.

The design is tailored to fit comfortably on a conventional allotment at least 16m wide, with all the main living, dining and kitchen areas located to one side of the layout. So the Picasso 215 typically suits an allotment where north faces one side of your block, rather than front or back yards. Naturally, it can be either side and the home can easily be mirror reversed.

This positioning will enhance your enjoyment of these main living and dining spaces. "This also means that the other wing of the home where all the bedrooms are located will be ideal for passive energy savings as they will be on the southern side of the home," Helen Lowrie, of Gallery Living, says. "This means the solar load is reduced on these rooms and allows for cool, darker bedrooms."

The Picasso 215's single pitch roofline is designed to maximise the natural light coming into the home and give it a fresh, bright atmosphere. The large, informal areas also feature an abundance of glass to let the outside garden views in. A natural courtyard is created behind the garage, accessible off the living rooms, allowing for a private outside entertaining area.

"Being able to open up to this area creates a much larger feel to the home," Helen says. The living room also opens out to the rear yard and an alfresco area (optional) can be built under the home's main roof to offer year-round entertainment. The generous, master bedroom spans about 14.4sqm, set to the front and allied to ensuite bathroom and walk-in robe facilities.

Across from the front entry point lies the separate lounge/ home theatre, giving you flexibility to entertain or relax. A partition wall here will house the TV while hiding the room from direct sight of the front door. The other three bedrooms line up intelligently around the second bathroom which has a separate vanity zone, and is tucked off a hallway behind the kitchen.

At the heart of the home the long galley kitchen boasts a walk-in pantry in one corner and island bar which looks across to the side garden. This design offers a nice balance of privacy and bright living/ entertaining space.

Gallery Living's use of specialist, composite materials in construction results in extra space built into their rooms compared with those homes built with traditional building materials and methods. "For instance, our living area is an extra 30cm wider than traditionally built homes which doesn't sound like a lot, but does add a lot of extra space to narrow homes which are only 7m wide," Helen says.

The Picasso 215 design has been very popular with a range of buyers including families with children and those without, Helen says.

01-May-16 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

This exact house model is no longer available, to see a similar house please view the Picasso 195.

Top 4 Under $150,000

admin 1 Storey, Media Articles, Warhol March 2, 2016September 20, 2023

Top 4 Under $150,000

Amazing Value - Make your money go further with a new home for less than $150,000

Why we like it: This unique design brings a lot of light into the home, so if that's important to you, this is worth considering. Built with two wings (think of an H shape) that wraps around two internal courtyards - one at the front and one at the back - it's a home that offers four bedrooms. two living zones, plus a home office and a study nook, large bathrooms and a streamlined flow. Designed with an open style and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. The home feels large, bright and very different to other new homes on the market. And despite all the glass, it remains private thanks to clever wall placement.

27-Feb-16 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

This exact house model is no longer available, to see a similar house please view the Warhol 250.

1 Storey