By Louise Allingham For Daily Mail Australia
19:49 04 Jun 2023, updated 19:52 04 Jun 2023
- HIA awards named the best homes and rooms in the country
- Among the winners was a unique kitchen and suspended pool
Some of the most beautiful homes and spaces in the country have been revealed, from a gravity-defying pool to a sleek jungle-like townhouse and unique gold-adorned kitchen.
The Housing Industry Association held its annual HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards handing out trophies for in categories including best kitchen, bathroom, townhouse, outdoor space, and apartment.
A spectacular holiday home on high up on a coastal cliff won the People’s Choice Award on top of Bathroom of the Year.
A one-of-a-kind stone-and-glass pad was not only given the title of best outdoor space but was crowned Home the the Year, the night’s top gong.
The Kitchen of the Year features an array of striking hues from gold brass to slab of green marble while the favourite townhouse went to a seaside sanctuary draped in lush foliage.
TOWNHOUSE OR VILLA OF THE YEAR – GOLD COAST, QLD
Sitting a stone’s throw away from the ocean in the Gold Coast suburb of Palm Beach is a greenery-covered duplex townhouse of palatial proportions.
A palette of natural, earthy tones, stone feature walls and high-pitched ceilings with exposed rafters create calming coastal vibes and an airy sense of space.
The master bedroom has a lavish open ensuite with a double shower and freestanding bathtub and hanging vines drape down over the windows and bathroom vanity to create a seaside jungle.
In the kitchen, there is a sleek rounded island bench which compliments the stone tiling on the splashback while glass folding doors peel back to integrate the space with the alfresco area.
Builder Nick McDonald, director of Mactech Constructions, told realestate.com.au his favourite feature of the houses were the two glass-pools which guests walk under from the garage.
Four bedrooms, a garage, an open plan family room, three bathrooms, a gym, cellar, sauna and home cinema are also all contained within each house in a narrow space yet nothing feels cramped.
KITCHEN OF THE YEAR – ADELAIDE SA
The best kitchen of the year is housed inside an old hotel building that has been converted into a contemporary residence in Burnside, Adelaide.
It is striking through its eclectic blend of textures and materials including the rich timber cabinets, grey terrazzo benches, sea green marble bar, brass surfaces and stained-glass window skylight.
A golden theme is repeated through the stunning kitchen in the brass-wrapped cylinder range hood and cabinets, and there are even gold flecks peppered through the granite benchtops.
Green marble is used on the oversized splashback as well as around the servery with an overhanging bench for stool seating and in the free-hanging wine station.
While the space is only 30sqm, laying the flooring was a three-week process as three different types of marble were hand-laid, ground, honed and polished to perfection.
BEST OUTDOOR PROJECT – TINDERBOX, TAS
A magnificent cliff-hugging home near Hobart was awarded the top prize of the night, Home of the Year, after judges described it as a ‘once and a life time build for Tasmania’ but it’s incredible outdoor space took home an award of its own.
The standout feature of the singe-level mansion is the infinity pool which project manager Michael Lane of Lane Group builders told Archipro had ‘a fair bit of engineering involved’ amid concerns it wouldn’t hold up when filled with water.
But hold up it did and the ‘indulgent’ indoor/outdoor infinity pool that floats above the bushland below is the perfect place for guests to take in the picturesque views of the Derwent River and surrounding landscape.
Partially indoors, the pool has an operable roof and adjoining spaces including an outdoor kitchen with an integrated fridge, barbeque and pizza oven as well as an area that contains a shower, sauna and spa which can all be used year-round.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – NELSON BAY, NSW
An architectural masterpiece earned the most votes from home design lovers taking out the People’s Choice award and it’s not hard to see why.
The minimalistic entrance with a curved brick wall and timber cladding hides inside it an epic holiday home aptly named The Ridge as it sits 120m above sea level on a granite cliff and looks over the picturesque Nelson Bay.
Hundreds cast their votes through leading renovation and design platform Houzz Australia for the luxury home for its unique design, suspended mineral pool, blended indoor/outdoor spaces and ultra-luxe finishes.
On each of the three levels there is a sun-drenched outdoor entertaining terrace looking out over the scenic bay while the interior is decorated with moody hues from dark timber walls to the grey polished concrete floors.
With seven bedrooms and six bathrooms there is space for 14 guests as well as a home cinema with an enormous 120-inch movie screen.
APARTMENT OF THE YEAR – SYDNEY, NSW
The boutique pad that won the gong for Apartment of the Year proves that state-of-the-art luxury isn’t just for mega mansions.
An oversized black marble fireplace makes a statement between the kitchen and lounge and warms the open main living area.
The simple-yet-chic kitchen hides behind it a secret scullery with ribbed-glass doors cupboard that stretch the whole length of the space.
An all-white bathroom has a groove-fluted oval bathtub and matching marble adorns the walls and mosaic flooring.
Ceiling-height glass doors off the cosy lounge open out to an entertainer’s terrace and a custom-built entertainment unit with mirrored shelves hides the TV.
BATHROOM OF THE YEAR – NELSON BAY, NSW
The Ridge also caught the attention of the HIA judges for its sophisticated grey bathroom which was named the best of the year.
The home’s moody aesthetic continues in the bathroom with grey stone tiles covering the walls up to the soaring ceiling and louvred windows and a skylight let natural light illuminate the space.
A curved wall mirrors the huge circular freestanding bathtub which ‘occupies centre stage’ and sits across from an open shower.
Luxury features fill the space including the underfloor heating, bespoke oak vanity, stone benchtop, recess shaving shelves and elegant black fittings.