We at mBark Design, enjoy nothing more than creating the most liveable interiors we can, inside simple structural forms. We challenge ourselves over and over to consider how to enable people to live better in a smaller space than they would in a cavernous McMansion? All at a more affordable price.
It's not really that difficult.
Our feeling of space comes from our sense of volume. An ill considered room can be twice the size of a well planned space, BUT, if it has low ceilings, low windows, windows with no views to exterior perspective, or light at the wrong times of the day, then we would feel like we were trapped in a box. Because we would be.
1.INTELLIGENT DESIGN
Said best by Frank Lloyd Wright when he eloquently maintained "Structures should be in harmony with nature & humanity"
2. OPEN CONCEPT COMMUNAL SPACES
There is literally a quadrant of open public space in a home plan today. Living, dining, kitchen and outdoor living are all carefully located together for sharing. Then private spaces should be carefully and discreetly arranged in the home to offer some sanctuary.
3. SMALLER HOMES
Yes! You read that correctly. Smaller (not small), but more thoughtfully designed spaces that deliver functionality, convenience and enhancement to lifestyle, in a more considered way for the owners.
4. OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING SPACES
Australia and New Zealand are privileged to generally have climatic conditions that allow us to use our outdoor spaces most of the year. The outdoor room is now statistically one of the most used in our homes. We consider it part of the house in all our plans. As we should.
5. NEUTRAL DECOR.
Don't worry, I didn't say bland or boring, I said neutral. Black is a neutral. Even vivid pink when used in a balance with complimentary tones is neutral. Use a natural, neutral backdrop to showcase your personal style to it's very best.
6. MODERN KITCHENS
Almost without exception and regardless of the style and period design of a home built today, we want modern, easy to maintain, simple kitchens that work hard for us. Primarily because we spend the largest percentage of our time in them, and they occupy the most central space in our homes today.
7. AMENITIES & MASTER PLANNING
We make better choices about the convenience of services within a kilometre or two of where we live today. That can be the 'greenest' thing we do for our home and family. Convenient retail, schools, parks, public transport, nature reserves, man made and natural table lands packed with beneficial insects, air, animals and birds. We should try to achieve as many of these things as we can to support our lifestyle choices.
8. GREEN SERVICES AND FEATURES.
Energy efficient appliances, fittings and fixtures are available in abundance today. In addition to these we should add thoughtful approaches to general products we install in our new home. For example: if you are installing curtains in your home for the acoustic & thermal benefits, install modern S Fold tracks to the ceiling or if possible into a recessed space in the ceiling that stops heating and cooling escaping from the room. It may cost more to have the recessed space set into the ceiling, but you will save every cent of that by buying the least expensive tracks because you don't see them. In addition to that you will have saved on heating and cooling costs.
9 SMART STORAGE
Smart in this instance means 'considered' and not 'there to provide and encourage needless storage'. Smart is planning for and planning for the requirements of the families needs while providing ease of use. Spend more on clever storage solutions, while making stored items so accessible and easy to use, you can buy fewer high quality items.
10. DOUBLE CAR GARAGE THAT DOUBLES AS A SMALL WORKSHOP
We appreciate that there should be at least basic storage and a functional worktop for general repairs and maintenance in all home garages.