A KWD laundry is a thing of beauty. Historically considered a purely utilitarian space, we never neglect the laundry which we believe should be treated with love and care. By combining practicality and functionality with carefully considered space planning and hard-wearing, stunning materials, we turn these forgotten rooms into one of the most beautiful rooms in a home.
When I was growing up, one of my most distinct memories is my grandmother’s home and the scent that would waft through the home on laundry day. She would handle the family’s clothing and bed linen with such care. I still remember the delicious scent of freshly washed linen and seeing white sheets hanging on the washing line and blowing in the breeze. Years later, I love spending time in my own laundry, taking care of our clothing, towels and linen. It’s one of the ways in which I nurture my family. So when designing a laundry and/or mudroom for our clients, I love creating spaces that are a joy to be in and will turn a practical chore into a relaxing one that is smooth and seamless.
With the Biscayne laundry, I really wanted the design to be akin to a pool bar in a luxurious resort, where you can get your fresh towels before heading to the swimming pool. We created connectivity between in the interior and the exterior by linking the laundry to the outdoor powder room.
I spared no expense with the hard finishes for the laundry – the specification we developed is sublime.
The highlight is the most incredible Copacabana Quartzite which picks up the tones of pink and blue used throughout the home, and has such a depth of colour and rich texture. It looks so striking as the bench top and splashback paired with the custom Armac and Martin brass brackets, fireclay sink and tapware from The English Tapware Company. And I worked with my KWD design team and The Wooden Boatshop who custom made the stunning brass railing detail which adds such an unexpected element to the room.
The flooring features the most beautiful Italian tumbled marble, expertly laid in a checkerboard pattern by Henry Master Tiler to create a playful effect.
Custom joinery is key in a KWD project. The first step in the space planning for a laundry and kitchen is always the appliance selection. Our friends at Winning Appliances are our go-to for expert advice. For the laundry, it’s really important to me to install appliances that are not only easy to use and function well, but they also need to be gentle on beautiful and delicate fabrics. That’s why we chose a Miele washing machine and dryer. We installed them in the format that I believe works best in a laundry if you have the room – washing machine to the left of the sink and the dryer to the right. This allows for clothes from the washing machine to be sorted and hung in the drying cupboard or put in the dryer.
My design team and I agonised over every detail of the joinery design for Biscayne. We worked really closely with Farmers Doors for the door profiles, and decided on these louvred doors as they provide the island flavour that was so perfect for the space (with acid wash brass hardware from Hepburn Hardware). I can’t thank Farmers Doors enough because without them, the extraordinary joinery designs throughout Biscayne wouldn’t have been possible – their product is unbelievable. They have supported us so generously in this project and have enabled us to create our own joinery panel designs that are completely custom. There were so many conversations to get every element just right.
We have developed a seamless three way system between the KWD design team, who designs the joinery, Farmers doors who manufactures the doors we design and DMA Kitchens who manufactures and installs the joinery. DMA Kitchens follow our drawings to perfection and their passion for their craft is palpable. They question every element of our designs to ensure the result always exceeds our expectations.
Behind the joinery doors, there is functionality on steroids. A hidden mudroom complete with a drying cupboard was designed with such thought and precision, from the slide out hanging space, to deep drawers and an abundance of storage. Lincoln Sentry supplied the internal fittings and fixtures, the hidden elements that make all the difference to the functionality of a cupboard and drawer.
The final touch for the laundry was the artwork selection, having beautiful artwork in a laundry is so transportive. The collection of specially commissioned pieces by Edward Pope adds a sense of whimsy. A textural delight, the Biscayne laundry is layered and considered, with functionality and beauty combined.
KEY TIP:
Be really considered in your space planning, and get design advice from an expert if you can. It is amazing what you can achieve in a room when every detail is carefully planned.
FAVOURITE HARD FINISHES:
I love natural materials. Mother Nature provides the most incredible colours, textures, veins, grains and tones.
MUDROOM MUST HAVES:
- A drying cupboard with hanging space and ventilation
- Plenty of storage
- Deep drawers and shelving for shoes and boots
- Hooks for hanging school bags
Images: Armelle Habib / Photo shoot styling: Greenhouse Interiors
A heartfelt thank you to our valued supply partners and trades who helped me bring the vision of Biscayne to life:
| COMPANY: | WEBSITE: |
| Montique Construction | montiqueconstruction.com |
| Rod Hannah Design | rodhannahandassociates.com.au |
| Reality 3D | reality3d.com.au |
| Plume Studio | plumestudio.com.au |
| Farmers Doors | farmersdoors.com |
| Winning Appliances | winningappliances.com.au |
| Lynch’s Window Fashions | lynchswindowfashions.com.au |
| 3D Windows | 3dwindows.com.au |
| DMA Kitchens | dmakitchens.com.au |
| The Montauk Lighting Co. | montauklightingco.com |
| The English Tapware Company | englishtapware.com.au |
| Domino Architectural Fittings | dominobrass.com.au |
| Laguna Pools | lagunapools.com.au |
| Vogue Grange | voguegrange.com.au |
| The Nursery Co. | thenurseryco.com.au |
| Court Construct | courtconstruct.com.au |
| Gladstones Granite & Marble | gladstonesgranite.com.au |
| Henry Tiler | mastertiling.com.au |
| National Tiles | nationaltiles.com.au |
| Klay Tiles | klaytiles.com.au |
| Fibonacci TBC | fibonaccistone.com.au |
| RMS Natural Stone TBC | rmsnaturalstone.com |
| Direct Stone | directstone.com.au |
| Marble Mosaics | marblemosaics.com.au |
| Hepburn Hardware | hepburnhardware.com.au |
| Lincoln Sentry | lincolnsentry.com.au |
| Bathe | bathe.net.au |
| Carpet World | carpetworld.com.au |
| Inspired Floors | inspiredfloors.com.au |
| Morgan’s Painters and Decorators | morganpd.com.au |
| Boyd Blue | boydblue.com |
| Classic with a Twist | classicwithatwist.com.au |
| Sorrento Furniture | sorrentofurniture.com.au |
| Elliot Clarke | elliotclarke.com.au |
| Cromwell | cromwellaustralia.com.au |
| The Lens Collective | thelenscollective.com.au |
| Edward Pope (artist) | edwardpope.com.au |
| Red Hill Country Gates | gates.net.au |
| CSR (Gyprock) | csrgyprock.com.au |
| Whelan Airconditioning | whelanair.com.au |
| Gregory Croxford Living | gregorycroxfordliving.com.au |
| Handleworks | handleworks.com.au |