Natura Homes

Natura homes page will give you an insight on our products and services also uploading the latest photos on all our projects.  

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New ensuite built by Natura https://www.instagram.com/p/BosKDaCFUSm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hs8p4yexfxly

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“Cascades” is a 4m high artwork by @tommybaloghart integrated in one of our projects. Photo credit @kaseyfunnellphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/Bno9wwnl_ye/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7sghhexlarxu

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Project completed in Wamboin NSW. Photo credit @lepicturediary (at Wamboin) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnUq5-mFxCK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kat6gtaq3x46

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We’ve received some yummy surprise at the office today. Thank you @meiraustralia !!! https://www.instagram.com/p/BnQJznklnvm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ljyhif58gwpz

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Sneak peak of the interview with the artist 👩‍🎨 @tommybaloghart , creator of “The Cascade”, an amazing piece of art built into our latest project. Full interview coming soon. 🌠

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Sneaky peak of our project in Throsby ACT.... Almost ready.. 1 week to go !!!

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In July we visited LAROS Technologies workshop in Fyshwick, Dr. Andreas Luzzi presented a range of high performance products and solutions to make our homes even more comfortable. I was quite impressed with the triple glazing windows whilst Danny was more interested in the thermal breaking solutions for concrete and steel structures. I will cover more details of their products in our blog during the coming months. Subscribe now on https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/F01B95077AA6CFF2 to receive our updates.

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Photo from Corin Forest on Wednesday 13/07/2016 - Credit: Peter Alan Gray.

We had snow falling around parts of Canberra this week and absolutely freezing temperatures during most of this month. It is a good reminder that Canberra is the coldest capital city in Australia and demands better than standard house insulation and construction methods. 

A highly efficient house doesn't necessary mean an expensive construction. With some research and outside of box thinking amazing results can be achieved. It is also important to select a builder and an architect who is keen to use new technologies and face challenges.

At Natura Homes we would rather sacrifice the size of a house than its quality.  Contact us via this link for further information 

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We had great night during the Master Builders and Cbus Excellence in Building Awards held at the National Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 24/06. Congratulation to all the winners and a big thank you to CSR building for the invitation.

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Bathroom design

Gone are the days of a single outhouse hidden away from the home in a cramped and uncomfortable location. Today our homes feature numerous bathrooms, all with different functions. Most homes will include a main bathroom and ensuite, and sometimes also a guest bathroom or powder room as well.

This means the approach to bathroom design needs to be flexible enough to incorporate the needs of a variety of users across a range of different situations. The main bathroom is often the children’s bathroom and sometimes also has to function as the bathroom used by visitors, so careful planning is essential to ensure it’s always efficient as well as a comfortable and welcoming space.

The ensuite bathroom has evolved from a small, practical bathroom with a basin and a toilet attached to a bedroom, to a fully kitted-out wellness space where parents can relax and unwind. So, the trick in designing these spaces is to keep in mind the requirements of busy mornings as well as relaxing evenings.

In terms of colour schemes, the trend has been towards more neutral/natural palettes which allow homeowners to add accessories in brighter tones in order to personalise the space. We often see the introduction of luxury elements such as freestanding baths or bling tapware as homeowners invest in the lifestyle they want to create.

Double vanities are a must for any busy family with the larger bench space and dual basins really making the difference during frantic mornings. As well, the larger vanity provides the opportunity to create more storage space to keep often used items close to hand.

A large, walk-in shower is a “must-have” on most homeowner’s wish lists and these days they are often equipped with dual shower heads in a combination of shower rails and ceiling-mounted rain showers. While these inclusions have lifestyle enhancing properties, they also have practical applications as when bathing or showering children, for example.

Your bathroom should be a space where you feel the most relaxed but it should also be designed to actively help during the busiest times of the day. Clever bathroom design will make the most of every centimetre of the available space, both for storage and the inclusion of accessories, fittings and fixtures that add to the functionality of the room.

At Natura Homes, our bathrooms do all this and more. Talk to our expert designers and builders about your bathroom wish list today and we’ll help you design a home that has all you need.

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New website coming soon!

In order to provide potential customers with a better insight of our company, we are designing a new site. The new Natura Homes web page will be launched in July and is designed to give users an overview of the company, myself and Danny. It will be an interactive platform, which will give us the chance to engage with customers, share ideas and display our latest work. 

Kind Regards,

Lucas Sena

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Gardens & Landscaping

Your outdoor spaces can affect your home's appeal so it is important to create areas that complement your home's architecture and aesthetics. Garden design can also affect your lifestyle and enjoyment as the garden becomes an extension of the space in which you entertain and recharge. The right plants, decking or paving and lighting can add colour, texture and functionality to your garden.

Once your home is built, it’s time to you start designing your outdoor space. Take time to gather design ideas and decide what it is that you want to achieve from your outdoor areas. If you love gardening or cooking, raised flower beds or an edible garden are the perfect ways to use your space. Edible gardens can also be planted in smaller areas making use of walls and pots. Current trends include sustainable gardens, edible gardens and chicken coops. 

If you have children you may want to make use of a more open garden. Luscious lawns and architecturally-designed swimming pools will make your outdoor living space an oasis for family and friends. The backyard is for entertaining and playtime, so incorporate decking for seating and dining areas, barbecue and outdoor kitchen facilities, play spaces and sunny relaxation spots.

When landscaping your front yard it’s important to make a good first impression. Your design should be inspiring, well thought out and consistent with the style of your home. A flower garden has great aesthetic appeal but keep in mind they take maintenance so consider building in an automatic watering system. You can also simplify the process by opting for low-maintenance succulents, bushes or hedges instead. Water features, wooden fencing or stone walls will add variation.

Privacy in your backyard can be achieved through fencing, screening, hedging and planting trees. Opt for a strong, dark coloured fence to create a dramatic impact against your greenery. Don’t be afraid to experiment with garden lighting and colour. These elements can tie into the style and ambience of your home. And don't forget about outdoor furniture! An outdoor weatherproof chaise lounge, chair or sofa in a garden makes a great meditation or reading area and create an inviting area for soaking in the sunshine.

A Natura Homes house is purpose-built to support and sustain your outdoors lifestyle and we’ll take the time to discuss with you the type of space you require and what you hope to achieve with your outdoor and garden areas. We’ll make recommendations on key aspects such as the location of the home on the block, the orientation of the home to maximise light, shade and air flow and we can provide expert advice if you have a sloping block. Talk to us today.

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Natura project in Crace to be nominated to the HIA project

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Make a splash

It’s a rare kitchen that doesn’t include a splashback and for many years this element was almost considered an afterthought in terms of design. Tiles were a cheap and easy solution so that was what was used most of the time. However, luckily the market has changed and now homeowners can choose from a range of splashback solutions.

Coloured glass splashbacks are very popular and do much to enhance the overall design of the kitchen. Available in a wide range of colours and shades, they can be used to add a pop of colour or, in a softer shade, to blend in to the background.

Metallic glass – mimicking the reflective qualities of a mirror – has proven very popular and is often used to create the visual impression of more space. When paired with high-gloss cabinetry, it can make for an extremely striking finish that really makes an impression.

Printed glass is another option that we are seeing used more and more. With today’s printing technology, almost any image can be printed and used as a splashback, allowing for even more personalisation of the space. This has the added benefit of connecting the homeowners and visitors more emotionally with the space.

Stainless steel is also often used – particularly when in conjunction with a stainless steel benchtop. In a kitchen with a semi-industrial finish, stainless steel works because it adds to the feeling of being in a commercial environment.

Another popular option is stone – either natural or manufactured – or solid surface. Again, this tends to be used more where the same surface adorns the benchtops and it’s a great way of continuing the visual line along the horizontal plane and up the vertical surface. It tricks the eye into believing the kitchen extends much further than in reality.

Tiles are still used, of course, and for now the most popular pattern for tiles to be laid is the subway style. Tiles are available in a wide range of sizes, colours and styles and can be laid in a huge variety of patterns so they are a great way to add something special to a kitchen.

At Natura Homes, we know the kitchen is the main living space within your home so you want it to look fantastic, as well as be practical. Talk to our experts today about how we can create a kitchen, and a splashback, to suit your needs and the way you cook and entertain.

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Master bedroom style

Master bedrooms come in all shapes, styles and sizes and are the latest designer inclusion in any luxury home. More than simply a space to sleep, master bedrooms now include a host of extra inclusions such as walk-in (or walk-though) wardrobes, dressing rooms, ensuite bathrooms and so much more.

When it comes to planning your own master bedroom, think about your lifestyle and how you wish to enhance it. Allow yourself to dream about all the functions and spaces you’d like to include then talk to your home designer about bringing your vision to life.

Walk-in wardrobes are becoming more popular as we realise just how useful it can be to utilise the whole of the space for clothes storage and organisation. Increasingly popular is the idea of linking the wardrobe to the ensuite bathroom to create a linear process of getting ready in the morning. It’s amazing how much time you can save when your space is well organised and logical.

Custom-design shelving and accessories can really make the difference in how well your walk-in wardrobe functions. Your private dressing abode can be fitted out with shelving in different heights and sizes, as well as specialized storage for other items such as bulky jackets or a multitude of shoes. Installing a full-height mirror will add breathing space in your wardrobe.

For your ensuite design, consider the busiest times of the day and how you need to use the space to best suit your lifestyle. Then consider your relaxation options – do you need a large whirlpool bath to unwind after a busy weekend or is a double-shower more to your liking? It can make an amazing difference to your lifestyle for the parents of the house to have a separate space, away from the children or guests, to call their own.

But it doesn’t stop there: why not consider a reading nook for when you need peace and quiet? The possibilities are endless so talk to the expert design team at Natura today to find out how we can enhance your lifestyle with our master bedroom designs.

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Laundries - let's get organised

The laundry has traditionally been considered a purely functional work zone. However, a new focus on design and integration of spaces means this is no longer the case.

Thought and effort in planning your laundry will make the world of difference to the end result. Innovations in storage solutions and internal cabinetry organisation have improved work flows in this room and have helped to de-clutter the space. Integrating these concepts into a laundry renovation allows the room to become more functional, streamlined and systematic. The laundry now has the opportunity to become a clearer, fresher space within the home.

If your laundry and bathroom are in the same room, then building your washing machine and dryer in underneath the vanity bench is a good way to keep the space neat and organised. The vanity basin can even double as a laundry tub if needed. If this will be the case, look for a basin that is deep enough to hand-wash clothes, or to fill a mop bucket easily. You still want it to look stylish and there are plenty of options available.

 If you have room for a standalone laundry, look for ways to make it an inviting space. Allow for plenty of bench space and install shelving to utilise your wall space. A fold away ironing board is a great asset to your laundry. Install your washing and dryer under the benchtop to give the room a clean modern edge and make sure you have ample cupboard space to store products out of sight. Keeping the space clean and tidy will not only inspire you to be in the room but will also make the job of washing a whole lot easier and more enjoyable.

 A European laundry often sees the laundry elements concealed behind sliding or pocket doors within a kitchen space. This is often useful where every centimetre of the room needs to be maximized – or maybe you just don’t need a large laundry. Concealing the laundry within the kitchen is a great way to save space but also keep the functional parts of both rooms located in one place.

Remember your laundry needs to meet your needs. Whether it be multi-purpose, maximum bench space or storage solutions. Plan your laundry to reflect the design of the home, your lifestyle, how many people in your family, the type of washing you do and how often you need to do it.

Specialist designers know how to create laundry spaces that work, and are a joy to be within. Talk to Natura Homes today about how we can help design a laundry that’s as unique and individual as you are.

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Trend report - Alfresco living

Australia enjoys one of the most moderate climates in the world and we take full advantage of this by living, and entertaining, outdoors as often as possible. Home design has responded to this continuing trend with a greater focus on how to incorporate alfresco areas into our homes.

Traditionally, the outside of the house wasn’t given a great priority. Sometimes a deck might be included – maybe with a pergola to offer some shelter from the weather – but, more often than not, no consideration was given to the outdoors lifestyle of the occupants.

Today, this has all changed. Almost every new home in Australia now includes a purpose-built and specially-designed alfresco area. This is a response from builders, architects and designers who recognise that Australians are willing to invest in their lifestyles and create spaces that actively support the idea of outdoor living.

Your alfresco area can be attached to the house as an annex, with either a tiled or deck floor being the most popular option. Most alfresco areas include a roof structure so the space can be enjoyed even if the weather is inclement. This roof structure is often a pergola with either a flat or pitched roof design, or the space can be included under the main roof structure of the rest of the home, making it a more integrated room.

The trend towards this inclusive approach to alfresco spaces has also seen more focus given to the way the occupants move from inside to outside the home. Bi-fold or stacking glass doors that tuck away neatly are very popular as this blurs the boundaries between indoors and out and creates a large indoor/outdoor entertaining space.

Another popular inclusion is a servery which allows for food to be prepared in the indoor kitchen but then easily transported to the outdoor eating area. This servery can be an extension of the indoor kitchens’ benchtop or could be a large window that opens from the kitchen to the adjacent outdoor space.

If you love living and entertaining outdoors, talk to our team of experts at Natura Homes today. We design custom spaces to suit your family’s lifestyle and have the experience and passion for our craft to create a home perfect for your needs.