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Design Blog
November 21, 2023To Build a Home in 2024?
What is it really like building a house in the current economic environment? As we reflect on an interesting and also volatile few years in the industry we thought we would share some of our thoughts and advice to anyone who may be wanting to embark on the new home journey. You will be asking some questions, where do we start? Do we renovate or build new? What are the ‘standard’ inclusions? Does every builder offer the same inclusions? Read on to find out about the Weststyle process, inclusions and journey.
August 30, 2023The Kitchen Triangle
The concept of the kitchen triangle dates back to the 1930s and was based on one person working efficiently in a small separated kitchen space. It is a triangular workflow model effectively connecting the fridge, cooker and sink with spacing parameters and limited traffic through the triangle.
Is the ‘kitchen triangle’ still relevant in modern interior design?June 5, 2023Perfect Powder Rooms
A powder room allows design flair and functionality to coexist in harmony. Space dependant, a powder room can not only house a toilet and basin but also storage in the form of mirrored cabinets or a more spacious vanity unit, as well as a shower to double as a guest ensuite if required.
April 5, 2023Exciting Announcement for Weststyle
Tony Ricciardello of Weststyle has recently been appointed President of the Housing Industry Association WA region following two years in the position of Vice President and time previously spent as Chairman of the HIA Technical Committee.
February 14, 2023Importance of Site Orientation
Maintaining a comfortable internal temperature in your home is so important and the positioning of your home on its’ site can have quite an effect on this. Considering the orientation of your home in relation to the sun’s path, the type of light (and heat) that will enter the building and a particular time, can have a significant effect on your comfort and give you the ability to regulate your home’s internal temperatures. How you orientate your home will differ according to the local climate and amount and type of glazing you have.
December 1, 2022Open Plan Living
Open plan living connects the main kitchen, dining and living spaces resulting in shared zones which can encourage family conversations and connections. It has been a popular way of living to open up internal spaces, allowing rooms to feel bigger with more air flow and natural light to filter through. Open plan allows the occupant to adapt rooms to reflect lifestyle changes as families grow.
October 18, 20222022 HIA GreenSmart Sustainable Home of the Year
We are pleased and proud to share our very special award win, the 2022 HIA Perth GreenSmart Home of the Year for our Derby project, designed by Dave Delahunty of EHDO Architecture and built by Weststyle.
August 12, 2022Industry Update
Things are looking up for the residential building industry thanks to greater stability in costs for material and tradespeople. Weststyle’s team of designers, estimators, project managers and supervisors have their fingers on the pulse of Perth’s construction industry which means we are well-informed and can assist our clients to take the best advantage of the current situation.
June 1, 2022What to Ask Your Custom Home Builder?
It’s your first meeting with a custom home builder, what are some key questions you should ask? We would advise to be as prepared as you can be for your first meeting, be confident on what your total budget is and what your priorities are. Have a wish list, of items that you could live without but would like to include budget permitting.
April 11, 2022Renovating v Building New
While there are advantages and drawbacks to both renovating and building new, the choice ultimately comes down to individual circumstances and requirements.
February 9, 2022How to Choose a Design Theme For Your Home
Whether you want to blend your design with the suburb or stand out in your street, we at Weststyle can work with your requirements. Read more on our blog.
December 5, 2021High Ceiling in Home Designs
How high is high? Typically a standard ceiling height is 28 course (2400mm) and then a “high-ceiling” is 31 course (2657mm). For general living spaces and bedrooms, our minimum ceiling height at Weststyle is 2.6m (bathrooms/laundry’s/stores = 2.4m) and our ”high-ceiling” homes can be anywhere from 3m upwards. In a void area, this can be up to 6m.
October 5, 2021How Illuminating – LED Lighting
Over the past decade, the improved quality of LED lighting has allowed homeowners to illuminate their homes in innovative and functional ways. LED strip lighting has become increasingly popular in the residential building sector as you can provide both task and feature lighting in a subtle and refined way.
August 26, 2021Master Suites
Attracting more design attention than ever before, today’s master suites are increasingly becoming a feature in the new homes, proving they are no longer just a room for retiring at night to sleep. Typically a master suite will include a bedroom, ensuite/bathroom and wardrobe space.
June 20, 2021Sparking Interest – Fireplaces in the Homes
Through the years fireplaces have evolved and so has the importance of form vs function. Fireplaces were once used for heating spaces, that function was essential, they were clunky and prominent in the main living spaces of the home.
April 11, 2021Curves in Design
While flat walls, square bedrooms and straight-edged bathrooms are common features of our homes, a resurgence in more complex architecture is taking hold in custom home design.
February 22, 2021New Year, New Trends – a focus on Interior Design
2021 is well underway; our expert Interior Designer Courtney Doyle discusses trends and predictions for the coming year.
January 20, 2021The Evolution of Outdoor Living
While lot sizes have shrunk over time, and backyards with them, our love of outdoor connection has remained, inspiring architects and builders to be creative with their design.
December 24, 2020Allure of Concrete
Some observations and advice from our Lead Architect Mary Ong and Interior Designer Courtney Doyle on the use of concrete in home interior and exterior design, this is something more and more Perth residents creating homes are interested in.
October 21, 2020Maximising Mobility
Lead Architect, Mary Ong, discusses how key design elements can eliminate liveability issues across a multi-storey home. In focus, our HIA WA Liveable Home of the Year award winning home ‘Rob Roy’.
August 8, 2020Googie Architecture
A recent Weststyle City Beach design and build took influence from the design styling more commonly seen on highway diners in America of the gambling strip in Las Vegas.
June 24, 2020Retaining Warmth
Staying warm in winter, how do you make your house do the work? One of the main advantages and benefits of draught proofing a home is climate control, the ability to maintain a more constant temperature and therefore reducing the need for extensive heating/cooling, which then in turn reduces the associated costs of this.
April 6, 2020Solid Foundations
Western Australia consists of a range of different soil types, ranging from sands through to clays and rocks. Our Lead Architect, Mary Ong, talks about the importance of speaking to an expert when embarking on your home building journey.
February 6, 2020Environmentally Sustainable Interior Design
Our clients are becoming more and more conscious of the potential environmental impact their interior design may have. We have recently completed a project where the home is entirely reliant on natural ventilation, which is something that we are getting more questions about from clients with the growing costs of electricity and increasing negative impacts on the environment.
December 21, 2019Embracing Family Values
Underpinning the business’ success over the years has been the foundations carefully crafted and built upon by the Ricciardello family. Built from the ground up, as a family run business, each member of our team has been able to shape and transform Weststyle into what it is today.
October 12, 2019The powerful benefits of building a custom home
Your home should be your happy place. A peaceful, welcoming space that nurtures togetherness and fosters memory-making. That breathes and bends with the hum of your everyday life.
August 13, 20199 Key Principles of Energy Efficient Home Design
Using good design principles can save energy, water and money, while creating a more enjoyable and comfortable home. All new homes, home renovations, alterations and additions need to comply with the 6 Star requirement in the National Construction Code. Increase your rating just one star, however, and you will reduce your heating and cooling energy needs – and your energy bills.
June 17, 2019Five Key Qualities to Look for in a Home Builder
Building a new home is a significant investment, and your choice of custom home builders will dictate the quality and longevity of the results. Ensure that you make the most of your investment by being extra critical when deciding on a company to handle your project. WESTSTYLE recommends looking for these key qualities:
April 5, 20195A + 5B Cedus // DEVELOPMENTS SELL
Superbly crafted by multi-award winning architect & builder Weststyle, developments 5A and 5B Cedus Place Menora have both sold. Brand new and nestled in a coveted cul-de-sac with Coolbinia Reserve on the doorstep, the location and the sublime spaces internally and outdoors combine to deliver a truly spectacular lifestyle that will be enjoyed for a lifetime.
February 17, 2019Blurred Lines // The New Open Plan
The design of a home, from the external facade to the flow of the interiors, immeasurably shapes the lives of its inhabitants. This is particularly true of the family kitchen, a place where people come together and an area of the home that requires significant consideration as a result.
December 17, 2018Wembley Residence // Heart and Home
Warmth, meets luxury, meets an abundance of greenery and ample space for a young, growing family at our recently completed Wembley residence. This modern home located in an enviable locale is classic, yet studded modern with details that would make any interiors enthusiasts pulse quicken.
October 6, 201850 Years of Weststyle
Beyond innovative architecture, quality design and reliable build, family is at the heart of the Weststyle business and is central to our ongoing success. This year we are celebrating 50 years of Weststyle and we attribute much of our endurance to the family values our company is built upon.
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