Jack’s Point is Horizon Homes' new display home at the HomeQuest Village in Bella Vista in Sydney. Inspired by architectural designs seen on a trip to New Zealand, we wanted to create a contemporary home that would sit comfortably in the streetscapes of the established neighbourhoods we regularly build in. The gable roofline is bold and dramatic, but pairs well if built next to a traditional Australian home. Throughout the house, the design plays with contemporary and traditional finishes, creating a timeless family home that functions well for the modern family. On the ground floor, you’ll find a spacious dining, family lounge and kitchen (with butler’s pantry) leading onto a large, undercover alfresco and pool entertainment area. A real feature of the home is the magnificent staircase and screen, which defines a formal lounge area. There’s also a wine room, guest bedroom and, of course, a bathroom, laundry and mudroom. The display home has a further four family bedrooms upstairs – the primary has a luxurious walk-in robe, en suite bathroom and a private balcony. There’s also a private upper lounge – a perfect place to relax with a book. Like all of our custom designs, the display home was designed to maximise quality light, airflow and space for the block it was built on. We invite you to visit Jack’s Point and we hope it inspires some ideas for your own custom home.

Barkly Street

S&A Stairs

Where form meets class. This stunning contemporary stair features beautiful American Oak timbers contrasting with a striking steel balustrade with feature timber panelling underneath the flight. This elegant design takes up residence in Mazzei’s Royal Melbourne Hospital Lottery home.

Woollahra Terrace

Legend Design Studio

Nelson

The Real Estate Stylist (TRES)

Camera Street House

Collins Pennington Architects

Respecting the street’s heritage, the charming gabled façade was retained. But beneath, behind and above, the four-bedroom residence is confidently contemporary. Chiselled out of sandstone, the subterranean strata has a garage, cellar, rumpus and laundry. While the mid-level hosts the bay-windowed master suite and expansive living areas oriented north toward a Jamie Durie-designed rear courtyard.

Richmond Alterations & Additions

Sketch Building Design

Modern Renovation

Smith & Sons Hornsby / Turramurra

Project Canterbury III

Picchio Interiors

The Eucalyptus

WA Country Builders

Caringbah South Renovation

Coastal Hamptons Design Studio

East Melbourne - Apartment

Logie Interiors

A classic family home, Hampton's style

My Beautiful Abode

With a strict instruction to avoid a coastal theme, the brief for this home was to create a classic style that is easy for family living.

Links Road

Santamaria Design

Bronte Beach

Platinum Flooring Solutions

Hurfords solid American oak new installation.

U House

C. Kairouz Architects

Open plan dining space connected to kitchen & living room with wall of cabinetry that hides a mirrored bar and views outside.

PARC HOUSE

ATELIER ALWILL

Schweigen - Emerton Opulence

Schweigen Silent Rangehoods

No detail was spared on this 1970s double-story renovation. The home was completely gutted from floor to ceiling to make way for the clients' opulent vision, creating the perfect dwelling for their growing family. The pastel colour tone, offset with high-end dark cabinetry makes a bold statement within the kitchen. While the natural wood and marble finishes are beautifully crafted to compliment the clients' persona and taste. This project has been lovingly completed with impeccable craftsmanship to be enjoyed for many many years to come, such as the timeless design and build of this beautiful space. Schweigen is proud to have featured our flagship silent rangehood seamlessly integrated into the black overhead cabinetry. The black glassed (KLS-9GLASSBLKS) undermount rangehood is a perfect addition to this family kitchen. With the external german-made IsoDrive motor mounted on the roof, cooking can be enjoyed in quiet bliss.

North Shore

Platinum Flooring Solutions

Solid Tallowwood refurbishment and custom stain.

Brunswick House

Lisa Breeze Architect

Bonaventure

Lindon Homes Pty Ltd

White Dining Room Design Ideas

A dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!