Stylish storage solutions

There was a range of things Jane Shuetrim needed to store and she wanted flexibility with the design so if their storage needs changed, they could use the built-ins to accommodate their new needs. 

"We had two stages of wardrobes made, for financial reasons - one was just standard storage with regular hanging spaces and shelves in the bedrooms. Then we got the wardrobe for the study built to fit a range of needs."

Being an active couple, they had eskies, wake boards, wet suits, diving gear, golf clubs and other sports gear to hide away. "But we wanted to be able to convert the wardrobe to regular hanging space if we needed," Jane adds.

To accomplish this, Murray Halstead from Creative by Design designed the wardrobe with shelves to store their shoes, a higher than normal full-drop hanging rack, and a top shelf for extra space. 

"When we create a wardrobe, we measure everything. So we measured their sports gear, we counted how many shoes they had, and made sure that the measurements we used were practical for their needs."

Murray also installed a hanging rack so that if the family choose to replace their sports gear with dresses and coats, they can do that as well. "The wardrobe certainly has more long hanging space than normal, but that is what they wanted, and it fits their sports gear in well."

Murray was careful to aesthetically integrate the built-in wardrobe to the rest of the house. "We used what I would call Deco-style doors, because there's a recessed panel in the door. It's really Federation style without the decrative beading and fussiness, and it looks good in a contemporary situation," Murray says.

The wardrobes and cupboards were all designed to minimise the footprint they took in the room and not be the focus of attention. "We make sure that all areas are easily accessible and that we don't create any unnecessary, awkward spaces. We also think about the placement of the handles so they don't catch on you as you walk past."

This was an important touch, given that Jane needed a cupboard built into the hallway. "We use it to store wrapping paper and photo albums - those things you never seem to have a specific place for. My husband also wanted to do glass shelves with lighting as a kind of a feature, and Creative by Design advised us on how best to achieve that look."

Downstairs, they built an entertainment unit and cupboard for extra storage options. "We use the cupboard for storing our wine, but it could easily be used for storing kids’ toys - we don't have kids yet, but you've got to keep the options open for the future."

Murray Halstead

Creative by Design

How did you design the hallway unit?

We wanted to build it into the alcove so that it came flush to the wall. They wanted to put in lighting to display their items, so we liaised with the lighting company about that. 

How did you modernise the Art Deco look?

Partly it's with the flush finish on the doors. We also used thick partitions and shelves to give a modern feel. 

What sort of paint do you use on your jobs?

We never use polyurethane - in Europe it's considered carcinogenic, so applying it is risky for the applicators. It's also inflexible, because people want to change their colour schemes every five years or so, and you can't paint over polyurethane but you can with the product that we use.

How did you come to use the style of door for the built-ins?

We walk through the house with our clients to decide what style will best suit the decor. We manufacture the doors ourselves, and in fact are one of the only companies in Sydney that reinforces the doors with steel. This style was great for this house because it fitted in with the overall look.

Why don't you want to draw attention to the cupboards?

It's always important to think about how everything blends and creates a sense of balance on a subliminal level. Some people want to make built-ins the focus of attention when they're spending the money to get them built, but strong colours and heavy lines can make the space seem smaller.

Jane Shuetrim

What was the main purpose for your original wardrobes?

Well they were just the standard hanging space. I've got a lot of suits and dresses for work, and there's plenty of room for all my things.

What do you like about the new wardrobe in the study?

Well the shoe storage is excellent. The drawers slide out really easily, which makes it a much more convenient way to access my shoes. I also like the fact that we can store our sports gear in there, but we could use it for other things if we needed to later.

Why did you need the shelves and cupboards in the hall?

There were shelves already there, but we wanted something with a classier look. Now there's space for an artwork, and the shelves are a bit of a showpiece for these African carvings and our photos. The cupboard is great because we've got a study but this is extra stuff you never have room for.

What have you used the entertainment unit for?

Well we don't have them as yet, but the idea was to have a TV and DVD, maybe a stereo down in the rumpus room. It'll happen; just not yet.

Are you happy with the end product?

Definitely. They're excellent quality and we're really happy with the results.