The Gable House: How to Maximise Space on a Small Block

Featured in June's edition of House and Garden magazine, The Gable House in Manly is a stunning example of Heliconia's talent for creating homes with soul. Step inside the wide hallway onto a beautiful parquetry floor, and you'll instantly sense a special quality – an intangible feeling of relaxation and serenity.

The mastermind behind this Manly home is Heliconia’s Director, Renee Hawkins. In this one-on-one interview, Renee shares her valuable insights on building on a small block to maximise space, and her secrets to creating a home that seamlessly
blends luxury and function.

Q: How was this build different to your previous new home building projects?

A: The size of the block and permitted floor space ratio (FSR) made it the most challenging project to date. Being a medium-density residential area and having precedent already in the street enabled us to sit our garage right on the front boundary, leaving valuable floor space in the home and an additional outdoor terrace on top of the garage. Careful planning, design (and re-design) enabled us to maximise every centimetre to produce a comfortable, coastal 4-bed, 3-bath, 2-outdoor living area family home.

The build also commenced during COVID, resulting in a complete nightmare for project execution Anyone who built or worked on a home or renovation during COVID would appreciate the challenges faced at every stage. Lockdowns, labour and product shortages, and the highest rainfall ever recorded in Sydney meant it took double the time it should have.

Q: What are your tips on maximising space on a small block?

A: Consider multifunctional living spaces by creating rooms that serve multiple purposes. Utilise vertical space by creating tall or cathedral ceilings wherever you can. For The Gable House, we included a cathedral ceiling in the main living room and second story which created a sense of spaciousness and light.

The two main living rooms extend to the outside decks, creating additional entertaining areas. This extends the indoor-outdoor feeling while simultaneously drawing the eye out to nature. Floor-to-ceiling linen cupboards and wardrobes, built-in cabinetry including the BBQ, bar and fireplace joinery, along with oversized internal doors, provide a huge amount of storage and reduce visual clutter. All of these design tips combined have created a home that feels far larger than its block size suggests!

Q: The stone featured on your kitchen bench, bar area and guest bathroom is very much a design feature. Tell us about this detail and your decision making process in relation to selections?

A: Since the palette for The Gable House was kept fairly neutral, I chose to add a wow factor with the surfaces. For the kitchen, island and bar splashback, I chose Talostone Arabescato Borghini. The stone has a white base and dramatic darker grey veining, which pairs perfectly with the simple white shaker cabinetry and timber island.

For the guest bathroom, I chose Talostone Super White. As the wall tile is a simple white subway tile, I wanted to add a feature to the half-height wall that runs the entire length of the room, as well as to the custom timber vanity.

 Q: What is the difference between Hamptons and Coastal, which is yours?

A: Coastal is a fairly broad term and draws upon inspiration from beachside living. The colours are generally neutral in tone, with shades of soft blues, greens and neutrals. Materials are inspired by the coast with timber, driftwood, seagrass and stone creating a relaxed atmosphere. Brushed nickel and coastal-inspired accents such as stripes, florals, brass and rattan reinforce the coastal theme.

Hamptons style is inspired by "The Hamptons" of Long Island, New York, although here in Australia, we tend to create our own version which we sometimes call ‘Australian’ Hamptons. There tends to be a lot of visual detail in a Hamptons-inspired home with extensive timber detailing in fretwork, windows and doors. Colour palettes are generally white with soft greys/beiges, navy and soft blue. Natural timber such as oak or walnut, rattan, linen, marble and natural stone add to the layers.

For The Gable House, I chose to design the house with a ‘Coastal Luxe’ mood. It’s an interpretation of a coastal palette that combines a relaxed beachside vibe with elements of luxe and elegance. The palette is kept neutral with white, timber, black and brass elements as the main base palette. Accents of green in some of the smaller rooms such as the study and guest bedroom create depth and a level of cosiness. Layers have been added through the texture of VJ lining, baton and board detailing in the hallway, heavily veined engineered marble-look stone, black, brass, rattan and feature lighting. Artwork and cushions further create the layers in warmer tones of stone, burnt orange and blues.

Q: What are your favourite design elements from the Gable House?

A: Probably a little surprising, but I love my garden and pool area. The garden, although small, is more than enough for us, and the Banana Palms and Heliconia we planted are absolutely thriving. It feels so lush and abundant, like our own mini tropical oasis! This also means garden maintenance is minimal, which perfectly suits our busy weekends. Having a choice of two living rooms, depending on my mood, is another favourite feature. Finally, the fan mosaic tile we chose for the guest bathroom floor is so pretty and decorative. Our guests always remark on how unique it is.

Q:  You have put a lot of thought into the different lighting sources in your home. Can you talk us through these, and the importance of creating different moods/layers in your home?

A: I often say that lighting and artwork are the most challenging aspects of a project. However, they are equally one of the most important, as they add the layers that take a design from lovely to life-enriching. Lighting can be used to create not only mood but also ambience, color, texture, and interest. It can also help to zone a space, whether for relaxation in a living room, dining room, or bedroom, or to create task lighting for a kitchen or home office.

In The Gable House, I've used ceiling lights, wall lights, pendants, and table lamps in materials that cohere with the overall palette. The feature lighting incorporates marble, brass, timber, linen, and rattan. Downlights are my least favorite, and I try to avoid using them excessively.

You can have fun with your lighting choices, provided you use the right scale. Where there isn't a lot of ceiling height, a close-mounted light works well, such as in an entrance hallway. The main dining area features a round dining table and a large, round petal pendant from Bisque Interiors. This is the main lighting feature in the kitchen and dining room, and it helps to draw the eye to the dining/bar zone, creating a cozy destination. I also used a smaller marble and brass pendant in the master bedroom to add a feeling of luxury. The wall lighting in the study is more structured and formal, while the wall lighting in the casual living room is relaxed with rattan shades and timber frames. I also have a gorgeous rattan pendant in one of the bathrooms, positioned off-center above the bath, that can be used on its own to create a relaxing bath moment!

Q: How does The Gable House enrich your daily life?

A: It is an absolute privilege to design your own home and it’s one I never take for granted.  As challenging as the process has been, I am incredibly grateful for the home we have created and love spending time relaxing and time entertaining with friends and family.  What brings me the most joy is when the house is full of kids enjoying the space we have created!

Q: Any other tips for others building in 2024?

A: New build and renovation costs on the Northern Beaches and North Shore are a hot topic right now! We're hard at work researching an article coming out later this month that will give you industry commentary on the subject, as well as examples of what you actually get for your budget.

Aside from that, for an enjoyable and stress-free process, engage a designer and builder early on. Be clear on your budget upfront! Don't start designing your home until you have a clear view of what you can achieve within your budget. An experienced designer and builder can assist with that process and help you avoid costly mistakes and surprises.