Increasingly becoming one of Australia’s more popular home design styles, modern designed everyday homes make up almost half (48%) of new build detached properties is a trend set to continue with the modern look forecast to be 61% of all homes by 2030[1]. However, modern design is open to many interpretations and selecting the most appropriate building material to bring the modern design style to life is imperative for homeowners to achieve their vision. James Hardie has just launched its latest Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding Look Book featuring leading Australian designers and stylists revealing their interpretation of Modern and how to get the look using the award winning Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding.

Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding is a game changing cladding solution that allows homeowners to create an on trend, modern home façade finish, without all the issues which can be associated with rendered walls, and was awarded a prestigious Good Design Award this year in recognition of outstanding design and innovation in the Product Design: Hardware and Building category.

Generally speaking, the modern trend features clean lines, confident shapes and minimal ornamentation. There is a focus on form and function, but a number of different design trends such as coastal and Scandi have added to the style, each based on their own influences and principles.

Here leading designers and stylists reveal their top design tips on how to achieve a modern home design:

Box Modern by Kate Lawrence Interiors

Known for her soulful Box Modern designs, interior designer Kate Lawrence chooses Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding to create homes with heart. Working with interesting, textured finishes in a gorgeous natural palette is a hallmark of her designs and Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding, an Australian-made pre-textured fibre cement cladding, fulfills Kate’s appreciation of simplicity alongside consistent textured finishes. “With the right selection of exterior materials, Box Modern design is an incredibly architectural form yet affordable building solution,” said Kate.

Mid Century Modern by Dot and Pop

A passion for design and renovation led stylist and designer Eve Gunson to develop interiors blog Dot + Pop through which she shares her love of contemporary Australian design. “I design my homes to have a pared-back aesthetic that highlights the materials,” said Eve. “Crisp materials such as glass, bringing warmth through timber panelling, and by adding sand-like texture to the exterior through the use of a modern building material such as Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding helps deliver the clean exterior lines popular in modern home designs.”

Exterior treatments for façades are the hero of the home according to Eve, who uses cladding, timber, battens, stone and cascading greenery in her designs. “When designing your home, position the house in the best location for the sun, maximising natural light. Increase glazing on the north facing aspect and position your living areas here. Houses designed to take advantage of the northern sunlight makes their indoor spaces feel lighter, brighter and more spacious. For the facade think about large openable windows and if your house is north facing, put some serious thought into your eaves to help with summer and winter sun,” says Eve.

Mixed Materials by Adam Robinson Designs

Thriving on finding innovative, aesthetic design solutions for outdoor spaces with a rich material mix, landscape designer Adam Robinson’s ultimate goal is to create outdoor spaces where people can live, entertain and connect. “I enjoy mixing textures in a materials palette; the rough, raw, and earthy with the smooth, and creating that real visual texture and weight,” said Adam.  

According to Adam, a seamless palette creates flow between landscaping and the exterior of a home. In his projects, there’s always a mix of exterior materials alongside plant choices and hardscaping that accentuate the beauty of the built form. A striking modern material such as Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding, that allows homeowners to obtain a highly desired fine textured render look, while reducing the cost and maintenance requirements of traditional rendered solutions, can be seen next to stone and timber. “To find a balance, choose just two or three complementary colours and textures for visual interest,” says Adam.

Scandi Barn by Norsu Interiors

Nat Wheeler, one half of the talented duo behind Scandi-inspired homewares shop Norsu Interiors has witnessed a massive rise in the popularity of barn-inspired homes. “Think high-pitched gables, blonde timbers, and a light and bright palette,” said Nat.

“I love the simplicity and minimal facade design of Scandi Barn-style homes,” says Nat who chooses cladding by James Hardie for façades as it is long-lasting and extremely durable. “Low-fuss, Scandi Barn-style homes are a much-needed visual reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple beauty that life brings. This design is sympathetic to the environment around it, no matter whether it’s found in the city, sea or in rural settings.” Pulling together her flatlay, Nat looked to materials that were simplistic in their individual design such as Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding. “Collectively, they create an inspired mood, where organic finishes meet sleek modern design in a harmonious way,” explained Nat.

Modern Coastal By Oak And Orange

Together with their builder husbands, Heather Gampe and Sarah Jobse have designed 17 homes, while their design studio Oak & Orange shares their experience and insight to help others design beautiful homes. Heather and Sarah flex their design approach with each new home but the use of quality, long-lasting materials is a constant.

“The local environment and surrounds always play a part in the design of a facade,” said Heather, who is inspired by the colours and textures of Australia’s coastline. “We love the look of render, so when we build we choose Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding.” Heather also notes that choosing the colour of large surfaces sets the tone for the overall look of the façade. “Choosing roof colours first will make selecting paint colours for your other materials so much easier.” Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding is pre-textured and pre-primed making applying a complementary, low-sheen exterior paint quick and easy.”

For more Modern Design ideas, visit the James Hardie website and download the Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding Look Book.