Designing outdoor spaces for maximum liveability and lovability

Designing outdoor spaces for maximum liveability and lovability

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 7

With the weather warming up, the urge to spend more time outside is mounting. And some new accessories or items of furniture will allow you to make the absolute most of your outdoor area. So why not take the time to get your balcony space in ship shape and rejuvenated with a few of the great ideas listed below.



If you have an outdoor dining table or even a café table for two, brighten up for a beautiful summer with new seats pads (test them out for comfortability). Or looking for a super comfortable new outdoor seating arrangement, consider one in corner format to allow you to maximise on space and include your outdoor dining table as well. Wood is usually most space effective, but if you have a bit more room you may opt for wicker. Whatever you choose, add some super cosy cushions to the mix.


 

Summer’s colour scheme ideas to work with are pale pink offset against teal, cobalt blue and grass green (forget blue and green not working – they team together to brilliant effect), brass gold and charcoal, white with magenta and turquoise or moss/forest green and tan. Really though, colour is always uplifting and your favourite schemes will be perfect simply because you love them and they make you feel good. 

For the ultimate in relaxation, if space allows, consider putting up an outdoor hammock/swing seat. The rocking motion of hammocks and swing seats is guaranteed to lull you into a state of supreme serenity. Placed in a balcony corner or along its edge, this will provide you with a mini retreat space ideal for reading, a warm weather nap or contemplating life, love and the universe. Highly recommended! And if hanging seating isn’t your thing, a daybed is an awesome multi-purpose piece of furniture that will give you another place in which to retreat.

Love a good barbie? No matter the size of your outdoor area, there is a BBQ that is right for you. Choose from a large selection of gas, electric or charcoal barbies and always be sure to think safety first. If your BBQ has shelves or magnetic tool holder, all the better! Do check with your body corporate to ensure BBQs are allowable before you run out and buy one though.



Lighting is also a critical yet often overlooked element to your outdoor space. Just as you use them to set the mood indoors, don’t neglect to have some beautifully scented candles for use outdoors. The best ones for this purpose are ones that are semi enclosed, so wind won’t extinguish their beautiful ambient light.

 

Need somewhere to put outdoor bits and pieces? Look for treated wooden shelves in which to house candles, BBQ tools and pot plants. You can even set up one of the shelves as a mini bar equipped with outdoor glasses, your choice of alcohol and mixers. Also don’t discount metal shelves as there are some really beautiful designs available that bear up well to whatever the weather throws at you.

Want year-round balcony enjoyment? You may be able to apply to your body corporate to glass the space in with sliding windows to allow an open vibe if weather permits. This way you create a wintergarden multi-seasonal space. If you are not permitted by your body corporate, you can consider mounting a small outdoor heater and you will be amazed at how much it will warm the space. There is a wide variety on the market, including gas or electric models, so you can find the perfect one for your space.

And finally, plants add the natural beauty, tranquillity and oxygen that will complete your balcony to perfection. Remember to choose your plants based on the amount of sun that lands on your balcony and the time it shines directly upon your space. Choose herbs and berries to get the added benefit of being able to use them for your cooking. Our favs are Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Coriander, Thyme, Raspberry, Blueberry and Strawberry. Best sun loving plants that thrive in pots and planters and pack a powerful colour punch are Agapanthus, Bougainvillea, Lavender, and Petunias. Geraniums prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Always check with your local nursery as to how they will grow in your particular space. 

If all these ideas have got you dreaming of an apartment with a great balcony, see our divine selection below. These outstanding properties feature generous outdoor spaces and being off-the plan, will give you some extra time to save for your dream home:

Read more about this property here

Food fest - The Sydney suburbs that are a foodie's paradise

Food fest - The Sydney suburbs that are a foodie's paradise

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 6

There are several Sydney suburbs that are any food lover’s dream, where even the most finicky foodie will be able to eat to their heart’s content. Replete with artisan shops and grocers galore, Marrickville and Surry Hills get our vote as joint winners of Sydney’s Foodie Capital. This week we will start by taking to the streets of Surry Hills in search of gourmet fare. 

Long known as the one of Sydney’s hippest suburbs, here the foodie revolution steams ahead in full force. With a plethora of artisan providores, the quality and array of foodstuff on offer is outstanding. Cramer are big on supporting small business, and never has it been so important to shop small as now, as we are on our way out of lockdown. 

For the best in cheese, try Formaggi Ocello. One of the widest ranging cheese selections in Australia, there is something here for everyone. They also have an outstanding range of cured meats, handmade pasta, olive oil, nuts, condiments, biscuits and wine.

For ready-made pasta extraordinaire, visit Pasta Emilia where you can pick up organic pasta and sumptuous sauce. We recommend the truffle cream sauce with either the beetroot and chevre or pumpkin and ricotta house-made tortellini, but as there are ten varieties to choose from, you’ll find the one for you. Then for the perfect bottle of wine to complement your meal, Osteria Emilia offers an outstanding selection of Italian and Australian wines. And before you leave, be sure to pick up a jar of the Peperoncino Chilli Conserve and tub of Beef Ragú. 

The Soul Deli is a greatly morish café/deli. This little Korean powerhouse offers a range of products, both fresh and packaged, and gorgeous homewares make by Korean community members. With a vast collection of pickles, sauces, kimchi and home BBQ packs, you will not be able to leave this cool little deli empty handed. 

If you are in a rush and want a one stop shop to get all your delicacies, try Crown Street Grocer, where the selection is mind bogglingly good. Surry Hills has a number of really cool little grocers. The family-owned Maloney’s Grocer, New Indian House Surry Hills or Lucky Bamboo Asian Grocery are all stocked with excellent, exotic and exciting produce that will add spice, variety and excitement to your home menu plan. 

And don’t miss the Surry Hills Markets that take place on the first Saturday of every month. The 60+ stalls offer a fantastic array of artisan foodstuff, and you can even get in early and start Christmas shopping once they reopen. An important part of the community since 1981, shopping at this market not only provides you with fantastic produce and specialties, it allows you to support the makers directly.

Then if all else fails to please, we can’t go past the original Bourke Street Bakery without being drawn in by the wholesome, ‘Mama loves you’ smell of the baked goods that beckon. The Red Wine and Mushroom Beef Pie; Bacon, Gruyère and Leek Quiche; humble Green Olive and Rosemary Flatbread; and Ginger Brûlée and Chocolate Ganache Tarts are all mouth-wateringly good.

With covid turning even the least food obsessed of us into would-be gourmet chefs, having the best grocery stores and providores on call is now more important than ever. So, to live in the midst of the foodie action, check out our incredible village development, Surry Hills Village.

Mood boosting must-haves for your home

Apartment Living Chronicles Part 5

There has never been a better time than the present to look for ways to boost our mood. Even the most stoic among us have lockdown fatigue, and the rest of us are going positively stir crazy. Creating a peaceful yet uplifting atmosphere in your home is the perfect foil for lockdown blues.

Smell is one of our most powerful sense, though few of us give it much thought unless we discover an unwanted parcel left by the dog or that tuna casserole from three nights ago is well past its use by date. However, we can use our sense of smell to help calm our mind or invigorate it – whatever the mind’s need at any time, aromatherapy can work wonders. 

If you don’t already have one, invest in an oil burner and a few essential oils, or spoil yourself with a scented soy wax candle. Most of us have experienced the calming effect of lavender and rose, but there are so many other peace-inducing oils out there that we can let our nose take its pick, no pun intended! Rosewood, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Camomile, Frankincense and Jasmine all have long been used to calm a busy anxious mind, and there are combination oils on offer that will have a number of these ingredients. All these oils are great to burn in the evening when we are trying to wind down, or if we are feeling particularly uptight during the day.

If you are in the mood for a joyful and uplifting aroma, you can’t go past the citrus family of oils, especially Orange, Lemon, Tangerine and Grapefruit. Peppermint, Myrrh, Basil, Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Sandalwood are also very uplifting. Most of these also assist with mental alertness and clarity. Bergamot is very good in the morning if we wake up a bit sluggish from too much Netflix. It helps fight tiredness and can provide us with an energising boost. 

Affirmations are hugely powerful, so now is a good time to look to the internet and find one or more affirmations that really resonate. Then either print them up or write them down and post them somewhere in your home where you will see them regularly. Say them to yourself whenever you are feeling overwhelmed or down, no matter how mechanical it may feel at first, because they really work.

Make a ‘sacred spot’ in your home where you can retreat and either just zone out to some beautiful music or use one of the myriad of tools we have at our disposal for calming the mind. If you’ve never tried meditation, now is the perfect time to start, and if you used to do it sometime, get back into it. There are many apps that offer guided meditations so shop around until you find what best works for you. Everyone needs mental time out to boost the mood, and there is no better way on earth to do this than meditation.

If you haven’t already, set up a spot in your house where you can exercise. Ideally it would be a different place to your ‘sacred spot’ as your subliminal brain is a powerful thing and quickly associates a particular spot with an activity you repeat there and recalibrates your mood accordingly. So, find a designated area that you return to each time you want to exercise. Think about putting a small chest there to house your weights, resistance bands, skipping rope, pilates ball, yoga mat or anything else you may need to get your blood, dopamine and endorphins pumping.

Also hugely important, if you have a balcony or an outdoor area, embrace any direct sunlight on as much skin as you dare. The Vitamin D in sunlight is a hugely effective mood booster and has the added benefit of boosting the immune system. And if you live near a park or green zone, make sure you take daily walks to get some sun, exercise and the positive mood boost of being out and about. 

Happily, there are some must-have mood-boosting items in the food department as well. Wonder why you crave chocolate, it improves emotional health if you have the dark variety and eat it in some moderation. Dark chocolate is rich in folates, as are green leafy vegetables, blueberries and camomile or lavender tea. Also look for magnesium rich foods – again our hero dark chocolate, avocado, nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. So do your mood a favour and make a salad of spinach, avocado, seeds and nuts to have with your lunch, then round it off with a nice chuck of dark chocolate and a healthy handful of blueberries. Your mind will thank you for it. 

But most of all – hang in there. Make your home as beautiful and mood-boosting as you can, because your surrounds really affect how you feel. And remember, this will end and life will move on from this covid craziness. Meanwhile, keep on keeping on in the best way you know how.

 

The Revitalisation of the City of Sydney: Part 3

The Ultimate Harbour City Staycation 

With covid confining us to our own shores, more and more of us are discovering the wealth of attractions in our own backyard. And few backyards are more accessible than the Sydney CBD. Fast becoming a recreation destination, there is much to discover in our largest city center. With the decentralization of the workplace that has been brought about by the pandemic, Sydney’s heart is transforming as so many 9 to 5 CBD workers relocate their workplace and resign their suit in favour of the home office, at least for part of the working week. 

This shift in purpose from a Central Business District means that the City of Sydney is opening up as a recreation destination and, increasingly, as a fantastic place to reside. If you have never considered the City of Sydney in your google property search, then planning a staycation in this vibrant and highly cultured center may just sway you in its favour. Some of the country’s best and most lavish hotels are located in our city’s heart. There is also a myriad of 5-star properties to suit any budget – Choose from QT Sydney, The Darling, Shangri-La, Sofitel and the InterContinental - or really splash out at Crown Towers Sydney or Park Hyatt. Then take your pick from the finest dining restaurants our city offers – for some ideas see Part 2 of this series. 

To make the most of your weekend away in our state’s capital, be sure to enjoy some of Sydney’s multitude of cultural pursuits during your stay. Sydney’s world-renowned theatres and dance companies are opening their doors with renewed energy. Check out the latest shows at the Opera House , Sydney Dance Company or Bangarra  and book a fun night out with a play at Roslyn Packer, Sydney Lyric, or Sydney Theatre. And with Vivid coming up from the 6th to the 28th of August, there’s never been a better time to book your weekend away.

And a weekend away is just the start. Living in the CBD ensures there will never be a dull moment. Like all the world’s great cities, the energy and vibrancy of the CBD will be fully reactivated once international travel starts up again and happy tourists return to our shores. The Sydney CBD is generally Australia’s first tourist stop for a reason. Not only is it beautiful, but the ever-expanding abundance of cultural and recreational diversions are virtually unparalleled in the Southern Hemisphere. So don’t delay, book a long weekend away and try before you buy. And why not book an inspection at one of these extraordinary apartments while you’re at it!

Learn more about available CBD properties here. 

The Revitalisation of the City of Sydney: Part 2

Australia’s new mecca for wining and dining

Over the years, our harbour city has been the home of some of the country’s most high-end restaurants and bars. Culinary institutions Tetsuya, Bennelong, Bentley, Machiavelli, Rockpool, Quay and Aria remain some of the finest hatted restaurants in the world. But hot on the tails of these renowned eateries are a bevy of fantastic new restaurants created to cater for the swing back to our city center as the place to wine and dine.

Woodcut, from the duo behind The Bridge Room, is a dazzling new restaurant with a revolutionary drawcard. It consists of four separate kitchens that each harness a different element – steam, fire, smoke and ice. Try everything from the finest caviar to raw kingfish to 270-day aged Black Market T-bone – you won’t be disappointed!

A' Mare impresses, offering the theatre of a Michelin-starred meal with divine harbour views across to Balmain. Your pesto is pounded tableside, a gelato cart and sommelier roam the room.  With lavish décor inspired by Italy’s finest palazzos, this is Sydney’s answer to a glamourous Italian food experience.

Situated in Australia’s first bank, Seta is an ambitious, opulent, hatted Italian restaurant featuring Venetian-style bite sized snacks, 30 varieties of raw fish and a 3m high wine fridge. Choose from the main dining room, crudo bar or chef’s table, and with an executive chef who ran a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, Seta has to be at the top of your restaurant hitlist.

Other extraordinary newcomers to the Sydney city dining scene include Nobu (the much-anticipated Sydney partner for this Japanese institution), the stunning reinvention of Alpha (beloved Greek cuisine), Monopole (with its extraordinary wine list), Restaurant Leo (where everything is made in-house), Esteban (with recipes inspired from Mayan, Aztec, Spanish, Portuguese and Afro-Caribbean cuisines), Merrivale’s reopened Uccello and Nobu & Yoshii’s Omakase. 

And if you are after an aperitif to kick off the night, or a fine drop to round it off, check out The Baxter Inn for a whisky revolution, PS40 (embracing cocktail experimentation with a vengeance), Old Mate’s Place (its rooftop location soars amid the CBD skyline), the intimate Bulletin Place, 1970s inspired Double Deuce Lounge and Sammy Junior with its espresso and cocktail bars.

In addition to these exciting new venues, outdoor dining is being trialed in the City of Sydney, in an effort to create an al fresco dining environment similar to that which exists in Europe. This will result in an increase in green space and public space, and a decrease in office density creating a far more attractive residential environment than in the past. In light of these burgeoning attractions and the de-commercialisation of the City of Sydney, livability is soaring exponentially. So, why not explore the idea of living in Australia’s most cosmopolitan heart, in one of its most glamourous apartments.

Learn more about available CBD properties here. 

Live the high life: Discover Sydney's most desirable apartments

Seeking to live a more cosmopolitan life in the cultural hub of one of the world's favourite city centres? Then don't miss out on this final opportunity to secure one of Sydney’s most luxurious and desirable apartments, in some of the city's most sought after buildings.

With our harbour city fast transforming from a Central Business District into more of a mecca for residences and recreation, due to the impact covid has had on where we work, Sydney City is becoming far more exciting and extremely liveable. Not only is there a vibrant world-class luxury shopping, café, restaurant and bar scene, most of Sydney’s cultural icons are located within easy walking distance of these glamorous apartments. 

The attractions of our prized city are as many and varied as there are days in a year, so you will never be short of ideas to stimulate, educate, socialize, shop and dine. Added to this, the recent announcement of the state government’s commitment to spend an additional $20million, to the already $200million CBD Revitalisation Strategy, there has never been a better time to buy.

If you're ready to live the cosmopolitan life and make the move into one of our harbour city's finest apartments, then don't hesitate to contact Emma and the Cramer team to find out more, you can also view all current listings on the Cramer Property website.

To learn more about these incredible city apartments contact:
Emma Chappell; emma@cramerproperty.com | 0404 769 509
Christian Lush; cl@cramerproperty.com | 0435 725 221

The Revitalisation of the City of Sydney: Part 1

How our harbour city is being redefined

The City of Sydney has long been viewed as a place where people work, first and foremost. The Central Business District has been just that - the chief place where the city conducts its business. But with covid turning the world on its head, the workplace is fast becoming decentralized, with so many opting to work from home, at least for part of the week. So where does this leave our CBD in terms of its purpose? The answer is, somewhere better, more exciting and far more livable. Sydney is fast transforming into a mecca for recreation, leaving its tired work suit far behind. 

With international tourism on hold, Sydneysiders themselves are coming in increasing numbers to meet up, have fun, celebrate and rediscover their harbour city. Not only is there a vibrant luxury shopping, café, restaurant, bar and club scene, but many of Sydney’s most cultural icons are located within easy walking distance of each other. 

The attractions of the City of Sydney are as many and varied as there are days in a year, so you will never be short of ideas to stimulate, educate, socialize, shop and dine. As we emerge from the radical changes brought about by the pandemic, we are all looking forward to getting out more, and with things certainly opening up, nowhere is this more evident than in the CBD. Sydney City’s cultural institutions - its iconic Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Lyric, Capitol, State, Metro and Roslyn Packer Theatres, Australian Museum and so many more - are opening their doors with great optimism towards a post-covid and lock-down law reality. 

This shift of focus is creating exciting new infrastructure, with the state government announcing $20million in additional funds for the $200million CBD Revitalisation Strategy. With the decentralization of traffic that has resulted from rerouting around and below the Sydney CBD, congestion is fast becoming a thing of the past. There are plans to redesign Circular Quay by removing the Cahill Expressway and relocating the rail line, thereby reconnecting our harbour city to its harbour.  There are also plans to create a Town Hall Square, a, east-west pedestrian boulevard that would reunite Hyde Park with the heart of the city. 

And Sydneysiders are not just coming to have fun, increasing numbers of us are choosing to live here. As is the case of many of the world’s greatest cities, the focus of our city center is shifting towards a more recreational and cultural direction, making it a highly attractive option for those seeking to live a more cosmopolitan, cultured life. And with some of the country’s most luxurious and desirable apartments located here, the pull of our harbour city is attracting new residents in rapidly increasing numbers.

Visit the Cramer website to see all of our current luxury CBD properties.