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Adjusting to the way we live

Madelin HayesThe West Australian
ABN Group Display and New Product Manager John Care.
Camera IconABN Group Display and New Product Manager John Care. Credit: Joel Barbitta/D-Max Photography.

As ABN Group Display and New Product Manager, John Care is well versed on how to combine colour, materials, textures and layout to optimise the full potential of a home.

“I always knew I wanted to get into architecture from a young age,” he told New homes. “I’ve always enjoyed art and design; especially drawing.”

Driven by his innate artistic ability, Mr Care said he had developed an ingrained passion for many areas of the building profession.

“Starting out as a draftsman, I learned a lot about technical skills that I still carry over today,” he said. “I enjoy unleashing creative ideas onto an otherwise popular home style.”

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Taking an original design concept and turning it into something new is all in a day’s work for Mr Care.

“There is good and functional design all over the place,” he said. “Whenever I’m travelling or going out to a restaurant, I’m always observant of what’s around, so I’m always looking for inspiration.”

Although he has seen trends come and go, Mr Care said the key to designing every home was to meet the ever-changing needs of his clients.

“Trends are forever changing,” he said. “We’ve got to consider different cultures, age groups, demographics and needs of clients.

“When you’re designing for different clients from a range of demographics, you can’t keep pushing that same trend. So the design outcome depends on who you’re designing for.”

In the 1950s wood panelling was all the rage along with pastel bathrooms, in the 1960s neons and bold colours made waves, in the 1970s shag carpets were the standout to every cosy living room and more recently the coastal Hamptons trend has been at the forefront.

It seems older trends are regaining traction, but not quite in the same shameless and flamboyant fashion.

“Bold colours, curves and arches are making an appearance,” Mr Care said. “We go through phases where the trends from many years ago come back again in their own modern way.

“More than following a trend, I look for how a design fits a purpose and can change through the lifecycle of those living within the home.”

With the trends of the early 2000s fading, Mr Care said the pandemic had changed how homeowners viewed their spaces, turning more towards multi-functional use.

“The pandemic has taught us how to accommodate space more,” he said. “For example, due to gyms closing, more people are opting for a home gym. It’s forced us to think a little bit different.”

“People are also starting to rethink how their homes can be more efficient if we were to transition to a permanent working-from-home schedule.

“We have had clients express how inconvenient working from the dining table is and having to pack up at the end of each day to make space for dinner. It’s not ideal compared to having your own office space.

“Functionality is really important as our circumstances change. Whether that is independence when we’re older, finances or family life.”

CONTACT ABN Group, 9200 4500, www.abngroup.com.au

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