The Journal
V È L O Dual Occupancy
Alfred Street, Woonona
SOPHISTICATED & UNDERSTATED IN TALOSTONE®
MINQ® ZERO ELBA WHITE & SERENE WHITE™
Project | D V L P M N T
Interior Design | Carla Broder | D V L P M N T
Joinery & Fixtures | Krauss Kitchens & ABI Interiors
Photography | Ryan Morgan & Adam Wallis | McNeice X Creative
TALOSTONE® MINQ® ZERO MINERAL SURFACE ELBA WHITE LEATHER HONED & SERENE WHITE™ POLISHED
In the heart of the South Coast’s leafy suburb of Woonona, the V È L O project by DVLPMNT quietly redefines what a high-end home can be. According to Carla Broder, the vision was “luxurious, yet lived in, stylish yet warm.”
From first glance, the home doesn’t announce itself as a flashy statement, instead it feels as though it has always belonged on Alfred Street. The material palette and spatial planning work together to create a sense of calm and comfort, melded with considered detail and premium finish.
Design Principles: Warmth & Flow
Two key words frame this home, warmth and flow. DVLPMNT set out to achieve a home that welcomes life in full — dogs, kids, friends and entertaining, without ever compromising on refined detail.
- Material duality: Polished concrete floors downstairs provide a modern, durable foundation, while upstairs the warm tones of engineered timber introduce softness and calm. These grounding materials are elevated by the use of Talostone’s Elba White from their MinQ Zero Mineral Surfaces collection, chosen for its natural marble-like beauty, durability and user-friendly, low-maintenance qualities. In the bathrooms, the warm hues in the Talostone MinQ Zero Serene White create a beautifully practical finish. The Mineral surface becomes a subtle thread of refinement throughout the home, tying together kitchen, bathrooms and living areas with quiet sophistication.
- Indoor-outdoor connection: The main living space opens fully into the rear entertaining zone, blurring boundaries. Skylights flood the interior with light and the built-in outdoor kitchen, pizza oven and Weber BBQ encourage relaxed gatherings.
- Effortless living: Every inclusion plays a role in making life easy — from a generous yet discreet butler’s pantry to a versatile downstairs bedroom/media room as well as zoned air-conditioning and security systems.
Spaces that Speak
The Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home — sleek, functional and designed to entertain. A hero of this space is the Talostone® MinQ® Zero Elba White in the soft leather honed finish, applied across benchtops and splashbacks. Its timeless aesthetic and resilient finish provide both visual luxury and peace of mind for everyday use. High-end appliances, integrated fridge, induction cooktop, pot filler and Zip Tap complete the picture of understated sophistication, while the adjoining butler’s pantry keeps preparation hidden yet accessible — the perfect balance of style and practicality.
Master Suite & Bathrooms
Upstairs, the master suite is curated as a retreat, with a walk-through robe and ensuite featuring floor-to-ceiling tiles and a double vanity finished in Talostone® MinQ® Zero Serene White™. A freestanding bath and refined fixtures elevate the sense of calm luxury.
Flexibility & Function
Downstairs features a flexible room that can serve as guest suite, media room or home office — demonstrating DVLPMNT’s holistic view of how homes are lived in today. Paired with a European laundry and downstairs bath, every space reflects thoughtful planning.
Location as Inspiration
34A Alfred Street is more than an address, its locale becomes part of the story. Close to bushwalks one minute and surf the next — the site offers the best of the coast. DVLPMNT responded to this context by designing a home that doesn’t feel foreign but rooted — coastal by nature, contemporary by design.
Why This Project Matters
In an age where luxury often feels polished and sterile, V È L O stands out by balancing refined aesthetics with lived-in comfort. It’s ambitious without being ostentatious, it’s tailored but forgiving. For DVLPMNT, this project embodies their ethos: “challenging convention, collaborating with the best … crafting spaces that seamlessly blend aesthetic impact with everyday functionality.”
The inclusion of Talostone®’s MinQ® Zero mineral surfaces further reinforces this philosophy — beautiful, sophisticated and effortless yet practical, sustainable and enduring.
V È L O is a testament to how thoughtful design can elevate everyday living without sacrificing warmth or authenticity. It draws from its coastal context, employs premium materials, and remains grounded in how people truly live. For anyone looking at what modern luxury residential design could and should be, this project is a standout reference.
