FEATURED PROJECT: Templestowe
A morning coffee and read of the paper surrounded by beautiful forms in texture and colour, both within the space and from the vast delightful exterior gardens, what a way to start the day!
The client brief was a request for lots of WOW and to simultaneously incorporate the scenery of the surrounding gardens. The kitchen and breakfast meals area was to be the most up to date in design features with no compromise on function and to ensure natural light flowed in throughout the day.
On entry to the space, visitors exclaim “Wow!” The eye moves from the black gloss cabinetry to the fine white benchtop, the warmth of the timber flooring and shelving and then rests on the extraordinary marble breakfast table with “leathered” finish. The varied textures capture the attention of all. When seated at the marble table, one cannot help constantly touching the textured stone top.
Fastidious attention to detail goes far beyond the “look”. Every cabinet interior is well considered with internal systems located precisely in the area related to the task specific of the food preparation process. No inaccessible or lost storage spaces or corners.
Especially selected furnishings and lighting add to the story. Delightful shapes are reflected into the space as one lights the handcrafted leaf pendant. All connect with nature, creating an interior that inspires, excites and mesmerises.
ABOUT US
Testimonials
Marin+Cara
Patricia came highly recommended to my wife and I form friends that has used her for their kitchen and bathroom renovations. I thought at the that that her service would just involve drawing up some plans than send us on our way into the daunting world of renovating. I couldn't have been more wrong!
Patricia was invaluable in achieving the results we wanted from our renovation even when we were not sure of what we wanted. She took the time to get to know us and to determine what we were aiming for.
Right from the beginning Patricia was there to guide us through each phase of the process, from choosing the right builder to meeting us at various suppliers to make sure we got the best possible result within our budget. She was always avaiable with advice when we needed, be it coming up with solutions to problems or drawing upon her weath of knowledge of new and innovationg products.
In the end, we could be happier with our kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation. Patricia's attention to detail is impeccible (and I am tough critic), everything flows beautifully and has been so well thought out that are no dead spaces. It all turned better that we could have imagined. Our renovations finished over 6 months ago and I still walk into the kitchen and go "wow".
My wife and I have no hesitation in recommending Patricia to any prospective client, no matter how big or small the project. Thank you Patricia!
James and Andrea
From beginning to end it was a fantastic process working with OUTSIDEINSIDE Building Elements and we are delighted with the results. This outcome is the result of a journey taken by the client and facilitated by the designer that occurred over a number of months, which developed a really special space that is both highly functional and beautiful.
Patricia is not only a highly skilled pragmatic designer but is extremely capable of guiding you through the design process in a collaborative way. Collaboration of this quality is a rare skill in any industry and it was a delightful process that produced a superb result.
Mark
Patricia is a designer with a creative modern temperament and always interested in the possibility of the avant-garde. She combines her expansive creativity with a careful finesse for physical design detail and a strong sympathy for the client's sensibilities.
As with all good designers, she is able to address the client's concepts and create new possibilities both functionally and aesthetically.
My warehouse conversion in Collingwood, featured design and materials sympathetic and complementary to the space. Glass, steel, concrete and mountain ash timber surfaces combined with fantastic European mosiacs, culminated in an award winning kitchen and bathroom.
It looks marvelous and it is a pleasure with live with.
I'm looking forward to the next project with her, hopefully soon!
Michael
This kitchen is a marvelous blend of form, function and fun!
The brief to the designer and builder was to bring spaciousness and light to a somehwat dark and confined space. This has been brilliantly realised, with the removal of a bulkhead and some dark benchtops, all replaced by expanses of white against a bright, colorful background.
The piece of artwork that is the 'splashback' gave the designer a perfect palette to extend a cheerful, upbeat color scheme through the kitchen and into the adjacent dining and living rooms - and even out into the balcony. The bright, hard surfaces are integrated perfectly with some beautiful timber finishes.
This kitchen is superbly functional with spaces well thought out and interconnected. The appliance area has been impressively designed and is very easy to use.
The kitchen is the engine room of a living area that now has a classy but unpretentious fell and is just fun to be in!
Chris+Ruth
We initially employed the service of Patricia La Torre (Outside Inside) to advise us on color for a large contemporary extension to our heritage Victoria home in Melbourne. Subsequently and due to her insights, we employed Trisha to redesign a poorly architecturally designed large kitchen. We found Trisha's advice and recommendations on color and light exceptional and her kitchen design appreciation made a significant diffrence to the outcome of our entire renovation.
Trischa was a delight to work with. She was professional; punctual; on top of the latest trends whilst being sympathetic to our need and house style; and delivered over and above the original spec. In fact she kept me sane through a difficult renovation period.
We could not recommend Trisha highly enough for her design expertise and color consultancy (and councelling!!!)
Steve+Wendy
Initally we chose Outside Inside as our Kitchen/Bathroom designer because we liked the calm and easy going style of Trish La Torre. Her knowledge of the latest and practical design elements available opened our eyes to so many new ideas that we could never have thought ourselves. Throughout the entire process Trish listened very closely to .01 we wanted and either delivered accordingly or came up with ideas that were far better. We love our kitchen, not only for the looks, but all the small things she included that we knew nothing about. Some minor examples include (although very important on a day to day basis), self closing drawers, double sliding cutlery holders, extra hidden floor level drawers for storage and positioning of the rubbish bins in the perfect place for food preparation.
Initially I was against using a consultant for this part of our renovations as I expected the cost to be prohibitive however I soon realised that not only were the costs very reasonable, she saved us so much time and worry, that it was more than worth the initial costs. In many cases she saved us money by knowing the best places to get value for money.
Trish gave advice on many other matters which were outside her brief, like .ere to go to choose a splashback, what sort of appliances to choose and why, and what interior wall colors to use throughout the entire house. Her choice of wall colors has been an outstanding feature of the house as expressed by many firends upon their first visit.
Overall we could not have been more pleased with the service, dedication and manner in which Trish has assisted us. She has a great sense of humour and such an easy-going style. Nothing seems too difficult for her, and she appears to really enjoy her work and make us feel proud of our decisions. It would be very hard to understand how anyone would not select her once they had sat down and listened to her ideas.
George
I would like to rave about the fabulous new kitchen Patricia has bought into my life....
From the initial planning and briefing sessions, I immediately felt like the kitchen was all mine. This involvement was carried through the complete design process, material selection, and through to the build. It felt like there was a 'kitchen goddess' overseeing the project... and now I get the reoccuring comment.... "This kitchen is so you..."
The kitchen is striking, looks incredible and its the first thing everyone comments on when they walk into the room. Apart from looking fantastic and meeting all my requirements, it is the most practical kitchen I have ever cooked in. I can honestly say that I have cooked more in the last six months than I did in the previous 8 years (old kitchen).
The design enables me to prepare, cook/monitor and clean up in the most efficient way possible. When cooking, all I need is directly around me, and cleaning up is quick and easy, especially the loading and unloading of the dishwasher which is seamless, almost poetic.
I would like to thank Patricia for changing my life and re-igniting my desire to cook and eat well.
Its the best investment I have made.
Isaac+Sarah
Patricia was engaged at a point when we realised that the eclectic design ideas we had for our kitchen was not going to be easily turned into something that we could convey to tradespeople. From the outset we were impressed with Patricia's professional aptitude: her willingness to really listen to .ere we wanted to go with the project, to synthesize and improve invaluably on those ideas and then to make those concepts manifest in a wonderfully individual design. The multitude of photos pulled out of magazines and a litany of 'verbal sketches' became a stylish design that perfectly matched what we wanted.
What we also appreciated about Patricia's service was her willingness to go beyond just the design, not least her regular liaison during installation and flexibility with changes that needed to happen during construction (when we ran into a structural issue she was there on site to see to the necessary re-design with a change not only adapting to the problem, but actually enhancing the finished product).
The end result is a kitchen we're very excited about
Martin
The use of space, and the functionality and design is really user-friendly....
... we couldn't be happier
Peter+Erica
We had been talking about renovating our tired, old bathroom for 5 years - but hod no idea where to start. Fears about purchasing the wrong bath size, choosing the wrong tile colors, working with the wrong builder, - not to mention spending a whole lot of money and hating the result - always prevented us for taking the next step.
While walking our dog, we happened to pass Patricia La Torre's design studio. Noting that she hod won awards for work in designing bathrooms, we decided to give her a call. It was the best thing we ever did!
Patricia listened to our ideas, needs and budget, assessed at our space (which was tricky, to say the least!), a. in no time at all (and for a very reasonable price) we hod 3 different designs to choose from. And it didn't end there. Patricia then held our hand through the process of selecting fittings, tiles and fixtures. She helped us to find a fantastic builder and then followed the job through from start to finish - with regular site visits throughout.
We now have an incredible new bathroom and we ore hugely grateful to Patricia for making it o reality - if only we'd met her 5 years earlier!
Vivien
Once again I wish to stress how much I've apprecited your ability to interpret and design the bathroom and kitchen that I imagined - actually much better than I imagined!! Your attention to detail has resulted in two beautiful and functional rooms that I love, and are admired by everyone who comes to the house.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Outside Inside Building Elements to anyone who wanted an understanding, quality service.
Patricia La Torre invites you to make contact…
We provide a complimentary one hour consultation at your home, at a time that suits you.
This is an opportunity to get to know one another and to talk about what we can do for you.
We look forward to hearing from you!
~Patricia La Torre
5/22-28 Best Street, North Fitzroy 3068
0408 304 988
03 9481 7002
platorre@outsideinside.com.au









