Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four. Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder. The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight. At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones. The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight. The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

A rich grasscloth wallpaper paired with a sleek, Spanish tile perfectly compliments this beautiful, talavera sink.

Neutral master ensuite with earthy tones, natural materials and brass taps.

This renovated primary bathroom features a large, marble, floating vanity, a freestanding tub, and a terra-cotta tile shower. All are brought together with the herringbone, terra-cotta tile floor. The window above the tub lets in natural light and ventilation for a relaxing feel.

Updated, remodeled and restored historic Spanish Estate

A small but fully equipped bathroom with a warm, bluish green on the walls and ceiling. Geometric tile patterns are balanced out with plants and pale wood to keep a natural feel in the space.

Guest bathroom

A marble tile "carpet" is used to add a unique look to this stunning master bathroom. This custom designed and built home was constructed by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, MI. Photos by John Carlson.

Robin Stancliff