Periscope House draws light into a young family’s home, adding thoughtful solutions and flexible spaces to 1950s Art Deco foundations. Our clients engaged us to undertake a considered extension to their character-rich home in Malvern East. They wanted to celebrate their home’s history while adapting it to the needs of their family, and future-proofing it for decades to come. The extension’s form meets with and continues the existing roofline, politely emerging at the rear of the house. The tones of the original white render and red brick are reflected in the extension, informing its white Colorbond exterior and selective pops of red throughout. Inside, the original home’s layout has been reimagined to better suit a growing family. Once closed-in formal dining and lounge rooms were converted into children’s bedrooms, supplementing the main bedroom and a versatile fourth room. Grouping these rooms together has created a subtle definition of zones: private spaces are nestled to the front, while the rear extension opens up to shared living areas. A tailored response to the site, the extension’s ground floor addresses the western back garden, and first floor (AKA the periscope) faces the northern sun. Sitting above the open plan living areas, the periscope is a mezzanine that nimbly sidesteps the harsh afternoon light synonymous with a western facing back yard. It features a solid wall to the west and a glass wall to the north, emulating the rotation of a periscope to draw gentle light into the extension. Beneath the mezzanine, the kitchen, dining, living and outdoor spaces effortlessly overlap. Also accessible via an informal back door for friends and family, this generous communal area provides our clients with the functionality, spatial cohesion and connection to the outdoors they were missing. Melding modern and heritage elements, Periscope House honours the history of our clients’ home while creating light-filled shared spaces – all through a periscopic lens that opens the home to the garden.

Modern Farmhouse

Old Hillsboro Building Company

Well, well....

Carl Mattison Design

This new family room with wood vaulted ceiling and wood look floating hearth pops with tiger print mod wallpaper in black and gold offsetting the black brick of the fireplace and sliding doors

Bold Farmhouse Condo

DK Homes

This stand-alone condominium takes a bold step with dark, modern farmhouse exterior features. Once again, the details of this stand alone condominium are where this custom design stands out; from custom trim to beautiful ceiling treatments and careful consideration for how the spaces interact. The exterior of the home is detailed with dark horizontal siding, vinyl board and batten, black windows, black asphalt shingles and accent metal roofing. Our design intent behind these stand-alone condominiums is to bring the maintenance free lifestyle with a space that feels like your own.

#mcleanrenovation - Cheerful Basement Rec Room

Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC

Bright and cheerful basement rec room with beige sectional, game table, built-in storage, and aqua and red accents. Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography

Family Room- Los Angeles, California

designstiles

Hampton House Renovation

Hart Builders Pty Ltd

Family Room Photo Credit: Martina Gemmola Styling: Bask Interiors and Bea + Co

Classic Farmhouse with a Flair

Silver Leaf Construction & Renovation

Modern Farmhouse

Noelle Interiors

Jason Cook

Carriage Hill

Lisa Michael Interiors

Jessica Glynn

Eclectic Colonial

HAVEN INTERIORS LTD.

Ryan Hainey

Custom Home - Cherry Stage

All About Home Design

Hilsabecks Residence Renovation

Dawn Bowman Design

[Gas Stones]

European Home

DIY Project: Try painting your old bricks white for a modern, clean look. Here a piece of crown molding is utilized to create a classic hearth and pairs well with the clean lines of the Gas Stones natural gas burner by Gavin Scott Design.

Contemporary Craftsman Great Room Fireplace

Lark Architecture

A detail of the great room fireplace shows the updated interpretation of traditional style. The fireplace mantle brackets, mantle, and trim are painted in an eggshell sheen white, subtly differentiating them from the warm pale gray walls. The elongated textured brick fireplace surround accentuates the play between old and new. [Photography by Jessica I. Miller]