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.

Manor Drive

Restor Homes

Basement great room renovation

Cosy Living Room with Avenue and Front Yard View

Traditional French Living Room- Clifton, VA

Lauren Maroney for Ethan Allen Sterling, VA

The beautiful molding detail in this spacious Formal Living Room called for elegant yet simple furnishings. With European roots and a love to travel, my client wanted this reflected in the room's design. French inspired carved framed chairs with a modern duel fabric application balances out the traditional camel-back sofa with brass nailhead trim detail. Behind, a silver leaf tea table flanked by oversized wing chairs in a gold damask pattern gives this client the perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea with friends. Other antique details like artwork inspired by French hotel signage, old envelopes with crest applique in dark wood frames, and collected brass candlesticks complete the look with a vintage yet elegant feel.

Beacon Cape

Costello Fine Homes

Late Victorian Remodel

Centoni Restoration & Development, Inc.

The floor plan of this beautiful Victorian flat remained largely unchanged since 1890 – making modern living a challenge. With support from our engineering team, the floor plan of the main living space was opened to not only connect the kitchen and the living room but also add a dedicated dining area.

Family Home Renovation

Lacey Construction Ltd.

Photos by Brice Ferre

Bailey House

Shane Marsh Architects

Living Room

Diane Burgoyne Interiors

Modern Classic

The Highpoint House

All this classic home needed was some new life and love poured into it. The client's had a very modern style and were drawn to Restoration Hardware inspirations. The palette we stuck to in this space incorporated easy neutrals, mixtures of brass, and black accents. We freshened up the original hardwood flooring throughout with a natural matte stain, added wainscoting to enhance the integrity of the home, and brightened the space with white paint making the rooms feel more expansive than reality.

Mid-Century Split Level in Des Moines, IA

Emily Pertzborn Interiors

Manor Drive

Restor Homes

Basement great room renovation

Mid-Century Split Level in Des Moines, IA

Emily Pertzborn Interiors

Beacon Cape

Costello Fine Homes

Custom Transitional Living Room in Waukegan

Fraerman Associates Architecture

Bruce Van Inwegen

Traditional French Living Room- Clifton, VA

Lauren Maroney for Ethan Allen Sterling, VA

Highland House

Coates Design Architecture + Interiors

Highland House living room

Millbrook NY Verbank Road

EBA - Eric Baker Architects

Living Design Ideas with a Brick Fireplace Surround and Decorative Wall Panelling

The best room for gathering with your family and friends in a cosy environment is your living room or family room. You want to hang out where the lounge furniture is the most comfortable and sofas or chairs create a sense of homeliness. Filling this important space with cheap furniture is unlikely to bring you the same long-lasting comfort as a quality chaise lounge or a couch. These choices will directly affect the quality of your evenings as you wind down from the daily grind. While planning a renovation or redesign, weigh up the priorities of seating, heating, an entertainment unit and bookcases. Identify your main activity in the room and and design around that. Many living rooms aren't complete without a fireplace, but if you can't accommodate that, invest in built-in or furniture that suits your home. Common trends include Danish furniture and other kinds of Scandinavian furniture. Plush sofas, recliner chairs and sofa beds will always be popular. Finally, when the big components are planned out, think about what colour scheme and decor will best suit you and your family. If needed, an interior designer can help here.

Should I include a fireplace in my living room or family room?

Depending on your climate, a fireplace might be a great way to add warmth and interest to your living space. Even if your location is warm year-round, you can always add a faux fireplace or nonfunctioning fireplace as part of your decor. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to check them out. A wood-burning fireplace gives an authentic experience, though a gas one still emits heat without the mess. A double-sided or corner unit strays from the ordinary, or you can go with a wood stove fireplace if you're looking for a piece of art. If you want a contemporary touch, veer away from the traditional wood or tile mantel by going with stone, concrete or metal instead.

What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room?

Although it might not seem glamorous, having enough storage is instrumental when it comes to keeping the room organised and practical. Built-in bookcases, shelves and cabinets are a great way to add hidden, functional storage for all the knickknacks you accumulate. Movie and gaming buffs will love a custom entertainment centre, with enough cabinets for movies, speakers and electronic accessories; you can even create a media room with a projector and lounge chairs! If you still have room to spare, include a booth for homework or craft projects.

How do I decorate my home interiors?

When it comes to decorating, neutrals are always the safe option because they look good and never go out of style. They also give any artwork you hang enough breathing space. If you do want to try out a bolder colour scheme, add colour with walls and accessories. That way, if you get sick of a colour, you can quickly repaint the walls and find new knickknacks, instead of having to replace your sofas every time trends change. Popular colours include blue, green and grey, but don't be afraid to try bright colours like red or yellow, even if it's just on an accent wall. Finally, make sure there is plenty of light. Recessed or track lighting are great ways to hit every corner — better yet, add more natural light by installing additional windows or a skylight.