‘Oh What A Ceiling!’ ingeniously transformed a tired mid-century brick veneer house into a suburban oasis for a multigenerational family. Our clients, Gabby and Peter, came to us with a desire to reimagine their ageing home such that it could better cater to their modern lifestyles, accommodate those of their adult children and grandchildren, and provide a more intimate and meaningful connection with their garden. The renovation would reinvigorate their home and allow them to re-engage with their passions for cooking and sewing, and explore their skills in the garden and workshop.

A standard approach to kitchen design was not an option for this glamorous open-plan living area. Instead, an intricate bar sits front of house, with attractive and practical kitchen space tucked in behind.

The soaring ceiling height of the living areas of this warehouse-inspired house

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Built by Pettit & Sevitt in the 1970s, this architecturally designed split-level home needed a refresh. Studio Black Interiors worked with builders, REP building, to transform the interior of this home with the aim of creating a space that was light filled and open plan with a seamless connection to the outdoors. The client’s love of rich navy was incorporated into all the joinery. Fifty years on, it is joyous to view this home which has grown into its bushland suburb and become almost organic in referencing the surrounding landscape. Renovation by REP Building. Photography by Hcreations.

A modern form that plays on the space and features within this Coppin Street residence. Black steel treads and balustrade are complimented with a handmade European Oak handrail. Complete with a bold European Oak feature steps.

View of kitchen from open plan dining/ living area.

Lovingly called the ‘white house’, this stunning Queenslander was given a contemporary makeover with oak floors, custom joinery and modern furniture and artwork. Creative detailing and unique finish selections reference the period details of a traditional home, while bringing it into modern times.

To meet the client‘s brief and maintain the character of the house it was decided to retain the existing timber framed windows and VJ timber walling above tiles. The client loves green and yellow, so a patterned floor tile including these colours was selected, with two complimentry subway tiles used for the walls up to the picture rail. The feature green tile used in the back of the shower. A playful bold vinyl wallpaper was installed in the bathroom and above the dado rail in the toilet. The corner back to wall bath, brushed gold tapware and accessories, wall hung custom vanity with Davinci Blanco stone bench top, teardrop clearstone basin, circular mirrored shaving cabinet and antique brass wall sconces finished off the look. The picture rail in the high section was painted in white to match the wall tiles and the above VJ‘s were painted in Dulux Triamble to match the custom vanity 2 pak finish. This colour framed the small room and with the high ceilings softened the space and made it more intimate. The timber window architraves were retained, whereas the architraves around the entry door were painted white to match the wall tiles. The adjacent toilet was changed to an in wall cistern and pan with tiles, wallpaper, accessories and wall sconces to match the bathroom Overall, the design allowed open easy access, modernised the space and delivered the wow factor that the client was seeking.

Concrete block walls provide thermal mass for heating and defence agains hot summer. The subdued colours create a quiet and cosy space focussed around the fire. Timber joinery adds warmth and texture , framing the collections of books and collected objects.

Powder room - Elitis vinyl wallpaper with red travertine and grey mosaics. Vessel bowl sink with black wall mounted tapware. Custom lighting. Navy painted ceiling and terrazzo floor.