Library and study

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.

Cremorne Residence

Jodie Carter Design

Custom cabinetry in Dulux Snowy Mountains Quarter and Eveneer Planked Oak shelves. Escea gas fireplace with sandstone tile cladding.

Patching Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

Minimalist White Queenslander Renovation

Ethos Interiors

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.

From drawings to reality

My Beautiful Abode

WATERSIDE RETREAT - LAKE MAGDALENE, TAMPA

Debra Ackerbloom, Inc.

Great Room with Waterfront View showcasing a mix of natural tones & textures. The Paint Palette and Fabrics are an inviting blend of white's with custom Fireplace & Cabinetry. Lounge furniture is specified in deep comfortable dimensions. Custom Front Double Entry Doors, and Custom Railing featured in the Entry.

Happy Midcentury

Susan Yeley Homes

Our poster project for The Three P's, this small midcentury home south of campus has great bones but lacked vibrancy - a je ne sais quoi that the clients were searching to savoir once and for all. SYI worked with them to nail down a design direction and furniture plan, and they decided to invest in the big-impact items first: built-ins and lighting and a fresh paint job that included a beautiful deep blue-green line around the windows. The vintage rug was an Etsy score at an awesome price, but only after the client spent months scouring options and sources online that matched the vision and dimensions of the plan. A good year later, the West Elm sofa went on sale, so the client took advantage; some time after that, they painted the kitchen, created the drop zone / bench area, and rounded out the room with occasional tables and accessories. Their lesson: in patience, and details, there is beauty. Photography by Gina Rogers Photography

Meant to Be(ach)

GLDESIGN

Reclaimed Brick Modern French Country

Wyrick Residential Design

Saddle Hill English Inspired Renovation

Walczak Design And Build

The project continued into the Great Room and was an exercise in creating congruent yet unique spaces with their own specific functions for the family. Cozy yet carefully curated. Refinishing of the floors and beams continued into the Great Room. To add more light, a new window was added and all existing wood window casings and sills were painted white. Additionally the fireplace received a lime wash treatment and a new reclaimed beam mantle.

Sustainable Farm House

Kipnis Architecture + Planning

This dramatic image shows the full length of the wing that encloses the family room, dining room, and at the far end of the space, the kitchen. The beamed ceiling, featuring heavy wood timbers, makes a rhythm throughout the entire space.