This family of five came to us with a home that worked against them; three children, no separation between zones, and no space to decompress. Their brief was simple: make it hold the full weight of family life without losing the beauty and calm they craved.
We redesigned the spatial hierarchy using materiality rather than walls; a continuous stone bench anchoring the social heart, warm joinery defining zones, and finishes selected to age beautifully alongside family life. The result is a home that feels elevated, grounded, and deeply livable. Theirs.
Essendon Residence
Location: Essendon, Melbourne VIC
Scope: Full residential renovation & extension
Services: Full interior design; concept through to construction administration
Client: Family of five
The Approach
The core spatial problem was the absence of thresholds. Every zone transitioned into the next without intention, which meant the chaos of one room infected all the others. The design response was to reintroduce hierarchy, clear moments of transition between communal energy and private calm.
Materiality became the primary tool for establishing atmosphere rather than separation walls. Warm stone, matte joinery, and deep-toned timbers were layered to create zones that feel distinct without being closed off. The kitchen and living areas were redesigned around a central material spine, a continuous stone bench that anchors the social heart of the home while quietly filtering movement through the space.
Details were selected for durability as much as beauty because in a home with three children, surfaces that age gracefully matter.
The result is a home that finally feels proportionate to the life being lived inside it. The parents have space to breathe. The children have room to exist fully. The spaces hold both without conflict.
What changed wasn't just the aesthetic; it was the emotional register of coming home. Grounded. Quiet. Theirs.
The Outcome