“We wanted to have two different experiences and into the new part,” says Fiona.

Very definite transitions

« from the kitchen and the rest of the house. Previously walled off, a double-sided, cast-iron fireplace was installed between the living room and newly converted study.

A series of cobbled-together little lean-tos and former servants’ quarters was causing congestion, so architect Caroline Vernon opened up the space by turning the existing study into a transitional corridor, heightening the sense of movement into the new open-plan rear kitchen, living and meals zone. To embrace the natural light, vast floor-to-ceiling windows were installed, presenting an “airy and sun-filled” environment with “carteblanche … to be enlivened by family life”, explains Fiona.

The spatial arrangement was reoriented, keeping furniture to a minimum and the palette purposely calm except for a generous rust-pink rug from Artoz Rugs + Carpets. Arranged with simplicity in mind, fixtures are clean lined and pared back. “The kitchen’s weighty island bench is offset by a fine, floating benchtop that plays on mass and scale. It is intentionally understated and pure in form,” says the designer. Restrained yet effective, an angled splashback in smoked mirror reflects the adjacent dining table illuminated by a David Weeks pendant light.

Two existing ensuites were gutted and re-planned, and a powder room built off the main hallway. “We reduced details and materiality to simple, solid forms to draw focus to the core materials of marble and mosaic tiling,” says Fiona. Right angles in honed Carrara marble emphasise the reductive nature of the design in the master ensuite. In the shared children’s bathroom the Dulux ‘Buoyant’ bluish-grey paint and lightly textured mosaic wall tiles create tactility and warmth.

The owners say the 1500sqm site and its position on the slightly sloping block was a huge selling point as it provided scope for remodelling. But with clever planning and an efficient extension, the extra land wasn’t actually needed. This ‘bonus’ backyard is now flush with a large vegetable garden and chicken coop. “We always knew that with some adjustments this house would work for us. Fiona offered the perfect coherence of colour, space and form,” say the owners. fionalynch.com.au; carolinevernon.com.au.