Plans for two storeys were canned after a young family realised they had plenty of space on the ground

Plans for an upstairs extension changed when the owners realised one very personal storey was enough

Georgia and Andrew Mackie were already living in Geelong in 2013 when they saw a tiny yellow-brick house for sale around the corner. While they were drawn to the block, the house was too small for them and their two children, so they bought the property and leased it until they’d decided what to do. “We thought about developing it, but couldn’t decide how to make it work for us,” says Georgia. In 2016 they learnt they were expecting their third child and felt it was time to take the plunge. “That was when we demolished the house,” she says.

Architect Steve Tillinger was briefed on a modern, two-storey home and they liked the plans he drew up. But when the couple learnt that planning permission was going to be tricky, they were forced to reassess. “That made us really think about what we wanted,” says Georgia. “After talking to our builder, Matt Wilson of Built by Wilson, we opted to keep the house as a single storey – and I’m so glad we did. The night we made the decision to change the plans, I was on the phone to Andrew and the kids were in the bath and I thought, ‘How great would it be if I didn’t have to keep running up and down stairs, if I could just see where they are all the time.’ Doing it this way has made our lives much more simple, and really changed the way we live.”

What they have now is a U-shaped home with a pool in the middle. “I can be in the kitchen and watch the big kids splash around without having to run in and out the whole time,” says Georgia. This interplay of space is essential to the feel of the house, says Steve. “There’s a constant line of sight connecting you to all parts of the home. It feels more like a pavilion than a house with defined rooms.” The design is intended to futureproof the house. “As the children get older, the space will evolve with them,” Steve adds. “Their wing is at the rear of the house and the parents’ bedroom is at the front, so they can be more separate when they choose to be.”

Georgia and Andrew also wanted a seamless transition between indoors and out. “The term ‘indoor/outdoor living’ is a bit overused, but this house really delivers it,” says Steve. “Northerly light floods in over the pool and the rest of the house at all times.” Georgia elaborates: “There’s so much glass, we can see the pool nearly all the time, so it always feels like we’re outside – even when we’re not. The big windows by the front door and throughout the house add to that effect, which we love.”

Everywhere you look, the materials are simple, beautiful and functional. “There’s honesty and beauty in a neutral palette,” says Steve. “It lets other items become heroes, among them the oversized front door handle and the superb craftsmanship of the joinery.” Georgia admits that the joinery was “a major cost” but says, “because it’s so prominent we wanted to get it right.”

Colour has been used to add more personality. “There weren’t many bold colour choices, so I wanted something that stood out a bit,” says Georgia, referencing the peppermint cupboards in the playroom. There are also splashes of pink. “I have one girl, but tried to get as much pink into the house as possible! I think it warms things up. The pink Jardan chair is my favourite thing in the whole house – I sit in it at night when the kids go to bed.” Built by Wilson is in Geelong, Victoria; builtbywilson.com

“We wanted a simple, relaxing bedroom. The late-afternoon sun comes in here so it always has a sense of warmth in the evening!” GEORGIA MACKIE, OWNER

KITCHEN/DINING “We chose a polished concrete floor so the kids can zoom around on ride-on toys and it doesn’t get damaged,” says Georgia. Her butler’s pantry hides a lot of mess. Carrara marble benchtops, with American oak-veneer cabinets. Table, O Design by Brad Ottens. Chairs, Barnaby Design. Sol pendant, Jardan. Stools, Click Furniture. LIVING (opposite) The fireplace gives a nod to the mid- century modern style of the original house. “It really speaks to you when you enter the house,” says architect Steve Tillinger. La Paloma bricks in Castellana, Austral. Wilfred chair, Jardan. Cushion, Moss Grotto. Aria rug, AuRugs.

PLAYROOM “We asked for lots of storage here, so we could tidy the kids’ stuff away when we need to,” says Georgia. “And the floorboards [from Royal Oak Floors] are really warm and nice for the kids to sit on and play.” Cupboard paint colour is Dulux Diorite. Island Life rug, Kip & Co. DINING (opposite top, from left) Gathered around the table are Andrew, Georgia, Banjo, Lindy, Freddy, Louie and pug Bill. Vilac Classic Retro ride- on metal racing car. ENTRY (opposite bottom) Artworks from Lumiere Art + Co set the tone for the pink touches throughout. Ethnicraft straight bench, GlobeWest. Vintage Berber rug, Rigby’s Homewares.

ENSUITE The wall tiles are Carrara marble 50mm x 50mm mosaics from Geelong Tiles, and the vanity is American oak veneer with a Corian top. “The kids have the same colours in their bathroom — but without the marble,” says Georgia. Brushed platinum tapware, Astra Walker. Earth Light in Pure White, Anchor Ceramics. MAIN BEDROOM (opposite) “We chose this Jardan light to give a bit of colour, but I like it because it’s not too extreme for the bedroom,” says Georgia. Artwork by Kate Mayes, through Greenhouse Interiors. Linen, Kip & Co. Hycraft ‘Carramar’ carpet in Winter Mist, Carpet House. The wall is painted Dulux Natural White.

Entry Powder room Main bedroom Ensuite Garage Living room Kitchen Butler’s pantry Laundry Dining Pool Playroom Study nook Bedroom Bathroom Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Garden

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Wild Floss limited- edition giclée art print on canvas (75cm x 50cm), $450, Greenhouse Interiors. Sol pendant light in American Oak/ Natural (49cm x 20cm), $1109, Jardan. Luxor Silver Blue wool and artsilk rug in Silver Grey (270cm x 360cm), $7349, The Rug Collection. Wilfred armchair in Luna/Suga, $4871, Jardan. Tanner dining chair in Grey, $750, Barnaby Lane. Velvet Euro cushion cover in Scorched Almond, $59, Kip & Co. Dune rattan bedside table, $299, Hello Trader.

EXTERIOR Georgia has some rare me-time by the pool, which is built along the length of the home and adjacent to the kitchen/dining zone. Behind her is the kids’ playroom. As well as the cedar timber with a grey Cutek finish, the house is constructed in Steel bricks from Austral’s Industrial range. The wooden bench is from GlobeWest. Espaliered lemon trees underplanted with liriope line the fence while a low-maintenance umbrella plant fills the right corner. Pot, Bunnings.