Design it

Phil and Adriana once again turned to Studio Quarters, but for a more extensive renovation plan than before. “We went back to the drawing board,” says Phil, pointing out that one of the major problems with the original house was that the front door opened into a poky entry, which stopped any northern light reaching the dark kitchen and dining spaces.

“By removing that entry area, it opened up the house and soaked the living spaces with this beautiful light that transformed it completely,” says Janice. Other structural changes she helped with included reworking the kitchen to create a combined kitchen/living/dining space, removing the spiral staircase, relocating the laundry downstairs, and enlarging the boys’ two small bedrooms.

A new staircase was incorporated next to the dining area and a study created in the space formerly occupied by a second living space. Studio Quarters also designed a clever partition/ storage device between the semi-open study area and kitchen. “Acting as both screen and storage, it connects the study to the rest of the living space while still being private,” says Janice.

When it came to the look of their renovated home, the couple were keen on a contemporary Scandinavian look with clean lines but some warmth.“They also initially referenced a little bit of colour,” adds Janice, “so we took the opportunity to introduce some blues, which was a good way to add interest to a rather nondescript home.”

dining room

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT Agra wool rug in Midnight, from $4500, Armadillo. Del Rio plaster lamp, $1500, Lucy Montgomery. Remember The Dawn, Hope Of The New Day artwork by Ingrid Daniell (60cm x 45.5cm), $1500 (framed), Curatorial + Co. Sarah Ellison ‘Earth’ rectangular table (180cm), $2850, Life Interiors. Pure Acrylic paint in Island Blue, $91 per 4L, Murobond. Handmade glazed tiles in Denim Gloss, $96 per sq m, Surface Gallery. Kaindy Design stool, from $1350, Hegi Design House.