Quietly Californian

Designed by Emma Morris, Eternodesign

From the interior designer:

This architecturally designed home was originally designed by Map Architects. 

The modern four bedroom family home was built in @ 2005 by its original owners.

We were engaged initially by the new owners to redesign the kitchen, scullery & laundry areas which quickly transformed into a major overhaul of all areas including bathrooms, walk-in robe, flooring, carpet, curtains and joinery throughout – a completely new major renovation inside and out.

'Bring the outside in,' was the interior architecture design brief for this renovated home, nestled within its articulated landscape on a streamline boundary, looking out to the poolside and newly designed barbecue, outdoor sunken fire area and spa with spaces on varying levels and effortless indoor-outdoor flow. 

Our vision was to open everything up and lighten all elements – introducing a 'California vibe' through a lighter more natural palette – removing the existing strong black and white tones and creating a lighter, softer synergy and palette throughout.

Inspiration was drawn from the home's surroundings – shown with the use of natural materials and texture across the interior/exterior and throughout the architectural forms.

Given the location and close proximity of neighbouring houses we had our work cut out as designers for the full interior fit-out renovation.

Right from the entry

Sandstone tiled steps lead to the grand entrance while the oversized pivot door – recently clad in vertical timber slats – opens onto the light walnut stained oak timber floors, which connect though to the double garage on the ground level.

Our homeowners request was to incorporate an entertainers haven, that would cater for all seasons of entertaining and flow seamlessly between the scullery, main kitchen, dining and living areas – as well as flowing through to the outdoor pool and barbecue patio (while still keeping within the existing strong architectural elements). 

We achieved this by redesigning and relocating the laundry into where the storage/coat area had been originally and by removing small internal dividing walls to open up the old laundry and transforming this area into a highly functional scullery/second kitchen prep area with ample storage.

Double-island kitchen

The double-island kitchen located on the ground floor reflects a careful tailoring of heights, between the scullery, buffet/drinks area and the tall, seamlessly fully integrated Liebherr fridge/freezers, touch-to-open wine fridges and Blum touch-to-open retractable doors concealing the coffee station. 

Cabinetry doors can be closed to create a seamless symphony.

A rich, luxurious American oak timber veneer wrapped around the joinery works well in conjunction with the stunning Velnu stone tops on the islands. 

One island, wrapped in Dekton, has a Marmorio stone benchtop with mitred edges and buffet top together with the suspended island rangehood above wrapped in the same stone, creating a softening palette and calming ambience – further enhanced with brass pendant lights, positioned over the dining table so as not to obscure the view of the articulated Escea fireplace. 

A study in green

The downstairs study/den walls are specified in a deep rich Rangerover green to complement the deep green wool carpet while a timber panelled feature wall complements the bespoke den and walnut stained joinery with solid oak frame.

Bronzed glass brass handles adding depth and diversity. 

Crittel sliding glass door opening into the living space create depth and intrigue. 

These are complemented by the tactile, textured shear curtains and cappacino armchairs on a bespoke round putty colour rug.

The articulately designed timber panelling up the stairs expels a beautiful interplay of textures paired with the natural blend of Bremworth wool carpet and solid oak walnut stained timber handrail.

Bespoke panelling creates moody ambience for media room

The rich, yet soft bespoke timber wall panelling creates a moody ambience – further enhanced with the stone tops and mirror splashback behind the wall mounted entertainers buffet/drinks unit, positioned to reflect and enhance the space and to work seamlessly within the wider setting.

To access the media room hidden walnut stained slatted, sliding double doors retract to open into a beautiful haven – adjoined with a timber slatted feature wall behind the bespoke framed wall mounted joinery with floating shelves.

This latter element is paired with a bespoke L-shaped textured couch, ombre tea linen curtains, a tactile coffee table and a fur pouf for added texture. 

This room was transformed from a very dark space into a light, tactile welcoming space flowing out into the generous outdoor deck and landscape, bringing the 'outdoor in'.

Prior to renovation, this space had not previously been occupied to its full capacity.

Another feature is the introduction of the formal lounge and dining room frameless fireplaces, that we were engaged to design. 

These are inset within large format stone slabs, a feat achieved by working in close collaboration with our artisans.

We also achieved a seamless, functional and soothing lighting plan that runs throughout the home and is specifically articulated down the gallery hallway space (along with adroitly positioned ceiling mounted speakers). 

Italian glass pendant lights were specified in the powder room, master walk-in robe and Master bedroom to create ambience and atmosphere.

Living room features a soothing palette

The living room brief was for it to be functional and practical for a number of guests. 

We chose a soothing palette to connect with the home's natural surroundings and to bring warmth into the interiors. 

Soft tones were chosen on the couches, tactile and textured cushions, while the matching Arc chairs are in a tactile neutral fabric, building up layers.

The double oval-shaped ash coffee table and a luxurious wool blend textured rug bring warmth and help define the space.

Electric roller blinds were designed into the kitchen-dining space so as not to obscure the stunning views from this area out to the pool and lush landscape.

The living areas and formal lounge were further softened with neutral sheer linen to create a theatrical and welcoming space.

The formal lounge was designed to be enjoyed by a number of adults and guests and to incorporate the owners' two special pieces of Japanese artwork. 

Concealed powder room

Inspired by California Modernisn and the natural landscape we designed a hidden powder room, that exudes both richness and warmth, with opulent, earthy tones. 

Centre stage is a wall mounted oak vanity, with Taj Mahal mitred stone tops.

Floor-to-ceiling timber slats conceal the toilet and create a sense of privacy; also featured is the oval white composite stone basin recycled from the original powder room, now with a wall mounted brass tap, mixer and hidden towel hook.

These contrast beautifully with the oak timber floors that flow onto the main living and dining areas and adjoining hallways.

A bevelled edged, oval, floating, mirror draws you in and reflects the picturesque surroundings and adjoining rooms a design move carried throughout three of the other bathrooms. 

Adding intrigue to the natural porcelain stone walls is the grooved tiles on the vanity wall paired with the Italian glass pendant lights that turn on via a hidden sensor – these lights are works of art in themselves.

Our vision was to ensure the powder room would stand-alone in its beauty but also connect with the design features of the kitchen, dining and living areas. 

We achieved this with discrete, bespoke, vertical slatted wall panelling.

When the slatted door is closed, there is no sign of a powder room, laundry, scullery or media room.

Master ensuite

The master ensuite features reeded glass bronzed crittel doors that welcome you into this tranquil sanctuary. 

Our brief here was for lighter, spacious, functional yet luxurious space.

It needed to include a freestanding bath, double vanity with ample storage, mirrors with storage, a walk-in shower with foot rest, a toilet and sufficient venting – all to flow beautifully into the walk-in robe and master bedroom.

Well executed lighting bringing a refined elegance to this interior space along with subtle recessed led lights in the shower shampoo alcove and below the vanity. 

Then there's the lighting that adds drama to the shower by appearing to wash down the porcelain tactile ripple wall tiles. 

We chose the brushed brass horizontal heated towel rails to blend into the design and create a more sculptural effect and these, along with towel hooks, are positioned beside the shower. 

The vertical timber slats add privacy to the toilet area and blend with the bespoke walnut stained vanity with Taj Mahal stone tops and an open shelf below to house towels.

Master bedroom

The master bedroom feature wall is wrapped in vertical grooved walnut stained timber with mitred edges wrapping into the walk-in robe with upper bronzed framed and bronzed glass doors with sensor lights softened by the white louvres and white sheer linen curtains. 

The feature wall reflects the craftsmanship of the builder. 

Storage was critical in our brief for the master bedroom and we designed this to work with our wider palette – introducing a matt lacquer texture coat soft warm grey/putty for the bespoke framed drawers and tall floor to ceiling wardrobe units in the main bedroom area where the chimney from the formal lounge was concealed behind a fixed door panel.

His & hers

The master walk-in robe caters for hers with ample drawers, hanging and shoe storage – all specified in a textured white oak-look finish and brushed brass handles. 

The floating drawers with oval mirror and hanging pendants adds another layer and workable area.

We designed the 'his' walk-in robe in the space to the right of the bed complete with the bronzed crittel reeded glass doors that we designed to be able to be concealed if required. 

This walk-in robe was designed in a textured timber look to pair with and slightly contrast with the tones of the timber wall panelling.The tile layouts in all bathrooms were designed so that the grooved tiles, mitred edges and larger format tiles all flowed seamlessly. 

Other bedrooms

The daughter’s bedroom is in a beautiful soft dusky peach, the son's in a soft grey tone, while the guest bedroom boasts a Porters paint dusky putty colour – other bedrooms we kept neutral and light. 

Tones are complemented by the Italian white linen sheers, all on a double track.

White slatted louvres allowed us to dress each bedroom accordingly and creating the various themes mentioned.

In summation

The completed renovation embraces its surroundings, enhances the experience of living, and truly captures the essence of 'outside-in' and vice versa.

Story by: Trendsideas