Periscope House draws light into a young family’s home, adding thoughtful solutions and flexible spaces to 1950s Art Deco foundations. Our clients engaged us to undertake a considered extension to their character-rich home in Malvern East. They wanted to celebrate their home’s history while adapting it to the needs of their family, and future-proofing it for decades to come. The extension’s form meets with and continues the existing roofline, politely emerging at the rear of the house. The tones of the original white render and red brick are reflected in the extension, informing its white Colorbond exterior and selective pops of red throughout. Inside, the original home’s layout has been reimagined to better suit a growing family. Once closed-in formal dining and lounge rooms were converted into children’s bedrooms, supplementing the main bedroom and a versatile fourth room. Grouping these rooms together has created a subtle definition of zones: private spaces are nestled to the front, while the rear extension opens up to shared living areas. A tailored response to the site, the extension’s ground floor addresses the western back garden, and first floor (AKA the periscope) faces the northern sun. Sitting above the open plan living areas, the periscope is a mezzanine that nimbly sidesteps the harsh afternoon light synonymous with a western facing back yard. It features a solid wall to the west and a glass wall to the north, emulating the rotation of a periscope to draw gentle light into the extension. Beneath the mezzanine, the kitchen, dining, living and outdoor spaces effortlessly overlap. Also accessible via an informal back door for friends and family, this generous communal area provides our clients with the functionality, spatial cohesion and connection to the outdoors they were missing. Melding modern and heritage elements, Periscope House honours the history of our clients’ home while creating light-filled shared spaces – all through a periscopic lens that opens the home to the garden.

Linear Fireplaces

Ranieri Construction LLC

The homeowner provided us an inspiration photo for this built in electric fireplace with shiplap, shelving and drawers. We brought the project to life with Fashion Cabinets white painted cabinets and shelves, MDF shiplap and a Dimplex Ignite fireplace.

Hearon Project

Truss Interiors & Renovations

Design ideas for a transitional enclosed family room in Denver with a music area, blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Cliffside Farmhouse // Modern Farmhouse

Younger Homes

Mid-sized country open concept family room in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

A Hint of Coastal Elegance

Collins DuPont Design Group

Designed by Amy Coslet & Sherri DuPont Photography by Lori Hamilton
Inspiration for a mediterranean family room in Miami with grey walls, carpet, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, multi-coloured floor, coffered, wallpaper and wood walls.

modern beach cottage / lantern village, dana point

Moss Yaw Design studio

located just off the kitchen and front entry, the new den is the ideal space for watching television and gathering, with contemporary furniture and modern decor that updates the existing traditional white wood paneling

Crowning Jewel

Camden Grace LLC

This playroom/family hangout area got a dose of jewel tones.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional family room in Bridgeport with planked wall panelling.

Century Oak Farmhouse

Old Barn Design

Vaulted ceilings accented with scissor trusses. 2 sets of french doors lead out to a screened porch.
This is an example of a large country family room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Evanston 1897

Third Coast Interiors

Inspiration for a transitional open concept family room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Elegant Estate

12/12 Architects & Planners

This 6,000sf luxurious custom new construction 5-bedroom, 4-bath home combines elements of open-concept design with traditional, formal spaces, as well. Tall windows, large openings to the back yard, and clear views from room to room are abundant throughout. The 2-story entry boasts a gently curving stair, and a full view through openings to the glass-clad family room. The back stair is continuous from the basement to the finished 3rd floor / attic recreation room. The interior is finished with the finest materials and detailing, with crown molding, coffered, tray and barrel vault ceilings, chair rail, arched openings, rounded corners, built-in niches and coves, wide halls, and 12' first floor ceilings with 10' second floor ceilings. It sits at the end of a cul-de-sac in a wooded neighborhood, surrounded by old growth trees. The homeowners, who hail from Texas, believe that bigger is better, and this house was built to match their dreams. The brick - with stone and cast concrete accent elements - runs the full 3-stories of the home, on all sides. A paver driveway and covered patio are included, along with paver retaining wall carved into the hill, creating a secluded back yard play space for their young children. Project photography by Kmieick Imagery.

Beacon Street Brownstone

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee Photography
Design ideas for a large transitional family room in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and panelled walls.

Gentleman's Ranch For Sale in Dripping Springs - Austin TX

The Pope Team at Stanberry Realtors®

Second Living/Family room
Photo of a country open concept family room in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Modern Sea and Sun Living Room

Carlyle Design Studio, Inc.

Custom dark blue wall paneling accentuated with sconces flanking TV and a warm natural wood credenza.
Small beach style family room in Orange County with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and panelled walls.

Modern Farm House, Los Gatos

De Mattei Construction

This is an example of a country family room in San Francisco with a home bar, white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Apache Remodel

Home Enrich

Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts enclosed family room in Raleigh with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, brown floor, timber and panelled walls.

Brookview Ave

TRIO Design and Build

Large traditional open concept family room in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, timber and decorative wall panelling.

Apartamento G47

FFWD Arquitectes

Inspiration for a small traditional family room in Barcelona with white walls, ceramic floors, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Manor Drive

Restor Homes

Basement great room renovation
Inspiration for a mid-sized country open concept family room in Minneapolis with a home bar, white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a concealed tv, grey floor, wood and decorative wall panelling.