‘Oh What A Ceiling!’ ingeniously transformed a tired mid-century brick veneer house into a suburban oasis for a multigenerational family. Our clients, Gabby and Peter, came to us with a desire to reimagine their ageing home such that it could better cater to their modern lifestyles, accommodate those of their adult children and grandchildren, and provide a more intimate and meaningful connection with their garden. The renovation would reinvigorate their home and allow them to re-engage with their passions for cooking and sewing, and explore their skills in the garden and workshop.

The kitchen sits under the low ceiling of the existing house and acts as a separation between living and dining. The benchtops and cupboards are made from solid plywood with white laminate veneer and exposed ply edges. The lower doors and draws feature cut-out handles, while the upper ones are touch-catch to maintain the clean modern aesthetic.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary master bathroom in Brisbane with a freestanding tub, a corner shower, gray tile, ceramic tile, grey walls, ceramic floors, a vessel sink, grey floor, a hinged shower door, white benchtops, a double vanity and a floating vanity.

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular lap pool in Brisbane with with privacy feature and tile.

Coburg Frieze is a purified design that questions what’s really needed. The interwar property was transformed into a long-term family home that celebrates lifestyle and connection to the owners’ much-loved garden. Prioritising quality over quantity, the crafted extension adds just 25sqm of meticulously considered space to our clients’ home, honouring Dieter Rams’ enduring philosophy of “less, but better”. We reprogrammed the original floorplan to marry each room with its best functional match – allowing an enhanced flow of the home, while liberating budget for the extension’s shared spaces. Though modestly proportioned, the new communal areas are smoothly functional, rich in materiality, and tailored to our clients’ passions. Shielding the house’s rear from harsh western sun, a covered deck creates a protected threshold space to encourage outdoor play and interaction with the garden. This charming home is big on the little things; creating considered spaces that have a positive effect on daily life.

Mid-sized contemporary dining room in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors and grey floor.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Adelaide with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, grey splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop, an undermount sink, stone slab splashback, black appliances and beige floor.

The brief for this home was to create a warm inviting space that suited it's beachside location. Our client loves to cook so an open plan kitchen with a space for her grandchildren to play was at the top of the list. Key features used in this open plan design were warm floorboard tiles in a herringbone pattern, navy horizontal shiplap feature wall, custom joinery in entry, living and children's play area, rattan pendant lighting, marble, navy and white open plan kitchen.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

A serene style ensuite featuring an outdoor bath.
Mid-sized contemporary 3/4 bathroom in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a freestanding tub, a corner shower, a two-piece toilet, an integrated sink, a hinged shower door, white benchtops, a niche, a double vanity and a floating vanity.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Sydney with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, no tv and brown floor.

Contemporary light filled home office study space with white cabinetry, feature timber shelves, tan leather feature office chair, drapes
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary home office in Melbourne with white walls and light hardwood floors.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Complete transformation of 1950s single storey residence to a luxury modern double storey home
This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, marble floors, with island, white floor and white benchtop.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary balcony in Sydney with with privacy feature, a pergola and glass railing.

Photo of a mid-sized tropical master bathroom in Geelong with light wood cabinets, porcelain tile, grey walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey benchtops, a double vanity and a floating vanity.

The existing house was poorly planned after a many renovations. The entry to the house was through a verandah that had previously been enclosed and the cottage had multiple unconnected living spaces with pour natural light and connection to the beautiful established gardens. With some simple internal changes the renovation allowed removal of the enclosed verandah and have the entry realigned to the central part of the house. Existing living areas where repurposed as sleeping spaces and a new living wing established to house a master bedroom and ensuite upstairs. The new living wing gives you an immediate sense of balance and calm as soon as you walk into the double-height living area. The new wing area beautifully captures filtered light on the north and west, allowing views of the established garden on all sides to enter the interior spaces.

Art Deco bathroom, featuring original 1930s cream textured tiles with green accent tile line and bath (resurfaced). Vanity designed by Hindley & Co with curved Corian top and siding, handcrafted by JFJ Joinery. The matching curved mirrored medicine cabinet is designed by Hindley & Co. The project is a 1930s art deco Spanish mission-style house in Melbourne. See more from our Arch Deco Project.

Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, shiplap splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.