Photo of a mid-sized contemporary family room in Brisbane.

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kids' room in Sydney with white walls.

A residential interior design project by Camilla Molders Design.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

The brick warehouse form below with Spanish-inspired cantilever pool element and hanging plants above..
Inspiration for a mid-sized industrial two-storey brick red house exterior in Melbourne with a flat roof.

Skylights illuminate the curves of the spiral staircase design in Deco House.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary wood curved staircase in Melbourne with wood risers, metal railing and brick walls.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Highlight and skylight bring in light from above whilst maintaining privacy from the street. Artwork by Patricia Piccinini and Peter Hennessey. Rug from Armadillo and vintage chair from Casser Maison, Togo chairs from Domo.

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Sydney with brown floor, beige walls and medium hardwood floors.

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Our client sought a home imbued with a spirit of “joyousness” where elegant restraint was contrasted with a splash of theatricality. Guests enjoy descending the generous staircase from the upper level Entry, spiralling gently around a 12 m Blackbody pendant which rains down over the polished stainless steel Hervé van der Straeten Cristalloide console

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Brisbane with porcelain floors and grey floor.

Tivoli Road is a period home in South Yarra. Fortem Projects was engaged to remove and reinstate existing period features of the historic building at the front of the house, and to create a modern refurbishment which would seamlessly integrate new architectural elements informed by the architectural vision of Bayley Ward. A complete transformation of external areas also needed to be carried out, including a pool. Clear communication between Fortem Projects, architects Bayley Ward and our client ensured all potential issues were resolved early in the process. A use of natural materials including timber and stone provided a sense of balance to the project which helped to both contrast and highlight the home’s existing period features.

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.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary 3/4 bathroom in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, a freestanding tub, a one-piece toilet, gray tile, porcelain tile, grey walls, porcelain floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, white benchtops, a double vanity, a floating vanity, a corner shower and a hinged shower door.

Formal dining and sitting area using neutral tones, timber and modern lighting.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Melbourne with white walls, carpet and grey floor.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, recessed, wood and medium wood cabinets.

The translucent like quality of the marble island bench becomes apparent in the morning when sunlight shines across it.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with marble benchtops, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors and with island.