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1. Formal Living Room With a vision centered around vibrant colours, playful elements, and utmost comfort, this family's formal living room now greets visitors as the very first space upon entering through the front door. Thoughtfully selected furniture, balancing comfort with elegance and durability, was sourced to create a place of peace and relaxation for the adults in the family. A blend of patterns, textures, and hues adorn the room to create a visually stunning canvas when entering. Knocking out wall openings and extending the ceiling has filled the area with extra light and an increased sense of height, resulting in an inviting open-plan layout. Rug from: Kulchi Lounge from: Fritz Hansen Chair from: B&B Italia Lamp from: Design Within Reach Coffee table from: & Tradition Floor Cushion from: Fritz Hansen 5464 px 8192 px 6 MB A3 print |
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2. Formal Living Room The formal living room has become a relaxed and welcoming area in the front of the house which leads into the colourful dining room beyond. A generous mix of colour and texture brought this space to life and small changes such as knocking out wall openings to continue the ceiling through have made large spatial impacts on the home. Rug from: Kulchi Lounge from: Fritz Hansen Chair from: B&B Italia Floor Cushion from: Fritz Hansen Coffee table from: & Tradition 5464 px 6830 px 4 MB A3 print |
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3. Formal Living Room The formal living room has become a relaxed and welcoming area in the front of the house which leads into the colourful dining room beyond. A generous mix of colour and texture brought this space to life and small changes such as increasing wall openings to continue the ceiling through have made large spatial impacts on the house. Rug from: Kulchi Lounge from: Fritz Hansen Coffee table from: & Tradition 5464 px 8192 px 5 MB A3 print |
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4. Formal Living Room (Entrance) Behind the pretty shingled facade is a bright and dynamic family home. We created a relaxed nature to the spaces for the family, who have two teenage boys. Comfort and quality were met with equal measure, with an emphasis on colour that continues throughout the home. Bright and playful artworks have been added such as this artwork from @lyndi_sales which ties in beautifully with the colourful and tribal themed floor rug from @kulchi. 5464 px 6830 px 6 MB A3 print |
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5. Formal Living Room (Entrance) Behind the pretty shingled facade is a bright and dynamic family home. We created a relaxed nature to the spaces for the family, who have two teenage boys. Comfort and quality were met with equal measure, with an emphasis on colour that continues throughout the home. Bright and playful artworks have been added such as this artwork from @lyndi_sales. 8150 px 5436 px 5 MB A3 print |
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6. Formal Living Room (Console) Adding a touch of Australian flair to this Californian home, a stunning artwork by Belinda Fox (@foxbelinda) graces the wall of the formal living room. Reflecting the owners' Australian heritage, this artwork serves as a poignant reminder of their roots, infusing the home with a sense of familiarity and connection. Against the backdrop of the vibrant and lively formal lounge, characterised by its colourful and textured ambiance, the neutral colour palette of this particular area adds a contemporary and sleek dimension to the room. 8127 px 5421 px 5 MB A3 print |
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7. Formal Living Room (Console) Adding a touch of Australian flair to this Californian home, a stunning artwork by Belinda Fox (@foxbelinda) graces the wall of the formal living room. Reflecting the owners' Australian heritage, this artwork serves as a poignant reminder of their roots, infusing the home with a sense of familiarity and connection. Against the backdrop of the vibrant and lively formal lounge, characterised by its colourful and textured ambiance, the neutral colour palette of this particular area adds a contemporary and sleek dimension to the room. 5464 px 6830 px 4 MB A3 print |
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8. Dining Room Family and formal dining wrapped into one, this space flows seamlessly from the formal living room. By knocking out wall openings we were able to continue the ceiling through between the two rooms and create substantial spatial impacts on connections in this space. Our clients table has travelled around the works with them and now has finally found a resting spot with these ‘Beetle Chairs’ from @gubioffical, which are an extraordinary option when it comes to comfort. The walls have been adorned with two beautiful Australian artworks by @vickileelee and Duncan Stothart adding that touch of Australian culture to the home. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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9. Dining to Living Room By knocking out the existing opening between the dining and formal living room it allowed us the opportunity to extend the ceiling line and create the eye with one long view between both areas. Seamlessly connecting the spaces and creating a functional open plan layout for the family of four. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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10. Kitchen A kitchen fit for a busy family! Connected to all living and dining spaces, this truly is the hub of the house. The old house walled itself off from the dining room completely, so that was our first point of attack - the house now spins around the kitchens axis point leaving it open to communicate with the main spaces in the home. Our colour confident clients were totally on board for the multiple colour scheme which brings the grey of the exterior wall shingles in to the house, and contrasts it against the deep green handmade ceramic back splash tiles from @heathceramics adding the perfect pop of colour to pair with grey and white striped cabinetry. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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11. Kitchen A kitchen fit for a busy family! Connected to all living and dining spaces, this truly is the hub of the house. The old house walled itself off from the dining room completely, so that was our first point of attack - the house now spins around the kitchens axis point leaving it open to communicate with the main spaces in the home. Our colour confident clients were totally on board for the multiple colour scheme which brings the grey of the exterior wall shingles in to the house, and contrasts it against the deep green handmade ceramic back splash tiles from @heathceramics adding the perfect pop of colour to pair with grey and white striped cabinetry. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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12. Kitchen A kitchen fit for a busy family! Connected to all living and dining spaces, this truly is the hub of the house. The old house walled itself off from the dining room completely, so that was our first point of attack - the house now spins around the kitchens axis point leaving it open to communicate with the main spaces in the home. Our colour confident clients were totally on board for the multiple colour scheme which brings the grey of the exterior wall shingles in to the house, and contrasts it against the deep green handmade ceramic back splash tiles from @heathceramics adding the perfect pop of colour to pair with grey and white striped cabinetry. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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13. Kitchen A kitchen fit for a busy family! Connected to all living and dining spaces, this truly is the hub of the house. The old house walled itself off from the dining room completely, so that was our first point of attack - the house now spins around the kitchens axis point leaving it open to communicate with the main spaces in the home. Our colour confident clients were totally on board for the multiple colour scheme which brings the grey of the exterior wall shingles in to the house, and contrasts it against the deep green handmade ceramic back splash tiles from @heathceramics adding the perfect pop of colour to pair with grey and white striped cabinetry. 8192 px 5464 px 4 MB A3 print |
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14. Kitchen / Study nook The pivotal kitchen slides itself around the corner of the house into the family room. This gave us ample opportunity for extra storage and a little breakfast bar / study nook that looks out onto the garden. 8126 px 5420 px 4 MB A3 print |
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15. Kitchen flowing around to Family Room The kitchen wraps its way around the house into the main family room where it ends as a bar table for a quick bite to eat overlooking the garden and or a convenient and centrally located study nook, epitomising an open plan layout. 5464 px 8192 px 7 MB A3 print |
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16. Family Room In the heart of this residence lies the main living room, where the vibrancy is elevated to new heights with the addition of an extraordinary rug by @paulsmithdesigns, injecting a playful spirit into the room but also establishing a contemporary anchor in front of the striking fireplace wall. The fireplace wall served as a canvas for creativity - by featuring Japanese Inax tiles in a soothing neutral white hue set against the bold black of the fireplace, we were able to create an interplay of textures and design elements to fill this room with style, comfort and warmth for those cosy wintery days. Chair from: Bensen Furniture Rug: 'The festival Rug' by @paulsmithdesign from @thegreenroom Coffee table by @bebitlaia Wall tiles: @inax.offical from @specceramicsinc 5464 px 6830 px 5 MB A3 print |
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17. Family Room Warm and practical tones create an easy, relaxed space within the family room, which connects back to the kitchen. Furniture choice was carefully curated to create a comfortable and practical environment for a family of four, such as the @camerichusa sofa and the @boconcept_official sideboard that acts as a sofa table end. A vibrant artwork by Duncan Stothart continues the bright colourway onto the walls and continues the Australian themed artwork throughout the home. 5438 px 8153 px 5 MB A3 print |
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18. Family Room Warm and practical tones create an easy, relaxed space within the family room which connects back to the kitchen. A vibrant artwork by Duncan Stothart continues the bright colourway onto the walls and continues the Australian themed artwork throughout the home. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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19. Bar (Family Room) Adjacent to the feature fireplace wall on the right, a sophisticated bar stands as a testament to refined taste and hospitality. This well-appointed addition to the home offers the owners and guests alike the opportunity to savour a perfectly crafted cocktail or a glass of fine wine while basking in the inviting ambiance of the living room. With its sleek design and convenient location, the bar becomes more than just a practical amenity. 5464 px 8192 px 5 MB A3 print |
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20. Main Bedroom The bones of this home provided us a beautiful feature wall to work with for this master bedroom. Our client adores @quercusandco so the first element we started with was the gorgeous wallpaper that washes the scene in a soft grey. From there we added a superb bed from @shoppeamberinteriors and wall lamps from @lzflamps (from @ke_zu in Australia). The scene was set for calm mornings and lazy Sundays. 5464 px 8192 px 5 MB A3 print |
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21. Main Bedroom The walk in robe connects the main bathroom ensuite to the main bedroom. Filled with natural night and the continuation of the soft grey aesthetic, it creates a dreamy and functional space between the two rooms. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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22. Main Bedroom This antique Japanese tansu has travelled with the client's across many countries and finally has found its perfect resting spot in the main bedroom within the home. We love combining eclectic items, and here the piece stands with a beautiful Australian artwork by @sylviamcewanart combining the colours within the bedroom seamlessly. Stool from @westelm. 5365 px 8097 px 4 MB A3 print |
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23. Main Bathroom The main bathroom continues the soft greys of the bedroom and relies heavily on texture of the @porcelanosa wall tiles to create a delicate design. Complimented by basins from Belmont Hardware and a wall light by @arterieshome, the space is a calming and light filled addition to the main bedroom. 5464 px 8192 px 3 MB A3 print |
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24. Main Bathroom This gorgeous stand-alone ceramic bath from @victoria_albert_baths is surrounded by dappled sun and the beauty of @porcelanosa wall tiles. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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25. Guest Bedroom The guest bedroom decor continues the emphasis on colour and texture. A grey/green wall is a lovely backdrop to set earthy tones against. Neutral and timeless furniture creates a comfortable and inviting space for guests to enjoy while they stay at the Palo Alto residence. Side table from: Herman Miller 5464 px 8192 px 8 MB A3 print |
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26. Guest Bathroom The design within this guest bathroom hinged around the glorious hand-made ceramic tiles from @heathceramics. They were a natural fit with the Japanese @specceramicsinc @inax.official finger tile. Our client is passionate about the mustard yellow colour way and we adored the handmade textural qualities that it presented, making them a perfect addition to this room. 5464 px 8192 px 4 MB A3 print |
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27. Guest Bathroom The design within this guest bathroom hinged around the glorious hand-made ceramic tiles from @heathceramics. They were a natural fit with the Japanese @specceramicsinc @inax.official finger tile. Our client is passionate about the mustard yellow colourway and we adored the handmade textural qualities that it presented, making them a perfect addition to this room. 5464 px 8192 px 3 MB A3 print |
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28. Guest Bathroom The design within this guest bathroom hinged around the glorious hand-made ceramic tiles from @heathceramics. They were a natural fit with the Japanese @specceramicsinc @inax.official finger tile. Our client is passionate about the mustard yellow colourway and we adored the handmade textural qualities that it presented, making them a perfect addition to this room. 5464 px 8192 px 3 MB A3 print |
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29. Kids Bathroom The kids bathroom is luxurious in size and perfect for teenagers who spend a lot of time in the bathroom. It's classic and bold in its sensibility and a wonderful addition to the tranquil upstairs spaces. Dublin Soaker Bath from @belmont.hardware Basin from @belmont.hardware Wall tiles from @porcelanosa Hardware from @calfaucets Monkey Hanging light from @seletti 5464 px 8192 px 6 MB A3 print |
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30. Kids Bathroom The kids bathroom is luxurious in size and perfect for teenagers who spend a lot of time in the bathroom. It's classic and bold in its sensibility and a wonderful addition to the tranquil upstairs spaces.Dublin Soaker Bath from @belmont.hardware Basin from @belmont.hardware Wall tiles from @porcelanosa Hardware from @calfaucets Monkey Hanging light from @seletti 5447 px 8167 px 5 MB A3 print |
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31. Back Facade The back view of this picture-perfect shingled house sets the scene of what is to be shown inside. The garden area was designed by Jamie Morf with such perfection and has allowed the house to extend its daily actions out into it with the wonderful Californian climate. No need for shade structures or deep verandahs in this place - the garden is dappled with century old Oak trees and it rarely rains heavily. When we first visited the house there was an odd spiral stair coming from the top balcony, that was promptly demolished to create a serene and clean backdrop. 5464 px 8192 px 8 MB A3 print |
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32. Outside Backyard Graced with landscape design by Jamie Morf who took cues from the interior and extended the living space out into the garden beyond. A Japanese hot tub was a key ingredient to all round weather bathing and century old oak and pine trees keep the garden cool in those hot dry months. The space has become a beautiful and inviting space for outdoor entertaining with the playful and comfortable addition of a version of the traditional #adirondackchair in lime green to continue the colourful theme of the house through to the garden. 5464 px 8192 px 8 MB A3 print |
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33. Kids Bathroom The kids bathroom is luxurious in size and perfect for teenagers who spend a lot of time in the bathroom. It's classic and bold in its sensibility and a wonderful addition to the tranquil upstairs spaces. Dublin Soaker Bath from @belmont.hardware Basin from @belmont.hardware Wall tiles from @porcelanosa Hardware from @calfaucets Monkey Hanging light from @seletti 4947 px 6184 px 4 MB A3 print |
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34. Outside Backyard Graced with landscape design by Jamie Morf of #morfologyla who took cues from the interior and extended the living space out into the garden beyond. A Japanese hot tub was a key ingredient to all round weather bathing and century old oak and pine trees keep the garden cool in those hot dry months. The space has become a beautiful and inviting space for outdoor entertaining with the playful and comfortable addition of a version of the traditional #adirondackchair in lime green to continue the colourful theme of the house through to the garden. 5464 px 8192 px 10 MB A3 print |
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35. Front Facade The beautiful shingled facade of the Palo Alto residence! Our project included a total gut of the interior of the house, working remotely from Australia before Covid made remote working a standard everywhere in the world. It’s a lovely family home in the prettiest of towns in the Bay Area in California. 5464 px 8192 px 8 MB A3 print |
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36. Front Facade Proud owners Meredith and Jason Martin, outside their stunning Palo Alto home. 5464 px 6737 px 9 MB A3 print |
This incredible 1940’s Cape Cod-style Palo Alto residence, owned by one of Brooke Aitken’s longtime childhood friends, is a beautiful collaboration that showcases their friendship and shared vision for design. “Brooke knows our lifestyle and our family so well that there was tacit understanding of the kind of spaces we were seeking” - Meredith.
No formal brief was required to complete this renovation and redesign, as Brooke intuitively understood Meredith and her family’s needs and taste.
A key aspect of the renovation involved removing certain walls to create a central focal point, which was ultimately achieved by opening up the main space and making the kitchen the heart of the home. The client is an excellent cook and entertainer, so designing a fabulously functional kitchen and large outdoor entertaining space was inherently important.
Incorporating Australian culture into the home was a priority, reflecting Meredith's Australian heritage alongside her American husband's background. Furniture sourced from Melbourne and Sydney, along with artworks by their family friend and talented artist Duncan Stothart, contribute to the home's unique "Australian sensibility," creating a beautiful blend of the two cultures.
To brighten the space and inject some ‘life-affirming colour,’ Brooke and Meredith selected handmade green wall tiles for the kitchen splash-back, and vibrant yellow tiles for the guest bathroom and laundry, both from Heath Ceramics, who have been making tiles by hand since 1948. These were the first elements of colour that went on to influence the remainder of the design. Now filled with vibrant colour in the way of artwork, furniture and objects, the house is filled with joy. It is a true reflection of the owners' personal style and an inspiring space for the family to spend their time and entertain visitors from overseas.