Behind the façade of this handsome old Edwardian home in Elwood unfolds an unexpected contemporary interior, which is both elegant and timeless. In this residential project our design team embraced the clients brief through simplicity of layout, subtlety of light, use of honest materials, clean lines and well-executed details.

This Edwardian residence in Elwood was dark and pokey, but had the makings of something beautiful.  A family of four with two teenage boys needed room to expand.  Converting the attic and adding a new northwest extension, coupled with a full internal redesign, we bought this vision to life.

Our design concepts included simplicity of layout, subtlety of light, use of honest materials, clean lines and well-executed details. Our creative team embraced constraints as opportunities. The steep slop of the land allowed for the wonderful use of the attic space whilst maintaining high ceilings heights on the ground floor. Privacy from the neighbouring flats was achieved in the interior through framing desired garden views such as introducing a deep sculptural picture window.

Materials used were chosen for their warmth and durability, along with a sense of texture when touched.  The walls, floors, and roof were insulated to the highest standard and natural light flows into all spaces through large windows and skylights in appropriate areas.

We addressed the budget by being clever in some areas and indulging in other areas. This project gained its rich narrative through the strong collaboration between Client, Architect, Interior Designer, Landscape Designer and Builder.

This project is an example of innovation and excellent design practice because the challenge in today’s world of high property prices and busy lifestyles is to create in a home an interior that combines private spaces for individuals to retreat and public open spaces where family and friends can gather. Our design team knew that we didn’t need a huge home for our clients to live in harmony, it just needed to be a well thought out one.

This project contributes to contemporary interior design practice by embracing constraints as opportunities, combining beauty and functionality, striving for quality and longevity, and utilising finishes and fixtures that are beautiful, but also environmentally aware, aiming to reduce their environmental impact for our future.

We believe this project enhances Interior Design practice because of the integrity behind the design. From the very seed of this project, the client wanted to preserve the beauty of their old building at the front whilst embracing an elegant timeless renovation to meet their long term needs. Through careful consideration, we feel we have created for our client a beautiful home which is respectful of both it’s past and the future.

Architect: Robson Rak Architects

Interior Designer: Made By Cohen