You would think that Richmond House is one in a series of modernist Palms Springs homes somewhere in sunny California. But it’s not. Along an ordinary street in South Australia, Studio Gram’s latest project is one that very much stands out against its’ immediate surroundings by channelling a very California aesthetic—exactly what their clients were after.

With a young son and another on the way, the couple—a winemaker and a photographer—needed a family home to grow with them. Housing four bedrooms, an ensuite and a family bathroom within the original structure, Studio Gram’s extension adds a laundry, kitchen, living and dining area for the family to spill out into. A series of courtyards saturate the home with abundant light, servicing not only the humans, but their extensive plant and cacti collection that live within.

“Driving the core designs was a desire for an oversupply of natural light, shadow play and direct visual connection to the home” shares Studio Gram. Working with landscape designer Emma Sadie Thompson, Studio Gram manages to draw the garden-focused aesthetic of the home inwards. Welcomed into the home through its series of courtyards, a careful selection of sculptural plants are exhibited from inside, framed by the architecture in an almost gallery-esque charm. Studio Gram note that the planting selections also tick the box when it comes to “surviving the harsh extremes of the South Australian summer without requiring an oversupply of water”.

Inside, warm tones of white are paired with soft timbers used across window frames and bold exposed ceiling beams. There is something quite comfortable about these spaces; they make you want to curl up near an arched window and spend the afternoon with a good book and an iced tea. The renovation also included the transformation of the existing garden shed into a plant propagation station and photography studio. “The evolution of the garden and addition of workspace has created a functional and beautiful living environment for the family”, explains the design team at Studio Gram.

While embracing references to Palm Springs architecture and a garden-focused aesthetic that is prominent across sunny California, this classic suburban home is, as Studio Gram describe, “everything that an Australian home should be—robust, relaxed, and full of authentic character”. For the family of almost-four, it is a character-filled family home that can be lived in from the inside out. Equipped with a large pool in the backyard, Richmond house really screams Palms Springs. The only thing missing are a few inflatable pink flamingos.

[Images courtesy of Studio Gram. Photography by Timothy Kaye.]