As an architect, seeing ways to bring new life to your own home comes with the job.

CLO Architecture director Caitlin Lonn knows this feeling all too well. When she found herself rethinking her 1960s mid-century Brisbane home, she decided to work within a considered $300k budget to bring her vision for the house to life.

After five years of living here with her partner, Jonathan Quintanar, and their dog, Guzman, Caitlin knew the house had plenty going for it — great bones, lots of character — but it was also showing its age.

The paint and plasterboard were peeling, and the only outdoor space was a fully enclosed asbestos patio on the north-west side that limited airflow and light. The tiny kitchen and dining room also made hosting awkward.

‘We love to entertain, so the brief was to create spaces where we could have friends over and make the most of the Queensland weather,’ Caitlin explains.

‘As an architect designing for myself, the hardest part was sticking to the budget and not getting carried away with ideas. Having a clear scope and a long-term master plan helped – any idea that didn’t fit this stage has a place in a future one.’

Caitlin and Jonathan worked solely on the ground floor in this renovation — leaving the upper level, bedrooms and bathrooms — helping them to stay within their budget constraints.

‘We weren’t trying to do everything at once. This stage was designed so that it will complement the future works, rather than be undone by them,’ she says.

The outcome is a new kitchen and dining area with a light-filled, spacious living extension opening to a new patio and backyard through bi-fold doors.

‘The kitchen has made a huge difference to how we entertain and host; everyone gathers around the island. But what we’re most proud of is that we’ve kept the character of the original home, while making it work for our lifestyle and our growing family.’

The home’s original natural timber floors continue in the extension, and varied ceiling heights create unique atmospheres in each space.

‘The connection to the outdoors has changed the whole feeling of the house. Even though the extension has a small footprint, it has transformed how the entire home feels — the living room feels like it’s part of the garden,’ says Caitlin.

They also took inspiration from modern Mexican architecture.

‘Jonathan is from Mexico City, and over the years we’ve spent a lot of time there together. The warmth of the materials, the richness of colour and the way everyday life spills outdoors have stayed with us, and we wanted this house to bring a little of that feeling home to Brisbane,’ she says.

The terracotta tiles are a personal connection for Jonathan while also paying homage to the home’s orange brickwork exterior.

‘Living through it ourselves, on a tight budget, has given us first-hand insight into what our clients go through — and shown how much a considered, well-scoped design can achieve without having to do everything at once.’

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After sailing the world, there’s a reason Kohutt founder Nick Jaffe chose Tasmania as the place to put down roots about a decade ago.

‘I grew up in rural Victoria, spending my childhood camping and cross-country skiing. In my 20s, I discovered a love of the sea, surfing and sailing,’ Nick says.

‘By my mid-30s, I’d sailed across the Atlantic, Pacific and other remote regions, and dreamt of settling by the ocean. I love raw, real places. Tasmania is both of those things, so it was only logical I’d end up here.’

He ended up channelling his love of the outdoors, travelling, and camping into his brand Kohutt, which produces locally made canvas, oilskin and wool field gear with durability in mind.

Having now lived in Tassie for over a decade, it’s no surprise Nick has a particular appreciation for the west coast, describing it as ‘Tasmania in its most elemental form’.

‘Thousands of miles of windswept ocean finally meet on this small island — the collision point of a wild sea and a wild land,’ he adds.

For anyone who shares in his adventurous spirit, Nick says this rugged destination belongs at the very top of your bucket list. See 10 of his favourite spots to explore across Strahan, Queenstown, and the surrounds below!

Captain’s Rest

Even if you might not have heard of Strahan, a humble fishing village about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Launceston, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of an accommodation there: Captain’s Rest.

This tranquil heritage cottage is a world-famous getaway, run by designer and author Sarah Andrews, who created the escape as a retreat for those seeking solace by the sea. And it’s a perfect base for exploring the region.

‘I have a special connection with Captain’s Rest, being a close friend of Sarah,’ Nick says. ‘We connected many years ago over a shared interest in ocean voyaging. I’ve watched Sarah create this otherworldly space from literally nothing and be rewarded for her efforts, creativity, grit, and style in creating arguably the most iconic stay in Tasmania.’

Find out more here.

The Coffee Shack

‘Strahan is a very small place, but there is only one place I’ll always choose for a coffee, and that’s The Coffee Shack,’ Nick says. Stop by while exploring Strahan for a hot drink, a snack, and a break from the elements outside.

Find out more here.

Ocean Beach

Just a few kilometres from town, you’ll find Tasmania’s longest beach, called Ocean Beach. Stretching a massive 40 kilometres along the wild west coast, the beach overlooks the vast Southern Ocean, making it a wonderful place to watch the sunset.

‘On my first visit to Strahan many years ago, we drove onto the windswept western beaches, buffeted heavily by the westerlies,’ Nick says. ‘When I stepped onto the shores, I felt an overwhelming sense of solitude, as though I was the first person to visit in some time. But really, that’s all down to the rugged and immersive nature of the elements here.’

Find out more here.

Risby Cove

Risby Cove is a luxurious boutique hotel that also has its own waterfront restaurant. In true Tasmanian style, the seasonal menu shifts with the weather to offer a true celebration of local produce, from organic vegetables to fresh seafood

‘Expect exceptional food, overlooking the ever-changing and moody Macquarie Harbour,’ Nick says.

Find out more here.

Hogarth Falls

Did you know the Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania has compiled a handy, official guide to 60 Great Short Walks around the state? Well, one of these bite-sized nature trails is the Hogarth Falls path in the heart of Strahan. Spanning 2.4 kilometres return, this easy walk takes less than an hour, leading you through towering gums and rainforest trees, before opening to a wonderful waterfall. And if you’re lucky, you might see a platypus in the creek below!

Find out more here.

Gordon River Cruises

No trip to the region is complete without a boat trip along Tasmania’s iconic Gordon River, famous for its mirror-like reflections of the protected rainforest.

For an unforgettable experience, book the immersive, six-hour tour with award-winning Gordon River Cruises, whose guides will take you through Hells Gates (where the harbour and the Southern Ocean meet), Macquarie Harbour, the river, and the convict ruins of Sarah Island.

Find out more here.

West Coast Wilderness Railway 

Less than an hour’s drive from Strahan, Queenstown is another alluring gateway to traversing Tasmania’s west coast — especially thanks to a remarkable century-old railway that pioneers built through the unforgiving terrain.

Today, you can choose your own adventure from one of West Coast Wilderness Railway’s steam train journeys. Many start at the historic Queenstown Station, and even the romantic interior of the carriages feels like stepping back in time!

Find out more here.

Moonscape Wine Bar and Cafe

If you love a classic wine bar, you’ll love Moonscape Wine Bar and Cafe. In addition to the menu full of quality, independent produce, this venue prides itself on excellent food and wine pairings, with a penchant for showcasing only the best in local spirits, wine, and craft beers — so you know you’re getting a true taste of the region.

Find out more here.

Lake Burbury

Nick also recommends travelling about 20 minutes east of Queenstown to visit Lake Burbury: a human-made lake on the edge of the World Heritage Wilderness Area. It’s a great spot for fishing or simply enjoying the ‘peculiar stillness’ of the setting.

‘The mountains often reflect on the water so convincingly, you’re left questioning whether you’re actually standing upright or not,’ Nick adds.

Find out more here.

The Paragon Theatre

Nick says this 1930s ‘talkie’ theatre in the heart of Queenstown is another hidden gem that will delight architecture fans, history buffs, or movie lovers alike: ‘The Paragon Theatre is an unexpected icon of Art Deco design, the kind of place where you might bump into Errol Flynn nursing a stout in one hand and a cigar in the other!’

Find out more here.

Got a taste for Tasmania’s west coast? There’s more to dig into. Discover Tasmania has the experiences, restaurants, events and local tips you didn’t know you needed. If you’re craving a regular dose of trip-planning intel, subscribe to their newsletter.

Few Australian brands are quite as distinctive as SUKU Home.

Founded by creative director and entrepreneur Chrissy Lafian in 2013, the business is known for playful bedding and loungewear, distinguished by hand-painted patterns and colourful designs.

Working with a team of skilled artisans in Bali means each SUKU Home textile is unique. So, it’s no surprise that Chrissy’s own family home in Melbourne’s west is similarly one of a kind.

‘We saw the listing online and went to inspect it just hours before we were meant to go to a completely different auction,’ says Chrissy, who shares the house with her husband, business analyst Chris Zancan, and their four-year-old son, Enzo.

‘We fell for it straight away: the unique architecture, the light, that bright and airy feeling. Something about it just felt calm. It was one of those instant, no-hesitation decisions.’

The property was a new build in Brooklyn that was only about ‘80 per cent finished’, having been listed for sale by the owner who was unable to see the project to completion.

Set well back from the street, the contemporary house offered an unusually large front yard, and the interiors were lined almost exclusively in plywood.

Intrigued by the vendor’s vision, Chrissy and Chris sat down with him after buying the house: ‘He’d been really inspired by the simplicity of Japanese design, which happens to be something Chris and I are drawn to as well.’

‘The bones of his vision are still there; we’ve just injected our own personal take on top of it. What you see now is really a layering of the two,’ Chrissy adds.

With the structural details and logistics complete, the couple jumped at the chance to have the final say on the house’s internal finishes. The biggest updates included finalising the kitchen’s design in the open-plan living space, which now overlooks the fresh landscaping in the once-untouched front yard.

While they loved the home’s minimalist concrete floors and timber-lined walls, after much deliberation, Chrissy says they decided to cover up some of the existing plywood panels with white plaster. It’s a small change that ultimately enhances the harmonious material palette, making room for the family’s personal collection of furniture and art.

‘Designing for SUKU has made me realise how much joy colour and prints can bring into a space — it’s made me not afraid to use them,’ she says of the home’s expressive styling.

Vintage gems are styled alongside cinematic prints from Jakarta-based photographer Leandro Quintero throughout. The bedrooms upstairs showcase SUKU Home bedding, alongside one of Chrissy’s most recent DIY projects: ‘I updated the IKEA drawers in there with a timber veneer front, and it made me fall in love with the piece all over again.’

‘I’m all about giving something you already own a new meaning, being able to look at it and find a new love for it. That’s what makes it special to me. I also love changing my bed sheet depending on my mood, so the room never feels the same twice.’

Thanks to this creative flair, and a bit of patience over the last few years, the once unfinished family home now feels inviting, eclectic, and completely whole.

Coastal gardens invite a more relaxed, resilient approach, where shelter, hardy planting and a sense of ease all play a role.

Landscape designer Phillip Withers shares his tips on how to embrace the wildness and weather the conditions.

What sets coastal gardens apart?

Gardens by the coast are shaped by a uniquely dynamic environment that engages all the senses… and a lot more wind. Views, aspect and topography play a strong role, but it’s the coastal conditions — wind, salt-laden air, shifting light and the sounds and scent of the ocean that truly define them. These landscapes change quickly through the seasons, creating gardens that feel dramatic and constantly evolving.

What are the challenges of planting a coastal garden?

Coastal planting is shaped by a set of conditions that are inherently demanding, making a strong understanding of site and horticulture essential.

SAND

The first thing to get right is the soil. Many coastal sites have sandy, free-draining soil that struggles to retain moisture and nutrients. Thorough soil preparation is critical — incorporating organic matter and applying generous mulch to improve water retention, support soil health and suppress weeds.

WIND

Persistent coastal winds can dry out foliage, stunt growth and place stress on young plants. Thoughtful planning and zoning is required to establish layered planting that provides shelter, with wind-tolerant plants acting as the bodyguards for more delicate varieties as the garden settles in and builds its own microclimate.

SALT

Salt-laden air influences plant selection. Choosing plants suited to coastal conditions is fundamental to creating gardens that are both robust and long lasting.

What plants work best in this environment?

A great starting point is to observe the plants naturally occurring in the surrounding landscape, which will vary depending on the location of the coast. Succulents are excellent for adding structure and form, while grasses provide movement and softness as they sway in the breeze. Many species from Western Australia are particularly well adapted to sandy soils and harsh coastal conditions, making them reliable choices. Mediterranean plants, as well as some exotics such as olive trees, can be introduced to create contrast and interest.

What do coastal gardens bring to a home?

Beyond the ecological benefits, coastal gardens offer strong biophilic and sensory rewards. The sounds, scents, and expansive views of the coast create a profound sense of wellbeing and escapism, making these gardens not just visually striking, but places that restore and inspire.

Do coastal gardens need more or less water than an ‘average’ garden?

When designed thoughtfully, coastal gardens can be remarkably water-efficient. Like any garden, however, they still require regular watering during establishment and in extended hot spells. With careful soil preparation and the right selection of species — such as grasses, succulents, and hardy shrubs — these gardens often become drought-tolerant once established. By using native and well-adapted plants, coastal landscapes can thrive with minimal irrigation, creating resilient, sustainable and lush gardens.

What’s important to keep in mind when designing a coastal garden?

Balancing soft and hardscape is critical. Coastal conditions can be harsh, so spending time in the space to understand wind, sun, shade and views will ensure the garden works with the natural elements rather than against them. Thoughtful placement of paths, seating and structures creates zones that are functional and enjoyable, connecting indoors and outdoors so the garden can be appreciated in every season.

Phillip’s Coastal Planting Tips

1.  Consider zoning + maintenance

Start by deciding how much garden is appropriate for your property, taking into account the surrounding landscape, the intended use of the space and ongoing maintenance — especially if the home isn’t a primary residence. Thoughtful planning at this stage sets the foundation for a garden that works with the site and the lifestyle of its users.

2.  Know your local environment

Spend time in nearby heathlands, reserves, and coastal landscapes to understand the local ecology. By observing native flora and fauna you can gain insight into what naturally thrives, inspiring plant selection and design/layout choices.

3.  Plan for the full seasonal lifecycle

Consider how the garden will look throughout the year. Combine dormant or subtler species with flowering and more active plants to ensure year-round interest, texture and vitality.

An edited version of this story originally appeared in The Design Files Magazine Issue 04. Subscribe to the biannual print magazine here.

When Dean and Fran purchased this 1904 worker’s cottage in Lilyfield as a downsizer from their former family home, they wanted it to feel spacious and joyful. While its heritage exterior was inviting, its rear was a ‘rabbit warren of dark rooms’.

Co-directors of architecture studio Michiru Higginbotham, Adam Higginbotham and Michiru Cohen knew exactly how to preserve the home’s heritage street presence while still suiting the homeowners’ contemporary lifestyle.

‘The home needed to feel spacious enough to replace their former family house, while remaining low-maintenance and joyful for life’s next chapter. [They] wanted a home that was supremely comfortable for two whilst not compromising on space,’ Michiru says.

‘Rather than treating downsizing as compromise, we approached the project as an opportunity to rethink what compact living can feel like through volume, light, materiality and flexibility,’ Adam explains.

Adam and Michiru drew on brick and timber weatherboard references to match the neighbouring homes. They imbued the abode with light and character, always prioritising the connection between the kitchen and garden to suit the couple’s love of cooking and Fran’s passion for gardening.

An exposed brick threshold connects the original front rooms with the new concealed, two-storey contemporary rear extension. A modern kitchen, living and dining space lie in this addition with ‘a calm, cathedral-like ceiling in the master retreat above.’

The Marseile-tiled hipped roof was also reformed into a gable, adding to the seamless transition between indoors and outdoors.

‘There’s a beautiful moment where you move through the original hallway and suddenly arrive in this light-filled volume that feels completely unexpected for a workers’ cottage,’ Michiru says.

The abode’s Edwardian facade, raised terrace, iron palisade, original front door and front porch decorative tiles were preserved, while inside the home, timber windows, floor tiles and wall lining were retained and reused.

One of the biggest challenges of the renovation was navigating the local council’s careful oversight of the home’s architecture and exterior colours, ensuring the heritage facade remained sympathetic to the surrounding streetscape.

Inside, though, Michiru and Adam had much more freedom to experiment.

‘The discussion with the client was to have more fun with the interiors where we weren’t scrutinised as closely, hence the whimsical response internally,’ says Michiru.

Colour was always going to play a starring role. Working closely with Fran and Dean, Michiru and Adam introduced a playful palette throughout the home, from the blush-pink tiled bathroom to the eucalypt-green bedroom — a reminder that, as Michiru puts it, “playfulness has no age”.

That sense of fun continues in the kitchen, where a graphic checkerboard wall in cork adds pattern, texture and a touch of whimsy. The idea was inspired by a Kylie Kwong restaurant the homeowners had long admired, and it proved to be more than just a beautiful detail.

‘Cork is good from a sustainability point of view, as well as for acoustics, and it’s low-toxin. It was just this perfect synergy,’ Michiru says.

Sustainability was considered at every turn, too, with the renovation designed to support Fran and Dean well into retirement. The home is now fully electric, with solar integration replacing gas and helping to reduce its ongoing energy use and running costs.

For a downsizer, this home feels anything but diminished.

‘It needed to feel joyful and generous enough that [the homeowners] wouldn’t miss the family home they left behind. The interplay between heritage, sustainability and contemporary living is what makes this project so special,’ says Adam.

Nestled in the backyard of an existing home in Albert Town, in New Zealand’s South Island, this little cabin was deliberately designed to offer more ‘garden than house’.

Yakisugi Cabin is a passion project from Alki Design founder Charlotte Muschamp and her partner Stefan Warnaar of StrawSIPs — a company that manufactures high-performance, prefabricated straw-timber structural panels.

In addition to its compact 40-square-metre footprint and use of recycled materials, the couple designed the dwelling to be relocatable, elevated on piles for a light touch on its natural environment.

But on a personal level, it also served as a bit of a trial run of the area: ‘We wanted to live in the mountain town we love while we looked for the piece of land where we might eventually put down longer-term roots,’ Charlotte says.

‘We lease this site, so it made sense to create a home we could take with us when that time comes.’

Just two years since the project began, what was once an ‘uninspiring patch of weedy grass’ has become their everyday home.

Rather than designing first and specifying materials later, the architecture was developed around materials already carrying a history. Charlotte admits it took months of sourcing to pull together the pieces, from the timber windows and doors to untreated macrocarpa cypress grown on her family farm in Southland. Even the oak flooring and corrugated metal roof were reclaimed.

Inside, every inch of space has been maximised with integrated joinery. Designed as a straightforward rectangle, the small footprint contains a bathroom, while the streamlined kitchen, built-in day bed and workspace are all located within the main living area.

A Murphy bed pulls down from the wall, swiftly transitioning the central space into the bedroom at night.

‘We don’t really think of it as a tiny home; it’s a fully functioning home that happens to be small. Its size lets us devote more of the site to the garden. Living among the mountains, we wanted to respect the land and give more to it than we took from it,’ Charlotte says.

The exterior features yakisugi cladding, a Japanese technique for charring timber also known as shou sugi ban, which allows the building to recede into the now immersive landscape.

For sustainability, the cabin incorporates greywater reuse with an incinerating toilet. Constructing the home from modular StrawSIPs gave the dwelling a highly insulated, airtight envelope, aided by passive solar gain and a mechanical heat-recovery ventilation system to maintain a stable temperature — even through Wānaka’s alpine winters and sub-zero temperatures.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the project is how the low-impact build has completely regenerated the surrounding landscape into something of a dreamy meadow.

‘Straw offcuts from Stefan’s StrawSIP panels were mulched into the ground, where they gradually broke down and helped improve the poor soil. We also compost organic waste from the home and return it to the garden,’ Charlotte adds.

‘We’ve planted flowers and herbs including verbena, Russian sage, lavender, California poppies, baby’s breath and yarrow, alongside our food garden. Our hope is that the soil and the life it supports will continue to improve while we’re here, and that this will remain long after the cabin moves.’

We were a little spoiled for choice when putting together Issue 05 of The Design Files Magazine.

There were simply too many beautiful Australian homes to choose from, so we did what felt like the only sensible thing: we included MORE. The result is our biggest issue yet!

Inside, you’ll find interior designer Leigh Ellwood’s dreamy Scandi-style cottage in Fitzroy, filled with pieces she’s collected (and had shipped) from the Nordic countries over the past decade — an impressive exercise in both excellent taste and faith in the postal system.

We visit the bold 1860s home of two Melbourne restaurateurs, take a peek inside design legend Vince Frost’s Northern Beaches home, and head to North Warrandyte to discover a beautiful stone-and-log house with an artistic legacy of its own.

We also explore the missing middle in Australian housing, travel to Quinkan Country to discover ancient art, and ask what human creativity might look like in this new era of AI.

And, of course, there’s SO much more. Pre-order The Design Files Magazine Issue 05 here (or subscribe and get 20% off!) to receive an early copy before it officially hits stores on October 26 (discover our stockists and read the FAQs).

PLUS, don’t miss out on our limited-edition subs offer! The first 100 new subscribers to The Design Files Magazine will receive a $50 Maison Balzac voucher*. Simply use the code MAISONBALZAC50 at The Design Files Magazine subscription checkout, while stocks last!

*Terms and conditions apply.

Where most people would have been deterred by a small, termite-infested, asbestos-ridden fibro shack in Minnie Water with no indoor plumbing, Courtney and Michael Adamo saw potential.

They knew it needed to be demolished to build a new home from scratch that would do justice to its beautiful village and surrounding landscape.

Their beachfront holiday home is now for sale, with all furniture and accessories included, for a lucky new owner to enjoy the many beaches within walking distance, and the slower pace of life Minnie Water offers.

‘When we came to see it, the whales were everywhere in the ocean below, practically waving to us as we stood on the bluff above them,’ Courtney explains.

‘It was the most beautiful, sparkly day and we just knew we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy this piece of land.’

The couple and their five children have loved their time in this beachfront home, taking in its uninterrupted ocean views, towering pine trees and nearby national park.

‘You can watch the sun rise from bed, and I’m always watching whales as I wash the dishes. There are also windows on the south side that take in the views of the beautiful pine trees. We love the big timber deck and just sitting there watching the whales and dolphins in the ocean below,’ Courtney says.

Inspired by mid-century architecture, the new build pairs natural, locally sourced materials with all-electric living to create a considered, sustainable home.

Inside, colours were chosen to match the surrounding nature.

‘Everything is quite earthy,’ Courtney says. ‘The green was an homage to the original fibro shack, but it also reflects the beautiful greenery around us. The downstairs floor is terrazzo, and it looks like the pebbles on the nearby beaches.’

Courtney and her family have enjoyed many weekends away here; the decision to sell this beloved house hasn’t been easy.

‘We are actually quite devastated that we have to sell it… Life has become expensive with two mortgages and children in university, and we can no longer afford to keep a holiday home,’ she says.

But Courtney hopes the home’s new owners will appreciate its beauty and peaceful surrounds as much as they have.

‘We love how quiet the village is — there’s nothing to do apart from spend time together in nature, play board games, [and] read books,’ she says.

‘We love this home so much and had hoped to keep it forever, passing it on to our children and grandchildren. We will miss the slow family time we have in this home and the incredible connection to nature.’

7 Waratah Crescent, Minnie Water, NSW, 2462 is listed for sale with Sam Hinton from Lifestyle Coffs Harbour.

Tucked into a quiet pocket of St Andrews Beach, just an hour from Melbourne, Onshore Retreat is a dreamy coastal escape shaped by its natural surroundings.

Set across 6000 square metres, the property is home to Poppy Teagan Buntz, her partner Joel Van Den Eynden and their daughter, as well as two guest stays: Ida’s Studio and The Lodge.

The latest addition is Ida’s Studio, an open-plan, one-bedroom guesthouse that has just undergone a careful renovation.

‘It was really the setting that drew us in. It felt like a pretty special place to live, and we could see the potential in it even though it needed a lot of work,’ Poppy explains.

Named in memory of Joel’s Oma, Ida’s Studio is a simple, peaceful space designed to feel connected to its surroundings.

The original building was made up of two side-by-side studio spaces, which presented a challenge for Poppy and Joel. Rather than starting again, they worked with the existing structure to create one light-filled, open-plan space for two to three guests.

‘A lot of it was really about making the most of what was already there, rather than starting completely from scratch,’ explains Poppy.

She and Joel removed the wall between the studios to open up the space before renovating the existing bathroom, adding a cosy fireplace, and replacing the studio’s small windows in favour of larger ones to offer views of the nearby sand dunes.

The kitchen was also given a simple update, designed to be both practical and inviting.

‘It still feels like somewhere you can actually cook and settle into for a few days. We were drawn to really simple, honest materials like plywood and light terrazzo with the blue adding a little bit of colour,’ Poppy says.

Outside, an outdoor bath, shower and spa offer another way to take in the landscape. Set behind Rye Back Beach, the property is close enough to the ocean that its sound carries through the property, adding to the sense of escape.

‘I love how a small space can feel really special when it’s in a beautiful landscape. There’s something about having everything you need in a compact space that makes you slow down a little,’ Poppy says.

‘No matter what time of year there’s something really inviting about being here. Ideally they leave feeling a little more refreshed than when they arrived and hopefully wanting to return.’

‘I feel like there isn’t really an exact name for my interior style — a little bit Copenhagen, a little bit Japanese and a little bit retro,’ Madeline Jovicic says.

The Newcastle-based artist has captured this fresh aesthetic best in the carefully curated design of her 50-square-metre residence.

Like a modern take on what is typically known as a ‘granny flat’, the compact home is new build, nestled at the rear of her family home. But it’s not your average backyard studio.

Anything the pint-sized dwelling lacks in size, it makes up for with its playful character. Butter-yellow joinery meets stainless-steel elements in the gallery style kitchen, while polished concrete floors continue into Madeline’s adjoining bedroom.

‘The vision was for light-filled spaces, which was a bit of a challenge due to the aspect and the fact that it’s quite low down compared to the surrounding houses,’ Madeline says of the project’s design.

‘I knew I wanted to use glass bricks in the living space, as I’ve always been enamoured by them. They let in a beautiful filtered light throughout the day, whilst still maintaining privacy.’

Skylights and crisp white walls were also key to maximising a sense of space inside, leaving room for fun pops of colour; from the glossy red lighting to natural textures of a Japanese tatami mat, and her custom-made, plywood ‘library bed’, containing integrated shelving.

It’s a restrained backdrop for Madeline’s ever-evolving collection of artworks and knick-knacks, with plenty of pieces collected from around the world.

‘I always make sure to pick up a little something for my home every time I travel overseas. Ceramics from Puglia, Greece and China; magazines from London and Paris; glass and metal objects from Japan and Kore, plus coffee table books from all over,’ she adds.

‘It’s funny but one of my prized possessions is my blue basin from The Water Monopoly. When I eventually move out, I think I’ll simply have to take it with me.’

The compact dwelling backs directly onto the garage, half of which has been converted into an art studio for Madeline’s creative endeavours.

‘[My family and I] felt I really needed a dedicated studio, as there is a lot of equipment that comes along with painting and ceramics that used to live on the dining table or the living room floor, which wasn’t ideal!’

Madeline says this living arrangement has struck just the right balance, offering space for her creative work while still enjoying daily life with her family.

‘I think multigenerational living is starting to become much more normalised in Australia due to cost of living,’ she explains.

‘Being able to “live” with my family but also have my own space to breathe is truly such a privilege.’