Palmerston Avenue

On historic Palmerston Avenue, the interior of an old Victorian house has been re-imagined for the contemporary family. The interventions made in the home are uncompromisingly modern, yet still warm and compatible with its residents child-centric lives. The cheerful clutter of toys in the space doesn’t detract from our work, rather they complement each other, proving that modern design and family living need not be exclusive.

As the house has a very open plan, our work traces throughout the ground floor and helps to delineate different areas. Just inside the entrance foyer is a free-floating storage unit for coats and keys. The materials used here – a base of walnut wrapped by a band of white lacquered MDF – are the primary material choices for the home. Their deployment throughout the ground floor helps to unify the spaces and ensure a continuous and graceful flow from area to area.

Opposite of the storage unit is a built-in bench that serves as both a place to untie one’s shoes, and a seat for the main living space. This area is defined by a floor to ceiling wall of cabinetry - a strongly asymmetrical arrangement of open and closed storage, grounded by a built-in hearth. A wonderful cross section of the family’s interests exist here, some put on display, others neatly tucked away. From books to photos to children’s toys, the cabinet is an evolving hub of life in the home.

The materiality of the kitchen is integral with the rest of the house, but also defines itself with the addition of two new materials. White countertops wrap throughout the kitchen and a row of walnut uppers both provide a pop of colour and complement the other areas. The rest of the cabinetry is made of grey lacquered MDF and topped by laser-cut openings that provide for recessed lighting to shine through. The subdued colour palette of the kitchen allows for the living area to rightfully take centre stage.

Credits:

Photography: Andrew Snow