Search Results for: RESIDENTIAL

Designing Multi-Generational Living with Style and Function From its previous life as a pastel-toned “Gold Coast Barbie Dreamhouse” with strong Miami Vice overtones, to its status as a dynamic, multi-generational residence, the transformation of this Vaucluse home is a compelling study in contemporary residential architecture. Led by Decus Interiors in collaboration with KA Design Studio, this three-level home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs blends playful nostalgia with masterful design to create a richly layered living experience.  Dubbed the Patchwork House, the project reflects a profoundly personal and deliberate design narrative – confident, rebellious, and irresistibly tactile.   A New Chapter in Sydney Residential Architecture  At its core, the Patchwork House exemplifies the evolution of Australian residential architecture, where functionality, family life, and expressive design coexist in harmony. What was once a flat, box-like 1980s structure has been completely reimagined. With KA Design Studio‘s strategic additions, the property maximizes panoramic views over Watson’s Bay while facilitating modern living across generations.  Through thoughtful architectural reconfiguration and layered interiors, the home now speaks to the art of entertaining and the joy of retreat. It is bold, expressive, and grounded in a lived-in elegance that redefines luxury.  The Cupola: A Sculptural Entry into Everyday Theatre  One of the most defining features of this home is the central cupola—a soaring, double-height circular space that floods the heart of the house with natural light. This architectural gesture is more than aesthetic; it serves as a spatial compass, connecting the various living zones with a sense of ceremony and flow.  In contemporary residential architecture, such central anchors are increasingly used to promote openness while organizing movement, and the cupola in Patchwork House is a masterclass in doing just that. It draws guests into adjacent spaces like the library, kitchen, and formal living areas, while offering a dramatic moment of arrival.  Creating Intimacy Within Volume  One of the most significant challenges in large-scale residential design is balancing scale with intimacy. Decus Interiors addressed this with references to Brazilian and Mexican screening techniques, using architectural partitions and textured materials to create privacy zones without sacrificing connection.  A 20-seat dining table sculpted for communal gathering is juxtaposed with moments of softness: curved openings lined in Flemish glass, ribbed ceilings, and a tiered custom sofa with gentle undulating lines. These forms counterbalance the home’s grand proportions, softening its geometry and injecting warmth.  Behind the library’s bookshelves, a hidden stairwell leads down to a lower level filled with recreational surprises: a wine cellar, games area, home gym, sauna, cinema, and guest quarters. It’s a vibrant, multi-use space for downtime and joyful, generational living—an essential principle in modern residential architecture.  A Textural Symphony of Materials  Materiality is a central character in this home’s story. The interiors are layered with polished plaster, figured stone, and European oak flooring, forming a textural landscape that invites touch as much as admiration. Decus Interiors also collaborated with local Australian makers, commissioning bespoke pieces such as banquettes, bedheads, and the entry bench from Atelier Furniture.  These handcrafted details reflect a growing trend in residential architecture where authenticity and artisanal quality precede uniformity. The tactile surfaces change with light throughout the day, animating every corner of the home with evolving mood and color.  Lighting as a Design Language  The Patchwork House’s lighting design does more than illuminate—it enhances narrative. The architecture invites natural light through expansive openings and clerestory windows, casting dancing shadows across curved walls and handcrafted textures. Layered ambient lighting softens each space at night, promoting a sense of intimacy and rest.  The interplay of light and form is critical in advanced residential architecture, and here it’s executed with precision and poetry.  Functional Elegance for Generational Living  One of the triumphs of this project is how it accommodates three generations under one roof without compromising comfort or style. The lower level, described as “a place to party, party, party,” is both playful and practical, featuring a secondary kitchen and expansive outdoor terrace for entertainment.  At the same time, every family member is afforded personal space—an increasingly important consideration in today’s residential architecture, where homes must serve multiple roles: workplace, school, retreat, and social hub.  A Philosophy of Lived-In Luxury  The design philosophy behind Patchwork House strikes a balance between relaxed elegance and intentional detail. It’s not a showroom or a set piece—it’s a warm, lived-in space where every material, texture, and furnishing choice is rooted in purpose. Thoughtfully curated yet effortlessly inviting, the home reflects real life at its most beautiful and expressive.  It’s a place where playfulness meets discipline, design meets emotion, and architecture elevates daily life. From the custom joinery and sculptural furniture to the moody color palette and crafted finishes, every element works in concert to tell a story—one that is richly Australian yet globally fluent.  A Blueprint for the Future of Residential Architecture  The Patchwork House by Decus Interiors is a compelling example of how residential architecture can be expressive, flexible, and profoundly human. It celebrates contradiction—formal yet fun, grand yet grounded, private yet performative.  More than just a luxury home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, it represents a new paradigm for residential living. One where the architectural framework supports not just shelter but identity. One where design is not about following rules but creating stories.  In a time when home matters more than ever, Patchwork House sets a bold precedent: a residence designed not only to impress but also to belong, evolve, and inspire.  A Lifestyle of Timeless Living At Patchwork House, the lines between inside and outside beautifully blur, creating a home where light, texture, and space flow effortlessly. This residence isn’t just a place—it’s a way of life that embraces connection, creativity, and multi-generational living. Here, design transcends tradition to craft a living experience that’s both bold and inviting—a sanctuary where every detail tells a story and every space inspires warmth and togetherness. Ready to reimagine your home as more than just a shelter? Discover how residential architecture can elevate daily life and make every moment feel like a new chapter

The latest residential architecture project of Kennedy Nolan is a calm and warm meeting of heritage and contemporary. The place of the Edwardian house is in Melbourne’s suburbs in Elsternwick. The design studio has fully restored and reimagined the residence giving it a fresh modern look. “This project was a great opportunity to deploy the principles of complete design embodied by the Arts and Crafts movement,” Patrick Kennedy. “An integrated amalgam of architecture, interior design and furnishing, all of which were developed by our team.” Modern Look Residential Architecture Kennedy Nolan team is a master of combining multiple design personalities in one project. Their ideas are layered yet measured, colourful yet calm. Obviously, the studio had carefully threaded their ideas also in this residential architecture project. “The great strength of this project lies in its completeness,” says Patrick. “It is an alterations and additions project, so there is old fabric and new fabric. However, the overall house feels singular in mood, scale and quality.” The project takes the design into the whole new level with its complexity and diversity with the focus on aesthetic approach. Partially the outcome resulted from the client’s request. Consequently, the design studio focused both on functional and aesthetic elements. The intricate record cabinet is an adornment of the living room. It is a bespoke product. For its design Kennedy Nolan is responsible for its design. Moreover, the manufacturer was Fineform Joinery. The existing building fabric was well-preserved and beautifully realised. It providided a rich source of inspiration for the design team. This house was to be a shelter that provides visual delight in every instance. “Our approach emerged through devising a colour palette, an intention to imbue the interiors with colour, but to make the colour as gentle as possible, and to modulate its intensity through the various rooms and zones.” What amplifies the subtleties of colour is texture. The studio used silk as a wallpaper, render plaster on the walls. What is more, all over the apartment we can see fluted limed timber. “In some cases, this led to theatrical and elevated interiors which were nonetheless rigorously controlled to maintain serenity and calm. It is the combination of drama and calm which feels like the project’s greatest achievement.” explains Kennedy Nolan. Check out our journal to discover more inspiration and find daily dose of modern and spectacular architecture designs. Do not forget to follow Hommés Studio on Pinterest to stay on top of our architectural moodboard. Photos by Derek Swalwell

Modern bathroom design ideas for residential projects. What takes a bathroom to the next level? The details. We’ve selected simple bathroom design ideas yet capable to make it an unforgettable room of your residential project. NEO ART-DECO BATHROOM DESIGN In Barcelona, German interior designer George Kayser rethink art deco interior style. This neo-art deco bathroom combines black marble with dark blue wall paint and a golden glow, just like the 30s. GOLDEN FAUCETS BATHROOM DESIGN Golden faucets are a simple yet efficient way of adding elegance and a sense of timelessness to a bathroom. In a loft in New York, Jessica Schuster Design imagines a mid-century modern bathroom with golden faucets and stunning black and white terrazzo flooring. CLASSIC BATHROOM DESIGN A modern family home in Notting Hill has a classic bathroom design. Charles Mellersh and the owner, Eeisha Bharti Pasricha combine white marble, classic blue cabinetry, and a lavish golden bathtub. MINIMAL BATHROOM DESIGN New York-based interior design studio White Webb designs a minimalist bathroom in a LA Penthouse. The stunning minimalist bathroom has marble flooring, a polished white bathtub, and a transparent side table. In addition, the modern bathroom design has a breathtaking view. This is the perfect scenario for relaxation moments. INDUSTRIAL CHIC BATHROOM Studio Puntofilipino designs a cheeky apartment in Milan. The residential interior design projects present Memphis Milano aesthetic with deep and rusty hues. The bathroom with a playful wall has a terrazzo floor and an industrial-chic bathtub. This modern bathroom design juxtaposes different design styles and color palettes. ELECTRIC MODERN BATHROOM DESIGN This bathroom design by YHDQ Design studio could be the bathroom of a celebrity or pop singer. The eclectic interior design style combines a beautiful wall covered in pink onyx and an electric blue bathtub. EARTH-TONES BATHROOM The nest of Troye Sivan in Melbourne was designed by Flack Studio. The property which was a former brick factory has an industrial color palette. The bathroom of Troye Sivan’s suite has a delightful shade of rusty red. BATHROOM WITH A VIEW An A-List property in Austin, sold for 16 Million Dollars, was decorated by Fern Santini. The luxury property has a bathroom with a view. When designing a modern bathroom, don’t be shy – place the bathtub right next to a big window. TRANSITIONAL BATHROOM DESIGN Right outside Brussels, Gert Voorjans revamps an in-between-wars property. The children’s bathroom combines white marble flooring with floor-to-ceiling walls covered in glass tiles. The bathroom also has a modern vanity and contemporary chairs with a Memphis Milano pattern. ECLECTIC BATHROOM DESIGN Aaron David Clarke takes the Indo-Portuguese identity, adds touches of modernity, and creates an eclectic interior design holiday retreat. The villa in Goa tells the story of two different cultures in love with each other. Discover the Ultimate Bathroom Trends For 2021 and visit Hommés Studio Pinterest for more Bathroom Design ideas.