What do you get when you take a once-typical older Canberra home and rework it to suit a new chapter of life? Pure magic, and design set to age gracefully.
Think layered materials, considered lighting and bespoke joinery that elevate the interiors without ever tipping into formality. A home defined by entertaining, family connection and future-proofed comfort. We explore this wonderful home renovation with Phoebe Scott, Interior Designer at NEWR. Let’s go inside!
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The brief for this once typical Canberra home was to reimagine the design for modern, multigenerational living.
“The clients of this home are a semi-retired couple with an adult child still living at home,” Phoebe explains. “They enjoy
entertaining, travelling and spending time at home with family. The brief focused on creating a home that felt generous, comfortable and highly functional for both everyday living and long-term use.
“Key priorities included a large, well-functioning kitchen that could accommodate multiple people at once, a spacious master suite with walk-in robe and ensuite, a main bathroom with a bath, and improved flow throughout the home.
Future-proofing was critical. The renovation needed to meet liveable housing standards and support multigenerational living over time.
The renovation balances generous open-plan living with quiet, private retreats, all wrapped in a calm, contemporary palette.
“The most significant changes happened in the main living zones,” Phoebe says. “We reconfigured the original 4 bedroom layout into a 3 bedroom home. This allowed for a much larger master suite which better aligned with the clients’ retirement plans.
“We relocated the kitchen into what had previously been a secondary living area, creating a true open-plan kitchen, dining and living space. This move also allowed us to incorporate a butler’s pantry and an integrated laundry.
“To resolve awkward angles left behind from a 1970s extension built on a different orientation, we introduced a curved corridor, which became a defining architectural feature.”
The renovation honoured the origins of this Canberra home while still embracing the new and the modern.
“We fully renovated the interior of the home which gave us the freedom to deliver a cohesive contemporary interior rather than selectively retaining original features,” Phoebe explains.
“Having said that, the original double brick construction and existing footprint played a big role in shaping how the new spaces were engineered and resolved.
“Externally, we refreshed the home so the arrival experience aligned with the modern interior. This helped avoid any jarring moments of stepping from an older façade into a highly contemporary space.”
The interiors exude a refined, yet welcoming aesthetic.
“The design direction is contemporary, refined and warm. Curves play a major role throughout the home, helping to soften transitions and resolve the existing geometry.
“The materials chosen were intentional, to add contrast as well as depth and interest,” says Phoebe.
Overall, the mood is calm and considered. They balance darker joinery with lighter timber tones and stone finishes to create spaces that feel elevated but still very inviting.
The home has a glorious modern feel, thanks to a thoughtfully considered palette.
“The kitchen splashback stone, Calacatta Viola, anchored the materials palette. It set the tone for the entire home,” says Phoebe.
“Faucet Strommen Armada Bronze tapware was used throughout and pairs beautifully with the stone, allowing other finishes to be selected in harmony.
“The kitchen features a mix of dark 2pac joinery in a Hardened Steel colour, contrasted with lighter timber finishes.
“Flooring transitions were deliberately used to define public and private zones. We used a distinct entry flooring material, timber through the main living areas, and carpet to create separation in the private zones.
“In order to design for comfort, and to combat Canberra’s notoriously cold winters, thermal comfort was a major focus for this renovation.
“Under-tile heating was installed in wet areas and the entry. The home now features full double glazing, insulation to the walls, ceilings and subfloor, and new reverse-cycle heating and cooling. This replaced the original evaporative cooling and gas heating.
“Honeycomb blinds were selected for the bedrooms and rear of the home. These help to reduce heat gain from harsh afternoon sun, thanks to their insulating properties.”
Along with the gorgeous stone, a standout feature of this Canberra home is the bespoke joinery.
“Custom joinery was used throughout every room in the home,” Phoebe explains. “One of my favourites is the bespoke bedhead that incorporates storage on the reverse side for the walk-in robe.
“Given the age of the house and its irregular geometry, bespoke solutions were essential to manage uneven walls, angles and curved elements. Without custom joinery, it wouldn’t have been possible to execute the curved walls and ceilings to the level achieved.”
Navigating the challenges of this home renovation was all part of the process.
“There were several structural challenges to this project, particularly as the scope evolved,” Phoebe recalls. “For example, more double brick walls were removed than originally planned.
“One of the biggest technical hurdles was installing a large steel beam over the kitchen to support a roof structure that hadn’t been correctly engineered or supported in the original build!
“As we uncovered existing conditions, additional changes were required to the engineering of the ensuite and other areas where walls lacked sufficient support. The angled 1970s extension added further complexity, which we resolved through curved walls, ceilings and joinery.
“We’re most proud of how seamlessly the home now functions as a cohesive whole. The reconfigured living spaces and kitchen completely transform how the home is used day to day.
“And the curved architectural elements successfully turn what were once awkward conditions into defining design features. The end result genuinely exceeds the original expectations for the space.”
Future-proofing the home was a major consideration that influenced many of the design decisions.
“We minimised transitions between rooms and added wall blocking to allow for future grab rails. We also incorporated bench seating into both bathrooms.
“Acoustic and thermal comfort were also major considerations, and we improved the home’s liability by upgrading insulation and installing double glazing throughout.
This renovation shows how older Canberra homes can be thoughtfully reimagined rather than replaced.
“By prioritising long-term living, performance and quality materials, the home now supports the clients’ lifestyle and future needs. It also delivers a refined and highly liveable outcome that will stand the test of time.”
We loved exploring this beautiful home and its luxe material palette. The stone is swoon-worthy, wouldn’t you agree?! Thank you to Phoebe for showing us around this masterpiece. You can see more projects from NEWR on their website, or take a scroll through their Instagram.
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