This Fitzroy North property had all the makings of a great home, but a poky layout and simplistic interiors were obstructing its full potential. 

‘There was a disingenuous correlation between the original weatherboard cottage and additions that had happened sometime after,’ explains Kurt Crisp, director of Buck & Simple. ‘There was at least one rear extension that was quite clumsy in its layout, and construction that we needed to pare back and start again, rethinking the layout, the light and the flow.’

Buck & Simple’s vision was to open up the living domain to better suit the clients, who were expecting their first child. ‘We spoke of a house with two faces: a bright, bustling and fun place for great conversations, food and drink; as well as areas that could allow you to recharge, providing intimate spaces for reflection and caring for a family,’ says Kurt. 

Instead of clearly defined rooms, the living domain is now an open-plan domain looking out to the garden through a huge sliding glass door. Zones within are subtly defined by a central fireplace, and changes in materiality chosen to support the user experience. 

Kurt worked with Inge Jabra Landscapes to ensure a cohesive palette between the garden and interior, as reflected in the matte black garden lights and painted wall mirroring the industrial-style joinery indoors. Smoky coloured stone tiles on the outdoor terrace also appear as an extension of the living area’s terrazzo floor. 

The brief provided to Inge Jabra Landscapes was almost entirely open, except for the need to obscure a neighbouring property (hence the thriving rear hedge), and instil plenty of lush greenery.

‘The client said to me, “The only thing is I want to see green through all the windows, then you can do whatever you want!” That was the best brief any designer could ever get,’ recalls Inge.

Another request was to make the entire courtyard suitable for entertaining, without feeling dominated by either a lawn or the terrace when not in use. 

‘They said to me, “We want the back garden to look like it has a lawn, but it doesn’t have a lawn,” says Inge.   

To achieve this, Inge installed steppers surrounded by white flowering creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) in the garden, forming a subtle extension of the main terrace that guests can walk on. 

‘It looks like a lawn, but it’s not, it’s actually edible thyme,’ says Inge. ‘You can spill a lot of people into the garden if you want to, but if they’re standing underneath the arbour and it’s just a small group of people, it feels like part of the garden.’

Potted Japanese maples (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’) and pink Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ provide added pops of colour. 

Even on a relatively short timeline, both Inge and Kurt speak so highly of this project and the experience bringing the home and garden together. 

‘It was meant to be the hardest job we’ve ever done because the architect was in Sydney, the client was in Sydney for lockdown, the builder was someone we hadn’t worked with before but he was a gun, and it all just magically worked,’ says Inge. ‘There were no hiccups, and it all got done before they had the baby!’ 

Architects Buck & Simple transformed this North Fitzroy Edwardian home. Paint colour: Dulux Lexicon Half. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Warm timbers define the kitchen area of the new living domain. Paint colour: Dulux Lexicon Half. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Combining a few standout textured materials with base neutrals throughout the interiors ensured a warm, soft palette. Paint colour: Dulux Lexicon Half. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Zones are subtly defined by a central fireplace, and changes in materiality chosen to support the user experience. Paint colour: Dulux Lexicon Half. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Industrial-style black joinery and elements feature throughout. Paint colour: Dulux Lexicon Half. Photos – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Everything to the rear of the house was renewed, removing the internal walls, relocating all of the services, adding new floors, creating new penetrations with windows and skylights, and all new wet areas and joinery. Paint colour: Dulux Lexicon Half. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

The front rooms benefitted from new paint and flooring throughout, but otherwise remained unchanged. Paint colour: Dulux Lexicon Half. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

The clients wanted a home that was ‘fun, exciting to be in, easy living and easy to entertain.’ Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Inge Jabra Landscapes turned the previously paved courtyard into a lush garden and entertaining area. the Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Potted Japanese maples (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’) pop against black surfaces. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

The brief provided to Inge Jabra Landscapes was almost entirely open, except for the need to obscure a neighbouring property (hence the thriving rear hedge), and instil plenty of lush greenery. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Sreppers surrounded by white flowering creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) form a subtle extension of the main terrace that guests can walk on. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Pink Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

Kurt worked with Inge Jabra Landscapes to ensure a cohesive palette between the garden and interior. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project

The beautiful Edwardian facade. Photo – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Bright Project