caberra house.
DATE: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ARCHITECT: Philip Leeson Architects, Canberra
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Catherine Heincke for Studio Heincke
A full-scale renovation and extension of a classic Canberran Mid-Century home, this project seamlessly blends form and function. The reimagined layout features three bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and dining space anchored by a sculptural island, and a lounge with a ‘see-through-to’ bar. Contrasting materials, ceiling heights, and light define distinct living zones, while an ensuite, main bathroom, laundry, outdoor gym, pool, patio, and double garage complete the home.
Minimal internal doors enhance flow and connection. Expansive glazing frames leafy views, honoring the home’s Mid-Century roots while elevating it for modern living.
The Brief: A timber-and-tile Mid-Century Modern sanctuary designed for both lively entertaining and intimate family moments. With a demanding schedule, my client needed a highly functional layout with premium finishes and fixtures.
kitchen.
At the center of this home, a striking island, draped in Din Mosaic tiles from Artedomus, commands attention, while honey-stained Vic Ash veneer joinery seamlessly grows from the Spotted Gum flooring (from Canberra Floorworld), grounding the space with warmth and cohesion while echoing the leafy surrounds. The benchtops, crafted from Dekton Porcelain in Nacre from Cosentino, provide a durable yet elegant surface, enhancing both function and aesthetics.
The kitchen layout evolved directly from the client’s needs, prioritizing effortless functionality. Finger-pull cabinetry maintains a sleek, uninterrupted aesthetic, while the expansive island houses a generously sized cooktop with integrated ventilation, making it a true foodie’s workspace. A large sink, an exposed fridge for quick access to water and ice, and ample wine and bar storage enhance both practicality and hospitality. The breakfast bar invites casual mornings, while a custom bar area showcases the client’s wine collection and offers a service window direct to the lounge, ensuring the space is as suited to quiet moments as it is to lively gatherings.
dining.
Bathed in natural light and offering serene views of the pool, this dining space is an effortless extension of the open-plan kitchen. Anchored beneath the timeless glow of a Nelson Bubble Pendant, the space embraces a soft, neutral palette—its walls dressed in Porter's ‘Popcorn’—creating a warm, yet neutral backdrop. Here, simplicity is intentional. The unembellished aesthetic allows the real stars to shine: the lively conversations, the exquisite dishes and the thoughtfully curated artwork that adds personality and depth to the space. It’s a dining experience where atmosphere and appetite meet in perfect harmony.
sitting room.
Positioned between the public and private zones, the sitting room acts as a quiet threshold—open yet intentional. Unlike the lounge, which exudes warmth and enclosure, this space remains light and expansive, defined by shifting natural light and a sense of pause within the home’s rhythm.
Framed views extend to the pool, subtly linking indoors and out, while an Akari pendant casts a soft, ambient glow. The Vic Ash and Porcelain breakfast bar creates a casual gathering point, balancing function and elegance. Thoughtfully integrated vinyl storage invites a sensory layer, with adaptable seating that transitions effortlessly between solitude and quiet connection.
Neither purely functional nor ornamental, the sitting room embodies purposeful transition—an ever-evolving space that enhances flow, atmosphere, and experience.
lounge.
Rich with nostalgia, the lounge, with its cosy sunken lounge, invites lingering—whether for a film, a footy match, or quiet conversation over a glass of red. A contemporary take on its 1970s roots, it balances original character with a refined, modern aesthetic.
A Charmeuse pile in ‘Rhone 10’ (from Signature Carpets) nods to Robin Boyd’s Walsh Street House, grounding the space in tactile history, while a Vic Ash ceiling enhances warmth and intimacy. Seating in Duke Velvet ‘Cocoa’ from Warwick, offers deep, unhurried comfort.
Through the bar ‘window’, the kitchen hums in quiet contrast—an ever-present companion to the lounge’s rituals. A well-stocked bar stands at the ready, a deliberate indulgence for a client who appreciates the nuances of fine wine. Beyond the Vic Ash-framed glazing, the cul-de-sac remains still, its shifting seasonal hues a gentle reminder of time’s steady passage.
master bedroom.
At the quiet edge of the house, where new construction meets old, the master bedroom is a serene retreat. A raked ceiling lifts the space, while natural light enhances its airy expanse.
The wardrobe, clad in Laminex’s Otway Absolute Matte, feels both grounded and familiar—an earthy, inevitable choice for the man who will call this room his own. Thoughtfully designed, it anticipates both solitude and shared space, adapting with quiet ease.
Glancing out through glazed doors, the pool beckons with scatterings of native trees echoing the Otway Green and Vic Ash Trims.
ensuite.
Designed for both practicality and comfort, the ensuite is a refined blend of materials and thoughtful details. A unique request—to “stick his head right under the tap”—led to a wide basin paired with a Roger Seller kitchen-style swivel tap (Winnings Appliances), merging convenience with sculptural elegance.
A discreet ceiling fan ensures steam is efficiently managed, preserving the integrity of the finishes. ‘Vintage Agate Finger Tiles’ from Rivoland create a visual connection to the ‘Otway’ wardrobe and tiled island bench beyond, while the ‘Alpini Terrazzo Naturali flooring (also from Rivoland), speckled with green and organic in pattern, it catches shifting light—contrasting the warmth of timber and the structured form of the tiles.
The result is a space that seamlessly integrates function with understated luxury.
bedroom 2.
With just one child, the client opted for a spacious bedroom that can easily be divided should things change.
Natural textures meet practicality, with Vic Ash trims and a cork feature wall adding warmth and function. The wardrobe, clad in Laminex in Gumnut Natural, resonates with the master suite’s green, creating a calm retreat.
A playful upholstered alcove within the wardrobe provides a cozy nook—perfect for playing now and scrolling later, with a built-in USB port. Upholstered in Warwick’s ‘Clique’ in Brick, it subtly ties into the home’s red-and-green palette, reflecting the original bricks and new roof tiles.
The bespoke wardrobe offers adaptable storage, with adjustable shelving, low easy-to-access drawers, and a removable low-hanging section. Thoughtfully designed, it keeps clutter at bay.
Awash with natural light from the east and north, the space is softened by luxe linen curtains in a neutral tone. Designed for longevity, it effortlessly evolves with the family’s changing needs. The indoor swing is for big and little kids!
bathroom.
Continuing the home’s geometric language, the bathroom refines the palette, elevating it into a serene retreat of white and timber. Clean lines and thoughtful details create a space that feels both airy and grounded.
Much like the island bench, the vanity is wrapped in crisp white Tesselate Square mosaics (again from Rivoland)—perhaps a departure from this designer’s typically practical instincts, but the result is undeniably striking.
Functionality remains at the forefront, with a floor-mounted, handheld shower and bath filler—a lifesaver for anyone who has ever washed a child’s hair.
Despite the monochrome scheme, the interplay of textures keeps the space visually dynamic. Matte ceramics, glossy tiles, and warm timber create a layered, tactile experience that softens the starkness of white.
Ample storage, from the mirrored vanity to the drawers below, ensures skincare essentials—ever-growing in popularity—have a dedicated home, maintaining the bathroom’s sleek, uncluttered appeal.
laundry.
Designed for simplicity and ease, this laundry prioritizes function without unnecessary embellishments. With the washer and dryer in full view, it ensures easy access.
A glazed back door floods the space with natural light, while an arched, doorless entry allows for seamless movement between indoors and out.
Storage is practical and straightforward, with open shelving for towels and hooks for post-swim essentials. Tiled flooring captures incoming puddles, reinforcing the room’s secondary role as a convenient after-swim drop zone.
Laminex ‘Gumnut’ reappears, tying the space to the home’s palette and enhancing its sense of calm. Meanwhile Tesselate Square mosaics that spill from the bathroom subtly reference both the pool beyond and the mid-century influence seen throughout, creating a cohesive, understated design.
