From the street, this home hints at its past, but step inside and it quickly becomes clear that it is a fresh, contemporary reinterpretation of mid-century ideas. Designed by Kelder Architects for their builder developer client, the house replaces a modest 1960s brick and tile dwelling with a light-filled home shaped around climate, lifestyle, and a strong connection to outdoors living.
A Mid-Century Starting Point
The original house offered just one feature worth saving, a breeze block screen facing the street. Rather than discard it, the architects recycled the screen into the new design, using it as both a physical element and a conceptual anchor. Its geometry helped guide a mid-century inspired direction, referencing classic Palm Springs homes while adapting the ideas for a subtropical Australian setting.
Entry With a Sense of Arrival
A large pivoting timber front door sets the tone from the moment visitors arrive. Inside, the entry offers a clear sense of orientation, with stairs leading to the upper level and a direct visual connection through to the rear courtyard. This early glimpse of outdoor space establishes how central indoor outdoor living is to the home’s layout.
Warmth and Detail in the Living Room
The living room balances simplicity with carefully crafted details. Custom timber elements run along the wall, adding warmth and texture without overwhelming the space. A built-in timber display cabinet provides storage while sitting flush within the wall, keeping the room calm and uncluttered.
A Minimalist Kitchen With Soft Curves
Adjacent to the living room, the kitchen continues the understated approach. Minimal cabinetry is paired with a large island, finished with a curved end that softens the geometry of the space. At the far end of the kitchen, a generous pantry offers ample storage, ensuring the main kitchen remains visually clean and functional.
A Sunny Spot to Sit and Stay
In the dining area, a long timber bench runs alongside the windows. Positioned to catch the sunlight, it creates a relaxed place to sit, read, or linger over a coffee. It is a simple addition, but one that reinforces the home’s focus on everyday comfort and light-filled spaces.
Living That Opens Outdoors
All of the ground floor living spaces are arranged to open directly to the courtyard. This layout allows the home to revolve around indoor outdoor living, with the exterior acting as an extension of the interior. The courtyard includes a barbecue terrace, a swimming pool, and a lawn, supporting family life and entertaining in equal measure.
Framing the Courtyard
Pivoting glass doors connect the living room to the courtyard, allowing the spaces to flow together seamlessly. When open, breezes and natural light move freely through the home, while the protected outdoor area remains usable throughout the day.
Private Spaces Upstairs
The upper level is reserved for the more private parts of the house, including bedrooms and bathrooms. This separation allows the ground floor to remain open and social, while the upper floor offers quieter, more intimate spaces for rest and retreat.
A Bedroom Designed Around the View
In the main bedroom, a built-in window seat takes advantage of the corner position, creating a comfortable place to sit and look out. A sliding glass door opens to a small outdoor space screened for privacy. Because the house sits on a slope, the bedroom enjoys views out to the garden at the front of the property.
Light-Filled Bathrooms With Personality
The main bathroom includes a walk-in shower enclosed by a glass screen, with a skylight overhead that fills the space with natural light. Elsewhere on the upper level, the second bathroom introduces more color and playfulness. Turquoise tiles wrap around a curved wall, while vertically laid white subway tiles draw the eye upward toward a small skylight in the shower.
By combining recycled elements, mid-century inspiration, and a layout tailored to climate and lifestyle, this home feels both relaxed and considered. It is a clear example of how older ideas can be reworked into something contemporary and practical for the way people live today.
Photography by Angus Martin Photography | Architect: Kelder Architects | Lead Architects: Wesley Kelder & Joel Kelder | Developer/Builder: Natural Life Style Homes | Structural Engineer: Adrian Dine, AD Structure
Source: Contemporist
