The studio and extension both take inspiration from the work of celebrated Australian architect, Glenn Murcutt. “My mother is Australian and I have lots of family in Sydney,” says homeowner Miriam Nabarro of the connection. “I’ve also spent time on residency at the Boyd Education Centre at Bundanon, which is designed by Glenn Murcutt and Kerstin Thompson, and out in the Northern Territory. I really love the way Murcutt uses light.”
An enormous bread oven was uncovered during the works, completely changing the vision for the new kitchen. As a result, the couple had to re-apply for planning permissions to incorporate it into the kitchen. The blue Verner Panton Flower Pot pendant lamp over the center island is a nod to the blue staircase and acts as a counterpoint to the earthy tones. “It’s one of my favorite purchases for the house,” says Simon.
The countertops and hearthstones are crafted from upcycled slate from old snooker tables that were sourced by Miriam.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the backyard while also filling the cedar-clad living areas with warm natural light.
Greg Knapp and Robyn Traynor worked with architect Peter Braithwaite to design a nature retreat for their family on a slice of Canadian wilderness. It has two shed-roofed structures joined by a boardwalk elevated above a pre-existing walking path on the couple’s land.
The galley kitchen has been assembled from a reclaimed plans chest, iroko hardwood worktop from Retrouvius, and bespoke cupboard doors made from western red cedar.
A look at the front half of the boat.
Built in 2013, the Chinampa Houseboat has been beautifully designed by its current owners, who work in fashion and landscaping.
“I wanted to change the kitchen,” Lyndsay says. “The cabinetry was too dark, so we wanted to lighten it up. At first, it was an orange wood—and we ended up painting it white to achieve this.”
“We kept the existing layout, but removed original cabinets above the peninsula of the kitchen to create a more open, airy space,” Lyndsay says.
Lyndsay Caleo Karol and Fitzhugh Karol, the husband-and-wife cofounders of The Brooklyn Home Company, rehabbed a 1983 Lord Nelson Victory Tug.
"As an amateur astronomer, Roberson made sure to also include a well-equipped observatory,
The oak countertops in the kitchen are the same as the flooring.
A total of €3K was spent on lighting throughout the home, reinforcing the home's newfound warmth. Here in the dining booth, the family can come together under the soft glow of a trio of pendant lamps.
In the living room, soft-hued seating arranged in a circle is perfect for entertaining. On the far wall, Sunrise Over the Hudson, by Erik Koeppel, competes with the stunning scenery outside. “Charlie was interested in skewered views, like looking straight up at the sky and then out to the woods,” says Rick.
Nikki and her mom can enjoy one another's company in the kitchen after a short walk across the garden.
The living room is right off the kitchen, and has views of the garden.
The overhead windows cast light and shadows above the kitchen, which is lined in lower drawers for easy access.
Polished concrete floors and pale clay plaster on the walls were used throughout the kitchen and living spaces.
It was Rowan’s (pictured) idea to keep the extension’s masonry block wall exposed in the dining area, using a red grout to match the glazing. “I think it creates an interesting feature in the dining area and it’s my little nod to London’s Southbank and The National Theatre,” says Rowan, who is a CEO of an orchestra.
To create connectivity between zones on the ground floor, internal slot windows have been placed between the kitchen and the dining and living areas. For structural stability, steel frames were added and coated in yellow to match the yellow painted kitchen walls.
The kitchen is from Classic Kitchens Direct, with the cabinetry colour matched with Farrow & Ball’s Duck Pond green paint which has been used on the living room walls.
An oversized rooflight, sourced from Roof Maker, was fitted in the kitchen, helping to fill the cooking and preparation area with natural light.
Rowan was given the oversized dining table at the end of a theatre production, when she used to work as a theatre producer. The chairs were from an antique store called A Touch of Dust.
The exposed brick wall on one side of the dining area is the home’s original wall. “We didn’t plaster the bricks, to help save costs and as a nod to the original house,” says Jenny.
Pine plywood sourced from Specialised Panel Products has been fitted between the dining rafters and under the kitchen rafters, as well as in door frames throughout the ground floor.
Leanne, husband Erik, and daughter Ever, playing together in their beautifully renovated kitchen.
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