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In their query letter, Ben and Sarah were clear that they wanted a home that could accommodate all of life’s messes. “We don't want a white display kitchen that only looks good when it's clean and not in use. We want our kitchen to be able to work hard. We love to cook and when we do, there are usually lots of things on the go and a mess being made.”

Curtis completely overhauled the shelving, changing the shapes of the niches and covering them in micro-cement.

Natural materiality is displayed through crafted timber furniture.

The paved side yard with a translucent roof sheet acts as a landing pad for the family’s ride-on toys, while a slatted frame keeps the space from seeming too cluttered.

The fire pit area displays a 48-inch concrete fire bowl, woven chairs, and upcycled tree stumps for kid-friendly-seating.

Bob and Goya walk atop the guesthouse, which nestles into a hill.

The private outdoor space showcases the renovation's south-facing windows, which were installed to connect the indoors with the yard.

Surrounded by oak trees and lush grasslands, Field Cabin features a steeply pitched roof and an expansive glass door and decking on the front facade.

The home's wood deck is a neutral base that compliments the home's back and white features.

Natalie and Lauren wanted to replicate the feel of a Zen garden with their home’s central courtyard. The garden features a Japanese maple that pops against the charred timber cladding, while structurally, the U-shape design ushers light right through to the back of the house.

“Our drive to have a landscaped garden was for the kids to be able to have a space where they could adventure around the place,” says Natalie. “And part of what we enjoy is being able to sit and admire something that’s so beautiful.” They chose hardy Australian native plants to make the garden easy to maintain with minimal water.

The Cotage

Homeowners Izabel and Paul made a large open kitchen a top priority, insisting on counters at double the standard width.

Natalie and Lauren opted for high-quality finishes to ensure the kitchen would stand up to many years of use.

Fruit trees, a hedge, a vegetable garden, and a chicken coop are situated between the main house and the ADU, helping to provide a feeling of privacy.