Material use

The bedroom on the first floor gets natural light from a floor-to-ceiling window.

A skylight illuminates the master bathroom, which is entirely outfitted with Arblu Tulip fixtures. The orange floor is Kenbrock K2 studded rubber. Note how the divisional wall stops short of the ceiling—a decision that the architects implemented to “create volume and height, which celebrate the curve of the ceiling.”

The playful aesthetics of Austin Maynard Architects have once again breathed new life into aging building stock—this time with the transformation of a dark and narrow terrace in Melbourne into an open and light-filled home fitted out with sustainable features. Upstairs, the "parents’ retreat" includes a centrally located bathroom "box," seen on the left of the image. The bright orange walkway is perforated to let natural light pass through.

Juicy Green Laminex island countertops add a bright pop of color to the all-white kitchen. The rear countertops are stainless steel, and the backsplash is mirrored glass.

A 3,000-liter rainwater harvesting tank is located beneath the rear deck, which is made from spotted gum with an oiled finish.

The architects designed an asymmetrical roof so as to avoid shading the neighbors' backyard. Note how the window awnings appear to peel up and away from the facade.

Although they could have extended their house forward on its lot, the Hugheses wanted to keep it in line with the houses on either side. They liked the neighborhood's scale and didn't want to stand out of proportion. A skylight above the living room was the first thing the couple added when they moved in 10 years ago.

Composed of two staggered volumes and a glass-enclosed bridge, the 630-square-foot ADU is finished in tones of white and warm wood. Windows and doors by Loewen, which connect the space to the outdoors at every turn, were among the costlier items in the budget.

The primary bathroom includes oak cabinetry and quartzite counters. Michelle found the salvaged Rejuvenation bathtub that retails for $10,000 on Nextdoor for less than one-tenth of the price. It had a small scratch, but they opted to paint the exterior, so the imperfection didn't show in the end.

The primary bedroom, which Michelle wanted to be a calming oasis, has a minimal palette of oak wood and white paint. "It's nice to have a private space to read for the first time ever!

Custom built-in storage was a splurge Michelle and Haden were willing to spend on. In the laundry room, Fireclay tiles were another high-spend choice. "It was out of our budget," Michelle says, "but it was so dramatic, and we saved so much by using inexpensive white tile in the bathroom.

The wall of backsplash tile behind the sinks emphasizes the ceiling height.

The custom white oak vanity was given the same treatment as the storage in the family room.

Renovated in stages over the course of a decade, a home in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood proves the power of thoughtful design using humble materials.

The bathroom is characterized by the bold use of yellow tiles. The curved base tiles in the shower were one of the most expensive elements of the fit-out, costing $1,520. “It makes the shower easier to clean and means it will look good for longer,” explains architect Iana Vicq.

A pegboard niche creates a space to drop keys and sunglasses.

The pantry also operates as a spot to whip up cocktails.

The exposed framing is painted a light baby blue. Floating white track lighting was installed between the joists, hanging off bent brass rods.

The countertop is a custom Concrete Collaborative terrazzo, and the colored flecks nod to the wall tiles.