"We described our ideal home as a 'large white box with a hint of Greece and Palm Springs'," say the owners. While it's a brief that might mystify many designers, architect Ara Salomone, co-director of State of Kin, approached it with gusto.
"Ara got excited straightaway and we knew we were on the same page," say the owners, who live here with their six-year-old son and three-year-old daughter. The existing home on the site was derelict, so making the decision to bulldoze, design and build from scratch was an easy one.
Unusually, Ara presented the couple with some material options and textural ideas before beginning any design sketches. It's not her usual process, she says, but doing so helped refine the concept.
"We had already discussed the dominant colours - bone and cream - so bringing in the travertine and velour carpet led to the inclusion of '70s elements like the sunken lounge and spiral stairs."
To deal with the west-facing facade, an orientation Ara says is "the enemy in Perth because it has the harshest and hottest sun", she opted for jali-style brickwork, commonly used for courtyards in India, as a shading device. "The openings ensure airflow as well as shade, privacy and a view to the street. The hit-and-miss pattern creates a gorgeous interplay of light and shadow inside too."
Since the property is located in a neighbourhood peppered with Art Deco-era buildings, it was essential that the home tick all the owners' requirements but
also connect to the street.
While the exterior angles are stark, softness comes courtesy of curved corners on the facade, a porthole window and, on the street, semi-circular brick planters.
"Fostering a sense of community is important to the local council, so the front fence and wall here were designed to add interest to the streetscape," says Ara. "We also planted fruit trees in the planters on the verge, which encourages passers-by to pause and engage with the family."
A travertine-lined central hall runs the length of the house with glazed openings to the outdoors along the left. Living areas are on the right, starting with a studio framed by a mudroom and powder room followed by the sunken lounge.
Lined in plush velveteen carpet, it gives a subtle nod to '70s-era conversation pits and complements the golden hues of the travertine floor perfectly, says Ara.
Just behind, the spiral staircase is covered in the same carpet. "The staircase led the design of every element in the house. It brings fluidity to the interior, preventing it from feeling too structured."
The floor plan balloons at the back with an open-plan kitchen/dining area. This is a family that likes to cook together, so the feature island is designed with a number of angles to give everyone plenty of elbow room. Neatly concealed behind what appears to be cabinetry (actually a set of false doors) is a butler's pantry and the laundry.
The whole left side of the block is dedicated to the outdoors. The garage, which backs onto an alfresco area, has been designed so when it's open, it functions like an undercover extension to the outdoor tiled area.
"The owners have a huge family and like to entertain - this is the perfect place for dining in the summer," says Ara. With the relaxing daybed and aquamarine pool, there's that Mediterranean feel the owners asked for.
Upstairs, an open-plan family area separates the children's bedrooms from the adults' domain and terrace. The main bedroom includes a dressing room and super-luxe ravertine-lined ensuite with circular skylight directly above the bath.
The space embodies everything the house is, a design that connects with the environment and natural light while "simultaneously providing optimum privacy and sanctuary to inhabitants within," says Ara.
State of Kin, Perth, stateofkin.com.au.