Australian home with built-in furniture to make the most of space

Door to the farmhouse seen from the outside, a gif with the glass windows and wooden frame opening. On the left, the glass door with a wooden frame and a round dog door covered with an interior curtain.

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest/CASACOR)

At 93m2 , this Melbourne home is full of clever details that make use of every part of the floor plan . According to Architectural Digest , it was renovated by Dan Gayfer Design for a retired couple who wanted a smaller home; the two-bedroom house, with wooden slots that function like puzzle pieces, is now chic and multifunctional. “It’s the smallest house we’ve worked on,” Dan said. “The couple came from a big family home and were used to having a lot of things.” To say that this project is an example of smart solutions would be an understatement. “We had to try to pack everything they wanted into this house while figuring out the things they no longer needed, like a huge family kitchen or pantry,” he adds.

Wall with white tiles, suspended sink with wooden support, round basin and gold metalwork. On the left side of the basin, a small vase. Above, a square mirror

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest/CASACOR)

Located in Melbourne's north, the red-brick house built in the 1990s was among the neighborhood's most common Victorian homes. Dan updated the facade with framed windows, tile, and a slatted terrace to match the character of the neighborhood.

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Entrance/Dining Room of the house After

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest)

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Entrance/Dining Room of the house Before

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest)

Wooden panels hide the pantry, laundry room and a powder room under the stairs. The back room, an intimate living area facing the back patio, has a section of built-in seating to make the most of the home's best light.

Kitchen countertop on the left, white floor-to-ceiling cabinets on the right, and in the background, a few steps down, the dining room and entrance to the house.

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest/CASACOR)

When it came to design, built-ins were a no-brainer. “The best way to make furniture fit is to build it to the exact dimensions you want so you don't waste space,” he says. Built-ins have become a calling card for the architect, who is continually inspired by modern Japanese architecture and the innovation it displays in small spaces. In this particular home, the built-ins also add a pop of color.

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Living Room After

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest)

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Living Room After

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest)

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Living Room Before

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest)

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Living Room After

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest)

The kitchen, which has no main island, has Silvertop Ash flooring – a reasonably priced Australian hardwood – while the joinery is Crown Plantation Oak (a type of oak). The rest of the house is Black Butte wood, which adds visual interest to the ceilings and carved living room. “The window seat in the living room is a point of drama, so we wanted darker wood there,” Dan adds.

Outdoor bench, with wooden support and white upholstery, covered by a wooden gazebo. In the background, green planting.

(Dean Bradley Photography/Architectural Digest/CASACOR)

Although the house has two levels, the ground floor received a much more drastic transformation. For the second floor, where the two bedrooms and bathrooms are located, Dan opted for new cabinets and other cosmetic edits. Finally, the old roof was transformed into a terrace with an aerodynamic curtain structure and a built-in white bench. “There were some equity limitations with this property,” he said. “For the shadow structure, it had to be subtle enough from the street to be approved.”

Entrance/Dining Room of the house After

Entrance/Dining Room of the house Before

Living Room After

Living Room After

Living Room Before

Living Room After

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