Drawing inspiration from the local environment and out of respect for the traditional landowners, the family who built this home felt compelled to call it Wonnil, a Noongar word for the peppermint trees that are abundant in the area.
Photo: Dion Robeson
But paying respect to the local surrounds and heritage did not end there. From the inception of this project, the brief to Subiaco architects Studio Atelier called for holistic integration of the architecture and interiors.
The owners wanted a home that felt generous and restful, luxurious yet homely and most importantly, respectful to the local surrounds. They wanted a home that flowed seamlessly between the different zones within and outside.
Photo: Dion Robeson
“Spaces in the home were to flow between one another and have a calming connection to the gardens, creating harmony between rooms of the home and between inside and outside,” the studio says.
And like so many other families who choose to call Western Australia home, this family wanted their place to be low maintenance and suitable for a lock-and-leave lifestyle.
WA’s climate can be quite harsh, especially in areas close to the coast where salt-laden sea breezes can take a toll, so the materials needed to stand up to weather conditions.
Photo: Dion Robeson | Styling: Anna Flanders
Photo: Dion Robeson | Styling: Anna Flanders
Plenty of consideration was given to planning for a smart home, so the place could be run and monitored from afar. The studio says the exterior design was informed by an understanding of the place’s character, paired with a modern reinterpretation of traditional architectural elements.
In layman’s terms, it means there was respect shown to traditional design elements commonly found in and around the local area and similar ideas were used but reimagined in a more
modern way.
“This way the home’s design draws upon the location’s classic home styles and invigorates them through a modern design lens that reflects the spirit of current times,” the studio says. The result, they say, is timeless. It features a sympathetic front facade that contributes to the streetscape in a positive way.
Photo: Dion Robeson | Styling: Anna Flanders
With an extensive collection of antiques and carefully curated artwork, the owners wanted to ensure their new home provided the perfect place to display their treasures.
“These were mapped out and considered from the very initial spatial planning of the design to ensure a beautiful, layered approach was achieved for the home,” the studio says.
Photo: Dion Robeson | Styling: Anna Flanders
Alcoves for antique cabinetry were created, gallery lighting was included, and there was plenty of wall space created to make sure each and every piece of the collection could be on show.
And because the devil is in the detail, the final touches included sourcing and commissioning the perfect custom rugs, the restoration of dining tables and chairs, and the sourcing of a sculptural coffee table.
