With “Narnia’s Secret”, we bring a dreamlike, magical quality to an upper roof space in a period federation home.
What was the brief?
The project brief was to give the entire zone to the client’s children; incorporating bedrooms for each, 2 bathrooms and assorted storage, robe and day bed spaces. In addition to this, the parents were not to be outdone and requested a luxurious re-vamp of their own bathroom and powder room downstairs in the level below.
What is the conceptual framework?
At the upper level, we celebrate youthful imagination by integrating a medley of elements led by a single colour chosen by each child. We set all colour components in front of a neutral white background, to reflect natural light into the tight spaces and to distinguish each item of colour.
The design for the young girl’s spaces is led by a series a pink “notes” to evoke a sense of warmth and fun. This includes the pink trinket shelving insert and the dressing table; both set against fresh white wall paint. Wallpaper, curtains, tiling and daybed upholstery follow in colour succession.
The boys requested a medley of blues to define their spaces. Blue joinery and painted feature walls are balanced by the same fresh white background. These serene and classic colour leads are then extended to the wallpaper, tiling and upholstery, and even occasional objects and bedding.
In summary, we wished to respect each child’s personality and ideas and express them through colour, craft, surprise and imagination.
How is the project unique?
At the upper level, the design language of the existing house is celebrated in the new renovation, from the shape of the new window insertions to the type of materials used: timber lining boards and timber “stopping”, brass fixtures & fittings.
An Injection of dreamlike, otherworldly whimsy occurs through wallpaper, texture, fabrics, and bright coloured joinery and tiles. These elements showcase the attention to detail in both design and craftsmanship.
The dressing table has a resilient solid surface top with a brass-framed, linoleum finish ‘lid’ sitting flush. Hinged mirrors above reflect the trinket tower opposite, and the energetic wallpaper beyond. The trinket tower is delicately inset into an existing recess – a contemporary pop of colour within the lining board wall, but with heritage profile timber stopping to match the existing.
Day beds utilize the window nooks, with cleverly fitted curtains to allow the children to modulate their own light & views.
The ground level bathroom spaces were combined to create an ideal solution for both parents of the house and their guests. The two small full bathrooms are replaced with one generous full bathroom and one powder room – luxurious, calm and elegant spaces.
The existing 3.6m ceiling height is revealed, re-instating pressed metal to match the rest of the ground level. Light coloured finishes, well-placed mirrors and light fittings combined with the dramatic high ceiling allow for a bright and open bathroom space, even in the narrower powder room.
A high level of craftsmanship is found in the tiling, stonework and joinery. Lovely attention to detail can be found where diamond tiles are cut in perfect halves to align with recessed stone shelves. Brass inlays, frames and reveals give definition to the space amongst the light white and grey finishes.
What were the key challenges?
A key challenge was to bring additional natural light into the upper level. With a small number of existing windows and strict heritage controls, we designed new windows at each gable end to blend in seamlessly with the existing façade.
The project then makes use of the previously underutilized roof space, finding a use for each nook and cranny, resulting in a secret room and surprise connection between spaces.
The secret room, a light-filled rumpus/media/’crawl-in-storeroom’ – is a joy to inhabit with its warm ply finishes and star-like lighting.
To realise this, the existing structure was carefully propped, collar ties removed, with the roof augmented with new rafters and steel cables. The builders ensured a tricky undertaking was straightforward and stress-free.
