The Sunshine Home

Rachel Castle needs little introduction to TDF readers, and this tour of her family home Northbridge Sydney was one of the most loved articles of 2018! It isn’t hard to see why – the self-proclaimed ‘fun enthusiast’ has injected so much fun to her colourful house, whilst maintaining an effortless, timeless sense of style.

Revisit our original story (and  many more pics!) here.

A Tonal, Tiny North Melbourne Cottage

Way back in March, we visited the picture-perfect home of Josh and Jenna Densten of Bicker Design (also of The Block, in 2011!).

This TINY North Melbourne cottage is a mere 4 metres wide (approximately the length of a Voltswagon beetle), and 8 metres long (a double decker bus is 8.3), necessitating clever design to the maximise every last inch of space!  Josh and Jenna didn’t see size as a limitation here though. They used the small footprint as an opportunity to get creative, rather than viewing the small proportions as a constraint. This philosophy resonated with many of you, with one of our readers, Ann, enthusing ‘I so love people that seek to live with less.’ Hear hear!

Revisit the original story here.

Finding Bliss In Byron Bay With Courtney Adamo

Let’s just say, we weren’t quite prepared for ‘The Courtney Effect’ when we ran a story on the dreamy home of Babyccino Kids co-founder Courtney Adamo and her family, just last month. WOAH. The response was H-U-G-E. This beautiful, tranquil family home in Bangalow struck a chord with so many of you, receiving more website traffic than ANY other home we featured this year… and the reach just keeps on growing!

The idyllic world of Courtney, Michael, and their five kids was captured for us by the one and only Kara Rosenlund – making it a very special story on more than one count!

Revisit Courtney Adamo’s beautiful home here.

A Cleverly Crafted Beach House in the City

Architect Amy Hallett of Topology  and her partner Darren Kaye did the unthinkable to create their dream three-bedroom home in South Melbourne. They totally demolished their home of five years, and started again!

With the clever insertion of a central courtyard, and an atypical floorplan that sees the kitchen situated at the front (rather than rear) of the house, this small home packs a big punch. It’s an elegant, supremely understated solution for a small site, and achieves a miraculously roomy feeling, despite its modest size.

Revisit the original story here.

A Spectacular Update For Mary Featherston’s Iconic ‘Featherston House’

It feels incredibly cheeky to call this heritage renovation and addition a ‘granny flat’ – but they are the words of Australian design royalty, Mary Featherston… and we don’t argue with Mary! After 50 years in her iconic Robin Boyd designed home, Mary worked with her son, Julian Featherston, on the design for this new addition – a project that will eventually enable Julian’s own family to move into the main home, keeping three generations of Featherstons under one roof.

This house went C-R-A-Z-Y when we first ran this story back in June… and deservedly so! One reader, Mandy, wrote ‘this is so beautiful and restrained’ – and we completely agree.

Revisit Mary Featherston’s incredible home here.

A Photographer + Stylist’s Vibrant Family Home

When one of Australia’s most respected architectural photographers let us in to capture his own home earlier this year  – suffice to say the pressure was on! Photographer Derek Swalwell and wife, stylist Georgia Young, live in a beautiful, bright and colourful home in Elsternwick, renovated by Kennedy Nolan. From orange brick veneer to sleek white exterior, this is a stunning and sensitive transformation. (And we’re pretty sure, this is Melbourne’s most photogenic kitchen!)

Revisit the original story here.

The Ultimate Melbourne Share House

Our very own staff member and general wonder woman Sally Tabert shared her own share-house earlier this year – one of the most beautiful and well-loved communal homes we have ever featured. This home shatters every stereotype and pre-conception you may have of a youthful Melbourne share house, as the Northcote mansion’s inherent grandeur is equally matched by the styling prowess of the residents. How many share homes feature a Featherston sofa!?

Revisit Sally’s amazing sharehouse here!

Plant Filled Richmond Rental

This home might be one of the leafiest we have ever featured on TDF! The Richmond rental was the temporary home of Jenna Holmes, aka Plant Mama – before the stunning property was earmarked for demolition. (Sadly, that was back in February, we’re pretty sure it’s no longer standing).

Reader responses to this home were heartfelt pleas to protect this architectural wonder. We can’t disagree with that sentiment! Take a visual stroll back through this gem, and don’t miss the stunning teardrop window.

Revisit the original story here.

Our Art Director’s Tiny Terrazzo Palazzo!

This stunning apartment could easily be viewed as a love letter to Terrazzo – there is barely a surface TDF art director Annie Portelli hasn’t adorned with her signature custom terrazzo treatment! Annie’s apartment is a dreamy example of what can be achieved in a small space (especially with an art director at the helm… and one very supportive family!).

Revisit Annie’s amazing abode, here!

An Iconic Mid-Century Home In The Trees

This home is the tree-change retreat of Coco Flip designer Kate Stokes, and her architect partner Haslett Grounds. After tiring of inner-city living, the pair and their young family moved to leafy Eltham, after securing this stunning Alistair Knox designed home. This 1966 property is a split-level mid-century modern gem, enhanced by Kate and Haslett’s sensitive contemporary interior updates.

Revisit more pics of Kate and Haslett’s beautiful home here.