Seven years in, Tim and Kirsty were ready to fall in love with their home all over again—this time, with a fresh new look.

After many years living interstate in Melbourne, the couple moved to their house in the Adelaide Hills where they live with their two children, Josie and Camille, and their Aussie Sheppard, Nils. For seven years they loved waking up each day to the sights and sounds of nature, birdlife and beautiful views – and escaping back there again after busy days at school and work. But a desire to alter inside their abode had been brewing.

Slightly different visions, mind you. Kirsty was known to spend many hours devouring design pages and perusing Pinterest while Tim weighed in with a focus on the more practical, energy efficient and sustainable side of things. Something they could both agree on was a place to store their records so they could get them spinning again.

We’re happy to admit we weren’t the first builder or design company they met with. You already know the ending. Plus, it means we can boast that they found us on socials and loved many of our designs. Go Team Spacecraft!

From the moment we liaised, we ensured we listened twice as much as we spoke (an excellent rule of thumb) until we fully understood their vision. And we remained patient while they made their decisions, for which they are grateful.

The brief was for a modern farmhouse aesthetic – refined yet relaxed – with a material palette that included 2Pac, Messmate timber, melamine, and brass. They wanted herringbone blackbutt floors installed throughout kitchen, living, pantry and entry spaces and envisioned shaker-style cabinetry in a rich jewel-toned blue or green, paired with a contrasting island to complement the CDK Calcutta Monet marble benchtop. Traditional hardware and sanitaryware were selected to coordinate with a freestanding cooker and feature rangehood.

The design needed to reflect the family’s love of gardening, music, reading and socialising, while also being practical for everyday life. Sought after inclusions were a butler’s pantry, a mudroom for school shoes and bags, a designated coffee zone and some feature shelving.

No longer quite the party people they used to be, Tim and Kirsty wanted options for entertaining friends around a bench or in booth seating that matched the dimensions of their existing dining table. Both durability and budget were to remain top of mind.

We knew that making structural changes in an older home would come with some quirks to navigate, like how to integrate the new spaces and balance multiple textures, finishes and colours. But we love quirks, and we love challenges. So, we simply got cracking.

The end result boasts plenty of highlights, but let’s start with the custom joinery in the living room which houses the family’s beloved record player. The records finally have a home and a place to spin. Fans of the shoeless shuffle can leave their footwear in the newly created mudroom because when we made structural changes to create a butler’s pantry in place of the former dining room the entry was extended especially.

When we closed off an external door, we also added a new window to the dining room to mimic the existing leaded glass light in the kitchen. We then used a combination of muted pink and dark green across the benchtops, booth seating cushions and joinery to complement the leadlight colour scheme.

To integrate the existing dining table, we designed a custom banquette with under-seat storage. Leather upholstery was chosen for its durability and ease of cleaning – perfect given the additional comfort factor which sees the kiddos constantly claiming it as their spot. This solution not only preserved the flow of the space but also added functionality without compromising the open feel of the adjoining living area.

The overall design was kept sympathetic to the home’s original character, while layered finishes and textures added depth and interest – unlacquered brass elements were included to develop a natural patina over time. VJ panelling was used throughout to add texture without introducing additional colour, and a concealed rangehood, painted to match the wall, added visual interest without overwhelming the space. A pair of feature shelves were sat up high between the kitchen windows that overlook the garden.

To maintain a clutter-free kitchen, appliances such as the fridge, microwave, and small appliances were housed in the pantry. This decision was both aesthetic and practical, helping to balance the family’s desire for a clean, refined look with the realities of daily life. The pantry itself, finished in melamine and laminate for durability and budget-consciousness, is the hidden workhorse of the home, even housing the coffee machine. Tim and Kirsty raved about the amount of storage space within.

An apron-front double sink was chosen to reinforce the farmhouse feel, while subtle stone benchtops on the perimeter cabinetry has allowed the island’s marble to remain the focal point. This also gave the splashback space to shine as a statement feature. Careful consideration was given to the lighting too. Wall sconces in the dining area complement the island pendants, enhancing the refined farmhouse aesthetic.

Functionality was prioritised with drawers over doors in base units and smart corner storage solutions – essential in a home where every inch of space needed to work hard.

Both Tim and Kirsty came out of the process happy with the outcomes, which wasn’t always guaranteed given their different priorities. Phew. And despite us being a more affordable option, they’ve confirmed “the quality was never compromised.”

“Our new island bench is so dreamy we never tire of looking at it! You were reliable, met all expected timelines and demonstrated skills across all the areas.”

Modern farmhouse activated. With tunes at the ready.