The unbearable beauty of minimalism

Posted on Mon, 11 Mar 2024 by midcenturyjo

This Victorian Terrace in Sydney’s Darlinghurst blends tranquillity with vibrancy. It’s both a serene sanctuary and a lively hub for music and gatherings. The design aimed for a minimalist stage for life’s theatre, balancing privacy with everyday living. Collaborative planning ensured every item found its place, creating an emptied vessel. The core idea was to design with a respect for empty space. Skylit voids mimic ceramic vessels, casting changing light and mood. Heritage meets contemporary with landscaped courtyards, while brick and timber textures define spaces. Embracing emptiness, the design reveals joy and meaning in simplicity. Vessel by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects.

Photography by Tom Ferguson.

Working on a Saturday

Posted on Sat, 9 Mar 2024 by midcenturyjo

It’s like I say week in week out. If you have to drag yourself into work on a weekend it helps if it’s somewhere stylish. Offices at Serrano by Patricia Bustos Studio.

Family living with leafy surrounds

Posted on Thu, 7 Mar 2024 by midcenturyjo

This Hawthorn house has been transformed by Studio Doherty in collaboration with Therefore Architects, emphasizing family living and communal spaces. A Californian Bungalow transformed with a rear exposed brick pavilion caters to a young family of four, fostering seamless indoor-outdoor connections and ample natural light. Neutral tones and warm whites dominate, complemented by strategic pops of rich hues. Contemporary family living with an emphasis on materiality and bespoke joinery.

Photography by Dave Kulesza.

A country house in Sonoma

Posted on Thu, 7 Mar 2024 by midcenturyjo

“The client bought an existing house as a family retreat and added additional buildings, including a guest house, barn, and speakeasy-game room to accommodate their growing clan. The former entry vestibule was reconfigured to become a favorite sitting room at the front of the house. The dining light fixture is on a pulley, and adds scale and drama to the large, open living space. The client loves intricate veining in their marble slab selections, rustic wood, and a mix of their collections, including Moroccan rugs, sculpture, antiques, and new pieces.”

The designers call this project “Natural Element” and it’s a beautiful name for a beautiful house sitting on a beautiful site. By The Wiseman Group.

Photography by Stefano Scata.

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Posted on Tue, 5 Mar 2024 by midcenturyjo

A smile spreads across my face every time I see these photos. The joy! The fun! The fabulous pastels! It’s a sherbert cone of a house for owners who are not afraid of colour and personality. Cheerful, bright and brilliant. Brook Green by East London architectural interior design studio Golden Design.

Photography by Tom Carter.