Overlooking Sydney Harbour, this Balmoral residence was designed by Eaton Molina Architects director Jake Eaton. (The project began during his time at Burley Katon Halliday and was completed at EMA.) The architecture balances light, scale and materiality, shaped through a collaborative design process. Landscape design by Dangar Barin Smith overcomes limited deep soil by using raised planters atop slabs. These create layered, thriving gardens with species chosen for resilience, forming a soft, coastal landscape that embraces the home.
Photography by Prue Ruscoe.
Stokes 12, designed by Sydney-based Smart Design Studio, features a unique apartment above a workspace, formed by four offset brick vaults that stretch the length of the building. These arched structures frame views of the sky and street trees while creating a sculptural interior defined by stacked bricks and curved surfaces. Built with unmortared bricks, a thin concrete layer, and galvanized sheeting, the apartment includes custom-designed furniture and simple, understated finishes that enhance its industrial character and architectural clarity.
This apartment on Warren Street, NY is located on the 21st floor of a glass skyscraper is bold, vibrant, artsy, playful and was designed by Crina Arghirescu Rogard with the homeowner’s colour-blindness in mind – he can see pure, bright colours like blues, reds and yellow. Hence the use of some blue and red throughout. The living room wall shelving is a major red statement, and the bathtub rendered in Yves Klein Blue set into a curved nook is a really cool situation that makes me want to tub-lounge. Speaking of statements, the semi-circular brushed stainless steel islands are such a cool focal point. So much uniqueness here. Photos: Chris Mottalini.
At the end of a long and winding driveway through the forest, White Rock is perched above a steep rocky incline overlooking the north bank of the Gaspereau River Valley. White Rock was designed as an escape – not in the traditional sense of a cottage but as an opportunity for solitude high above the valley floor with expansive views above the tree line. The simple form with deliberate, carefully positioned openings is inspired by traditional hunting cabins and duck blinds hidden in the dense forest. The bedrooms are both minimal and raw – lined entirely in smoked oak with raw steel shelving and wall-mounted industrial light fixtures. The bathroom is restrained, lined in a gray terracotta tile with simple stainless steel fixtures to accompany the stainless steel wall-mounted vanity. A full wall of glazing blurs the line between interior and exterior, creating the illusion of showering completely submersed in the surrounding forest. the second floor is expansive and bright. A massive window set within a large cantilevered corten steel hoop wraps the southeast corner, with raw steel benches to sit and take in the view. A wood-burning fireplace anchors the east wall with an antique Arne Norell lounge chair and furniture by Luca Nichetto and Montauk creating a spectacular setting for one or a small group. Along the west wall, the kitchen is composed of a simple series of protruding stainless steel shelves and a bank of stainless steel millwork. A corten steel roof hatch provides access to the rooftop, providing a secluded respite for dining and resting amongst a collection of Japanese maple trees with views across the tree canopy of the Gaspereau Valley below.
This house is spectacular. Moody and restrained, majestically capturing the beauty of the landscape. How could you not relax when retreating here? By Omar Ghandi Architects. Photos: Ema Peter Photography.
This Victorian terrace renovation designed by Kitty Lee Architecture unfolded over three summers, guided by heritage constraints and a focus on design harmony. Bathrooms were refreshed within the existing footprint, while stage two introduced a spacious, light-filled kitchen seamlessly linking indoor and outdoor areas. Inspired by a Marrakesh holiday, the palette highlights the client’s vibrant ceramics. Timber, brick, concrete and brass accents infuse warmth and texture, creating a joyful, playful atmosphere throughout the redesigned spaces.
Photography by The Palm Co.