Homeowners Chloe, a registered nurse, and Ryan, a building surveyor, were committed to creating a home they could be proud of. Explains Ryan, “I see hundreds of projects that are quite aspirational cross my desk for building approval, so it was always a goal of mine to build a new home. For me, it was also real-time customer research. I really wanted to understand high boutique architectural design from start to finish so I was informed about the process, the pitfalls and the challenges.”
Designing and building a new home is a huge undertaking, one that requires patience, planning, budgeting – and engaging the right team to bring it to life. Chloe and Ryan had long envisioned a home that felt like a sanctuary, a place where they could retreat from the world and truly unwind. Once their dream home was designed on paper, they quickly learned that turning that vision into reality needed more than just ambition. It required expertise, guidance, and trusting in the process.
“In all honesty, we were really naive in the sense of how long it was going to take from start to finish,” says Chloe. “It was a long journey. We engaged the services of Kate Walker in 2021 to help us through the design phase, thinking we had it all figured out.”
Their excitement soon gave way to the reality of refining their vision. Their initial plan for a large two-storey home clashed with budget constraints.
“Kate told us at least ten times to chop a storey off,” Ryan laughs. “I thought I had done my homework, with calculated square metre rates—I thought I knew it all. But then we got the pricing, and it just wasn’t going to happen.” Scaling back wasn’t easy, but faced with the reality of their budget, they went back to the drawing board with KWD’s guidance and with the expertise of their builder, Magnus Construction.
Explains Chloe, “Going into the KWD Studio to see the interior design specification felt a little bit overwhelming at first, in the sense that you’re effectively handing over what you want your home to be like, and saying, please just make this come to life. Throughout the process, Kate introduced us to design elements we would never have considered and presented ideas that weren’t on our radar at all.”
“I immediately loved our master bedroom shower tiles. As soon as they were presented to us, I knew we had to have them. And we instantly loved the Taj Mahal stone for the kitchen bench top. I distinctly remember Kate saying to me, ‘you are not going to love every individual item in this house, but trust me, when I put it together, it will work.’ And that was a moment where I had to take a step back and say, ‘Okay, we need to trust this process’, and I’m so glad we did.”
At this point, Chloe and Ryan realised the value of hiring the right experts. Kate’s ability to balance creativity with practicality, combined with Adam Magnus’s asssurance he could execute the final design, made them feel they were in safe hands. Together they helped Chloe and Ryan build a financially viable and functional home without compromising on their aesthetic desires.
Says Kate, “Our design ethos is focused on making every room work for a multitude of purposes. With considered space planning you can actually design a much smaller home without compromising on liveability, and use the savings to finish the home with beautiful tiles, timber and stone. It all comes down to an economy of scale. Bigger isn’t always better. As a designer, I have a responsibility to guide my clients through the process, to make sure that they get what they need in the end. If you don’t have challenging early conversations about the budget, the process can be daunting and disappointing as opposed to an enjoyable, rewarding experience.”
“During our briefing process,” adds Kate, “we really deep dive into who our clients are, what they do and what brings them joy. And for Ryan and Chloe it was all about the party. They’ve got so many friends, and they wanted to invite all of these people over without their home feeling ostentatious. Mount Eliza is a family location, so we ensured the interior had enough accommodation for family living, but outside, it’s a party pad.”
Landscape designer Heath Blair of Plume Studio played a key role in bringing this vision to life. “The material and plant selections transport you to a tropical holiday destination,” says Heath. “The warm travertine and lush greenery create a deeply relaxing atmosphere.”
“There’s something truly evocative about incorporating so much glass into a home, but it does put pressure on the exterior visuals,” Kate notes.
“Absolutely,” Heath agrees. “We designed a garden that embraces the home, with layered view lines and vistas. The expansive nature of the garden and how it interacts with the house is beautiful. Everything is big and lush and has a personality of its own.”
“The outdoor entertaining area became a central hub,” adds Kate. “Sightlines extend from the kids’ playroom through the kitchen. You can be in the kitchen cooking, watching the children and enjoying this amazing little oasis. And it’s fun.”
“I’m actually super grateful that we landed on the design we went with,” reflects Ryan. “I couldn’t imagine living in the double-storey house now. We always wanted a place where we could come home and feel like we were in a sanctuary. This home has a profound calming effect, not just on us but on everyone who walks through the door. All of our guests say the same thing—it just has this inviting, peaceful feeling.”
Looking back, the most valuable lesson Chloe and Ryan learned was the importance of trusting the experts. “Our experience was such a positive one because the teams were worked with – KWD, Magnus Construction and Plume Studio – were so cohesive. My biggest recommendation to anyone embarking on this journey, is to engage the right people to do the job for you, to give you the result that you want.”
http://www.katewalkerdesign.com.au