This Aussie Renovation Masters the Minimalist Pop of Red
Photo by Jonathan van der Knaap
Amy and Ben envisioned a suburban home that could somehow personify their adventurous outlook on life. As parents to a 10-year-old daughter and caretakers of a dog, a cat, three chickens, and thousands of bees, they already knew their Victorian double-front cottage in Adelaide, Australia, was going to be lively—the only issue was getting the house to look the part. The couple once lived in Japan and still return there frequently as fans of the country’s bold craftsmanship. They also gravitate toward the clean lines and natural materials of Nordic design, and feel comforted by the bright colors and geometry of ’70s style.
These styles gave them the basis for their renovation, but they didn’t know exactly how to intertwine disparate design movements seamlessly into the house. It wasn’t until Amy and Ben met designers Kate Harry and Emily Rogers of the studio Fabrikate that they finally felt ready to turn a new page.
“They love color as an expression of self,” Kate says. “It was lovely to get playful with a palette, and work with owners who have a keen eye and an interest in design.” The trio agreed on a design that would center around the brightness of saturated red and blue to foil the warmth and minimalism of wood—a cohesion of Japanese and Nordic sensibilities. They also figured that custom pieces would further heighten the overall look of craftsmanship as an example of old meets new.
