Trentham is a slow-paced kind of place. Nestled atop the Great Dividing Range 100km north of Melbourne, this once-upon-a-time gold mining town is now a quiet country escape whose inhabitants relish its crisp, cool country air and quiet, traffic-free streets. It’s only appropriate then that visiting Trentham Long House is akin to stepping back in time. Indeed, the house is a delicately balanced moment between old-fashioned simplicity and the conveniences of contemporary life. Located within a recent semi-rural development on the periphery of the town, the project brief, by MRTN Architects was to design an energy efficient, low maintenance single dwelling on a large, north-facing site for a retired couple, their visiting children, and grand children. The clients wanted a home that would sit well within its local and historical context, provide a comfortable and easy home year round, and also adapt to accommodate large family gatherings scattered throughout the year. Photography : Anthony Basheer See also : https://house-diaries.com/upstate-farmhouse-a-playful-spin-for-a-family-of-five/

This adaptive reuse of a former warehouse by Ian Moore Architects has maintained the exterior almost untouched, with only a few new windows inserted into existing openings. This soft touch has been extended to the interior, where original brick walls have been exposed and the large timber roof trusses highlighted as the starting point for the conversion to a family home.The brief called for a 4 bedroom home, with self contained guest accommodation, a home office, to be used as an equine genetics laboratory and a large garage space to store a collection of classic sports cars. There was a strong emphasis on maintaining an industrial feel to the conversion and the owners asked that there be no timber, marble or black finishes used in the renovation.A very large, hot/cold and noisy space has been transformed into a comfortable family home by locating all household spaces on the upper level,…

An elegant downtown condo by Roundabout Studio in Toronto, creates seamless continuity between living spaces and cutting edge art. The stellar views from the as-yet unbuilt condo were never in doubt. But it was equally important that the unit be a showcase for the owners’ contemporary art collection as well as a comfortable home, one where they could relax at the end of a hectic day. Two units were combined into one 4,200 square foot unit, meaning that the design of the condo had to be highly-customized. In a space with extensive windows, part of the challenge was to create opportunities for the art to be seen, as well as design a series of private and semi-private spaces. The project required an exacting attention to detail, everything from the design of the space itself down to the choice and placement of furniture and soft finishes. When the right furniture piece…

This exceptionally elegant Grade II Listed Georgian townhouse by The modern house is located in the heart of Ledbury, a charming Herefordshire market town at the western edge of the Malvern Hills. Subject to a complete renovation, the interior is finished to exacting standards, with high-quality tactile materials and an immaculate attention to modern detailing paired with impressive Georgian proportions. The entrance is set at the centre of the traditional red-brick façade. A calm aesthetic flows with continuity throughout the interior and a sensitive balance of contemporary details, materiality and the use of a neutral colour palette creates a very specific feel to each room. Photography : The modern house See also :https://house-diaries.com/neville-court-an-apartment-overlooking-the-beatles-abbey-road-crossing/

Diagon Alley is one of the oldest farmhouses tucked away in a small alley on the seaside edge of San Lawrenz in the beautiful Westside of Gozo. It is a large house flowing over four floors with different entertainment paces, catering for all your comforts throughout the day and the year. Meters thick stone walls keep this house cool during summer afternoons and cozy warm during winter. The house has undergone a complete restoration in summer 2017 to become an exclusive and quaint holiday home. Every room will play with your imagination. Whimsical surroundings are what makes this home feel young, playful and so much more alive. When you meander from room to room, the changing colors and light will make you smile. Diagon Alley offers an atmosphere of Mediterranean romance and inspiration. Photography : Diana Iskander A Malta based photographer specialized in architecture and interior photography, design and marketing. See also : https://house-diaries.com/canoneta-townhouse-a-unique-luxurious-mediterranean-retreat/

The clients of Searl Lamaster Howe Architects had searched five years across four states to find a site for their weekend home that spoke to them. This retreat was to be everything that their Chicago residence – a lofted space nestled within the attic trusses of a converted church – was not. The loft is in the heart of the bustling Wicker Park neighborhood; they sought serenity and a slower pace. The loft features a highly curated collection of sleek European contemporary furnishings; they were inspired by the idea of a sanctuary with a modern sensibility but also rooted in its place with hand craftsmanship felt on scales big and small. The loft’s views of the downtown skyline are finely calibrated to maintain a sense of privacy in the dense neighborhood; they sought an abundance of transparency and a direct connection to nature. Apart from the exterior which is defined by…

The approach for the renovation and extension of the Hopetoun Road Residence by B.E Architecture, was to retain the existing structure as an anchoring element, by adding a series of pavilions underneath a floating copper roofline that wraps around the original building. Embracing the client’s desire to maintain a relatively conventional residential structure, the design strengthens the form by creating a gable façade at the front and back with a clearly defined outline. Clad in polished grey render, the gables emphasise solidity and give the house a re-established sense of history and permanence. The tension and balance between old and new are carried into the interiors of the house. The existing structure maintains the intimate qualities of the original house with a series of crafted details. The new areas, made primarily from glass, are open to the green landscape beyond. The prominent use of steel-framed windows is a unifying element…

This breath taking Montana home was designed by Lisa Kanning Interior Design. The house is positioned on the 160-acre site in the Yellowstone Club and offers outstanding views on the Spanish Peaks. The exterior of the house has a ranch-inspired look with reclaimed hewn siding from Montana Reclaimed Lumber and a low-slung roof. Concerning the interior, the owner wanted a design that mixes up rustic and modern elements in a space that’s as welcoming as it is beautiful. To make this happen, Lisa incorporated typical Western materials, applied in both conventional and uncommon ways. The West is a richly textured place, so instead of adopting the typical tricks that define high-country design, the design team played up the materials and colors that define life here and the result is a home that feels layered and comfortable. Photography : Benjamin Benschneider See also :https://house-diaries.com/a-luxury-mountain-chalet-in-st-moritz/