Advertisement
Home Home Tours

A farmhouse-style home by Alisa and Lysandra celebrates warm textures

This storied bungalow gets a stylish reset by The Block stars.
Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow living room exposed beams wooden floorPhotography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors

In the beautiful beachside suburb of Brighton in Adelaide, South Australia, stands this grand American Farmhouse-style home that’s been extended and renovated with the help of Alisa & Lysandra Interiors. “Working with the twins was fabulous,” says homeowner Jill Kirkwood of the renovating experience.

Originally built in 1920, the dwelling was once owned by the town’s mayor. Now the residence of Jill and her husband Craig, the couple wanted to accommodate visits from their six adult children, plus partners and three precious grandchildren. “This project has been quite a journey, starting in late 2022 and reaching completion in August 2024,” explains Lysandra.

Advertisement
Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow living room exposed beams wooden floor
Alisa and Lysandra in the South Australia home they were enlisted to redesign. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

The floor plan of the five-bedroom abode was enlarged to include an open-plan kitchen and living room, with a butler’s pantry and wine cellar. “The wine cellar was my husband’s idea. He’s always had an interest in good wines,” shares Jill. “The entire project was based around a big cellar we could sit in and entertain up to eight guests.”

As the house is set on a sand dune, digging out the cellar turned into a three-month expedition. Once the walls were reinforced, it could be imbued with old-world charm, including stonework and space for more than 1500 bottles. “Designing this space was no small task,” says Lysandra. “We had to consider how to maintain the optimal temperature for the wine and accommodate the extensive collection.”

Exposed beams, natural stone benchtops and gold glimmers combine for a home that’s comfortable and commanding. “We’re thrilled that our investment in this project has not only created a beautiful space for our family to share but also increased our home’s value substantially,” says Jill.

Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow wine cellar in timber floor exposed beams
A wine cellar is set beneath the new open-plan kitchen and dining area. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

Who lives here?

Jill, a nurse, her husband Craig, a criminal defence lawyer, and their Groodle, Billie.

Advertisement

Biggest lesson learnt? Jill: “That things don’t always go to plan. We learnt to compromise and be flexible when it came to issues of the build.”
Any ideas Alisa and Lysandra had that you’re happy you went with? “Introducing VJ panelling on the walls and ceiling in the living room, as well as installing black curtain rods, when I thought they might be too much.”
Favourite piece of furniture? “The imported American occasional chairs [in the living room] that came out from the States and took eight months to get here. They’re stylish and comfortable and have the most intricate timber detail that I adore.”

Living room

“Despite the expansive extension, the home retains a cosiness and warmth that makes it truly inviting,” says Lysandra Fraser, director of Alisa & Lysandra Interiors alongside her sister and co-director Alisa Ayres. The ceiling beams were stained to match the Nature’s Oak flooring in Denali. Over the living space hangs a ‘Darlana’ chandelier from Visual Comfort & Co. Mokum ‘O’Keeffe’ fabric curtains in Sand cover arched windows. An Indah Island ‘Brunhild’ console in Oak stands behind the lounge.

Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow fireplace chandelier stone wall
Stone cladding around the fireplace and exposed timber beams add to the warm palette. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

“I love the thoughtful detail in the fireplace mantel to hide our sound system and wires.”

Jill, homeowner

The Escea gas fireplace is framed by Polar Ice marble from CDK Stone with a timber mantel and Bodega Freeform stone wall cladding from Eco Outdoor. The banquette cushions are covered with Zepel fabric in Fawn and lit by ‘Dean’ picture lights in Natural Brass from The Montauk Lighting Co. Two ‘Lincoln’ chairs from Boyd Blue face a pair of ‘Plantation’ coffee tables in Antique Brown from Dianna-Lynn Decor and a Natuzzi lounge.

Advertisement
Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow fireplace arched windows sheer curtains
Natural texture is added to the living room through ‘Plantation’ coffee tables in Antique Brown from Dianna-Lynn decor. An olive tree imbues a touch of soft greenery. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

We love… a big island

With a large extended family, the island had to be made to suit. “The kitchen bench is 4.2 metres in length, so there’s plenty of room to spread out and enjoy,” says Jill. “We spend the majority of our time in the kitchen and family room, whether we’re sitting reading a book in the sunshine or prepping for a dinner party.”

Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow gold pendants exposed beams
The expansive kitchen island was designed for large gatherings with family. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

Kitchen

The large kitchen features Polar Ice marble from CDK Stone on the benchtops and splashback. Hanging in the centre are ‘Darlana’ lanterns in Gilded Iron from The Montauk Lighting Co. These tie in with the Perrin & Rowe pot filler and sink mixer with white porcelain lever taps from The English Tapware Company. A row of Black Mango ‘Manor Oak’ counter stools surround the island.

Advertisement
Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow kitchen white bench
The kitchen benchtop and splashback feature a marble called Polar Ice with subtle veining, sourced by Alisa and Lysandra from CDK Stone. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

Butler’s pantry

To the side of the kitchen is the butler’s pantry, with EasyCraft ‘EasyRegency’ 150 wall panelling paired with Polytec ‘Notaio’ Walnut shelves. The stool was pre-existing and artwork is an op-shop find. A Zip HydroTap offers instant cold, sparkling and hot water.

Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow butler's pantry
A butler’s pantry was added off the home’s kitchen. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

Dining

A pair of pendants from The Montauk Lighting Co adorn the dining space, where the couple’s table is surrounded by Black Mango ‘Manor Oak’ dining chairs on a rug from Alisa and Lysandra’s collection.

Advertisement
Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow dining room pendants bar area
A bar area is built-in alongside the elegant dining space. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

Wine cellar

The custom glass gas-strut door in the floor leads down to the wine cellar, paved with ‘San Selmo’ Classico Limewash bricks from Austral Bricks. The cellar wall features Bodega Freeform stone wall cladding from Eco Outdoor, alongside a Koala Living ‘Belfast’ bar table, illuminated by a row of Lighting Collective ‘Country Style’ pendants in Black. Wine storage was built by Portsch Classic Furniture.

Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow wine cellar door in floor
The wine cellar designed to entertain in creates a sophisticated point of difference. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

“The wine cellar is such a standout element and we were determined to get it just right.”

Lysandra, designer
Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow wine cellar stone cladding wall
There’s enough storage for more than 1500 bottles. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)
Advertisement

Laundry/mudroom

Designed for cleaning clothes and kicking off shoes, the laundry-meets-mudroom also contains a dog washing station in the corner with a portrait of the couple’s pooch. Beaumont Tiles ‘Atmosphere’ tiles run along the wall and splashback. Cabinetry colour is Dulux Narrow Neck, fitted with Mayfair Collection Touch Handles in Brushed Brass and a ‘Maddox’ hanging rail in Brass from Savage Design.

Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow sage green laundry
Soft green is combined with white, grey and gold in the chic laundry. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

“Alisa and Lysandra encouraged us to feature lighting to create the right ambience in each area.”

Jill, homeowner
Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow sage green laundry with dog washing station
A dog washing station is a genius inclusion. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

Powder room

Located off the laundry is the powder room, styled with body products by Alisa and Lysandra’s brand, Al.ive. A ‘Bjorn’ arch mirror from Middle of Nowhere and ‘Calais’ wall lights in Brass from About Space Lighting are set on ‘Swedish Tree’ wallpaper by Colefax and Fowler, above a Roca ‘Inspira’ round basin and Milli ‘Pure’ tap and handles from Reece.

Advertisement
Alisa and Lysandra powder room vanity wallpaper timber
A timber vanity and textural baskets offset the floral grey wallpaper. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

Alfresco area

“The expansive outdoor entertaining area is complete with an outdoor kitchen and a pool – an entertainer’s dream!” says Lysandra. The backyard was redesigned, working with the existing pool, and executed by LCS Landscapes. The space is tiled with Marshet Limestone in Light Nougat from Tumbled. Bench seating was built by the project’s builder, Bellevue Building Concepts. “I cannot stress enough the importance of finding the right builder,” says homeowner Jill. “His work and commitment to the project, along with Alisa and Lysandra, made this project a pleasure.”

Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow pool white house exterior
An exisiting pool area was revived with new tiles and an entertaining space. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

The undercover space features the couple’s outdoor table that’s large enough to host big gatherings, alongside a fully-equipped kitchen. The area also features a built-in Escea outdoor fireplace kitchen from the EK Series for an alfresco cooking experience that’s communal, while also keeping the area cosy in the cooler months.

Advertisement
Alisa and Lysandra Brighton bungalow outdoor entertaining area
An outdoor kitchen makes dining alfresco a breeze. (Photography: Jenah Piwanski / Styling: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors)

Design: Alisa & Lysandra Interiors, alisaandlysandra.com.au.
Building design: MF Building Design, mfbuildingdesign.com.
Builder: Bellevue Building Concepts, bellevueconcepts.com.au.
Joinery: Portsch Classic Furniture, @portschcf.
Electrical: Glenelg Electrical, glenelgelectrical.com.au.
Landscaping: LCS Landscapes, lcslandscapes.com.au.

Source Book

Related stories


Advertisement
Advertisement