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A vacant block is turned into this family’s dream modern barn house

Craving extra space to raise their sons, this Canberra couple found the perfect plot just 100 steps from one of their childhood homes.
Home in Canberra.
Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

When beginning a new chapter, we often find ourselves back where we started; and for Elissa and her husband Robert, that is exactly what happened. Hoping to upsize from their cramped townhouse to give their sons room to roam, a vacant block in Canberra’s Inner South beckoned, just a short stroll from Elissa’s family home. Bare but for majestic mature trees, it was bursting with potential to design a dream home from scratch.

Initially, Elissa and Robert wanted a modest “lock and leave” weekday abode as the family spend most weekends at their 200-acre farm outside Canberra, though they swiftly changed tack.“Once we found the block of land, the project quickly got out of hand as the potential was too great to ignore,” muses Elissa.

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Who lives here?

Elissa, an artist and graphic designer, her husband Robert, who owns a management consulting firm, their sons Arlo, seven, and Beau, six, plus Buska the Labradoodle, aged 15.

What’s your design philosophy?
Elissa: “I love minimal and bold solutions with textures and patterns providing visual interest; Scandinavian design for its clean lines and simplicity; and the philosophy of Wabi Sabi, as things that aren’t perfect can be beautiful in their character. Rob freely admits he doesn’t have an eye for design, but has a honed ability to think about functionality. This created the perfect combo for us.”

Favourite weekend rituals?
At home, we enjoy going mountain biking and entertaining family and friends. We often spend time at the family farm, just outside Canberra, where the boys love riding motorbikes with their dad, and making pottery or painting with me.”

The exterior of a Canberra home.
As their two young sons grew bigger, Robert and Elissa’s townhouse began to feel smaller, prompting them to find a parcel of land in Canberra and build their home. “The block had been a vacant site with no house for around four years, with some beautiful mature trees, and it was desperate for some love and attention,” says Elissa. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud
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Design is in her DNA, so the creative process was collaborative, with architect Paul Tilse and his firm’s interior designer, Vanessa Hawes, at the helm of creating the modern barn house – a homage to the humble Australian shed. Elissa’s father, an engineer, influenced the palette with his love of “robust and raw materials,” which shines through in the concrete.

A conversation with her mother and the couple’s builder resulted in the fun peek-a-boo porthole windows at the facade. And her brother, Justin Northrop, an architect and director of Technē studio, conjured up some curves when the couple asked him to cast his eye over their plans. “He came back with some hand-drawn scribbles over our elevations and suggesting some bold, sculptural shapes,” recalls Elissa.

The staircase in a Canberra home.
An open-tread staircase ushers in light. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

“He said, ‘It’s a huge black barn, it can handle being messed with’. We enjoyed adding in these extra surprises – you can take the process too seriously and it’s nice to have things that put a smile on your face.”

Some of the most striking interior elements are the finishes. “Elissa had a vision for the colour palette that she wanted throughout the house; it was initially black, white and gold, which is present in the home,
but we evolved this together to add elements of warm grey and pale timber,” says Vanessa.

But most important was the durability and comfort factor; after all, this is a family home. “We didn’t want any part of the house and materials to be precious, so everyone would feel at home and be relaxed,” says Elissa, who now enjoys exactly that.

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The interior of a Canberra home.
The hearth and bench seat near the front door are some of Elissa’s favourite elements. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

Kitchen

Inside the kitchen of a Canberra home.
Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

“A monochrome colour scheme and lack of adornment sparked our imagination, as we were interested in the materials that could be used,” says Elissa. The brass Axolotl finish in the kitchen joins cabinetry in Dulux Colorbond Monument, polished concrete flooring and curved benchtops by Mitchell Bink Concrete Design. Paul Tilse Architects + Interiors designed both inside and out, with styling by Tilly Roberts.

The kitchen inside a Canberra home.
Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud
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A slim ‘Highline’ pendant in Satin Waxed Brass by Archier illuminates the social island bench. The wall of integrated Fisher & Paykel ovens makes entertaining loved ones a breeze, as does the butler’s pantry, which is hidden to one side of the kitchen.

Dining

The dining room inside a home in Canberra.
Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

A Beeline Design ‘Ridge Oval’ dining table in Black continues the colour scheme, while Mattiazzi ‘Leva’ chairs from Miko Designs are a light contrast.

Living

The living room inside a home in Canberra.
A Big Ass Fans ceiling fan cools in summer, while an Escea gas fireplace adds warmth in winter. A Jardan ‘Sunny’ sofa and Coco Republic armchairs join a custom ‘Matteo’ floor covering by Tappeti Rugs. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud
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Glosswood timber lining boards in Satin Driftwood in the soaring living area draw the gaze to vistas at either end of the room. “Rob was attracted by the views, which include iconic Canberra landmarks – Parliament House and Black Mountain – but more importantly, the expansive views to the Brindabella Mountains, which offer up spectacular sunsets,” says Elissa of her husband’s first impression and favourite feature.

The living area inside a Canberra home.
Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

WE LOVE…bold sightlines

“The living room is my personal favourite, with the high timber-lined raked ceiling and triangular highlight windows,” shares architect Paul Tilse of the space he loves most, framed with AWS ‘Thermal Heart’ glazing. “Glass doors open onto a terrace with views to the Brindabellas one way, and with floor-to-ceiling glazing on the north-east looking towards the pool and garden on the other side.”

The living room inside a Canberra home.
Arlo and Beau love their loft-style playroom. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud
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A curtain in a rumpus room.
A Clarke & Clarke ‘Murano’ curtain pops in the rumpus. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

Bedroom

Bedroom in the Canberra home.
A Fomu ‘L’Art’ chair tops EC ‘Andes Peak’ carpet in Morado in the couple’s room. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

“It really felt like a dream project from start to finish.”

Elissa.

Bathroom

The bathroom inside a Canberra home.
Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

In Elissa and Robert’s ensuite, large floor and wall tiles team with smaller mosaics in the shower, both from Tile Republic. Heated Astra Walker towel rails ward off the chilly Canberra winters near a vintage stool from Watertiger.

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“Our love of Australian design and products had us referencing the humble shed in its simple form and durable materials.”

Elissa
The bathroom features inside a home in Canberra
Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

“I took a brush and some [Dulux Colorbond] Monument paint and let the lines wind their way all over the boys’ toilet,” shares Elissa. “I enjoyed adding a sense of play but didn’t want it to look too young, so kept it dark grey to match the rest of the home’s colour scheme.”

Outdoors

Canberra pool and garden.
Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

Paul and Vanessa zoned the outdoor areas to include a pool, fire pit, terraces and playfully framed gardens. “The overarching vision for the landscape was ‘Canberra coastal’, creating lots of zones of interest for family to explore different spaces, either together or alone when desired,” says Vanessa.

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The exterior of the Canberra home and swimming pool.
A Vitra ‘Panton’ chair sits poolside. “We wanted every aspect of the exterior house and garden to have numerous spaces that revealed themselves as you walked around,” says Elissa Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud
The exterior of the home in Canberra.
Round apertures frame vistas between the garden and fire pit. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud
Canberra steps in the garden.
Custom formwork was used for the concrete steps. Styling: Tilly Roberts/ Photography: Anne Stroud

Interior design & architecture: Paul Tilse Architects + Interiors, paultilsearchitects.com.au
Joinery: Created Bespoke Joinery, createdjoinery.com.au
Builder: Brother Projects, brotherprojects.com.au
Landscaping: Restyle Landscapes, restylelandscapes.com.au

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