CLIENT: Family of four (2 adults, two children aged 4 years and 8 years)
DESIGNER FEE: $1680
PROJECT DURATION: 12 months
This family reached out for support to rethink how their three-bedroom heritage terrace could work as their children grew and their needs began to shift.
At the time, their nearly four-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter were sharing a bedroom, but it was becoming clear that this wouldn’t suit them for much longer. They wanted to plan ahead and make better use of the space they already had, without committing to a full renovation. Alongside this, there was also a need to create a dedicated and comfortable work-from-home space that could support daily use.
Like many family homes, this project didn’t follow a straight or predictable path. We worked together over the course of about twelve months, and the direction changed several times as priorities evolved and new ideas emerged. Some things that felt urgent at the beginning became less important over time, while other needs became clearer once the family started living with early decisions.
This is a very normal part of the process, particularly in homes with growing children. Rather than trying to lock everything in too early, my role was to help the family adjust as they went, making thoughtful decisions at each stage while keeping a clear sense of the bigger picture.
Across the project, I supported the sequencing of changes so that each step built on the last, without creating new challenges elsewhere in the home. This included guiding the set-up of a backyard study pod to establish a dedicated workspace, designing storage solutions using a mix of customised IKEA wardrobes and tailored joinery, and planning bedroom layouts that could continue to evolve as the children grew. I also provided guidance on paint colours, window furnishings, and furniture selections so that the home felt more cohesive as these changes were implemented.
This project reflects the reality that homes are not static, particularly for families. Often, the most valuable part of the process is not a single design decision, but having ongoing support to help navigate change, build confidence, and create a home that continues to work over time.
