Design Story – 2: A Family Home Transformation ……….
Design Stories – 2
My next design story begins with a young family. Julie reached out because she wanted her living space to feel more cohesive, with some custom wall joinery designed to make it both functional and beautiful. She also had a big dream: to transform the existing master bathroom into two bathrooms—a proper ensuite for her and her partner, and a master bathroom for the family. The idea of having their very own bathroom felt like bliss.
This project was always going to be about creating a warm, family-focused home that could gently evolve into their dream home over time.
The Concept Stage
We began, as always, with mood boards. Inspiration came from a mix of sources, including Pinterest, but it was Julie’s Modern Farmhouse aesthetic that guided the direction. Their home, a weatherboard built in the late 1960s, sat on a small acreage just out of town—plenty of room for the kids to roam, but the house itself had already been through a few changes over the years.
Once we had nailed the mood and feel of the spaces, I created a full model of the home in SketchUp. I love this stage—it’s where I can plan everything down to the centimetre: what furniture will stay, where it will live, how the space flows. Adding textures, lighting, colours, and décor makes the design come alive and gives my clients a true picture of the final result.
In the living space, we played around with furniture placement, window treatments, and of course, that all-important wall cabinetry designed specifically for the room. In the master bedroom, I also designed a beautiful built-in wardrobe, tailored joinery that maximised storage while keeping the room feeling calm and uncluttered—perfect for creating a true retreat for Julie and her partner.
Turning One Bathroom into Two
Next came the most exciting challenge: transforming one bathroom into two. With some careful measuring (and a bit of door and wall shifting!), we managed to make it possible. By reclaiming space from a hallway and reworking the existing separate toilet, we were able to enlarge the master bathroom. Then, by borrowing a little from the linen cupboard and reconfiguring the old layout, we created a small but mighty ensuite.
The ensuite was designed with efficiency in mind—a pocket door to maximise space, and a layout that fit a shower, vanity, and toilet neatly along one wall. Meanwhile, the master bathroom still had room for a freestanding bath, a vanity, a frameless shower, and plenty of thoughtful storage with recessed shaving cabinets and shower niches. Every element had to be carefully specified and measured to ensure comfort and flow within each space.
Bringing the Design to Life
Once the space planning and technical details were finalised, it was time for the fun part: layering in the beautiful finishes. Tiles, tapware, colours, and lighting choices began to bring the vision together. One of the things I love most about working in SketchUp is being able to walk my clients through the design in 3D. They can “step inside” their future home, see how the light hits the tiles, how the cabinetry sits in the room, and even swap out finishes in real time until it feels just right.
This project was all about balance—creating spaces that were not only functional but also warm, welcoming, and cohesive for family life. And while it’s still unfolding, it’s such a joy to help Julie and her family bring their dream home to life, one thoughtful step at a time.
Much Love
Kiri
