A Minimalist Style – Richmond House by studio gram

With the primary goal of crafting a home that accommodated a growing family, studio gram combines a modern midcentury style with influences of Palm Springs. Through the minimal but detailed design, studio gram has produced a robust, relaxed and character-rich dwelling with an abundance of natural light.

Inspired by the Californian landscape, the owners delivered a brief to studio gram that requested for their home to emulate a similar aesthetic. However, the house is based in South Australia – where the summer sun can be quite harsh – so studio gram considered how the abode could be designed in a vastly different climate yet still instil the desired ambitions of the client. As such, the garden is a nod to Palm Springs, with a deliberate choice of cacti and other plantings that could survive in the severe summer heat. Working with studio gram was Emma Sadie Thomson, who enhanced the landscape and garden aesthetic, ensuring a cohesive and complementary design between the exterior and interior.

Working with studio gram was Emma Sadie Thomson, who enhanced the landscape and garden aesthetic, ensuring a cohesive and complementary design between the exterior and interior.

Once inside, studio gram creates more space for the growing family by reworking the original form. From the existing three bedrooms, studio gram adds a guestroom, courtyards and a new workspace – all of which are complemented by a bright and neutral palette. Along with the renovations, a new extension was added to include new laundry, kitchen, living and dining spaces. An existing garden shed was also repurposed into a greenhouse to act as both a safe harbour for growing plants and a photography studio for one of the owners. Additionally, a pool and pergola has been stationed at the rear of the residence to further reflect the Palm Springs influence.

Further imbuing a feeling of Californian living is the quality of an indoor-outdoor lifestyle that permeates the dwelling. With an excess of natural light, warm timbers, wide windows and several courtyards, the idea of uninterrupted thresholds is emphasised throughout Richmond House. Easily moving from one room to the other, and then to outside, Richmond House exudes the effortless aesthetic of a Californian dream house, although located on the exquisite South Australian landscape.