Elonera House by Studio Doherty

Studio Doherty balances the historical elements of Elonera House with a forward-looking vision, ensuring that the home emphasises connection.

Drawing inspiration directly from the clients, Studio Doherty crafted Elonera House as the ideal family residence, designed to welcome the client’s friends and family for spontaneous visits. “The clients want their home to be reminiscent of the homes they grew up in, in the 1970s, where kids from the neighbourhood would pop in, stay all day, and where there would be a stack of bikes out the front signifying who was playing at your house,” says Mardi Doherty, director at Studio Doherty. Imbued with a feeling of openness, Elonera House reflects the personalities and interests of its owners. “Our goal was to work within the existing footprint and increase the home’s connection to the sprawling garden and to bring the interiors up to a standard that would cater for this growing family of five for years to come,” says Doherty.

A blend of earthy yellows and pale blues creates a subdued colour scheme within the interiors, directing guests’ attention to the expansive gardens outside.

Based on a previous collaboration, Studio Doherty understood the clients’ preferences for materials. After having a house that featured vibrant colours and playful elements, Elonera House was designed to evoke a more relaxed and casual ambience. “We deliberately used lots of light timber in the home for the floors, ceiling and joinery to create a relaxed, warm feeling,” says Doherty. A blend of earthy yellows and pale blues creates a subdued colour scheme within the interiors, directing guests’ attention to the expansive gardens outside. “We also used a muted yellow, gloss tile on the wall behind the kitchen, and this continued into the living room joinery, providing a soft buffer between the two areas,” explains Doherty. The residence features little repetition in finishes, yet each room maintains a cohesive aesthetic while showcasing its unique personality.

“The home’s connection to the garden was of paramount importance to our clients,” says Doherty. The dwelling harmonises with the landscape, with the main pavilion integrating seamlessly through taller windows and wider openings. The living room and kitchen are orientated towards the garden, benefiting from abundant northern and western sunlight throughout the day. While preserving much of the original footprint, Studio Doherty has reconfigured internal spaces to better suit the family’s needs. “The laundry was previously positioned in a room in the back, so in order to achieve the openness our client desired, we created a small addition to the east side of the home that houses the laundry, walk-in pantry and powder room.” The designer also converted one of the bedrooms into an ensuite for the main bedroom, cleverly concealing a secret door within a wall of wardrobes that unveils the generous space.

The living room and kitchen are orientated towards the garden, benefiting from abundant northern and western sunlight throughout the day.

With its encircling verandah, decorative lattice work and inviting entryway, Elonera House exudes a familiarity that encourages friends to drop by for spontaneous gatherings. Balancing the original charm of the home with thoughtful, modern additions, Studio Doherty has crafted a dwelling that fosters deep connections between the owners, the landscape and the community.

Architecture by Ari Alexander. Interior design by Studio Doherty. Build by Prolifica Building Co. Landscape design by Amanda Oliver Gardens.