SPIRIT HOUSE

The very first thing you'll hear when you arrive on the doorstep of this contemporary family home is the sound of joyful laughter. Step inside and you'll see why

- CARROL BAKER

This cool and modern family home is filled with warmth, light, and a family with two small children who are enchanted with their new abode. The modest single-storey bungalow that once stood on the block is unrecognisable thanks to a complete renovation that also included an expansive extension.

Jonathan James, director of James Design Studio, says the bungalow had undergone several unsympathetic renovations over the years. “The house had reached a point in its lifecycle where it was in desperate need of a new lease on life,” he says.

When Jonathan first met the family, it became apparent right away what the design vision would be. “The clients were warm, engaging individuals, and from the outset it was clear that their fun and playful nature would inform the spirit of the project,” he recalls. They were looking for a modern family home that was also suitable for entertaining. It needed to offer light-filled spaces, a seamless connection to the outdoors, and plenty of room to entertain when family and friends drop by.