the brief
Being Emily’s own renovation project, this project offered an opportunity to explore ideas that had not yet been fully realised, while showcasing MARG. Studio’s timeless and elegant approach, layered with a subtle sense of quirk. The intention was to create a home that felt personal and considered, rather than trend-driven or overly styled.
Kitchen render of MARG on Margaret.
Living room render of MARG on Margaret.
The client
MARG on Margaret is the personal home of the studio’s founder Emily and her partner. Approaching the project from both a design and lived perspective allowed for a particularly thoughtful process, with decisions grounded in longevity, comfort and everyday practicality. The project also involved balancing two distinct styles — Emily’s a little wilder and quirkier, her partner’s more traditional. The design process centred on marrying these perspectives in a way that feels cohesive and considered.
Bathroom render of MARG on Margaret.
The space
The previous owner built the existing clad cottage as her family home in the 1970s, only leaving to leaving to move into a care facility. The condition of the home was immaculate considering the age of the building.While the home was in excellent condition, the layout gained a few clever tweaks to allow the addition of a bedroom and a bathroom.
A key design outcome was repurposing the original bathroom, which was ideally positioned to become an ensuite without requiring major rework. This allowed for the creation of a generous family bathroom elsewhere and improved circulation by reclaiming underused hallway space. Other upgrades include doubling the size of the kitchen, adding a large rear deck and adding the footprint of the existing hall to the smallest bedroom to make a larger master bedroom.
The result
Currently in progress, with completion anticipated mid-2026, the project continues to take shape through close collaboration with Kurrajong Projects (builders), their trades and trusted suppliers. The result will be a home designed to be lived in, adapted and enjoyed for decades to come.
Read more about the planning and material selections on the blog →
Bathroom render of MARG. on Margaret.
Project team
Interior Design: MARG. Studio
Build: Kurrajong Projects
Drafting and Council Submission: Bassmann Drafting Services