the brief
“Beautiful but bulletproof.”
This became the line we kept coming back to throughout the design process, and it neatly captured the goal for this home. The brief centred on creating a space that felt layered and full of character, while still being highly liveable and easy to maintain.
Materials needed to be durable and practical, with finishes that didn’t require precious upkeep, yet still delivered on detail and warmth. The intention was a home that felt considered and special, but never fussy — a place designed to be properly lived in.
Kitchen render of Millthorpe House.
Pantry render of Millthorpe House.
The client
At the time of the renovation, the client was wrapping up a long and successful career in Sydney and returning home to the Orange region. This project marked a new chapter — a shift towards a slower pace and a home that truly supported everyday life.
The design needed to allow for easy entertaining, quiet moments by the fire, and spaces that felt calm and organised. A place for everything was key, with thoughtful storage to reduce visual clutter and allow the home to feel settled and welcoming — whether hosting friends for a cup of tea or sitting with a book, looking out to the view.
Living room render of Millthorpe House.
The space
Originally a 1990s builder’s-grade home, the house was structurally sound but in need of a lot of love. Its greatest asset was its position — perched high on a hill in Millthorpe with expansive western views back towards Orange.
One of the key challenges was balancing light and privacy. While generous northern windows brought in beautiful natural light, they also faced directly toward a neighbouring property. Internally, darker wall colours, low ceilings and low-set picture rails made the home feel heavier than it needed to. The design approach focused on lifting the interior palette, improving the sense of height and openness, and carefully addressing privacy to the main living areas without sacrificing light.
Kitchen/living render of Millthorpe House..
The result
This renovation is currently a work in progress, with renovations anticipated to be finished early 2026. The heart of the renovation is the reconfigured kitchen, designed to work seamlessly with the client’s daily routines. A dedicated “dump zone” was introduced before the kitchen entry, providing a practical landing point for everyday items and preventing clutter from reaching the main island.
We worked closely with the joiner to refine the functional details — including integrated bins beneath a scrape-off chopping board, a separate kettle and toaster nook, and a walk-in pantry tucked around the corner, finished with a feature timber-lined ceiling. The result is a kitchen that feels calm, intentional and highly functional, while still sitting comfortably within the character of the home.
