'The definition of hygge': Inside the transformation of a 1970s brick home

Set on a tree-lined street in Malvern East, a classic 1970s brick house is transformed into a contemporary light-filled residence with clean, flowing lines and lush garden glimpses.

“The owners are of Danish heritage so it’s a home that at its core is the definition of hygge,” says Sarah Henry, director from Studio Four. “It’s a celebration of warmth, happiness and togetherness.”

Single-level, dark, and cavernous, the original home featured ornate wallpapers and garish light fittings with little connection to the outdoors. “Our brief was to create an authentic home with a strong sense of identity,” Henry says. “The owners wanted to celebrate the rituals of domestic life but allow for privacy and a change of mood.”

Hear how three generations live on the same property on Somewhere Else: 

Retaining as much of the building fabric as possible and working within the existing structural envelope, a design solution was found in a light-filled fluid central zone rotating around the kitchen with clear connections to the outdoors.

“The kitchen is in three layers,” says co-director Annabelle Berryman. “The first a five-metre-long island bench and combined meals area, the second a cooking zone, and the third a home admin zone with an adjacent butler’s pantry. Each allows the kitchen to function and multi-task with flexibility.”

Adjacent are smaller spaces, including dining and sitting rooms, designed to be calm, acoustically and visually private spaces with a connection to the landscape, fresh air and natural light. In the main living room, attention focuses around a fireplace inspired by the home’s era. Complete with a custom five-metre-high steel flue, it soars elegantly towards the raked ceilings.

Henry says the interior detailing takes its cue from the owner’s collection of furniture, including an Artichoke light, Spanish chairs and Hans Wegner dining table. “These elements were carefully paired with new items to ensure a continuity of vision and an interior that spoke truly of their family,” she says.

Henry says the dark colour scheme is inspired by the home’s original external black brickwork.

“In order to give the house a clear focused voice, our design ensured the language of the exterior brick slid inside to inform the interiors of the project,” she says. “Dark colours also provide a level of camouflage, so when tying in the new with existing brickwork it is an advantage.”

The home’s vast spans of plasterboard ceilings were minimised using additional texture in the form of oak battened ceilings and renewable timber.

The result is a sense of contrast, softness and warmth which Berryman says is hard to achieve through using brick alone. “The synergy between brick and timber helps blur boundaries between inside and out,” she says. “By increasing the home’s access to aspect, light and fresh air, it improves the overall health of the home and its inhabitants. It is a home full of soul and individuality.”

Style Notes

Bar stools

The ST10 Jean bar stool in oak from Living Edge is a stylish contrast to the dark colour scheme in the kitchen.

Pendant light

Danish design features throughout this family home. The timeless Artichoke light in bronze is a dramatic focal point in the living zone.

 Occasional chair

The Spanish chair by design pioneer Borge Mogensen was launched in 1958. Soft saddle leather and warm oak create a true Scandi feel.