The Design Files: Inside the home of a husband-and-wife architect team

 Who: Chris Rak and Kathryn Robson, of Robson Rak Architecture and Interiors

Where: Elwood, Victoria

What: Renovated Edwardian

Husband-and-wife architect team Chris Rak and Kathryn Robson, of Robson Rak Architecture and Interiors, are responsible for some of Melbourne’s most beautiful residential interiors.

It’s no surprise, then, that the couple’s own expertly renovated Edwardian home in Elwood is stylish and effortlessly understated, with every detail perfectly considered.

Originally built in the early 1900s, Robson and Rak’s home had been a rental property for more than 20 years before they bought it. Seeking to extend and contemporise the existing house, the pair retained the front three bedrooms, along with an unusually wide original hallway, and demolished the rear to make way for a modern, open-plan living/kitchen/dining space. They also added a second level, with master bedroom and en suite upstairs.

Working with key collaborators, including landscaper designer Mira Martinazzo from Mud Office, and builders Prolifica Building Group, Robson and Rak were able to complete this extensive renovation in less than a year.

What is most memorable about Robson and Rak’s home is the painstaking attention to detail – right down to the door handles. Sporting a perfect “not quite white” colour palette, the kitchen and living room brings together an elegant edit of furnishings and artwork.

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“The intention with our home was to create a pared-back, simple and restorative sanctuary for us to come home to,” Robson says. “We kept the colour palette intentionally restrained, allowing the artwork and furniture to inject its own colour and personality to the space.”

Robson is fond of the portrait of artist Rhys Lee, painted by Heidi Yardley, which hangs over the dining table, alongside a geometric pencil sketch by Sean Meilak. Having been a sculptor, several of Rak’s works can also be spotted throughout the home. As architects who spend their days designing other people’s dream homes, this place is the couple’s reflection of feeling at home.

“I still pinch myself every day at the thought that my wife and I can design a beautiful environment for our own family,” Rak says.

The Design Files guide to hiring an architect

Building or renovating a home always benefits from the insight of an experienced architect.

They have the qualifications and experience to manage the entire design and construction process – from town planning to administering the building contract. An architect will also inspect the construction work, ensuring quality and compliance.

• Check out find an architect – a comprehensive resource from the Australian Institute of Architects.
• Try to visit an architect’s previous projects in person, to really gain an insight into their work.
• Key to delivering the best outcomes is a great relationship between architect and client.