Blair Street

Architecture: Open Door Design
Photography: Marnie Hawson

Designed to be one with its environment in Warrandyte, this family home gets as close to nature as possible.

Warm timbers, expanses of glass and a large-scale alfresco draw the eye – and the family’s daily lifestyle – to the outdoors.

A two-story house with blue siding on the upper level and wooden panels on the lower level, surrounded by greenery, with a patio area and hanging chair.

Rainy outdoor deck area with wet wooden floor, black fencing, a cushioned chair with tropical pattern, and surrounding trees.

The home respects its place in the world, surrounded by native bushland. A sensitive use of materials includes mixed ironbark decking and silvertop ash cladding from Radial Timber.

Inside, sight lines extend from the kitchen and open-plan living areas to the wraparound deck and garden. Cockatoos are frequent visitors.

A woman washing dishes at a modern kitchen island with bar stools, wooden flooring, and a ceiling with wooden beams and hanging plants.

A modern black outdoor LED wall light mounted on a wooden slat wall.

Outdoor patio with wooden ceiling and floor, featuring a hanging woven chair, a ceiling fan, a wooden dining table with black chairs, two white armchairs with floral cushions, and surrounding trees and plants.

Windows and doors of the existing house were replaced with double-glazing, while the entire house underwent significant insulation. Thermal comfort is now enjoyed by the family year-round.

Interior view of a modern living space with white walls, wooden ceiling beams, and large windows. Potted plants are placed near the doorway, and a small table with chairs is visible in the background.

Open kitchen with a view of a lush garden outside, featuring potted plants, a wooden deck, and outdoor seating.

A modern kitchen with wooden ceiling, black cabinets, a double-hung window, and a sliding glass door leading to a balcony with trees outside. The kitchen includes a sink with a package of flowers, hanging plants, and minimalistic decor.

A white cockatoo perches on a black fence next to a bird feeder hanging from a wire on a tree branch, with a background of green trees and sky.

Bright dining room with large windows, a wooden table surrounded by white and dark chairs, green plants, pendant lights, and a black leather sofa with pillows visible in the foreground.

Modern kitchen with white cabinetry, teal backsplash, black countertops, and natural wood ceiling. Includes a built-in stove, sink, chairs, indoor plants, black and white wall art, and large windows.

A potted plant with large green leaves in a wicker basket on wooden stairs near a window.

Room with a hanging egg-shaped wicker chair with cushions, potted plants, a small wooden table, sliding glass door leading outside, and a part of a bed with a striped blanket.

A cozy bedroom with a wooden vaulted ceiling, a bed with blue pillows, gray and white bedding, and large windows with a view of trees, decorated with green plants and modern lighting.

A small bathroom with a sloped wooden ceiling, a sink with a green marble countertop, a white cabinet, a beige towel hanging, and a potted cactus plant in a white pot.