Located in Melbourne’s north-west, this contemporary family home is defined by generous proportions, natural light and a richly tactile material palette.
With architecture by Mason Bright and interior design by Lume Interiors, the brief centered around creating a home that would endure - both aesthetically and functionally. Open-plan living, generous proportions and an abundance of natural light laid the foundations, while a layered palette of natural materials brings warmth and tactility throughout.
“This was a personal project for me, our family forever home,” says Rachel of Lume Interiors. “The brief was contemporary and timeless, with an open plan design, lots of space, natural light and finishes that we would still love in years to come.”
Designed for Living
More than simply creating a beautiful home, the project was shaped around how the family imagined living within it for years to come.
“We had always envisioned building a home where we could see ourselves living for years to come. A home where we could welcome family and friends, make memories, entertain, and have the comfortable space to do it all in.”
Despite the openness and scale of the architecture, creating a sense of intimacy was equally important. High ceilings and generous spaces are softened through colour, texture and lighting, giving the home an immediate sense of warmth.
“I wanted the space to feel warm, inviting and like ‘home’. Given the open-plan design and high ceilings, there is still a nice sense of warmth, calm and welcome when you walk in.”
Every detail was carefully considered to achieve that balance, with the colour palette, finishes and lighting working collectively to shape not only how each room looks, but how it feels.
A Tactile Material Palette
Predominantly neutral, the home’s palette comes to life through texture and materiality. Carrara marble, travertine, oak veneer, terrazzo, steel and marmorino Venetian walls appear throughout, selected for their natural, tactile and timeless qualities.
“I was really drawn to specifying natural hard finishes with a tactile, timeless aesthetic - finishes that draw you in and you can’t resist touching.”
Against this restrained foundation, moments of colour appear through paint, artwork and furnishings, introducing interest and a little drama without overwhelming the architecture.
For Lume Interiors, designing her own home also presented a rare opportunity for complete creative freedom.
“I was really excited to have full creative control to bring all my ideas to life and show a reflection of me in all the finishes and details. I was also equally as nervous to deliver design expectations on my own home!”
A Darker Side
While much of the home embraces a warm, neutral palette, the powder room deliberately shifts the mood.
Designed to feel “sexy” and unexpected, the room is wrapped in dark charcoal textured mosaic tiles across the floors and walls, with a full stone vanity anchoring the space. Carefully considered lighting heightens the atmosphere, creating a striking departure from the lighter spaces surrounding it.
“I definitely wanted the powder room to have a sexy, moody vibe and give guests an unexpected surprise once they opened the door.”
Rather than feeling disconnected, the darker palette references elements used elsewhere in the architecture, particularly the black steel of the façade and black veneer within the interior joinery.
The bathrooms also feature an architectural detail that quietly changes the experience of each space. Rather than conventional windows, skylights introduce natural light from above, maintaining privacy while creating a softer, more considered quality of light.
Breaking the Rules
The bathrooms became an opportunity to loosen some of the conventions Lume Interiors would typically follow when designing for clients.
“Whilst I would usually keep the same tapware finish consistent throughout each project, I approached the bathrooms differently this time and decided to give each its own colour and feature tile.”
Rather than repeating an identical scheme from room to room, each bathroom was allowed to develop its own identity. Individual colours, tiles and tapware finishes give the spaces distinct personalities, while the broader material language maintains cohesion throughout the home.
“It was a risk that paid off.”
A Natural Fit
Nood Co. concrete basins were selected throughout the bathrooms, bringing another tactile element to the home’s material palette.
Having specified Nood Co. in previous projects, Lume Interiors already knew the material and finish well, making the basins a natural inclusion in her own home.
“Having specified Nood Co. basins in previous projects, I knew how beautifully made they are and always intended to include them in my own home.”
With colour playing an individual role within each bathroom, Nood Co.’s palette also allowed each basin to be selected specifically for its surroundings.
“The tactile concrete finish and colours really complemented the overall bathroom design, and I was able to perfectly match a Nood Co. basin to suit each space, which made my job very easy too!”
The result is a home that feels deeply personal without being overly precious - contemporary yet warm, and designed with the intention of being lived in for many years to come.
Credits
Interiors: Lume Interiors
Architect: Mason Bright
Photography: Dave Kulesza
Styling: Bea Lambos
September 04, 2026
Nood Co
