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Granny flat design: A chic new build in outer Sydney

By Amy Collins-Walker •

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Located on five bush acres in Sydney’s Hills District, this new build is no ordinary granny flat. Comprised of two small connected pavilions, the stylish one bedroom home has all the mod cons its occupants need, while remaining close to their family who reside nearby on the block.

Granny flat
The one bedroom home is split into two pavilions – one houses sleeping and the other living

“The home is a secondary dwelling on their son and daughter-in-law’s property. They wanted to be close to family but maintain privacy,” says the home’s architect Luke Carter, director of Sandbox Studio.

Compact, environmentally sustainable and close enough to the access road, but out of sight of the ‘main’ house, the home ticks many boxes for its owners who are in their early seventies. “Though modest in size, the house is designed to open up to the landscape to create a feeling of space. To make the small-footprint home feel generous, we gave it high ceilings and lots of windows so every part of the house projects towards a view,” says Luke.

Kitchen and living
Kitchen and living

The two pavilions separate the house into two zones; a public and a private, with a corridor linking them. Simple yet robust materials give the home an industrial feel which is countered by the warmth of natural timber inside, as well as the occasional pop of colour.

Lounge
Lounge

“Recycled bricks and steel cladding address the bushfire code and lend character. The interior is also robust, using recycled bricks for the chimney, Tasmanian oak floorboards and ceiling and wall linings of unpainted fibre cement sheeting,” says Luke. The custom kitchen and bathroom vanity were made from recycled spotted timber while the only painted surfaces are two doors that provide colour in the corridor.

Bathroom
Bathroom

Environmental features include solar roof panels for power, rainwater tanks for irrigation and firefighting, double-glazed windows, insulation and an Envirocycle composting septic tank. “We are proud of the fact we have very happy clients who are really enjoying their little home in the bush. We are also proud of the fact the house has a low carbon footprint due to the passive design principles used,” says Luke.

Bedroom
Bedroom

And does Luke believe this ‘granny flat’ design is symptomatic of a wider trend? “We believe that the granny flat/studio trend is on the rise due to housing affordability and availability, along with the rise in multi-generational living.”

Granny flat

Photography: Katherine Lu | Styling: Megan Morton

For more on Sandbox Studio | How to earn money from your granny flat

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February 4, 2020

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SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jas SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jasminemcclellanddesign delivered. And then some!

"With a keen eye for design, they wanted their main bathroom to feel calm, spa-like and elevated with more storage, better layout, and soft, layered textures in a neutral palette. Lighting was another big focus, with the goal of creating a space that felt luxurious enough to unwind in, preferably with a glass of champagne in the bath.”

Is it a yay or a nay for you?

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the suppliers as well as a look at the powder room with its bold wallpaper 😍

#spabathroom #zenbathroom #spavibes #bathroomremodels 

📸 @jonathantabensky
Vacuums, mops, empties itself. Slim enough to get Vacuums, mops, empties itself. Slim enough to get under the lowest furniture and beds.

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This primary ensuite for a successful career woman working in luxury cosmetics and homewares is sexy, strong, girly, but sophisticated. We love its warmth and personality.

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What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

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Comment the season you THINK you are below (spring, summer, autumn or winter) and I'll send you the link to the quiz so you can double check!

Fun!

This quiz from @templeandwebster jumps on the colour analysis trend for fashion and applies it to interiors!

#seasonaldecorating #seasonaldecor #colouranalysis
The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday w The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday was a real treat. Such an exciting and sleek looking upgrade to my favourite kitchen machine!

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Kitchen by @build.theory Bathroom by @birdblackdesign and @aspire_constructions 

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What do you think?

Read all about it on the blog now via link in bio/stories.

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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lucille McLaren says

    February 5, 2020 at 7:10 am

    That’s one of the best Granny flats I’ve seen. Would have been interested in seeing a couple more photos and what storage the flat has. Most older people have some treasures they’ve collected through life, even if you’ve thoroughly dispensed with all things not needed otherwise one feels as though you’re living in someone else’s house. But all in all I think I stylish solution. I was a builder and interior designer.

  2. Sandbox Studio Architecture & Design says

    February 20, 2020 at 9:57 am

    Hi Lucille, thanks so much for your kind words. We understand what you mean 🙂 There is a full robe in the bedroom which seems to be sufficient for the owners. We built storage into the walls next to the kitchen (as seen in the second image above) for extra storage, and this solution could easily be replicated in the private pavilion (the bedroom) for as much storage as you’d like! We’d be happy to share more images with you. Could you please send us a message through our website contact page https://www.sandboxstudio.com.au/contact Many thanks, Mukesh @ Sandbox Studio

  3. Michael Innis says

    March 30, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Really love the design. Love the simplicity and open layout.

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