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Warm Woods and Golden Tones | A Forever Home that Grounds and Glows

Photographer: Elise Scott

Our home can have the biggest impacts on us - on our wellbeing, our goals, and our lifestyle. That’s the belief at the heart of YDM Design Studio, whose design philosophy blends wellbeing-focused living with a fun, environmentally conscious approach to interiors. Their spaces don’t just look good, they feel good too. That’s exactly the energy they brought to this striking renovation in Bonbeach, a breezy coastal suburb in Melbourne’s south-east.

YDM Studio were asked to design a forever home and make the space more practical. As a Melbourne-based boutique interior design studio, they have seamlessly blended aesthetics and functionality to improve the lives of those living there. Soothed, comfortable, and completely grounded, this Bonbeach home has an effortless calm about it, and every room encourages you to slow down.

You can feel the energy through the images of this double-storey house renovation. The open spaces, light airy atmosphere, and complementary neutral palettes really do make you feel completely at ease. Let’s step inside.

There’s nothing quite like a kitchen that has a soft glow of morning sun that filters through. This one gives everything and more, with gold-toned Meir Champagne tapware that threads through the space, and echoes the natural light. Practicality is baked into every detail: hidden storage, integrated appliances, and surfaces that can handle the rhythm of real life. It’s a hardworking kitchen that doesn’t look like it’s trying.

Rich Polytec Notaio Walnut joinery wraps the space in warmth, anchoring the room with a natural, grounding texture. It’s beautifully contrasted by the crisp finish of Quantum Quartz Statuario surfaces. It looks clean, timeless, and quietly luxurious, and we’re swooning over the detailing of the space.

Now comes the showstopper: the elegant, gorgeously designed bar behind the earthy wood doors. Whatever the occasion, this bespoke nook elevates everyday rituals. With integrated lighting, refined shelving, and tonal finishes that echo the home’s natural palette, the bar feels equal parts sophisticated and inviting, and it’s truly a hidden gem.

Texture meets tone in the powder room. The gorgeous tiling, partnered with the space-saving efforts, makes it just as stunning as it is practical. It’s compact but curated, with each element chosen for both function and impact.

Stepping into the ensuite, you can tell that this room feels like a private sanctuary. There’s lighting that creates a warm, ambient glow. Timber, stone, and champagne tones echo the kitchen but are reworked for a softer effect. The green mosaics are subtle but add depth and flair. The green mosaics, paired with the curves in the mirror, are a stunning pairing to add elegance to the room.

We can’t forget to mention that the Bonbeach kitchen and ensuite were both nominated as finalists for the 2024 Kitchen Bathroom Designer Institute Awards. We’re not surprised! This whole renovation is a dream. The theme of lighting, walnut cabinetry, green mosaic tiling, and gold brushed tapware is a consistent style that you can’t help but admire the whole way throughout this home.

The way that you can feel a sense of calm through the images shows just how amazing this home is to live in. With nature-inspired colours, textures, and patterns, the home pairs warm tones with soothing ones to strike that perfect balance for a calm, homely atmosphere. It’s not just what it looks like; the extended storage and functionality make this home future-proofed and practical to be lived in.

Bonbeach Residence doesn’t chase trends or rely on bold gestures. Instead, it invites you to stay a little longer, notice the details, and settle into a slower, softer way of living. With a palette drawn from nature and a layout driven by real life, YDM Studio has crafted a home that isn’t just beautiful, it’s deeply, quietly enduring. Quite frankly, we are obsessed with the detailing and elegance that this home showcases.

Feeling inspired by this incredible transformation? Head over to our mood board tool and Project Studio to bring your projects to life and make a space that looks and feels good, too.