Faced with the renovation of a small inner-city Brisbane cottage, its interior designer and architect owners had to create clever solutions to deliver up an efficient and comfortable home that also looks amazing. One of the key aspects of the renovation is the use of custom-designed and built joinery and furniture that is often multi-purpose. Another is the use of calming Resene colour that visually draws on the exterior outlook. 

By rearranging circulation, removing an inefficient room, reinstating decking and consolidating functional zones, this modest refurbishment has provided a home with a light-filled purposeful environment. The overall aesthetic arose from a collaboration between the interior designer Jacqueline Jones of Twofold Studios, the architect Paul Jones and the joiner Evan Goldsmith. 

Having a very restricted footprint with a number of functional demands, the space had to be efficiently planned. Custom joinery combined with built-in seating, windows and doors allows for environmental control while framing a view and meeting household requirements. 

How did you decide on the overall look of the interiors? What was your overall philosophy? 

Because of space limitations, custom-made joinery was used throughout the house; the doors and windows are part of this language. All elements were designed to maximum effect and performance. A desk becomes a buffet for dinner parties, a book shelf houses china and glassware behind, an entry is framed with a cupboard that houses phones, wine and other household items, and doors can be selectively opened or closed to control the breeze. 

The combination of transparent and solid panels helps to frame the view, while providing privacy. The colour palette supports the indoor/outdoor qualities of the design and adds textural layering with the placement of the feature colours. Resene Woodstock was used on all doors except the front door to identify openings. Resene Double Napa not only acts as a feature but links all the spaces from front to back. It was used internally and externally, wrapping around the front door and on the central wall. 

What inspired those colour choices? 

Resene Woodstock and Double Napa were chosen to represent the tree canopy which dominates the view of the back garden. The colours also add calmness to the interior spaces. 

What part of the house are you most happy with; do you have a favourite space? 

The dining area, with its beautiful in-built seat, window and table brings the family together. It has a view of the tree and gets those all-important cool breezes during summer. The shoe cupboard on the deck is also a favourite. A crafted timber sliding door that hides less attractive items demonstrates how a potentially unattractive space can become aesthetically pleasing. 

Do you have a favourite colour? 

Green, and its many connotations.

Body Organics Studio 

Another Twofold Studios project, by director and designer Melissa Blight, also makes great use of Resene colour. For the conversion of a post-war timber cottage into a Pilates studio, the client wanted to use a base of green, hence Resene Avocado was chosen. The deep brown Resene Mondo and sharp highlight of Resene Billy T are used with the calmer colours of Resene Avocado and Resene Lemon Twist. Wall textures are highlighted rather than downplayed, with the retention of the vertical jointed timber and textured wallpaper which is simply painted over. Other materials used include natural oiled hardwood timber floors, eco-ply, coloured acrylic joinery and Florence Broadhurst ‘Aubrey’ fabric.

Custom-designed furniture is multi-functional. A desk in the corner of the living area becomes a buffet for dinner parties. The joiner was Evan Goldsmith while the interiors are designed by Jacqueline Jones of Twofold Studio.

Further opportunity to combine beautiful furniture with function was made with this bookcase, which acts as a divider between the living area and dining space, and the reverse of which is used to house china and glassware. Rosewood timber is used alongside panels in Resene Woodstock (green) and Resene Double Napa.

The coloured (Resene Woodstock and Resene Double Napa) and translucent panels are a functional work of art, designed to frame the view into the garden but also provide privacy.

Resene Double Napa is used on the central tongue and groove wall. Painting was done by SVEA Painting. 

Resene Billy T is a lively colour for the entry of the pilates studio designed by Melissa Blight of Twofold Studio. The fabric hanging on the right is a Marimekko print called Ruusupuu.

The pilates studio with its Resene Avocado walls and trims in Resene Alabaster. The blinds are in a Florence Broadhurst ‘Aubrey’ fabric.