When people ask me about my home, they are often curious about the materials I selected. For me, materials do far more than define the look of a space. They set the mood, influence how a home feels, and create a sense of depth.

When I renovated my mid-century modern home, I was intentional about choosing materials that felt timeless, tactile and quietly luxurious. Pieces that would age well, patina beautifully, and feel grounded rather than trend-driven.

Here, I'll take you through my material choices, sharing how I used them to create a luxurious, but unpretentious home. 

KITCHEN 

The kitchen - which is hands-down the most talked about room in our home - is anchored by a slab of Brazilian quartzite. I was drawn to its subtle warmth and beautiful sedimentary markings, and it became the starting point for the entire space. Unlike marble, it has a strength and durability that makes it practical for a hardworking kitchen (while still delivering the drama!)

I paired the quartzite with walnut veneer cabinetry. Walnut has a richness and softness that immediately warms the space and offsets the coolness of stone. I love how the grain adds visual texture without overwhelming the room. It also nods to the mid-century modern influences that run throughout my home, creating a quiet link between eras, rather than a literal interpretation.

As a final detail, I chose a brass veneer for the kickboards - it adds a quiet, refined contrast that lifts the joinery without competing with the timber. It is a practical, durable surface that handles wear and will develop a soft patina over time.

LIVING SPACES

In our living room, the materials were chosen to feel warm, tactile and timeless. I wanted them all to feel cohesive with the original mid-century design.

The custom cabinetry under the fireplace is crafted from travertine onyx. Its translucency and depth add little moments of surprise, especially when light hits it at different times of day.

Different stones were layered and combined throughout the home intentionally, allowing each material to speak without competing.

There is a strong emphasis on natural timber, from the original pine timber floors to the custom Tasmanian oak sideboard I designed, which has become one of the most asked-about pieces in the house. The Artona armchairs are crafted from laminated timber with contrasting strips of veneer, creating the distinctive striped apppearance. I had these ones reupholstered in a lovely caramel leather.

Together, these materials create a room that feels calm, considered and lived in, with each piece chosen for both beauty and longevity.

ENSUITE

The ensuite is one of the most personal spaces in the house, and also one of my favourites! The floors are a work of art in itself, but the custom vanity and tiles get a chance to share the spotlight too.

For the floor, I was inspired by a trip to Milan where palladiana floors are everywhere in palazzos, so I wanted to creat this style pattern but using larger scale pieces in a warm neutral palette. So I sourced offcuts of travertine onyx, cappuccino onyx, rosso lavanto, black marble and carrara marble.


I loved the idea of repurposing offcut pieces of stone rather than relying on large, uniform slabs. The variation creates a more organic, almost collage-like effect, and adds an element of craftsmanship. Using offcuts was not only a sustainable decision, it also allowed for a more layered and bespoke outcome. It took six months to find a tiler and stoner polisher who was willing to do the job!

I echoed the cappuccino onyx and walnut veneer we see throughout the house in the custom vanity, and used bejmat tiles -  Moroccan-inspired, hand-crafted tiles - that bring warmth and texture to the space.

BATHROOMS

When I designed all the bathrooms in our home, I wanted them to feel like considered rooms rather than purely functional spaces. The material choices were always about calm, tactility and longevity. 

The green floor tiles are a combination of “Leaf” and “Tea Tree” encaustic tiles from Di Lorenzo. I used small-format ceramic wall tiles for their subtle variation.

The vanity surfaces are honed travertine. The custom wall-hung timber cabinetry is veneered in the warm walnut tones that are used throughout the rest of the house. I love that the vanities read more like furniture than joinery.

Brushed brass tapware, sculptural ceramic basins and framed mirrors with rounded corners complete the palette. Each element was chosen to complement rather than compete, with finishes that will patina and evolve over time.

BEDROOM

In the bedroom, the focus shifts from stone to texture. Walnut appears again, tying the space back to the rest of the home, but it is softened through the introduction of grasscloth panels on the wardrobe.

Grasscloth brings warmth and tactility. I wanted the bedroom to feel layered and serene: somewhere where materiality did the heavy lifting, rather than colour or pattern.

The combination of natural fibres and timber reinforces the idea that luxury does not have to shout. Sometimes it is found in the quiet repetition of texture and tone.

WHY MATERIALS MATTER

I am drawn to materials that tell a story, that show signs of use, and that feel better with time. Stone with beautiful markings, timber that deepens in colour, textures that soften with wear. These are the elements that make a house feel like a home.

In the end, materials shape how we live more than we realise. They influence how we move through spaces, how we feel when we arrive home, and how connected we feel to our surroundings.

If you’re planning a renovation, or refining your own home design and want guidance on choosing materials, I’d love to work with you. I offer one off 55 minute design sessions through to full scale interior design and styling packages. Lets chat!