Kohimarama 2

This home had previously been described as a gothic house. Looking past the colour scheme and some of the more dated finishes, the bones were actually much more Hamptons in character.

The bathrooms were stuck in another era, with a lot of plastic and very 1970s finishes. A large Kent fireplace sat in the corner of the lounge, taking up valuable space and making the room feel smaller than it really was.

Rather than starting from scratch, the focus was on seeing the potential in what was already there.

Outside, we worked with the Hamptons character the house already had. Inside, we went somewhere quite different, because trying to carry a Hamptons look through every room would have felt like costume rather than design. The interior is modern and contemporary: custom stained veneer cabinetry in a deep near-black, brass hardware, and material choices that are confident rather than cautious.

The kitchen was given a complete makeover with new Gaggenau appliances and Powersurge handles, and every bathroom was updated with new finishes and Powersurge mirrors.

One of the best changes was removing an existing built-in desk and replacing it with a bar. Positioned for easy access from both the pool and the alfresco dining area, it has become a much more useful and social space, and it is the part of the house we would happily photograph first.

The furniture and furnishings were considered as part of the overall design rather than as an afterthought. Custom pieces were selected and positioned to work with the new layout, improve the flow between rooms and give each space its own warmth.

The success of this renovation was about revealing the home's potential rather than trying to turn it into something it wasn't. With a new kitchen, refreshed bathrooms, considered furniture and a few clever changes to the layout, the house now feels relaxed, elegant and much better connected to the way the family enjoys living and entertaining.