The Journey of a Design Project: From Concept to Completion – Epping Project Case Study

The Journey of a Design Project: From Concept to Completion – Epping Project Case Study

At Studio Minosa, every design tells a unique story, and the transformation of the Epping home exemplifies our commitment to detail, craftsmanship, and personalisation. By following our six-stage design and build process, we reimagined the kitchen, scullery, lounge room, home office, powder room, and bar area. The result? A home that seamlessly blends function with beauty, reflecting the unique lifestyle of our clients.

This home was only four years old when our clients approached us to redesign the key areas, including the kitchen, scullery, lounge room, home office, powder room, and bar. A few years earlier, we had the privilege of creating a wine cellar downstairs, which quickly became a family favourite and served as a driving force behind their decision to redesign the rest of the home.

When the clients originally built the house, it was a large-scale investment, and they didn’t have the budget to execute their ideal vision for the interior. Following the success of the wine cellar project, they brought us in to transform the remaining spaces, ensuring both beauty and functionality. This is the story of how we helped bring their vision to life through our six-stage design and build process.

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Stage 1: Initial Consultation and Concept Development

The project began with a deep dive into the client’s lifestyle, aspirations, and the current functionality of their home. During the site visit, we discussed their vision: a home that could serve as a family sanctuary but also shine as an entertainment hub.

The kitchen, being the heart of the home, needed to feel more connected to the architecture and reflect the client’s style. As the central hub for family gatherings, it required a layout that enhanced both functionality and social connection. The scullery was designed for efficiency in daily use, ensuring that every aspect of the space served a practical purpose. The lounge needed a better layout with carefully selected furniture to extend the gathering space, providing a cosy area for family lounging or extra seating when entertaining.

The bar area, on the other hand, was envisioned as a versatile space that could accommodate large gatherings for game days but also serve as a quiet retreat for enjoying a glass of whisky. It had to strike the right balance between being a lively entertainment hub and a personal, intimate space.

Key Focus:

- Client Vision: A highly functional yet beautiful home for family life and social gatherings.

- Site Assessment: Understanding how spaces were used and identifying areas for transformation.

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Stage 1: Conceptual Thinking

Our initial observation was that the kitchen felt disconnected from the home’s architecture, with too much "white space" reflecting the abundance of natural light from the coffered ceiling. To address this, we needed to soften the brightness by adjusting the internal paint color and refine the architectural lines of the interior. By raising the joinery line to align with the drop bulkhead, the kitchen gained a sense of height and purpose, no longer feeling cramped or squashed into the space. We also replaced the high pendant lights with a new fixture that drops to eye level, creating a more intimate and cohesive feel.

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Stage 2: Design Presentation 1 – Exploring Possibilities

In the first design presentation, we focused on improving the flow between spaces. We created spatial plans that enhanced transitions, including removing the door to the scullery to establish a more seamless connection with the kitchen. Additionally, we designed a hidden bar near the dining table, providing a convenient space to store and serve drinks after dinner. This not only added functionality but also made the kitchen feel larger, as the extended joinery across the entire width of the space expanded the visual line. These ideas were presented to the client through detailed floor plans with furniture layouts, 3D white-box models, and architectural sketches to clearly communicate our design thinking.

Key Focus:

- Spatial Plans: Exploring options to maximise flow, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

- Client Feedback: Understanding preferences for each room’s layout and function.

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Stage 3: Design Presentation 2 & 3 – Adding Dimension and Detail

In Stage 2, we refined the design and presented 3D renderings, giving the client a clear sense of how the rooms would look and function. By Stage 3, we added colour, texture, and materiality to finalise the overall aesthetic. for the kitchen and bar, we selected a refined mid-tone woodgrain to bring warmth and depth to the space, complemented by an elegant grey and black marble that subtly anchors the design. This combination not only adds sophistication but also balances the abundant natural light, creating a harmonious and inviting environment.

These choices cemented the kitchen's presence within the architecture. Bold design elements were chosen for the powder room, while the home office was crafted to feel both professional and inviting. This combination of thoughtful design and premium materials ensured each room felt cohesive and tailored to the client's lifestyle.

Key Focus:

- 3D White Box Renderings: Bringing the spaces to life with form and proportion.

- Material Palette & Detail: Introducing rich tones, bold accents, and high-end finishes in the final presentation.

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Stage 4: Tendering Process – Choosing the Right Team

With the designs locked in, we moved to Stage 4: tendering. We connected the client with trusted contractors and tradespeople who would bring the design vision to life. This phase involved careful selection of suppliers and ongoing coordination with the build team to ensure timelines and quality standards were met.

Key Focus:

- Tendering: Selecting the right team to execute the design, ensuring the highest quality work.

- Coordination: Ongoing communication with contractors to align the vision with the build.

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Stage 5: Build Phase – Crafting the Vision

The build phase brought the vision to reality. From custom joinery in the kitchen to integrated technology in the bar, every detail was crafted meticulously. Specialised storage for whisky, integrated sports memorabilia displays, and precise cabinetry in the scullery were highlights of this phase. The lounge and office were reimagined with a focus on comfort and utility, making them perfect for both family gatherings and professional work.

Key Focus:

- Execution of Design: Close collaboration with trades ensured flawless execution of the design.

- Attention to Detail: Custom joinery, lighting, and finishes were installed, bringing the designs to life.

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Stage 6: Handover and Celebration – A Toast to Completion

With the build complete, we handed over the home to our clients. The finished spaces were a testament to the power of thoughtful design, collaboration, and craftsmanship. To celebrate the successful completion of the project, we shared a moment of reflection with a bottle of fine red from Tony’s Thirsty Cellar—a fitting way to toast the transformation of this remarkable home.

Key Focus:

- Handover: Walking through the completed home with the client, ensuring every detail met their expectations.

- Celebration: A glass of Tony’s finest to celebrate the journey from concept to completion.

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🔗View the Entire Project Here.

🔗View Tony's Thirsty Wine Cellar Here.

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A Project Worth Celebrating: HIA Awards Nomination

The transformation of this home not only brought joy to our clients but has also earned a prestigious nomination for the HIA Kitchen Design & Kitchen Project of the Year Awards – NSW 2024. The kitchen, with its seamless blend of functionality and elegance, is now in the running to be recognised as one of the top designs of the year. This is a testament to the passion, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail that defines every project at Studio Minosa.

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Design Life Better