This WA home is designed for connection and calm: An award-winning Adyn Kelly project

Located in the leafy suburb of Subiaco, Western Australia, this project offers a considered look inside a home transformed through restraint, materiality and connection. Designed by interior designer Adyn Kelly and built by Blanc Homes, Townshend sits between two adjoining walls, presenting spatial and lighting challenges that were embraced as opportunities. What began as a modest kitchen renovation evolved into a full reworking of the ground floor and bathrooms, creating a place that feels both calm and emotionally resonant. From the outset, the intent was to enhance function and foster fluid movement through the home. The reimagined courtyard now connects directly to a reconfigured living area, encouraging a more open relationship between indoor and outdoor life. A shifted front door and a new circulation path contribute to this sense of flow. It’s inside a home that reflects its owner’s desire for sanctuary – not through excess, but through refinement and sensitivity. Walls were removed to improve natural light, particularly in the kitchen and laundry areas where the plan was originally enclosed. By opening the space, soft afternoon light is now invited in, filtering across tactile surfaces that prioritise a tonal harmony. Natural materials form the heart of the design palette, with an emphasis on the timeless quality of stone and plaster. In particular, the selection of varied stones, though differing in texture and pattern, share warm tones that connect them visually – from subtle yellows to rusty flecks carried across finishes. Upstairs, the transformation continues with a new secondary bathroom and a completely redesigned ensuite. High ceilings and abundant natural light allow the bathing space to feel elevated yet grounded. Drawing on the client’s love of bathing and relaxation, the ensuite leans into a hotel-like atmosphere – offering a private escape within the home. These quieter moments reflect a broader ambition: to craft spaces that offer pause, function and beauty in equal measure. Looking inside a home like this reveals a philosophy grounded in material integrity and emotional resonance. Though the journey from concept to completion was unprescribed, each design decision stemmed from a desire to create cohesion and longevity. There is a belief here – in taking calculated design risks, in celebrating age and patina, and in following where materials may lead. It’s an approach that embraces change without losing sight of intent. This project demonstrates how a small-scale renovation can yield a complete reorientation of experience. Inside a home now filled with warmth, natural light and purpose, each layer supports a lived rhythm. The result is a space that offers connection – to the outdoors, to materials, to memory – all while quietly holding its place in the evolving narrative of Subiaco’s streetscape. For those seeking something beyond surface beauty, this is a look inside a home designed to endure. 00:00 - A Home Designed for Connection and Calm 00:45 - The Starting Point: Redefining the Brief 01:32 - Walking Through Townshend 03:16 - Materiality, Light, and Tonal Harmony 04:22 - Reflections on Design and Process Photography by Timothy Kaye. Interior design by Adyn Kelly. Build by Blanc Homes. Styling by Lulu Cavanagh. Engineering by Lalli Consulting Engineers. Joinery by Colray Cabinets. Filmed and edited by HN Media. Production by The Local Production. Location: Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. For more from The (Emerging) Designer Awards: Website – https://emergingdesignerawards.com/ Instagram –   / emergingdesignerawards   #Home #Connection #Calm