Located on a heritage-lined street in Melbourne’s Williamstown, a young family were seeking a contemporary home with ample room to grow. Benni Trajcevski of Achieve Design Group answered their call, creating the epitome of modern living concealed behind a modest façade. To achieve the long wish list including large indoor and outdoor gathering spaces to entertain family and friends, separate adult and children living and sleeping zones, and a pool suitable for year-round use, Benni has maximised every inch of the block. Seamless transitional spaces link inside with out. This flow between the indoors and outdoors is a key feature of the home, achieved through generous open floor planning and glazing. For example, large hidden sliding doors allow the pool to be closed-off for use in winter; acrylic glass panels link the pool with the sunken lounge, which includes a fire pit for year-round comfort. The inclusion of a courtyard and voids throughout create separate useable zones while maintaining the feeling of spaciousness. Orientated to the north and surrounded with floor to ceiling windows to optimise natural light, the courtyard divides the formal lounge area with the informal living area, while the first floor is divided into four separate wings for privacy and functionality. The interiors are detailed with quality materials and finishes to achieve a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic. Contrasting materials in muted tones, including tiles, steel and lightweight timbers are featured throughout. Corian and a moss green wall are unexpected features.

Located on a heritage-lined street in Melbourne’s Williamstown, a young family were seeking a contemporary home with ample room to grow. Benni Trajcevski of Achieve Design Group answered their call, creating the epitome of modern living concealed behind a modest façade. To achieve the long wish list including large indoor and outdoor gathering spaces to entertain family and friends, separate adult and children living and sleeping zones, and a pool suitable for year-round use, Benni has maximised every inch of the block. Seamless transitional spaces link inside with out. This flow between the indoors and outdoors is a key feature of the home, achieved through generous open floor planning and glazing. For example, large hidden sliding doors allow the pool to be closed-off for use in winter; acrylic glass panels link the pool with the sunken lounge, which includes a fire pit for year-round comfort. The inclusion of a courtyard and voids throughout create separate useable zones while maintaining the feeling of spaciousness. Orientated to the north and surrounded with floor to ceiling windows to optimise natural light, the courtyard divides the formal lounge area with the informal living area, while the first floor is divided into four separate wings for privacy and functionality. The interiors are detailed with quality materials and finishes to achieve a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic. Contrasting materials in muted tones, including tiles, steel and lightweight timbers are featured throughout. Corian and a moss green wall are unexpected features.

Outdoor activities begin at the loggia room accessed via the backyard walkout. Sheltered from the elements, the loggia facilitates three full seasons of use centered around an eight-person dining table plus spacious lounge area and barbecue station.

Minimalist brown floor entryway photo in Vancouver with white walls

The spaciousness of the backyard becomes evident when you see how easily it accommodates three separate groupings of beautiful Hauser Southampton chaise lounges. The look of natural rattan wicker is captured in a durable synthetic weave.

A Design That Flows Seamlessly The Serene Sofa features a unique rounded silhouette that brings a soft, flowing aesthetic to any living space. Its clean, curved lines make it versatile enough to complement a variety of home styles, from classic to contemporary. The beauty of this design lies in its simplicity—it’s understated yet sophisticated, allowing it to blend effortlessly into your home without overpowering your existing décor. Named Serene for the peaceful bliss it evokes, this lounge offers a tranquil retreat in the comfort of your own home. The Natural Choice A standout feature of the Serene Sofa is its upholstery. We've carefully selected Warwick Linia fabric, known for its natural fibres, to enhance this design. This fabric isn’t just about appearance; it’s a practical choice for those with allergies or anyone who prefers the quality and feel of natural materials. The experience of sitting on the Serene Sofa is something special—it’s soft to the touch and extremely comfortable yet durable enough to withstand everyday life. Australian Made and Designed To Last At Leisure Lounges, we’re committed to supporting Australian manufacturing. The Serene Sofa is proudly Australian-made, crafted from the finest local materials. From its sturdy timber frame, to its robust steel spring base, and Dunlop Luxura foam cushioning backed by a Lifetime Warranty, every element of this lounge is designed to last. Our meticulous attention to detail and high standards ensure that the Serene Sofa is not only durable but also a timeless addition to your home. Customisable to Suit Your Lifestyle Every home is unique, which is why the Serene Sofa is fully customisable. Whether you need a spacious 4-seater or a more compact modular design, we can configure the Serene Sofa to fit your space perfectly. This flexibility ensures that, no matter your living situation, the Serene Sofa can be tailored to meet your needs. And our friendly staff are here to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, ensuring Serene meets your specific requirements. Our team is always up for a chat, and we take pride in offering personalised service to guarantee you get the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle.

Spacious outdoor lounge with fire table, woven seating, and glass railing overlooking Lake LBJ, framed by a vibrant Texas sunset sky.
Deck - modern deck idea in Austin

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

The Killarney Built for entertaining, the Killarney's main floor boasts 9' ceilings and an impressive gourmet kitchen, opening into a formal living and dining room. One level up, there is a family room, which opens up to a large, covered balcony. Downstairs, the finished walkout basement features an entire floor of possibilities. This spacious home offers 3 and 4 bedroom plans.

Glen Thiessen
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A modern luxury pool house unfolds in sleek architectural lines, designed to celebrate both elegance and comfort. The poolside lounge area invites relaxation, framed by contemporary landscaping and a stylish tiled deck. Large sliding glass doors connect seamlessly to the interiors, allowing for true indoor-outdoor living. Neutral exteriors balance beautifully with natural sunlight, reflecting off the pristine water. Ideal for entertaining, the outdoor living space blends a spacious lounging zone with room for dining, making it perfect for family gatherings or hosting guests. Sophisticated lighting and thoughtfully designed exterior finishes elevate the pool house into a serene retreat. The overall design creates a perfect mix of modern comfort and timeless appeal, presenting a poolside lifestyle defined by elegance, openness, and resort-style leisure.

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A library for a pair of avid readers complete with custom stained built in bookshelves adds a level of sophistication to the space.
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Stunning contemporary home
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