A thoughtful reworking of a classic Federation home, this Shenton Park residence was designed for a family of five seeking comfort, flexibility and a relaxed, lived-in feel – where shoes kicked off at the door don’t feel out of place. Balancing everyday function with a calm sensibility, ‘The Hensman’ reflects the family’s grounded yet quietly ambitious spirit, offering a natural rhythm that supports the layers of domestic life.

Responding to the client’s desire for spaces with varying degrees of retreat, the house is thoughtfully divided into three distinct zones. The historic front portion is dedicated to the kids, containing three bedrooms and a shared lounge space for gathering and recreation. Natural stone flooring marks the transition to the new addition, where a timber-lined ceiling leads through to an open kitchen and dining space, contrasted by an intimate sunken lounge. Broad sliding doors connect the interior to a generous alfresco, barbeque, and sunken fire-pit area addressing a sculpted, lagoon-style pool – a series of uplifting, adaptable settings for relaxed family time or effortless entertaining. 

Ascending the timber-lined stairs, a serene parent’s retreat gives a sense of floating amidst the treetops. A walk-through robe links the bedroom to a calming ensuite featuring a sculpted shower alcove, freestanding bathtub, and porthole window framing verdant foliage. Clever additions are woven throughout the home, including two study nooks, a hidden bar, and under-stair storage, creating order, ease and harmony in a home designed to evolve as the family does.

Natural, textural materials—including painted brickwork, stone, and timber—flow between exterior and interior, creating a sense of continuity between settings and with the surrounding landscape. Inherently resilient and low maintenance, this palette embraces natural imperfections and the beauty of ageing, while providing a warm, tactile backdrop for the clients’ collection of Australian art – gathered over years of working in the Kimberley.

The home’s generous ceiling heights, carefully positioned windows and skylights work in tandem to draw in abundant natural light and encourage passive ventilation throughout. This sense of openness is amplified by a considered floor plan that creates clear connections between spaces, offering a calm and logical flow – a dramatic departure from the previously disconnected and enclosed layout of the original home’s living spaces.

More than a renovation, The Hensman is a lesson in relaxed liveability. Designed to support the ebb and flow of family life—with its noise, joy, mess, and movement—the home embraces comfort without compromise. Refined but never precious, its honest materials, clever planning, and layered zones of retreat allow every member of the family (including their beloved dog) to feel at ease – an invitation to slow down, settle in, connect, and unwind.