Kids and luxury aren’t supposed to mix, right? Perhaps it’s just us but we’ve always felt the nature of luxury changes once you start a family – it becomes less about aesthetic and more about function and longevity. So when we see a family home that’s both practical and beautiful, suffice to say we want to know what the secret is.

DESIGN The Designory | PHOTOGRAPHY Tom Ferguson

And does this two story Bronte house from OTTONN Group and designed by The Designory have both outcomes covered! From a practical perspective, the large multi-use spaces (plus outdoor decking) create breathing room throughout the home, while the sloped terrain of the lot has been cleverly integrated with the use of a ground floor featuring an open plan rumpus room, laundry, bathroom and under house storage area.

From an aesthetic perspective, there’s no daggy decisions made at the compromise of function – instead there’s a calming neutral palette throughout and an emphasis on natural materials such as  American Oak hardwood flooring, natural stone, concrete and marble.

This balance of both form and function gives the home a modern Australian attitude – relaxed, yet highly considered. Further elegance comes in the details like custom joinery elements, bespoke door handles and robe hooks and the rich leather handles from Made Measure. Further enhancing the bedroom and living rooms are the bespoke wall treatments including hand-selected colours, wallpapers and a Portuguese Pialbi render to create a textured marble finish. Australian artists are also well-represented throughout the space, with artworks from Lisa Madigan, Mark Tipple and Sonya Rothwell across the home.

You can’t admire the elegance of the home without referencing its location, and the beachside location of Bronte seems like the perfect backdrop for the easy luxury Melissa Bonney has created in this design. As Bronte is the dependable, relaxed older sibling to its bustling Bondi neighbour, this home creates a luxurious environment in a distinctive setting. Elegant yet familiar, practical yet design-led, this home lets us in on the secret of a stylish family home.

Making the most of a sloped natural terrain, the ground floor of the home features an extensive rumpus room, with bifold doors to the landscaped garden outside.