When Yellowtrace hatched some 10+ years ago, most of our content was sourced from overseas. Oh, how things have changed in the last decade, as Australian Design has picked up its pace, with local Architecture, Interiors and Products now forming a substantial component of the content we champion. So what better way to kick off our best of 2021 Archives than with all things homegrown—from extraordinary Australian homes (which we know how to do oh so well), to a handful of compact residential renovations (something we need to embrace more and get better at), through to commercial, retail, wellness and hospitality interiors (something we’ve become exceptional at in the last decade), through to products and a bunch of talented and hard-working independent designers.

Having had a few recent conversations with fellow local creatives, we’ve all concluded that Australian creatives—irrespective of their field—have always felt the need to work extra hard to make things extraordinary. This could be due to the lack of product availability when sourcing for projects; our existing building stock is not as impressive as European palazzos, etc. Hence, when Aussies do something, they do it exceptionally well and smash it out of the ballpark. Case in point—the 60+ exceptional examples below.

See All Yellowtrace 2021 Archives Here.

Explore our archives through the years: 2020 Archive / 2019 Archive / 2018 Archive / 2017 Archive / 2016 Archive / 2015 Archive / 2014 Archive / 2013 Archive / 2012 Archive / 2011 Archive / 2010 Archive

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE.

Flashy Yet Modest, Eccentric but Purposeful: Sir Roy Grounds House in Balmain by Conrad Johnston. 

Kew Residence by John Wardle Architects.

Pyramids of Flinders: Bellows House by Architects EAT.

Hollow Tree House in Tasmania by Core Collective Architects.

Nostalgia Reinvented: Milkbar House by Kennedy Nolan.

 
The Hat Factory by Welsh + Major.

Bona Vista House by Studio Prineas.

Homage to Scarpa: Villa Carlo in Mosman by Daniel Boddam Studio.

Armadale Residence by Mim Design and Conrad Architects.

East Fremantle House by Nic Brunsdon.

Small But Mighty: Redfern Terrace Conversion by Adele McNab.

Integrating Interior & Exterior Spaces: 8 Yard House in North Fitzroy by Studio Bright.

Calm Drama: Elsternwick House by Kennedy Nolan.

RESIDENTIAL INTERIORS.

A Life of Ease Without Excess: Dune House in Perth by Ohlo Studio, Simon Pendal & Steven Postmus.

Treehouse in South Yarra by Tamsin Johnson.

An Urban Oasis Intimately Connected to the City: Melbourne Laneway Home by O’Connor and Houle.

Walan Apartment in Brisbane by Alcorn Middleton.

Touch & Texture: Burnley House in Melbourne by Fiona Lynch.

Soft Serve: YSG Studio Transforms a Rozelle Corner shop into a Family Home.

Playfully Sophisticated: Wahroonga House by Tom Mark Henry.

HOSPITALITY INTERIORS.

Prince Public Bar and Little Prince Wine by IF Architecture.

ITL Restaurant Adelaide by Genesin Studio in Collaboration with Walter Brooke.

Harbord Hotel Renovation by Alexander & Co.

Design Déjà Vu: Fugazzi Adelaide by Studio Gram.

Big Interior Energy: Ovolo Hotel South Yarra by Luchetti Krelle.

Midi Cafe in Melbourne by Sans-Arc.

Bloom Cafe in Adelaide by Sans-Arc.

A New Beginning for a Melbourne Classic: Entrecôte by Brahman Perera.

WELLNESS INTERIORS.

Lime Street Skin Clinic in Barangaroo by Jason Byrne Design.

Fenn Beauty & Treatment Space in Paddington by Akin Atelier.

RETAIL INTERIORS.

Viktoria & Woods Chadstone Flagship by GOLDEN.

Astra Walker Unveils New Brisbane Showroom by Richards & Spence.

Under The Sea: Sarah & Sebastian Armadale by Russell & George.

Historic Grandeur Meets Modern Elegance at The Daily Edited QVB Flagship by Pattern Studio.

The Standard Store Surry Hills by Pattern Studio.

Venroy Armadale by Sarah I’Anson.

WORKPLACE INTERIORS.

Vida Glow’s Sydney HQ by Arent&Pyke.

Mr P Studio HQ in Melbourne by Ritz&Ghougassian.

Creative Prototype: Alexander House by Alexander &Co.

FURNITURE, LIGHTING & ACCESSORIES.

Nurturing a Gentler Pace of Life: Rhythm of Nature by Armadillo x House of Grey.

A Conscious Collaboration: Ellipse Rug Collection by Armadillo and House of Grey.

Rilievo Rug Collection by Tigmi Trading is an Ode to Brutalist Form.

TSAR Carpets Introduces Hand-Tufted Rug Collection, Forma.

Cutting Edge Sensor Collection by Astra Walker.

Volker Haug Studio Introduces Tableton, a New Lamp With Communality and Materiality at its Core.

Sculptural Vases by Nicole Lawrence Studio & Hattie Molloy.

Sarah Ellison Introduces La Banda Capsule Collection.

Meet Olio, DesignByThem’s Latest Armchair.

Introducing the Zephyr Lounger by Charles Wilson for Tait.

Ross Didier’s Apparel Collection Captures the Essence of Haute Couture.

INDEPENDENT DESIGNERS.

The Good, The Inspiring & The Talented: Melbourne Design Week 2021 Video Highlights.

A Deep Dive into Melbourne Design Week 2021 Highlights.

The Nature of an Island by Dale Hardiman & James Lemon at Melbourne Design Week 2021.

After Hours at Volker Haug Studio during Melbourne Design Week 2021.

Opus Vincula: Mattresses Bound by Charlie White at Melbourne Design Week 2021.

“Future Inheritance” Curated by Marsha Golemac at Melbourne Design Week 2021.

MASS Collection by Fred Ganim for Agglomerati.

Sydney Designer Jordan Fleming Launches Bright Things Lamp Collection.

Another Bureau of Design Relaunches the Corner Collection.

See All Yellowtrace 2021 Archives Here.

Explore our archives through the years: 2020 Archive / 2019 Archive / 2018 Archive / 2017 Archive / 2016 Archive / 2015 Archive / 2014 Archive / 2013 Archive / 2012 Archive / 2011 Archive / 2010 Archive