Chess Moves: A 70s-Inspired Family Home Transformation in Byron Bay.

It’s Byron Bay, but not as you know it. This family home by YSG Studio takes on new dimensions and depths with its Rubik’s cube of textures, tones and interventions yet remains decidedly curated and oozes intention.

The scene is set with a desert moon ambience, suggesting sandy sundowns and a certain whimsy that was floating about in the 70s. This makes total sense, of course, as the original identity of the house exists somewhere between the exposed red brick walls, heavy timber beams and the all too familiar tropical backdrop that is Byron Bay.

Honouring the clients’ appreciation for all things vintage, the team at YSG curated the set perfectly with hues reminiscent of a 70s summer, with cool chrome interjections that pay homage to the structures and sounds of the skatepark.

Egypt Meets Denmark in Melbourne: Mo Jacobsen by YSG Studio.

This renovation is a love story of sorts—not just between the homeowners, but between two distinct design philosophies.

Attention must be drawn to the detail, whether it be the thick bands of grouting that tie the terracotta tiles together whilst creating a tonal dancefloor of texture and heat, the custom curvy handles that entice the opening of drawers, cabinets and doors, or even the clever cross-section of halva-like marble that makes up the kitchen countertop. No stone was left unturned in the curation of this home. And, of course, no 70s inspired space is complete without the obligatory sunken lounge, or at least a play on the idea.

Here, we see a colour palette of desert and denim-hued textiles that make up the upholstery of the lounge, complete with broad bands of stripes to make it just that little bit more playful. Seated here, the view of the dining room lines up perfectly with the custom-designed dining table and the turn-out of its legs, almost as if poised in fourth position.

Good Vibes Only: Canyon House in North London by Studio Hagen Hall.

Inspired by the modernism of 70s California, Studio Hagen Hall has transformed an awkward bed-sit into a bright, textural and versatile home.

The dining room and kitchen were made for entertaining, with an open dialogue formed between the two via bar-like stations for drinks and the serving of canapes. There is privacy yet, with the array of vertical timber battens inserted between the two spaces, a pattern repeated throughout in many iterations, whether it be diagonally via casework, vertically via the blinds, or as a horizontal addition to the existing timber beams of the house. From linework to gridwork, there’s more than one board game happening in this home, and it’s far more fun than any game of chess or checkers being played. The bathroom boasts a tiling pattern as if closing in on a pixelated image, one of the secondhand sepia photographs laden with memories and, well, vibes.

The fun here is the placement of sculptural sconces and an LED artwork by Jeremy Kay, its alignment having shifted from wall to ceiling mounted. Shedding further light on the delightful details of the space is a seemingly signature move by the YSG gang, the dotting of contemporary reds throughout the space. Whether it be in an intricate balustrade, outdoor lighting or styling elements, this clever use of colour immediately elevates the space and adds a three-dimensionality that is very much like, groovy baby.

Beachside Beauty: A Holiday Home in Sydney’s Northern Beaches by YSG Studio.

The end of summer heralds three things: cooler weather, better behaved flies and permanently flung-open doors. And yet, there’s one house in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where the summer lingers on.

[Images courtesy of YSG Studio. Styling by Felicity Ng. Photography by Prue Ruscoe.]