It all started with paperwork.

Matiya Marovich, director at Sans-Arc Studio, remembers that this routine chore was how he first met the young couple who live in this whimsical property. One half of the pair was a planner at the Adelaide city council at the time, and she had assisted in getting some of the firm’s hospitality projects approved. Eventually, she asked if he ever did residential work, to which Matiya said yes. That was fortuitous, because what she and her partner had in mind for their Torrensville, South Australia, home was much more exciting than signing and stamping documents.

“The couple had owned the house for almost 10 years,” he says. “It was a worker’s cottage with a typical lean-to extension.”

dim dark kitchen with white fridge — **Before:** The original kitchen lacked natural light, organization, and enough space to move around—let alone entertain.
Photo: Courtesy of Sans-Arc Studio

Their original place was bland and overshadowed, with a kitchen that looked like the inside of a forgotten closet and a lifeless patio that commanded much of their humid outdoor space. Its 860 square feet had to stay pretty much as is, since they didn’t want to lose much of their backyard. So with all of this in mind, the couple asked if Matiya could see their challenging address as a canvas for striking patterns and colors—without making it feel like a kids’ jungle gym, either.

exterior space with dining table and plants — **Before:** The couple didn’t want to lose much of their backyard to the renovation, but they did want to make better use of the space. Now this area acts as an oasis, courtesy of landscaping by Pad Studio.
Photo: Courtesy of Sans-Arc Studio

exterior space with potted plants and aluminum roof — **Before:** The new dining and kitchen area were extended into this space—which was once just the humid home of the couple’s plant collection—by builder Build Inc.
Photo: Courtesy of Sans-Arc Studio

“They have an extensive collection of Italian and Czech glassware and German pottery, so they wanted these bright colors and bold shapes to be displayed somewhere,” Matiya notes. “They love Art Deco and P&O architecture, and wanted those details to be referenced, too.”

shelf with books knick knacks vases and art — **After:** The inspiration for the entire project can be found in this bookcase, where the couple’s glass and ceramics collection is on display. They wanted those colors and shapes to be reflected in the style of the room.
Photo: Tash McCammon

Matiya started by removing the back wall of the home, which connected the existing dining room to the addition. This created one open kitchen and dining space, an expanse that the couple desired. But it needed an impactful architectural detail to stand up against the color that would soon fill the room. The solution? Matiya called on the curves of Art Deco design to bring in personality and soften the lines of the otherwise streamlined structure. He used curves primarily on the windows and entryways, filtering in lots of natural light.

“The addition would bring this Art Deco vibe into a slightly tropical backyard, creating a unique little oasis in the suburbs,” he adds.

kitchen interior with long terrazzo counter and shelves and arched windows — **After:** The long island and dining area is Matiya’s favorite part of the renovation, since it acts as a piece that unites the room but also shows its specific zones.
Photo: Tash McCammon

Matiya kept the walls simple with crisp white plaster and chose a light timber for the floors. That easy backdrop allowed for the interior design’s pink, blue, and gold palette to bring the rest of the colorful vision to life.

“The bold colors subtly contrast against the textural terrazzo on the island, and that helps to delineate zones within the space,” he adds.

pink terrazzo counter with light blue cabinets and blue tile backsplash — **After:** The owners and Matiya knew from the beginning that the new kitchen and dining space would have a lot of color—the issue was figuring out the best way to use it. They decided on a complementary palette of blue, pink, and gold, which wouldn’t be too strong against a white backdrop. The pink terrazzo is a nod to the surrounding midcentury homes in the neighborhood, too.
Photo: Tash McCammon

kitchen interior with curved bench and terrazzo counter — **After:** The couple wanted a seating area in the kitchen for those moments when one of them was cooking and the other was simply watching. The bench tops are by Love Concrete.
Photo: Tash McCammon

Now that the renovation has been finished for a year, the couple has been able to cook and entertain in a home that better showcases their personalities. It’s hard to believe that this bright shift originated with the snores of city council paperwork.

“There are plenty of fun little moments inside this home,” Matiya says.