Studio K: A compact retreat designed to do it all

Project - Studio K

Location - Wahroonga, NSW

Product Used - EP112 Australian Spotted Gum 136, The Australian Collection

Designer - Built to Matter Homes

Builder - Built to Matter Homes

Photographer - Life In Still

Designed as a flexible extension of a mid-century modern home, Studio K rethinks what a small footprint can offer. Created to support everyday work, relaxed entertaining and visiting guests, the studio feels calm, generous and deeply connected to its garden setting. Natural materials, thoughtful detailing and the warmth of Spotted Gum 136 wood flooring give the space a sense of ease and longevity, making it a place that can evolve with the family over time.

The art of adaptable living

Studio K was born from a simple, yet ambitious brief: create one space that can do it all. Designed as an adaptable extension to a mid-century modern home, the homeowners wanted a retreat that could effortlessly shift between entertaining, quiet daily work and also a peaceful haven for guests. With this in mind, the Built To Matter Homes team set out to create a compact footprint that feels generous, calm and collected, while elevating the backyard as an extension of the home’s living environment.

Design and construction were led by Built To Matter Homes, with joinery crafted by Vitality Kitchens & Joinery. Photography by Life In Still captures the studio’s clean lines and warm materiality, completing the project’s presentation.

Maximising space, light, and connection

At only 36m² it was important for the space to feel light, open and larger than its size. High ceilings create this space, while large sliding doors provide views to the garden and blur the boundary between inside and out.

Natural materials and a neutral palette provide a link to the home’s mid-century character, while allowing the small space to have its own identity and charm. With the warm timber underfoot, stone detailing in the joinery and concealed appliances, a beautifully clean and uncluttered space to be enjoyed year round.

Where details make the difference

Despite its scale, the space is rich in detail. Floating timber shelves in a central joinery unit provide a place to display art and family objects, while cleverly dividing the space to create a more private zone tucked behind the main living space. The space has been designed to evolve with the family over time.

Designing continuity through timber

When it came to the flooring, the brief called for a single product to create a sense of flow and consistency across the space. Using Havwoods’ Spotted Gum 136mm from the Australian Collection, the flooring was chosen as it offered the ideal balance of warmth, durability and visual continuity, while also meeting the technical requirements of the studio’s underfloor heating system. Its tone complements the custom joinery and strengthens the connection between the new studio, the landscape and the original home.

The Built to Matter Homes team describe the experience as seamless. “From samples to project delivery, Hayden was attentive and helpful at every stage. Havwoods products are consistently reliable, and collaborating with their team is always a pleasure.”