It is rare to see a home that so successfully captures the atmospheric shift of a place like Karijini National Park and brings it into a Perth suburb. While the street presence is intentionally humble, the interior experience is defined by a deep sense of solitude and raw materiality.
The design relies on grounded, organic tones like bronze and sand, using face brick to echo the horizontal banding you’d find in a mountain gorge. It is fascinating to see how the multiple level changes and the subterranean "cave" basement mimic a natural terrain, creating a sanctuary that feels miles away from the surrounding neighbours. At night, the lighting drops to a warm campfire glow, which combined with the reflections from the natural pool, recreates that specific serenity you only usually find on holiday.
It is a beautiful reminder that residential architecture in Western Australia can be more than just a structure; it can be a portal to the landscapes we love most.
All credit goes to:
Designer: @gritt_studio
Builder: @louis.homes
photographer: @jack.lovel
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#PerthArchitecture #WAHomes #WesternAustralia #AustralianDesign #ResidentialArchitecture
Karijini House draws on the tranquility of Karijini National Park to create a serene sanctuary that inspires creativity and relaxation.
Thoughtfully chosen natural materials, from textured stone to warm timber create a sense of calm while
connecting the interior to its landscape.
Karijini House
Designed by @gritt_studio
Photography by @jack.lovel
2025 Best of State Award for Residential Design (WA)
The Best of State Awards for Residential Design are proudly supported by @subzerowolfaust
For the full list of 2025 award recipients and commendations, please visit our website.
#aida #australianinteriordesign #australianinteriordesignawards #designawards @design_institute_au@interiors
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OPEN 15 NOV 10am to 3:30pm
Karijini National Park, known for its grandeur and tranquillity, inspired the design of Karijini House. The goal was to create a home that offers the same sense of solitude and connection to nature. Karijini House may appear modest from the street, but inside, it features 7-meter-high rammed earth walls and large glass windows that showcase the native landscape and natural pool. The design includes multiple level changes that mimic the varied terrain of a gorge. The colour palette is organic and simple, with natural shades of bronze, taupe, and sand. Face brick is used to echo the horizontal banding seen in Karijini. At night, the dim, warm lighting emulates a campfire glow, with task and accent lighting creating a cozy ambiance. Brick breezeways and glass louvres bring playful light and reflections into the home. The underground basement, designed as a cave, serves multiple purposes, functioning as a music hub, guest room, play space, home office, and reflection room. It offers a tranquil retreat with water reflections dancing on the ceiling. The top floor, bathed in natural light, provides private spaces with views of the suburbs green canopy. Karijini House seamlessly blends natural beauty with architectural sophistication, creating a sanctuary that inspires relaxation and creativity. It exemplifies how the serenity of a holiday can be integrated into everyday living.
Designer: @gritt_studio
Builder: @louis.homes
photographer: @jack.lovel
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors:
@hillamarchitects@woodpeckerflooring@lysaght_australia
For more information head over to openhouseperth.com
With Open House Perth around the corner, we wanted to look back at some of our previous projects.
Last year we had the honour of showcasing @karijinihouse , inspired by the grandeur and tranquility of Karijini National Park.
The goal was to create a home that offers the same sense of solitude and connection to nature.
Karijini House may appear modest from the street, but inside, it features 7-meter-high rammed earth walls and large glass windows that showcase the native landscape and natural pool. The design includes multiple level changes that mimic the varied terrain of a gorge.
The colour palette is organic and simple, with natural shades of bronze, taupe, and sand. Face brick is used to echo the horizontal banding seen in Karijini. At night, the dim, warm lighting emulates a campfire glow, with task and accent lighting creating a cozy ambiance. Brick breezeways and glass louvres bring playful light and reflections into the home.
The underground basement, designed as a cave, serves multiple purposes, functioning as a music hub, guest room, play space, home office, and reflection room. It offers a tranquil retreat with water reflections dancing on the ceiling. The top floor, bathed in natural light, provides private spaces with views of the suburbs green canopy.
Karijini House seamlessly blends natural beauty with architectural sophistication, creating a sanctuary that inspires relaxation and creativity.
It exemplifies how the serenity of a holiday can be integrated into everyday living.
If you would like to be involved in OHP25 on the 15th and 16th of November as a project or volunteer, please head over to our bio to fill out the form.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Designer: @gritt_studio
Builder: @louis.homes
Photographed by: @natalie.jayne___
IN PRINT
@karijinihouse is gracing the pages of Issue #41 of Design Anthology. A full circle moment to be nestled in our custom made lounge, flicking through the pages & see our home amongst some phenomenal projects.
Founded in 2014, Design Anthology is a modern media brand dedicated to documenting creative culture across Asia Pacific.
Under the leadership of editors-in-chief Simone Schultz @simschultz and Jeremy Smart @jeremysmart , Design Anthology publishes a flagship biannual print magazine, tells stories across a portfolio of digital platforms, hosts in-person experiences and presents industry-leading programmes such as the Design Anthology Awards.
@design.anthology is dedicated to documenting thoughtful and considered spaces, products and ideas that contribute to the wellbeing of the people who use them and the world around them.
Link In Bio to purchase your copy & support design publication & passion.
Endless thanks to @jack.lovel for capturing our homes magic & making this publication dream possible
TT X
Builder @louis.homes
OUR SERVICES
I genuinely believe that design thinking can have a significant impact at any scale or level of engagement. It's the general approach that decisions should be made once - intentionally, and for the long term, with all things considered. I am passionate about advocating for this & believe working with clients in short sharp bursts or over the long term can elevate their thinking about approach to their own space.
If you're interested in any of these services, or even on the fence about the value a Design professional can bring to your project - book a free, no obligation discovery call via the Link in Bio - which takes you through to my calendar
TT X
LEARNING FROM THE MASTERS
One workshop, one weekend was all it took to influence and change the trajectory of my design approach. To realise the single largest influence on space is how we light it.
@ercolighting hosted me at one of their ERCO Learning Experiences, in Sydney, almost 10 years ago now. They introduced me to the one of the pioneers of architectural lighting design - Richard Kelly (1910–1977). These workshops provide the design industry with education on all aspects of the effective and sustainable use of light in different architectural contexts (with Formal CPD Points available). If you EVER have the chance to attend - IT'S A MUST!
Kelly's approach to lighting design centred on three principal techniques - highlighting objects, washing surfaces, and creating sharp detail. He used the terms “focal glow,” “ambient luminescence,” and “play of brilliants” to illustrate these ideas. Simply distilled ... I think of light as layers - task, ambient & accent. Most designers think of light as fittings, but it's more about how light interplays and highlights with your architecture - its about the effect, not the fitting.
I am an Interior Designer based in Perth, and take these learnings & the experience I gained applying his theory of light over 10 years delivering Residential and Commercial work into each new project. Whether I’m undertaking a full scope Design project or a professional design review, my process always integrates the power of light: how it falls, shifts, and transforms the everyday into something emotive.
DM me if you're interested in learning how my approach to lighting design can work for your project
TT X
HIDDEN SURPRISES
There are no "back-of-house" moments at @karijinihouse .
Subtle and emotive wall grazing softly lights the underground Powder Room & Shower, providing just enough light for the task and using architecture to set the rhythm - forcing you to slow down, pause, take a breath & appreciate a moment of calm solitude.
Builder @louis.homes
Captured by @jack.lovel
Rammed Concrete @perth_stabilised_earth
Hemp Render @troweled_earth
Lighting @mlp.light
Fixtures @brodware@seaofwhite
TT X
LIVED EXPERIENCE
One of the things I feel positions me apart from most other Perth Interior Designers is that I have been on the client side .. I've been in your shoes. I understand the opportunity, risk, juggle and reward. I can help prioritise, cut through the overwhelm and make decisions that you won't regret.
Link in bio if you'd like to book a Free Discovery Call to find out more
TT X
Furniture & Objects are the tactile moments in a home that you interact with every.single.day!
The lounge that hugs you, that actually lets you rest and not shuffle around endlessly trying to get comfortable, the armchairs that your parents love to sit in, not that they can't get out of.
Your furniture selections shape the comfort and joy you experience at home and work. I have been specifying furniture for almost 20 years and now know a thing or two about to pull together a holistic package that talks to your personal tastes, brand and needs.
Furniture, Objects & Art Curation available for Residential & Workplace projects with access to industry pricing and my extended network of suppliers, craftsmen & artisans
TT x
BEATING HEART
Food fuels us, so it’s natural we spend most of our time buzzing around in the kitchen. Would you believe that the design of @karijinihouse Kitchen started with the simple desire to have no overhead cupboards! This simple interiors driven design decision spawned the rest of the development. We doubled the length, as the rear bench now housed our pantry & home office (Mail Drop / stationary supply / printer). The skylight, a natural introduction as the rammed concrete was the backdrop to our primary living space and needed highly functional natural and artificial lighting to showcase it. Despite our home being dark and immersive, there is always light where it’s needed!
Our incredible custom dining table by the talented @j.flanagan ! A custom cork structure, anchored with steel, it has three size options - to suit every day living and varying guest group sizes! Available for commissions if you love it as much as we do !
Builder @louis.homes
Captured By @jack.lovel
Joinery @universalcabinetsanddesigns
Jarrah Benchtops @j.flanagan
Appliances @miele
Tapware @brodware from @seaofwhite
Sink @abeyaustralia from @seaofwhite
Hardware @busterandpunch
Lighting @mlp.light
Rammed Earth @perth_stabilised_earth
Skylight @dgawindows
Dining Chairs - Cuoio by @walterknoll_official available from @livingedge
Oh and that gigantic banded iron boulder - @australianspecialtystone
DESIGN REVIEW SERVICE
One thing I feel immensely passionate about is spreading the idea that Design Thinking can have a huge impact on your everyday life. Its in every decision you make, whether conscious or not.
The tricky thing about design is that you don’t know what you don’t know.
Plans, details, materials — one small decision can have a big impact on how a space feels and functions.
Having a designer review your ideas brings a fresh set of eyes, spots the gaps, and helps you see options you might have missed. It’s not about overcomplicating things — it’s about giving you the confidence that your choices will work, now and in the long run.
