Behind the design: Restoring beloved mid-century classics into new light

Alexi Robinson The Cater House Interior Design

Teleisha Thomas

October 2024

Alexi Robinson is an Australian interior designer and creative director. With an extensive working history in Europe and Southeast Asia, Alexi draws from her experiences to craft authentic interiors in the residential domain.

In this article, we explore the thoughtful kitchen renovations of two mid-century modern houses, each renovation honouring the rich history of its home.

Alexi R Point018 — Hannah House 2
*By Joe Palliser*

A 1970s house built and lived in by Australian artist Shirley Hannan underwent a sensitive renovation that stayed true to its mid-century architecture. Alexi was introduced to the project to oversee the restoration, which revolved around thoughtfully bringing the kitchen into the 21st century to establish it's role as the heart of the house.
A nostalgic palette of walnut and copper, blends effortlessly with the house’s spectrum of terracotta’s and pinks. The robust proportions of the timber sideboards can be felt in the island counter which gently anchors the space. While the original no-fuss approach to detailing was reinstated, a distinct breccia-veined marble benchtop evoking its surrounds was introduced to lighten and soften the space.

Can you share some examples of how you integrate sustainability into these projects?

The sustainable benefits of designing for longevity are particularly relevant to these projects. By making mid-century modern homes contemporary and liveable, the enduring quality of the original design can be preserved and lifespan extended. This approach underpins decisions from the palette of materials to recognising how the daily rituals of family life have changed over time. By reorienting the kitchen, for example, the space went from an isolated place to cook, to a place of gathering and participation. Quality of living was also addressed. In Hannan House 2, improvements were made to airtightness and heat loss, impacting both thermal comfort of the occupants and energy efficiency in general.

Cater House AR 2023 2 — The Cater House
*By Russell Jack*

Originally designed by Russell Jack in the mid-1960s, this Sydney regional style house exhibits influencers of work by Frank Lloyd Wright and nature-inspired architecture of pre-war Japan. Alexi was engaged to oversee the familiar challenge of a kitchen renovation as well as updates to bathrooms and main living spaces. Conceptually, the project was grounded in the architecture of the existing house, seeking to integrate seamlessly while improving the quality of connection between spaces.
Alexi reworked the layout of the kitchen by removing the brick partition wall that once formed the kitchen bar and replaced it with a free-flowing island bench. The restructure of the kitchen and surrounding areas allowed the space to work functionally for modern family life.

How do you approach the design and sourcing of custom elements?

Mid-century modern interiors are inherently bespoke, often delicately stitched into existing conditions or reworking the original finishes and fixtures. In this sense, it is important to work with people who create with passion, care and attention to detail to gain the quality that comes from that. The joiners that worked on the Cater House and
the workmanship exhibited gave the new kitchen a strong sense of belonging that may otherwise have been missing.

Your designs often incorporate a balance of functionality and aesthetic appeal. How do you prioritise these two aspects when designing a space?

These two things will naturally come together as the process unfolds. In the case of mid-century modern homes, a large part of the brief revolves around honouring the unique identities, values and histories of each residence. The roadmap to designing spaces is, in a sense, embedded in what has come before. Sensitivity to these cues and exploration, simplicity, balance, lead to aesthetic outcome.

How would you describe these projects in three words?