“We just love the space. We can’t believe this is our home.”

What is a home in the context of modern family life? For many, it is far more than a roof and walls — it is a retreat, a place where the noise and stresses of daily life soften at the door. A home is where family routines become memories, where children play and grow, where friends gather to celebrate milestones, and where quiet moments of rest are cherished. For young families especially, it becomes a sanctuary — a space that nurtures closeness, joy, and togetherness.

This was the spirit we wanted to honour at Eastgate. Our clients came to us after purchasing an outdated family house that was in need of renovation. The layout was convoluted and disconnected and they longed for a home that could flex to their busy, modern lives: open yet cosy, practical yet uplifting.

With a modest budget, every design decision had to work hard. We opened up the heart of the home by removing a large structural wall. In its place, a bold yellow steel beam spans the kitchen-dining space — a structural necessity turned joyful feature, now a talking point for every guest.

Larger windows were introduced to bring light and greenery deep into the home, creating a sense of airiness and connection to the garden.

The plan balances spaces for intimacy — watching films together, children playing — with areas for quiet work and grown-up entertaining. Colour and contrast subtly define spaces within larger rooms, giving each moment its own sense of place.

Eastgate is not a grand project, but for the family who live here, it is transformative. It is a home that celebrates their everyday life, their gatherings, and their future memories — exactly what a family sanctuary should be.