At home with Tim and Alix from 57 Martin Street

Standing around the kitchen island as Tim and Alix prepare coffee, I couldn't help but notice the harmonious balance between design and functionality that exudes from their home. There is a sense of openness, a spatial quality that feels immediately generous and welcoming, fluid and effortless. ”We really wanted a space that feels open and connected," Alix explained. "Coming from a narrower, older townhouse, we learned firsthand how layout affects daily life, especially with kids." The couple's past living experience instilled a deep appreciation for design choices that promote a seamless flow of activity—critical for managing a busy family life.

Their beloved Italian Greyhound, Giuseppe, stays timidly close to both Alix and Tim, happily distracting us. "He recently had 26 teeth extracted, which was a bit of a nightmare," they shared, laughing. As the conversation shifted back to their home, the impact of COVID-19 on their purchasing decision became clear. "We started looking to buy during the pandemic," Tim recounted. “We were renting a townhouse in Brunswick when we learned about Neometro’s South Crescent, Northcote townhouse development. Working with Fieldwork, I was especially familiar with their 1 Wilson Ave, Brunswick development and had first-hand experience with the integrity of their projects. We called to find out about the price point, only to be told they’d sold out the day before. In 30 seconds! It was insane. Thankfully, this one was launched during COVID, giving us more time.”

Having familiarised themselves with the townhouse vernacular while renting, Tim and Alix knew exactly what they were after in their own home. “We’d been renting an older 90s townhouse; it was freezing and leaky. Being south-facing meant no natural ventilation, and the low daylight made it feel even gloomier. While it faced a nice park, the build quality reflected the issues of the time, bad layout and design inefficiency.”

Leveraging past experience and their combined architectural backgrounds allowed the couple to recognise the merits of 57 Martin Street’s design, carefully crafted to incorporate passive design principles that quietly reduce dependence on artificial heating and cooling. A preference for timeless materials and finishes like exposed brick painted white and concrete floors balanced by the warmth of timber window frames, timber custom joinery running the length of the living room wall (added by Tim and Alix) and a feature wall of terracotta tiles create a clean, enduring and aesthetically agile canvas. Dovetailing into this language, furniture and styling is textural and indulgent, extending the colour story of the design scheme while tilting it into soft domesticity. Stitched into and through the home is a sense of deep comfort that permeates from pieces like a shaggy floor rug, olive boucle sofa, blonde and rattan dining setting, greenery and the development’s signature rice paper pendant that signals where the eating zone separates from the lounge and kitchen zones.

With the luxury of their professions, coupled with purchasing off-the-plan, Tim and Alix were able to lean into the project’s design process, embarking on a journey characterised by collaborative decision-making and responsiveness to their lifestyle. “We made a few tweaks, like adding operable rain-sensor skylights upstairs, joinery beneath bathroom sinks and swapping out a desk for additional storage upstairs,” Alix explained.

The layout of their townhouse, which features open spaces on the first floor, bedrooms upstairs, high ceilings and abundant glazing that coaxes natural light, yields a less-is-more atmosphere that translates as effortlessly liveable. "I think it's crucial to not just aim for amenities that look good on paper but to really consider how people live in and use those spaces,” said Tim. "Sometimes it's better not to add features like a study if it compromises the liveability of other areas, like the spatial and functional qualities of the living room or bedrooms.”

As I absorbed the details of their home, I was struck by the overarching theme of practicality infused with aesthetic value. “The mix of timber and brick connects nicely with our environment, but it’s also about minimising maintenance,” Alix said. “With kids and pets, you need surfaces that can endure the chaos.” “Also, in the previous two places we lived in, if you were in the kitchen, it was very hard to supervise the kids, and we didn't have a connected outdoor space. It just didn’t accommodate the flow of life. The flow of everything.”

Upstairs, spaces are more casually intimate in the division of two bedrooms, a family bathroom and a primary bedroom with an ensuite. Each room falls naturally off a small hallway, two to each side, simple, easy, logical and again, filled with natural light by day thanks to orientation, glazing and those operable skylights we’d discussed earlier. “Eventually, we'll have both the kids in one room. There's enough space, and we probably have more cupboard space than we need. We've got so much storage!” said Alix. “Then we’ll have another room that we can use as a home office or a playroom,” she continues, articulating the flexible use of the home’s spatial arrangement.

As the interview wrapped up, I asked Tim and Alix what advice they would give to other families looking to blend quality design with functional living. “Stay true to your lifestyle, and choose spaces that reflect your needs,” Tim advised. “Don’t compromise on the elements of design that matter; the logic of layout is really important. Our last place was bigger but not nearly as easy to live in, and that comes down to Neometro spending money where it’s needed.”

Ultimately, the couple's journey highlights how thoughtful design and a well-planned living space can profoundly impact family life. Their home reflects their values—where modern aesthetics meet everyday functionality, making it a sanctuary amidst the joyful chaos of parenting. In an age of impulse buying and quick fixes, their story is a reminder that careful consideration and collaboration yield a space that meets immediate family needs and serves as a lasting foundation for years to come.