We share five examples of bespoke joinery in the living room, each seamlessly integrated into its space. With craftsmanship at the fore, these custom cabinets thoughtfully elevate everyday function into understated yet expressive design statements.
Hilltop House by Flack Studio
Daung wurrung Country / Victoria, Australia
Yarra Valley’s rugged landscape informed Flack Studio’s choice of material finishes in Hilltop House, including the custom timber cabinetry that complements the earthy, moody living space. “It all had to be robust because you are on the land, straight out into the wind and dust,” says Flack Studio founder David Flack. The cabinetry—a kaleidoscope of finishes, sizes, and grain directions in American oak, aged brass, and black-sealed zinc—adds another layer of interest to the expressive space. “Everything has a tactility; it all feels Australian without being overtly so,” he adds.
Acting not only as functional storage but also as a platform for the client’s art collection, the inbuilt joinery houses sculptural works from left to right: Happy Bucket (2017) by Nell; The Unsubstantial can easily bump the ordered world into very different registers by Isadora Vaughan; A.C.A.B by Kait James; and Third Hand: Austrostipa Elegantissima by Isadora Vaughan.
Photography by Anson Smart
Photography by Anson Smart
Argyle Well by Welsh + Major
Gadigal Country / Sydney, Australia
An innovative reinvention in Sydney’s harbourside enclave of Millers Point restores a historic terrace while introducing elevated sculptural forms. Built in the 1840s, the four-storey house underwent several transformations, most recently being converted into seven studio apartments. Seeking to return it to its former glory as a single residence while incorporating a modern pavilion, the new owners enlisted Sydney-based architects Welsh + Major, led by Chris Major and David Welsh. In the pavilion’s living area, a wall of concealed timber cabinetry provides both storage and architectural definition, grounding the contemporary space with warmth and refinement while establishing a subtle dialogue with the home’s historic fabric.
Luna House by Leeton Pointon Architects & CJH Studio
Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Country / Melbourne, Australia
A sculptural play of curves by Leeton Pointon Architects creates a sense of retreat, offering privacy from the suburban streetscape while enveloping its owners in a secluded oasis. Seeking a home that would evolve with their growing family, the owners sought after a design that balanced functionality with enduring sophistication. “They wanted a home that could offer both durability and elegance, ensuring it remains a welcoming sanctuary for their family of five,” says Leeton Pointon director Michael Leeton.
Materiality, colour, and texture engage in fluent dialogue to delineate distinct zones within the home, from open living areas to more intimate spaces. In the marine-blue formal sitting room curated by CJH Studio, a brass cabinet becomes a focal point. Its light-reflective surface introduces warmth into the moodier, more reclusive space, while serving as a sculptural and functional centrepiece.
Photography by Anson Smart
Photography by Anson Smart
Elonera House by Studio Doherty
Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Country / Melbourne, Australia
From the outset, Studio Doherty’s approach to designing Elonera House prioritised lightness and openness. A sense of weightlessness is achieved through extensive built-in joinery throughout the home—all raised from the floor, allowing natural light to flow uninterrupted. From custom cabinets and credenzas in the living room to bespoke tiled side tables, each piece hovers to reinforce the feeling of airiness while adding a sculptural element to every room.
A playful yet restrained palette of glossy muted-yellow tiles, smoky blues, and warm timbers ties the joinery together across the living room and kitchen, offering cohesion while preserving each space’s personality. More than functional storage, the custom cabinetry defines the interiors—balancing concealment with expression to create a home that feels both purposeful and whimsical.
Alpha House by Studio Prineas
Gadigal Country / Sydney, Australia
A light-filled extension at Alpha House by Studio Prineas extrudes the classic pitched roof form into the garden. The owners envisioned a contemporary addition that would embrace the sprawling grounds, opening up the rear of the house with modern, open-plan amenities. Eva-Marie Prineas, principal of Studio Prineas, explains that connecting to the established Jacaranda tree was integral to the design, describing it as the “focal point of the lounge room.”
Custom built-in joinery throughout the living room anchors this approach, particularly evident in the expansive eucalypt-hued walls. More than storage, the cabinetry defines the rhythm of the space—its warmth echoing the garden outlook, while its seamless integration enhances the sense of calm, order, and connection between the old and new.
Photography by Sharyn Cairns
Photography by Sean Fennessy
Bay House by Arent&Pyke
Gadigal Country / Sydney, Australia
Captivating tonal explorations and tactile materiality transform the angular geometries of a Sydney harbourside apartment into a sequence of refined, introspective spaces. For this new chapter in their lives, the owners—a couple seeking the ease of a ‘lock-and-leave’ home—engaged leading interior design studio Arent&Pyke to reimagine the apartment as a space equally suited to entertaining family and friends, as well as retreating into moments of quiet indulgence.
In the living room overlooking Mosman Bay, a custom solid oak sliding screen commands attention, introducing subtle tactility to the space. Its raised surface, articulated with fine timber seams, glides smoothly across the television, concealing digital distractions—shaping a setting that encourages connection, conversation and gathering.
