From Dark and Dated to Filled with Light in Claremont

When the owners of this Claremont residence relocated from Sydney to Perth, they envisioned a home that reflected Western Australia's relaxed coastal lifestyle, one defined by natural light, calm interiors and timeless materials. While the property offered excellent structural bones and a practical layout, its interiors told a different story. Dark finishes, slate flooring and ageing carpets left the home feeling disconnected from the bright, contemporary sanctuary the owners imagined.

"When we first viewed the property, it wasn't in great condition and had slate floors and carpet," recalls Lisa Ewart, founder of Collected Interiors.

Working alongside Woodleigh Home Improvements, Lisa approached the renovation with a clear vision: create a light-filled family home with a refined material palette, effortless functionality and a sense of understated luxury. Central to the transformation was the decision to replace the existing flooring with engineered oak boards from Woodpecker Flooring, installed throughout the entire home.

"We used them throughout the whole house, even up the stairs and in the three bedrooms," Lisa explains. "I chose the wide, elegant Apollo boards from the Signature Oak Range for their light oak colour that brings subtle warmth to the project while still looking modern. The home is very white, so these boards added much-needed depth to the palette. They also fit our budget and are durable enough for a family and their inside dog. Aesthetically, these floorboards have proven transformative for the home."

The choice of timber flooring became the foundation for the home's new identity. The wide-format engineered oak boards create a seamless flow between rooms while introducing the warmth and texture only natural timber can provide. Their soft oak tones enhance the home's bright aesthetic, complementing the abundance of natural light and reinforcing the relaxed coastal atmosphere.

As demand continues to grow for durable and versatile flooring solutions, engineered timber flooring has become a preferred choice for modern renovations. Combining the authentic beauty of real oak with enhanced stability and practicality, engineered oak flooring offers homeowners a long-lasting solution that performs exceptionally well in busy family homes.

Throughout the renovation, carefully selected materials were layered to create depth and sophistication while maintaining a sense of calm. Custom lacquered cabinetry and premium marble benchtops contribute a refined elegance, while soft neutral wall colours provide the perfect canvas for natural textures, warm metallic finishes and contemporary furnishings.

To further elevate the bathrooms and wet areas, terrazzo tiles from Original Ceramics were paired with crisp white KitKat tiles installed from floor to ceiling. The result is clean, timeless and highly functional, sitting harmoniously alongside the oak flooring used throughout the residence.

"It's amazing the power of a beautiful oak floor; it can unite a varied palette of finishes, colours and textures," says Lisa.

This ability to create cohesion is one of the defining advantages of quality timber flooring. In this project, the oak floors serve as the unifying element, effortlessly connecting diverse materials including marble, terrazzo, brass and bespoke joinery while maintaining a consistent sense of warmth throughout.

Thoughtful detailing further reinforces the home's welcoming atmosphere. Live brass tapware, a special request from the owners, introduces character and a subtle sense of history, while custom-framed mirrors add another layer of craftsmanship. Carefully considered lighting has been integrated throughout the home, creating a soft and inviting ambience from day to night.

The furnishings reflect a distinctly contemporary Australian aesthetic while enhancing the relaxed sophistication of the interiors. A marble dining table and coffee table by Patricia Urquiola from Mobilia, iconic Cassina Cab chairs and plush Jardan sofas provide comfort without compromising on design integrity.

"The look is laid-back yet polished, just the way we like it," Lisa says.

For Collected Interiors, the project perfectly captures the studio's design philosophy of creating timeless spaces that feel both beautiful and deeply liveable.

"We worked closely with our builder to ensure every detail was meticulously considered and beautifully executed," Lisa explains. "This renovation perfectly reflects our design ethos at Collected Interiors: calm, light-filled spaces layered with timeless materials, thoughtful details and just the right amount of luxury."

The completed home demonstrates the transformative power of thoughtful material selection. Anchored by Woodpecker Flooring's Apollo engineered oak flooring from the Signature Oak Range, the once-dark interior has been reimagined as a bright, contemporary coastal retreat that balances beauty, durability and everyday practicality.

For homeowners undertaking a renovation, this Claremont project highlights how premium engineered oak flooring can serve as the foundation for an entire design scheme, bringing warmth, continuity and timeless appeal to every room.