From the street, this Adelaide cottage keeps its composure. It presents itself as calm, familiar, and almost reserved, another quiet presence in a suburban streetscape. But crossing the threshold reveals an entirely different energy. Designed by Sans-Arc Studio, this art deco-inspired addition transforms the home into a space that is playful, expressive, and deliberately designed around how its young owners like to live and entertain.
The extension announces itself subtly from the outside. Wrapped in a clean white facade, it avoids loud gestures while still feeling intentional. Deep window reveals lined in black introduce contrast and rhythm, adding a graphic sharpness to the exterior. These recesses are not merely aesthetic; they also shade the interior, reducing glare while allowing light to filter in thoughtfully. The result is an exterior that feels both refined and quietly dramatic, simple in form, but rich in detail.
Designer: Sans-Arc Studio
Inside, curves take over. One of the more understated yet memorable moments is a custom corner bench tucked beside a window. Its curved timber base and slim upholstered cushion are a gentle nod to art deco design language, where form and elegance coexist. More than a stylistic flourish, the bench offers a comfortable place to sit, pause, and look out toward the backyard, an everyday moment elevated through thoughtful design.
At the heart of the addition is the kitchen, conceived not as a secluded workspace but as a social anchor. Hosting is clearly central to how this home functions. The kitchen opens itself to conversation, movement, and connection, allowing the homeowners to cook without stepping away from their guests. A tiled accent wall brings light and texture into the space, catching reflections throughout the day and reinforcing the sense of warmth and character.
Rather than erasing the past, the project carefully weaves old and new together. A long kitchen island extends through the original cottage and into the new addition, doubling as a dining table. This linear element physically and visually stitches the home together. In the extension, the dining area drops slightly below the island, a subtle level change that defines zones without interrupting flow. It is a quiet architectural move that makes the space feel dynamic while remaining cohesive.
Running alongside the dining area is a timber shelving unit designed as both storage and display. Here, the homeowners’ collection of Italian and Czech glassware, books, and German pottery becomes part of the architecture itself. Bright yet restrained colors and sculptural forms animate the space, turning everyday objects into storytelling elements that reinforce the home’s playful aesthetic.
That sense of joy continues into the bathroom. Expanded from its original footprint, the space is wrapped in small square tiles in a vivid blue, instantly energizing the room. A skylight pours natural light from above, while a curved mirror softens the geometry, echoing the rounded forms found throughout the house. The bathroom feels lively, expressive, and deeply personal, a direct reflection of the homeowners’ desire for spaces filled with personality.
An arched doorway off the dining area gently reconnects the new addition to the original cottage. Acting as both a physical passage and a visual cue, it bridges eras while reinforcing the curvy, art deco-inspired language that defines the project. By embracing color, curvature, and the realities of entertaining, Sans-Arc Studio has created a home that feels generous, joyful, and unapologetically fun, proof that quiet exteriors can still hold bold, expressive lives within.
