Project: Emily's Place

Mar 18, 2026

Sometimes a renovation begins with the practical need to update a home. In other instances, it is motivated by a significant event, a turning point for which the ideal environment should be created.

For Emily, the vision for her home was anchored by a single, significant milestone: her daughter Liv’s Year 12 graduation.

The brief was driven by a deadline and a feeling - to create a sanctuary that could transition from a private family retreat to a hub for celebration, ready in time to welcome guests into the heart of the home.

A Home Designed for Connection, Celebration and Everyday Rituals

Located in Annandale in Sydney’s Inner West, Emily’s Place was designed by Custom Mad and built by Bezbuilt. The success of the design was proven when Emily welcomed 50 families and students to celebrate the occasion. Guests moved through the space exactly as she had imagined - from the kitchen, through the dining and living areas and out to the poolside courtyard.

Months later on the day of the photoshoot, Liv was by the pool with her mates and that same sense of ease remained. As Emily explained, “the house operates beautifully, the space disappears.” It is a home that doesn't demand attention; instead, it focuses on the rituals and milestones of the people within it.

Instead of drawing attention to itself, the architecture lets events develop organically, fostering a setting where connection takes centre stage.

Architect: Custom Mad
Builder: Bezbuilt
Photographer: Milly Mead

Emily's Place

"The house operates beautifully, the space disappears."

What makes Emily’s Place so compelling is its quiet confidence.

Instead of relying on dramatic architectural gestures, the design focuses on flow, materiality and atmosphere. It’s an intuitive response to how a family actually lives.

The double kitchen islands, the airy height of the cathedral ceiling, and the cool tone of the terrazzo flooring all work in harmony to create a space that feels both expansive and grounded.

Every detail serves a purpose, from the recycled brick pavers underfoot to the beautifully crafted sunken bath created for Emily’s son, Sam.

Designed by Custom Mad

A Design Defined by Atmosphere

In a home where the materials are so carefully considered, decorative lighting improves materials, adds warmth and influences a space's mood. Lighting in this house was selected to add a subtle sculptural presence while complementing the interior's serene, natural colour scheme.

The Petra Table Lamp, crafted entirely from alabaster, introduces a refined yet understated glow. Its conical shade and cylindrical base enable the natural stone to softly distribute light, enhancing the space's varied textures. Alongside it, the Alby Table Lamp brings a handcrafted element to the interior. Made in Australia from sandy clay fired to stoneware and finished with a hand-painted ochre glaze, its distinctive double-handle form introduces warmth and artisanal character.

When combined, these pieces show how decorative lighting can subtly enhance a room, giving it depth and character while letting the architecture and materials take the spotlight.

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Petra Table Lamp

The Petra Table Lamp acts as a quiet, sculptural anchor within the home’s open-plan layout. Its presence is felt most when the sun begins to set and the alabaster begins to glow. The Petra Table Lamp is available in small, medium and large sizes.

The natural alabaster base and shade diffuse a soft, interior glow that mimics the home's calm, natural palette.
It provides a gentle layer of light that enhances the texture of surrounding materials without overwhelming the space.
As a product of natural stone, each lamp features distinct veining, giving every piece its own individual character.
Crafted entirely from alabaster, the lamp has a weighty, premium feel that celebrates the raw beauty of natural materials.

View the Petra Table Lamp

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Alby Table Lamp

Bringing a handcrafted soul to the interior, the Alby Table Lamp perfectly complements the tactile nature of the home’s recycled brick and terrazzo.

The hand-painted Ochre glaze and double-handle form introduce a grounded, human touch to the intuitive design.

Made from Australian stoneware, it provides a beautiful organic counterpoint to the clean lines of the kitchen and cathedral ceilings.
Each piece is ethically and sustainably made-to-order in Australia from sandy clay, carrying the unique marks and variations of the maker’s hands.
Can be paired with a Melbourne-made linen lampshade in Ochre or Natural to further soften the light.

View the Alby Table Lamp

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