Dixie and Sam Jeffries purchased this terrace house on a small inner-city block in Adelaide, Australia, envisioning a sustainable space to house a few generations. They teamed with architects Oli Scholz and Simone Vinall of Scholzvinall to design 2 inspiring homes: an extension to the present house for Dixie and Sam’s family, and a two-story house for Sam’s parents in the back of the property. An edible garden, rainwater tanks, solar panels, concrete slab floors and a plethora of fruit trees combine to make a thoughtful location that three generations can call home.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Dixie and Sam Jeffries; both children, Jackson and Amali; and Sam’s parents, Chris and Wendy Jeffries
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Size: 300 square meters (3,552 square feet) for both dwellings; 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That’s intriguing: To harness the entire potential of the Australian sun, both homes feature solar hot water using an electrical boost function and solar panels to create electricity.
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The spacious living, dining and kitchen space forms the heart of the principal house. Dixie and Sam collect art by local artists to decorate their walls, including a painting by Paul Sloane and a photograph by James Geurts, seen in this shot.
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The lean-to kitchen to the initial terrace house was knocked down and replaced with this vibrant and uplifting space. “The adults as well as the kids wanted the house to be a interesting spot,” says Dixie. The kitchen includes stainless steel benches and backsplashes for simple cleaning.
Cabinetry: T and C Joinery; light color: Kartell, Space Furniture
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The jewel-toned kitchen cupboards set the mood in the cheerful and open combined dining and kitchen room. The floors are polished concrete with underfloor heating.
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A flat window behind the kitchen sink provides an opinion out to the courtyard but keeps privacy between the two separate dwellings. Sam powder coated the kitchen sink fixture in a neon orange.
Stove: Westinghouse, Harvey Norman
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Large north-facing windows and glass doors in the living room area maximize natural lighting. The space makes good use of louvers for cross ventilation. Sam purchased this sofa available — it was originally a lime green, and he had it re-covered in grey felt.
Monkey: Raw Space
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The easy, minimalist remodeled bathroom includes louvered windows for ventilation.
Bathroom tiles: ceramic hexagon mosaic, Academy tiles; taps: Roger Seller, Estilo
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Restoring the staircase in the terrace house showed a rustic baltic pinewood.
Prints: Just One Little Room
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Sam and Dixie’s bedroom is located in the first part of the house and sleeps three. They plan to design built-in closets.
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Nectarine trees sit on the front veranda of their first terrace house. The living space extends into the east of this building, harnessing the northern lighting.
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Concrete block and Hebel clad the exterior walls of this extension.
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Both houses have rainwater tanks for garden usage. The homes also recycle graywater. Solar panels help create electricity and heat water.
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The central courtyard space that joins the 2 dwellings attracts lots of birds. The households eat in the courtyard and also use the space to grow tomatoes, snow peas, herbs, greens and fruit.
Bird feeder: The Conservatory
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Chris and Wendy’s house shares many features with another, including polished concrete floors, in-floor heatingsystem, open-plan living and louvers for cross ventilation.
Light: Nur, Artemide; dining table: Dog Dragon
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Their unit is 80 square meters (861 square feet), but towering ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass doors help it keep an open feel.
Framed photograph: James Geurts
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A window overlooking into the trees near the back fence sits over the kitchen’s polished concrete countertops. A display of black and white items includes family heirlooms, like the bird tile.
Cabinetry: T and C Joinery; seats: replicate Eames, Matt Blatt; light: Outstanding Bulb Pendant, Great Dane Furniture; salt and pepper grinder: Eva Solo, Top 3
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Family heirlooms, including this antique pine settee and African wood sculpture, sit in the base of the stairs. The raw wood tones and textures add heat into the neutral open-plan living space.
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The bigger house has 2 bathrooms, including an upstairs en suite.
Ceramic round mosaic tiles: Academy Tiles
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An alcove over Chris and Wendy’s bed appears to the bathroom but is sufficient to keep privacy. The mattress was custom made onsite, because its size made it impossible to move up the narrow stairs.
All 3 generations love living in the central city place, which is an easy walk into the markets, local parks and Jackson’s kindergarten. “Having your parents residing in your garden may be unconventional,” says Sam. “But I love getting to consume Dad’s veggies, and Mum is always popping around to test on something she’s knitting for the kids.”
Quilt cover: Pop, Sheridan
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