A family sanctuary by Freadman White Architects
Teleisha Thomas
September 2025Words by Freadman White Architects.
At Freadman White, our passion lies in designing homes that respond uniquely to their context and the people who will live in them. 58 Christmas Street, Northcote, was no exception. Our friends, Nick and Emily, came to us with a vision of a home that could evolve with their family. A space that would nurture them through early years, while also anticipating a future where their children would seek more privacy and independence.
A welcoming exterior
The block itself presented a natural fall, which became a defining element in our design response. From the street, the house is intentionally unassuming. Its gabled profile facade allows it to settle seamlessly into the streetscape, offering very little of what lies beyond.
Landscape designers Clare Mack Studio and Creo Muto crafted an escarpment of greenery that gently guides you towards the entry. This approach, which contributes to the public realm, allows passers-by to engage with the home’s natural setting.
Textural materiality
One standout of this home is the entry sequence. As you move through the front pavilion, the soaring apex of the timber-lined ceiling feels like a jewellery box revealing hidden treasures. The shared bathroom is another special moment, with borrowed light filtering through a frameless glass detail above the timber walls, bringing a sense of whimsy to a typically overlooked space.
Once you make your way down from the entry, the connecting corridor is a space of transition and pause. It’s intentionally wide, reminiscent of a gallery space, and invites more than just passage, it becomes a place to inhabit. Lined with walls perfect for displaying art, and framed by large panes of glass that play with light and shadow, it offers moments of calm and beauty throughout the day.
The living room, tucked away at the rear, offers a private sanctuary, while the kitchen and dining areas open up to the north-facing courtyard, flooding with natural light.
The kitchen itself introduces moments of texture and vibrancy with oak cabinetry in a soft green, complemented by travertine bench tops, whose natural veining echoes the timber’s movement. A concealed bar allows the space to transform easily from family hub to entertaining zone.
We approach every project as both architects and interior designers. This dual perspective allows us to create homes where architecture and interiors are seamlessly integrated. The rendered walls continue from outside in, creating a soft, tactile backdrop while timber cladding adds warmth. The combination of solid materials like concrete and brick, with refined textures, giving the home a sense of permanence. It’s designed to age beautifully over time.
This was a true collaboration, where the shared vision between architect, builder, and landscape designer has created a home that will gracefully evolve with its family. Visioneer Builders and landscape designers Clare Mack Studio and Creo Muto craftsmanship and attention to detail were instrumental in bringing this project to life. Built with enduring materials and a considered design, it is a home crafted to stand the test of time.
Architecture & Interiors — Freadman White
Builder Visioneer — Builders
Landscape designers — Clare Mack Studio and Creo Muto
Photography — Pier Carthew
Styling — Neighbourhood Styling
58 Christmas Street, Northcote is currently on the market with Jellis Craig Inner North, Contact Sam Rigopoulos for more information.
