carter williamson's black townhouse in australia is surprisingly full of light

‘102 the mill’ was a warehouse once, now it has been converted into a spacious urban home. the architects of carter williamson were given a lot of room to work with and ultimately brought a touch of refinement to the home, creating a finished result they describe as ‘generous, robust, and character filled.’ the elegant locale fully enjoys the beautiful australian climate, as light and air fill the building. the structure is divided into three areas, from east to west but is separated as to allow circulation and a freed living style.

all images by brett boardman

the interior and exterior are connected by the color black. it’s a theme carried throughout the house and first introduced at the front door. glossy dark tiles cover the street facing façade, creating a colossal looming rectangle. in the corner of this mammoth shape is the entrance to a hall lined with glowing copper. it invites the visitor inward. inside, the rooms are decorated with a combination of grays and blacks but there is a touch of color. the decor is lightened by the warm glow of halogen lights and rich hardwoods, some of which was left over from the old warehouse. 

the restoration repurposed many of the rough details of the old industrial building. these details, such as the corrugated metal and the distressed wood lend their rugged character to the home. once married to the luxurious materials — such as the black granite in the kitchen and marble tiles in the master bathroom — you have a harmony of new and old under one roof. 

the kitchen serves as the centerpiece of this home. according to carter williamson, ‘the six-metre kitchen island bench sits in the middle of the space as a sculptural meeting point for family and friends to congregate over cooking, eating and conversations.’ leaving the structure through the rear, the carefully thought-out plan continues. outside, the use of landscaped plants further livens this dark building in the linear garden that extends from the home.