Hi, I’m Jane, and this is the story of our home.
I’d always dreamed of living in a heritage house, so when my husband and I found this beautiful California Bungalow with a rear extension, we knew it was the one. The house was big, no doubt about that, but the layout never really worked. The heritage rooms at the front were dark and overly formal, and the extension at the back was the complete opposite, boiling in summer, freezing in winter. It looked charming, but it didn’t live well.
Before working with Carlo, we had hired another architectural office. The experience was terrible. Communication was almost non-existent, the architect didn’t listen, and we were handed a design he insisted was “the only thing Council would accept.” I spent money, I spent time, and I wasn’t happy with the result. Then the Council rejected the project anyway. It was exhausting.
A friend of mine, who had worked with Carlo before, told me I should speak to him.
Carlo changed my mind about working with an architect. I had assumed they were all self-promoting and focused on pushing their own ideas. This time, the experience was completely different. The communication was clear, the process made sense, and I actually felt like I was making the decisions and not being forced into them.
Carlo helped me map out a clear picture of what I wanted:
a brighter home, more efficient, and a rear façade that felt modern but still connected to the original bungalow.
Cooking is a huge part of my life, especially Chinese dishes, so we worked together to design a dedicated wok and steaming kitchen in addition to the more formal kitchen. Another important element for me was feng shui. Carlo understood the fundamentals and collaborated with a consultant to make sure everything aligned.
In the end, we created a home that isn’t just beautiful, it’s practical, efficient, and genuinely designed for the way we live. A home that works hard for us.
