Ballantine Family Home — Cremorne, Sydney

Located close to Sydney’s central district, the Ballantine Family Home in Cremorne pairs a classic street facade with a thoroughly refreshed interior. Interior designer Bronwyn Poole of Touch Interiors reimagined the house to suit the needs of a modern family while retaining warmth and personality. The brief focused on a bright, contemporary atmosphere built around a predominantly white palette, natural wood tones and carefully placed pops of color that enliven each space.

Lounge area and home office of the Ballantine Family Home in white with curated green accents — Lounge area and home office in white with curated green accents

On entry, a welcoming vestibule sets the tone with white walls and warm wood detailing. Green accents, including foliage and curated art prints, create an immediate visual focus that complements the neutral backdrop. The living area is versatile and family-oriented: a compact home workspace sits discreetly in a corner with a simple desk and chair, providing a functional spot for work or study without overwhelming the room.

Simple sleek desk and comfortable white chair for a home workspace — Simple and sleek desk paired with a comfortable chair for a neat home workspace

The family room functions as the heart of the house. A large gray sectional anchors the lounge, which flows naturally into the formal dining area and the kitchen. This open-plan arrangement encourages interaction and gives the rooms a connected, airy feel. Light floods the dining area and extends through sliding doors to a generous deck and outdoor dining space, expanding the home’s entertaining footprint into the garden.

Green decor accents and leafy pattern welcome you at the family home — Green decor, accents and leafy patterns welcome you into the home

Family room with white walls, wooden floor and dark gray sofas — Family room with white walls, wooden flooring and dark gray sofas

The dining space is bright and connected directly to outdoor living, allowing meals and gatherings to spill effortlessly outside during warmer months. Thoughtful sightlines and consistent finishes—white walls, timber floors and select green accents—help create cohesion from the interior to the garden.

Light-filled dining room connected to the deck and outdoor dining area

Private rooms continue the home’s restrained, family-friendly approach. The master bedroom uses a calming white-and-wood combination to maintain a cozy, restful atmosphere while making efficient use of space. The nursery is similarly clad in neutral tones, with playful details and a dedicated play area that balances practicality and charm. The children’s room stands out with bold red accents and a mobile bed on wheels, offering flexibility and a lively, personalized space for growing kids.

Master bedroom in white and wood offering a cozy warm appeal — Master bedroom in white and wood with a cozy, space-savvy design

“I have always had a strong and diverse ‘design appreciation’ to help inform the ‘look’ of my rooms and with increased experience, I have been able to hone my ’design instinct’, to inform their ‘feel’. But great design does not stop, nor begin, here. It is the inner core that I term ‘design relevance’ that has the power to inform our ‘evolution’ to deliver truly transformative design.”

– Bronwyn Poole of Touch Interiors

Kids' bedroom in white with a bed on wheels and bold red accents — Kids’ bedroom in white with a bed on wheels and bold red accents

Nursery with custom wall decal, white walls and a play area in the corner — Nursery with custom wall decal, white walls and a dedicated play area

Outside, the garden has been curated to suit contemporary family life. A compact, low-maintenance layout complements the deck and outdoor dining area, making the backyard an extension of the home’s living space rather than a separate zone. This considered connection between indoor and outdoor areas supports flexible entertaining and everyday family routines.

Curated small contemporary garden for the modern family home in Cremorne — Curated small contemporary garden for the modern family home

Classic street facade of the Ballantine Family Home in Cremorne, Sydney — Classic street facade of the Ballantine Family Home in Cremorne

The result is a family home that balances timeless exterior charm with an interior designed for contemporary living. With a restrained base palette, warm timber accents and carefully selected color highlights, the Ballantine Family Home demonstrates how considered interiors can enhance everyday life — practical, welcoming and full of visual character.