With interiors that are united through a warm tonal palette drawn from the colours of natural stone, Townshend by Adyn Kelly is this year’s Residential Interior winner of The (Emerging) Designer Awards.
Located in Subiaco, a heritage suburb close to Perth’s CBD, Townshend was last renovated in the late 1980s. “The existing house received little natural light,” says interior designer Adyn Kelly. “This was partly due to its position as a mid-unit townhouse – only its front and rear walls can have windows – and partly because of its poor internal layout. It had a white laminate kitchen that was particularly dim as a result of the wall placement.” Upon review, the design was expanded from a simple kitchen renovation to a multi-level project – in the process, the call for functionality was maintained while the colours, textures and style of the interiors were at the studio’s discretion.
The redesigned courtyard flows directly to the living room. Inside, the lounge seating is settled within the same open floor plan as the dining area, creating an effortless transition from the shared spaces to the outdoors. “Beyond the dining area lies the kitchen and adjoining laundry room, which are significant parts of the project,” says Adyn. “We removed a wall to create space for the laundry units, and this greatly increases the amount of afternoon sunlight that enters the kitchen.” Upstairs, the bedrooms are left unchanged; instead, attention is focused on a new second bathroom and rejuvenated ensuite. The latter maximises high ceilings and natural light to foster a luxury experience that reflects the client’s love of bathing.
Natural stone features throughout Townshend, expressing Kelly’s personal affinity with the material. “I would use it on every surface if I could,” he says. “It ages well and it’s a component of European design that I’ve always appreciated when I’ve been overseas. In spaces where natural materials have been brought to the forefront, you can especially enjoy the presence of patina because you know that the material has aged in place.” Townshend showcases a variety of natural stones that sit comfortably within the same tonal palette. Their yellows and warm reds, also celebrated across polished plaster and soft fabrics, enhance the cohesion of the open-plan interiors.
“When I sit down with a new client, I’m probably bolder now than I’ve ever been because it’s worth taking risks,” says Adyn. “Often the idea will be pared back along the way – design is quite fluid – but provided the intent remains, the outcome will be something special.”
Adyn won the Residential Interior award at The 2025 (Emerging) Designer Awards for Townshend. He was announced as winner in October at the awards’ annual ceremony held at the Artedomus Galleria in Melbourne – highlights here.
Artedomus is proud to present The (Emerging) Designer Awards in partnership with The Local Project. Explore The (Emerging) Designer Awards, and watch The Juror’s Cut to hear more about Adyn’s award win.
Words by Sarah Jacob for The Local Project.
Video by HN Media.
Photography by Timothy Kaye.
Interior design by Adyn Kelly.
Build by Blanc Homes.
Engineering by Lalli Consulting Engineers.
Joinery by Colray Cabinets.