Landscape designer transforms tiny 224 square metre home into a Mexican-inspired oasis – complete with a plunge pool, rooftop lounge space and stunning stone staircase
- Landscape designer Mon Palmer transformed a tiny home into a heavenly oasis
- Mon created a Mexican-inspired beach house 20 minutes from Perth city centre
- The stunning home features a rooftop lounge, plunge pool and stone staircase
- She proved living in small spaces doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style
A landscape designer has transformed a dull, dingy bungalow into a heavenly oasis, complete with a rooftop lounge, plunge pool and stunning stone staircase.
Mon Palmer, from Perth, turned her 224 square metre Perth home into a four bedroom, two bathroom dream house after a trip to Mexico inspired her love for simple, white stone design.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Ms Palmer shared the process behind her remarkable renovation and revealed how you can make the most out of small spaces in every home.
A Perth-based landscape designer transformed her dull Scarborough bungalow into a heavenly, white stone oasis split over two floors with a plunge pool and rooftop lounge
Landscape designer Mon Palmer (pictured) drew inspiration from Mexican architecture while renovating her small bungalow in Scarborough near Perth
‘We travelled to San Cabo in Mexico and fell in love with the simple yet distinctive design,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘We dreamed of turning our two bedroom, one bathroom home into a white, light-filled space with black windows, a plunge pool and cacti reminiscent of the villas in Cabo.’
Ms Palmer stayed on budget by renovating the house in stages, with the total cost of the transformation coming to $380,000.
The most expensive part of the renovation was the second storey extension which was built with timber frame construction.
Timber, woven rattan and white stone is used throughout the house
Ms Palmer used natural light and outdoor views to create the illusion of added space
The upstairs living area is floored with raw Marri timber
Her biggest challenge was finding balance in such a confined space.
‘The block is small so finding the balance of scale, functionality and aesthetics was interesting,’ she said.
‘Also building the pool so close to the existing house was a bit nerve wracking!’
The outdoor pool area is laid with white concrete, which was also used to make the benches in the kitchen.
The upstairs living room is floored with raw Marri timber, and she plans to tile the rooftop lounge with Mexican Saltillo Chevron – which will be completed in the next few months.
The outdoor plunge pool is surrounded with white concrete, which was also used to make the benches in the kitchen
Ms Palmer said daybeds and built in seats like those used on her rooftop are an effective way to maximise space in small homes
A rustic white stone staircase leads to the rooftop lounge
Ms Palmer’s favourite part of the house is the downstairs space, which flows seamlessly from one room to the next.
‘The living room between the pool and kitchen is where we spend most of our days,’ she said.
‘Once the rooftop is complete I’m sure that will become our favourite spot, especially at sunset.’