February 2, 2026 | Inspiration

Designer Series | Connecting family and nature through masterful building and interior design

“Our multifaceted approach marries interior design with architectural drafting to craft bespoke, harmonious interiors. We place a paramount focus on translating individual client needs, styles, and personalities into every project we undertake, ensuring that our designs align seamlessly with your unique vision.”

– McRae & Lynch Designs

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding environment and a deep commitment to family, Karyn McRae and Helen Lynch of McRae & Lynch Designs (M+L Designs) embarked on renovation project to transform Karyn’s own home.

Dubbed the Treehouse Renovation, the project was inspired by the vision to seamlessly connect the family home to nature through thoughtful architecture and bespoke design. The project culminated in a stunning remodel of the 70-year-old house, extending it to almost double its original size and building a self-contained, secondary dwelling for Karyn’s mother.

For over 30 years, since meeting at university while studying interior design, Karyn and Helen have applied their combined expertise across residential and hospitality spaces.

Certified interior and building designers, the duo are committed to curate top-quality materials and showcase their dedication to redefine spaces and enrich lives through innovative design and meticulous craftsmanship.

“We always suggest starting with the space itself. Pay attention to the environment you are in and get a real feel for how it looks and functions. Gather inspiration from homes you visit, images you love, and spaces that resonate with you personally, then share that with your designer. From there, you can work together to see how those ideas can be thoughtfully incorporated into your home,” advised Helen.

Perched high on a hill, the property afforded spectacular views, which became the central design principle. The renovation expanded the kitchen and living areas, turning them into light-filled, expansive spaces with vast glass sliding doors to dissolve the barrier between indoors and the canopy, just like a "treehouse".

“We aimed to create a warm, inviting interior filled with natural light and seamlessly connected to the uninterrupted views of the Royal National Park. This transformation will turn the space into a spacious, harmonious home,” Karyn said.

M+L Designs elevated the kitchen, the heart of the main house, to a sculptural centrepiece with Smartstone Sintered Collection surfaces. The striking island features Calacatta Borghini with a sophisticated 5mm shadowline and waterfall edge, making a solid, luxurious statement and perfectly echoing the natural surroundings with its warm, marble-style design. Calacatta Borghini was carried throughout the space as splashback and benchtops for the back and hidden pantry, seamlessly blending with the treetop views surrounding the entire kitchen and living room.

For the outdoor entertainment area and the fireplace base, the M+L Designs selected charcoal grey Pietra Scuro. Like all the surfaces in the collection, the surface’s heat resistance and lack of resin content make it UV-stable and suitable for outdoor use, ensuring the aesthetic and authentic stone look extend seamlessly to the al fresco barbeque area.

Located on the lower level, the self-contained dwelling for Karyn’s mother showcases Concreto Grigio in the bathroom as vanity and ledges. Just like the main house, the second home space features a balcony that extends towards the treetops and delivers a spectacular view of the national park.

This remarkable project demonstrates the beauty and practicality of combining Smartstone surfaces from different price categories - Deluxe (Calacatta Borghini), Classic (Pietra Scuro), Pure (Concreto Grigio) - for various applications in the kitchen, living room, bathroom and outdoor area all in one home.

An inspiring and stunning masterpiece, the Treehouse Renovation was featured in My Aussie Build on 9Life, offering viewers a unique look at the meticulous process, from conceptual drafting to the flawless final touches, celebrating the power of architecture and design to enrich family life and connect to nature.