We love visiting every home we feature in person, but this beautiful house was simply too far away—located in Sydney, Australia. Fortunately, Max and her husband Peter invited us in for a virtual tour, and we couldn’t resist sharing their stunning, highly livable space. They’re the founders of Murchison-Hume, an upscale eco-friendly cleaning line that’s won fans internationally. Max and Peter live here with their two sons, Charlie and Ben, and the result is a house that feels organized, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish. Below are highlights from their home, including many photos we haven’t seen before.
The kitchen is practical yet charming, anchored by a large chalkboard wall used for reminders, shopping lists, and as an art space for the kids. In 2007 they removed outdated 1980s cabinets and created an open, airy layout using customized IKEA shelving. The look is essentially an IKEA kitchen elevated with thoughtful details—Max even imported knobs from Restoration Hardware to make the simple shelving feel bespoke. The decision to use bookcases as an open pantry is both attractive and clever, keeping essentials visible and accessible while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
The chalkboard wall is a standout feature: functional, playful, and chic. It works as a family command center and a creative outlet for the children without feeling cluttered.
The bathroom reflects the household’s emphasis on neatness and simplicity. Small design details—diamond-paned windows, mosaic tile floors, and tidy storage containers—create a spa-like atmosphere. Bathroom essentials are stored in clear glass jars and arranged on clean-lined ceramic trays, a straightforward approach that adds polish and makes it easy to maintain order.
The laundry room continues the theme of streamlined organization. Max and Peter keep extra cleaning samples neatly stored and even manage to make practical items like an iron and ironing board appear tidy and intentional. Lacking a traditional linen closet, they used an inexpensive IKEA Expedit bookcase to create dedicated storage for linens, laundry supplies, and other household items—an affordable, high-impact solution that maximizes space.
The home is family-focused, designed to be both beautiful and functional for kids. Six-year-old Charlie’s room demonstrates this perfectly: storage and play are integrated so cleanup is simple. Max uses another IKEA Expedit shelf paired with well-chosen baskets, making it easy for Charlie to access toys and tidy up independently at the end of each day.
Ben, who’s ten, shares a room that also doubles as Max’s daytime office. It’s compact, but it’s functional—enough to keep the household almost paperless because there’s simply no room for file cabinets. The arrangement proves you don’t need a large room to have a productive home office. Max’s approach to styling balances practicality with personality; surfaces are accessorized with objects that are interesting rather than precious, creating livable vignettes that invite use.
The master bedroom embraces understated elegance. Asian influences, tone-on-tone curtains, and simple bedding create an inviting retreat without relying on square footage. The room demonstrates how thoughtful design and a restrained palette can make a smaller space feel calm and cohesive.
One of the most enviable parts of the house is the backyard cabana. After a 2007 renovation using clean-lined pavers (found on clearance) and a custom awning, the family nearly doubled their usable outdoor living area. The result is a private, lush extension of the home that’s perfect for entertaining and everyday family life. Max notes that while the yard isn’t large, it’s everything they need—proof that thoughtful design and greenery can make a modest outdoor space feel generous and inviting.
Overall, this home is a fantastic example of smart, economical choices that deliver big style: IKEA shelving repurposed as pantry and storage, discount pavers that transform the yard, and simple touches like chalkboard paint to keep the household organized and engaged. The combination of function and aesthetic makes this house feel like a welcoming, real family home rather than a staged showpiece.
Psst — Want to see more house tours? We have a whole archive of house-crashing posts available for inspiration.