Home Tour: A Minimalist Sanctuary with a Heart of Warmth

Rustic charm meets refined styling in Studio A.mi’s revamp of Cedar Cottage, where intentional touches create a curated and quietly comforting space.  

How do you design a space that evokes a certain mood, encouraging its inhabitants to pause, unwind, and dream? 

That was the vision entrusted to Anouska Milstein, founder and creative director of Studio A.mi, as she set out to refresh Cedar Cottage located in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne, just moments from the bay.  Originally a modest dwelling, this two-bedroom retreat has become an elegant, light-filled sanctuary that invites rest and creativity through curated, intentional touches.  

Bringing Character to a Blank Canvas

Despite Cedar Cottage’s humble bones, Anouska knew how much potential the property had. “The cottage was built simply, without much consideration for planning,” she explains. “It felt quite boxy, and the finishes, like timber-look vinyl flooring, made it feel unhomely.” 

The client envisioned a fresh, light, breezy Hamptons-inspired space with a refined yet relaxed aesthetic. Anouska infused this inspiration with classic cottage elements, creating a minimal home that still retained plenty of character. 

The secret to bringing this vision to life? Choosing just the right mix of materials and textures. “We wanted the space to feel uncluttered, bright, sophisticated, and refined — a perfect backdrop to life,” says Anouska. 

“Given the small footprint, we used long, uninterrupted lines to elongate spaces, installed new timber flooring, and even added a timber lining board to the ceiling, which was a brilliant idea from the client,” she says. 

Marble takes centre stage in the kitchen, almost like a piece of art. Teamed with sleek shaker-style cabinetry, it brings just the right depth and drama. Intricate details like sculpted edges, delicate joinery pulls, and soft, flowing window furnishings add to the cottage’s inviting, tactile feel — proof that even the smallest touches can create a sense of luxury. 

Designing for Every Season (and Every Mood)

From day one, the client had their heart set on an all-white home, but Anouska knew it needed warmth to shine. “We worked with off-white paints and materials to create a space that felt bright and airy in summer but also nurturing and cosy in winter,” she explains of the versatile palette.  

While the renovation maintained the home’s footprint, strategic structural changes improved the cottage’s flow and functionality. A dividing wall in the kitchen-dining area was removed, opening the space to create a seamless, modern layout.  

A linen cupboard was also demolished to expand the bathroom and replaced with a custom bench-mounted cupboard that now provides clever laundry and linen storage. 

“The kitchen and bathroom layouts went through several iterations to ensure they were perfectly tailored to the client’s way of living,” Anouska notes. “It was such a collaborative process, and I love how personalised the result feels.” 

A Sanctuary Built for Slowing Down

At its core, Cedar Cottage is a celebration of slow, restful days and deep-slumbered nights. “It’s a private safe haven. A place to work, rest, and dream,” Anouska shares.  

With this ethos in mind, the team ensured ample storage, rotating art displays, soft linen window coverings, and alluring lighting that adapts to different moods. 

Even the smallest details were designed to inspire moments of pause. “Things like the sculpted bench edges, the joinery pulls, and the decorative lighting pieces; these all add to the experience of the home, encouraging a sense of quiet contemplation in the everyday.” 

The cottage’s exterior also received a few tweaks, like a custom-built storage shed tucked neatly into the carport. The lush garden, lovingly nurtured by the client and their gardener, constantly grows and changes as a natural extension of the home’s peaceful vibe. 

Like any renovation, there were a few bumps along the way, but overall, Cedar Cottage’s transformation went remarkably smoothly. “The timeline stretched a little, but our builder handled it expertly,” Anouska recalls.  

Anouska is most proud of the relationships forged during the process. “The trust and collaboration between the client, builder, and our team made this such a dream team.” 

The result? A home that feels like a “sanctuary” — deeply personal, thoughtfully designed and wholeheartedly lived in.

Project Credits

• Build: Lupo Building @lupo_building
• Styling: Studio A.mi @studio.a.mi
• Photographer: Tom Blachford @blachford
• Words: Bella Brennan @bellarosebrennan

Loved our tour of this soul-soothing sanctuary and want more stylish home inspiration?  Take a peek at this light-filled sanctuary in Mosman, or escape to this rural hillside haven.