In Melbourne, a home is quietly rewriting what luxury can look like. Designed by architecture and interior design studio Splinter Society, the Cornerstone House draws directly from the rugged history of its surroundings, referencing the quarries that once defined this pocket of Australia
A Facade Built On Stone
From the street, the house makes an immediate statement. Black steel cladding wraps the exterior, forming a sharp and rhythmic shell that contrasts against something far more ancient.
A dozen large rough boulders are positioned at key moments throughout the exterior and interior of the home. At the entryway, they flank either side of the front door, creating a dramatic arrival that feels more like stepping into a sculptural installation than a suburban house.
These are not decorative imitations. During construction, the cornerstones were craned onto the site first. Only then was the structure built around them. Their rough faces remain largely untouched, preserving the markings from industrial tooling and celebrating the tension between raw material and refined architecture..
A Dark And Dramatic Hallway
Step inside and a long hallway lined with blackened timber slats draws you forward. The repetition of the slats creates a sense of rhythm and anticipation, guiding visitors from the front door toward the heart of the home.
There is a deliberate restraint here. The darker tones heighten the drama and allow the texture of timber and stone to do the talking. It is a controlled transition from the bold exterior into the open plan spaces beyond.
A Kitchen That Leans Into Mood
The hallway opens into the kitchen and dining area, where the palette remains confident and unapologetically moody.
Black cabinets are paired with dark countertops and grey stone surfaces, creating a layered depth of tone. A rose tone metal accent introduces warmth, softening the darker materials and catching the light throughout the day. The balance between hardness and warmth becomes clear here, with every finish carefully considered to contribute to the overall atmosphere.
Dining Under Sculpture
Adjacent to the kitchen sits the dining area, anchored by a wood and black metal table. Above it, a large sculptural light takes center stage.
The fixture establishes the dining zone as a focal point within the open plan layout, reinforcing the home’s subtle sense of glamour. Metallic highlights and bold material choices cultivate an atmosphere that feels distinctly swanky without losing the connection to the raw stone elements nearby.
Where Stone Divides And Connects
A stone element separates the dining area from the living room, acting as both divider and feature.
In the living space, colorful soft furnishings introduce a strong variation in texture and finish. Teal velvet and tactile fabrics contrast against the harder architectural materials, creating an interior that feels layered and inviting.
The hearth of the fireplace stretches from one side of the living room to the other, forming a visual bridge that connects the interior to the outdoors. It reinforces the sense that the home was composed as a complete experience rather than a series of isolated rooms.
Opening To The Outdoors
A sliding glass door extends the living room onto a wood deck. Beyond it lies an outdoor dining area, landscaped lawn and swimming pool.
The positioning of the house on the site offers protection from neighboring sightlines, allowing the garden and pool area to feel secluded. The hardness of steel and stone is offset by softened landscaping and curving walkways, creating a gentle transition between architecture and nature.
Upstairs, A Calmer Palette
Back inside, near the front door hallway, an opening provides access to the stairs leading up to the second floor.
One of the bedrooms introduces a slightly lighter touch. A wood accent adds warmth to the otherwise black and white interior, proving that even within a restrained palette, subtle shifts in material can transform the mood of a room.
A Bathroom With A Twist
The bedroom’s color scheme continues through to the bathroom. Grey tiles are laid in opposite directions, adding visual interest through pattern rather than color. It’s a small but thoughtful detail that echoes the broader design philosophy of the house, where contrast and variation are used to enrich everyday spaces.
Cornerstone House ultimately reads as a symphony of contrasts. Massive boulders meet fine steel detailing. Blackened timber sits alongside rose tone metals and plush textiles, and industrial references are woven into spaces designed for entertaining.