This week on our Home Life Series, we step inside the serene and sculptural world of Nicole Van Ross, a financial services professional by day and design enthusiast at heart. Nestled in East Brunswick, Nicole’s House on Clarence is a modern urban masterpiece that merges mid-century influences with sculptural form and functional flow.
Every curve, archway and sun-drenched corner tells a story of intention and craftsmanship. From the curved marble kitchen island to the much-loved sunken lounge, an accidental design moment that became the heart of family life - this home is a journey through materiality and light.
Built with sustainability front of mind and an eye for timeless style, it’s a space that feels grounded yet quietly luxurious, where calm meets character at every turn. Keep reading to see how Nicole turned a long-held vision into a living, breathing sanctuary and the happy accidents that made this dream home even more extraordinary.
Hi Nicole, thank you so much for welcoming us into your House on Clarence. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were completely captivated. Please tell us a little about yourself and who lives here with you.
I live here with my family, including my partner, daughter, and our beloved cavoodle, Beatrix. Thank you for your kind words—they truly mean a great deal to us.
We feel profoundly privileged to call this space our home, a place where we can create memories, find comfort, and enjoy life’s everyday moments. It is truly special to live in a space that we watched come to life—from a vision in our minds to bricks and mortar—and we feel incredibly grateful to share it together.
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How did you first discover this home? Was there a moment when you knew it was the one?
I “discovered” this home within the realm of my imagination through years of dreaming and visualising. It became a space that embodied my hopes, aspirations, and a reflection of what our family longed for in a sanctuary. From the outset, we felt a responsibility to create a home that would stand the test of time and maintain a low environmental footprint.
With this in mind, we prioritised maximising energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. The clever design optimises internal space while minimising the overall footprint, leaving generous areas for gardens, a pool, and a trampoline. Countless hours were dedicated to translating our imagined world into reality—meticulously pouring over detailed drawings and carefully selecting each material and element to ensure every detail reflected our vision.
Throughout this journey, I was fortunate to collaborate with an exceptional team of architects, designers, builders, and talented tradespeople who shared my passion and dedication. Their expertise and commitment turned my ideas into a stunning, tangible space. Together, we paid meticulous attention to every detail, ensuring that the home was not just built but thoughtfully crafted with love, precision, and a shared sense of purpose. It was a journey of patience, collaboration, and creativity—transforming a vivid dream into a beautiful reality.
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Your home feels deeply personal yet beautifully refined. Can you tell us about your design journey - how did your vision evolve from concept to completion? Were there any unexpected twists, happy accidents, or lessons learned along the way?
My design journey was a deeply personal, organic process, evolving naturally from initial concepts to the final realisation. I aimed to create a warm, inviting space that reflects my personality and tastes. As the build progressed, I learned that challenges are inevitable and often require quick, creative adjustments.
A memorable moment arose when I discovered that the tiles initially chosen for the master ensuite walk-in shower would not arrive in Australia for 18 months—courtesy of COVID. Fortunately, Gaby at Academy Tiles proposed an in-stock alternative that I immediately fell in love with. It felt destined, and it ultimately proved to be an even more exquisite choice. The sophisticated color, refined shape, and tactility of those tiles beautifully embody the zen, spa-like atmosphere I envisioned for the master ensuite.
These unexpected obstacles, of which there were many, being a COVID build, ultimately sparked genuine design details and enhanced the overall aesthetic. Throughout, I realised that flexibility and trusting my instincts were essential. Embracing spontaneity and imperfections allowed me to refine my vision, highlighting that creating a home is as much about adapting to surprises as meticulous planning. The result is a space that feels both meaningful and beautifully refined—a true reflection of the journey.
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There’s a softness that runs through every room - from the curves and archways to the textures and tones. What drew you to these forms, and how did you ensure the aesthetic stayed cohesive throughout the home?
During the drawing stage, there was a bit of humour among the designers and architects: I was joking that I couldn’t draw a straight line. The real reason was that I preferred to incorporate curves rather than straight edges into the design. However, I quickly learned that curves significantly increase costs, so I had to temper my penchant for them and use them strategically to create the greatest visual impact.
Visualising each room and how the adjoining spaces would flow was crucial to maintaining a cohesive aesthetic throughout the home. I spent a considerable amount of time onsite, simply observing the spaces and envisioning their potential. This hands-on approach often led to numerous changes to the drawings—much to the builder’s chagrin, I’m sure! Fortunately, Chris from Belarte Building understood that meticulous design must always take precedence, and his support was invaluable throughout the process.
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Your sunken lounge is such a show-stopping feature. What was the inspiration behind it, and how does it shape the way you and your family use the space day today?
The sunken lounge was actually a delightful happy accident. Several building challenges arose early in the project, following the excavation of the pool, which necessitated a complete redesign of the living, kitchen, and dining areas. I vividly recall working on the design onsite on a scorching 33-degree day in December, just days before the concrete slab was poured.
The space we refer to as the conversation pit is a device-free zone in our home and has become the heart of many family gatherings. Its design invites you to sink down and relax, offering a unique vantage point that contrasts beautifully with the elevated layout of the rest of the living zone. This unexpected feature has truly become a cherished and defining element of the home.
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Natural light is a beautiful feature in your home. How did you consider natural light in your design?
Having spent the majority of my adult life in single-fronted terrace homes, a principle of abundant natural light was an essential design criterion. We selected a north-facing rear block, with every window and skylight thoughtfully positioned to optimise daylight infiltration while maintaining a focus on energy efficiency. Our remarkably low electricity bills—made possible through a fully electric home with integrated solar panels—stand as a testament to the effectiveness of this deliberate design strategy. Heartfelt thanks to Sketch Building Design for translating this vision into reality.
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You have made a child's room feel playful without compromising the overall style of the home. How did you approach designing these spaces to balance fun and practicality that flows throughout the rest of your interiors?
I have a profound appreciation for exceptional design and aesthetic beauty, yet I believe that life is too fleeting to be taken too seriously or to devote excessive time to mundane tasks. This perspective inspires me to seamlessly incorporate elements of joy and practicality into my spaces—striving to create environments that are not only visually stunning but also enriching and functional.
The kitchen exemplifies this ethos beautifully—its elegant curves and arches introduce a sense of playful sophistication, while meticulous planning ensures it accommodates both everyday convenience and the demands of hosting gatherings. At House on Clarence, affectionately known as the Party House, entertaining is a cherished tradition. Consequently, I designed the space to facilitate effortless cooking and cleanup, allowing us to focus on creating memorable moments rather than being bogged down by routine tasks. My daughter’s room - I can’t take much credit for. The design and decor in there are all hers, including the paintings on the wall!
