Sustainability, functionality and beauty are at the heart of Studio LHD’s design for a family home in Sydney’s Castle Hill, where EGGER’s woodgrain products play a starring role throughout.
In 2022, Studio LHD was awarded ForestOne's Specified Responsibly A&D Trade Program for July, a monthly prize recognising projects using sustainable materials, specifically EGGER’s woodgrain decor products. The Sydney studio took out the award for its design of Project Harriet, a family home that, three years later, is now complete.
Designed by CK Design, Studio LHD was commissioned to work on the new build’s interiors, fixtures and finishes. “The brief was to create a home that felt both contemporary and timeless – beautifully designed yet effortlessly functional for family living,” says Studio LHD founder and director Linda Habak. “The clients wanted spaces that were refined but not overly stylised, ensuring a sense of warmth and longevity in every detail.”
To realise the design, Habak focused on selecting materials and finishes that were visually powerful and would endure over time, both functionally and aesthetically. Modernist principles informed the home’s architectural form, a box-like structure enveloped in black brick and ebony battens. Habak’s interiors continue this approach; rather than leaning on bold colour, the textured, largely monochromatic design plays on depth and contrast. “Beautiful, tactile materials were prioritised to bring a sense of balance and harmony, softening the strength of the architecture while adding warmth and refinement,” she says.
“Beautiful, tactile materials were prioritised to bring a sense of balance and harmony, softening the strength of the architecture while adding warmth and refinement.”
With sustainability and aesthetics front of mind, Habak specified 2 woodgrain decors for the project: Anthracite Sherman Oak and Brown Tossini Elm. Both are part of EGGER’s Feelwood® range, a collection of striking decors that mimic the look and feel of real timber and natural veneer. This hyper-realistic wood reproduction technology creates a range that stands out from every other woodgrain decor on the market.
Habak used the Anthracite Sherman Oak extensively in the kitchen and bathrooms, emphasising how the texture of the grain and its moody tone add depth. “It works effortlessly within the home’s palette, tying in with the darker architectural elements while adding a layer of texture and interest.”
Brown Tossini Elm was used for cabinetry and joinery in the living areas, study and bedrooms – most strikingly in wardrobes for the main suite – and brings a soft, organic feel to the spaces. “Its warm, natural tone introduces contrast against the darker finishes. It’s all about that interplay – bold yet inviting, refined but still tactile and grounding.”
“The Anthracite Sherman Oak works effortlessly within the home’s palette, tying in with the darker architectural elements while adding a layer of texture and interest.”
Beyond aesthetic and tactile considerations, Habak selected EGGER decors for their practicality. Both are ideal for a busy family home. “They have a lovely, natural look but with the added benefit of being low maintenance and resistant to everyday wear,” she says. The decors’ textured finishes disguise the fingerprints and minor marks that are inevitable in a house with children, particularly in high-traffic areas such as kitchens and living spaces.
Habak’s use of EGGER decors in Project Harriet also ties into her ongoing commitment to sustainability. “Sustainability has become a big focus for us in the past couple of years and we’re really conscious of making better choices wherever we can.” Not only are EGGER decors sustainably produced from a renewable resource – often wood that would otherwise go to waste – but their durability and timeless design mean they won’t require replacing in the coming years, a key element of sustainable design. The panels used in the home have a negative carbon footprint of 13.8kg CO2-e/m2 and consist of 76 per cent recycled content.
“They have a lovely, natural look but with the added benefit of being low maintenance and resistant to everyday wear.”
“For me, sustainability isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about choosing materials that have longevity, both in durability and design,” says Habak. “The EGGER selections reduce waste and ensure the home will look and feel beautiful for years to come, without the need for constant updates or replacements.”
“The EGGER selections ensure the home will look and feel beautiful for years to come, without the need for constant updates or replacements.”
Author: Deborah Cooke
Photography: Pablo Veiga
Architect: CK Design
Interior Design: Studio LHD
Location: New South Wales, Australia
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