In the tranquil, tree-lined streets of Malvern, Victoria, a boutique architecture and interior design practice is quietly redefining residential living. Rowe Studio, founded and directed by Sarit Wermut and Romy Peterfreund, specialises in transforming period homes into contemporary sanctuaries that honour heritage while embracing modern family life. Since its establishment in 2022, the studio has earned acclaim for its thoughtful, bespoke approach — one that prioritises functionality, personal expression, and a deep attunement to clients’ needs.
Sarit Wermut and Romy Peterfreund bring complementary expertise and a shared passion for “awesome architecture and interiors.” With backgrounds in design — Wermut previously leading SW Design — the duo established Rowe Studio to create spaces that feel intimately tailored. As Wermut explains, “each project should reflect the people living there to the nth degree, otherwise there’s often little to differentiate one renovation project from the next.” This philosophy underpins every commission, resulting in homes that are not merely beautiful, but profoundly livable.
Small/Big House: Maximising Space with Restraint and Generosity
One of Rowe Studio’s standout projects is Small/Big House, a sensitive renovation and extension of a Californian-inspired bungalow in nearby Caulfield. Constrained by a small, heritage-listed site, the design challenge was to enhance liveability without compromising the home’s historic charm. The original façade remains untouched, while a discreet extension expands the interior, creating generous open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas that flow effortlessly to the outdoors.
Inside, a gentle palette of dark timber flooring, light timber joinery, and bagged brick backdrops is enlivened by occasional bold colour accents. Views to the surrounding greenery soften the boundaries, turning the compact site into a serene retreat. The result is a home that balances restraint with generosity, proving that thoughtful craft can transcend spatial limitations.
Salus House: Heritage Reimagined with Playful Expression
In Elsternwick, Salus House showcases Rowe Studio’s skill in breathing new life into period properties. Working within a heritage overlay, the team added a modest 46-square-metre extension to accommodate a laundry, mudroom, and pantry, enabling a full internal reconfiguration. Steel-framed doors now flood the spaces with natural light and connect to the garden, while custom details — such as personalised “lockers” in the mudroom — reflect the family of four’s individual personalities.
A bold yet calibrated colour palette of pink and green shifts in intensity from private to communal areas, grounded by neutral tones for a calming effect. Materials like herringbone timber flooring, exposed brick, and paperweave panelling add texture and warmth. The outcome is a playful, practical home that feels both contemporary and timeless.
A Caulfield Family Home: Light, Flow, and Everyday Ease
Another notable project, a 424-square-metre residence in Caulfield for a family of five, demonstrates Rowe Studio’s mastery of light and connection. Skylights, slot windows, and full-height bifold doors create seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, extending dining and kitchen areas to alfresco spaces. Carefully selected window furnishings enhance volume and privacy while harmonising with conserved period features like leadlight windows and bagged brick walls.
These projects, frequently celebrated in publications such as The Local Project, illustrate Rowe Studio’s commitment to designs that are “not just seen but felt.” By anticipating the rhythms of daily life — especially for dynamic families — Wermut and Peterfreund craft environments that evolve with their inhabitants.
Based in Malvern, one of Melbourne’s most gracious inner-eastern suburbs, Rowe Studio draws inspiration from the area’s architectural heritage and verdant surroundings. Though the practice maintains a discreet profile, its growing portfolio speaks volumes.
For those seeking a collaborative partner to reimagine their home, Rowe Studio welcomes enquiries.
Contact Details: Email: info@rowestudio.com.au Sarit Wermut: 0430 363 694 Romy Peterfreund: 0412 629 994 Instagram: @rowestudio_ Website: www.rowestudio.com.au
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