As Christmas approaches along with the Australian summer, there's a tendency to draw inspiration from the wintery scenes of the northern hemisphere and in particular, the timeless sophistication of Scandinavian design and festive traditions.

Recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Danish-born, Christina Fedders, founder of the Scandinavian-inspired homewares store, 

. Christina shared insights into memorable festive Danish traditions, thoughtful gifting and offered some styling tips on how we can add a Scandinavian touch to our homes this Christmas.

Hygge is the Danish concept of cosiness and comfort, engendering a sense of contentment and wellbeing. It’s a concept that transcends through all aspects of Christmas and experienced through cherished moments of family togetherness during the festive season. Christina fondly recalls the tradition of decorating the tree on Christmas eve and singing carols around it, accompanied by Christmas cookies, kids sipping on hot chocolate and adults indulging in a glass of gluhwein. A true sensory and special experience.

Beyond spending quality family moments, hygge also extends to thoughtful gifting and Christina highlights the importance of considering what would be truly special for your loved one – something they might not necessarily gift themselves. 

 offers a thoughtfully curated selection, with each item carrying a design story, often created by architects or designers. A few gifts they suggest include the timeless 

, designed by renowned architect Arne Jacobsen or the adorable 

, available in various colour combinations. For the little ones, the 

, made from sustainable wood from the Black Forest in Germany, plays beautiful music from Mozart – a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Additionally, how you present your gifts is equally important. Think about more organic materials with coloured ribbon, presenting a more refined approach.

To add a Scandinavian design touch to your home, utilise a co-ordinated colour palette and accessories around this. Our tree features handcrafted ornaments with Christmas candles and a few special items that have been passed on from Christina’s own family. Mixing old with new adds a sense of nostalgia whilst keeping the Christmas spirit alive.

Enhance the festive ambience, adding fairy lights and candles to the tree to create a soft, luminous glow contributing to that warm and cosy atmosphere.

 is offering our Thomas Archer followers a beautiful Christmas gift of a Sphere Riplet Ice Cube Tray with every purchase. Simply enter the promotional code below.

We’re thrilled to announce that three of our homes were recognised at this year’s Victorian Housing Industry Awards.

Our elegant Camberwell residence won the prestigious HIA Victorian Project Home over $750,000, which recognises excellence in the construction and design of an individual home.

The Camberwell residence is a perfect example of a home that is distinctly yours. In close collaboration with our clients, the Camberwell residence was designed to be a family haven that embraced its north-facing orientation, weaving open, luminous spaces throughout the home that exudes a sense of warmth from the moment you walk in.

Additionally, our Coburg residence was named a finalist for HIA Victoria Project Home $500,000 to $750,000 and our stunning Lynden Residence was a finalist for HIA Victorian Custom Built Home $1 Million to $1.5 Million.

Crafting extraordinary homes is a source of great pride for us at Thomas Archer. We delight in not just meeting but surpassing the expectations of our clients. This esteemed award is a testament to our relentless commitment to delivering unparalleled architectural design, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional client service.

Discover more of our award winning designs here.

Winner Victorian Project Home over $750,000

Finalist Victorian Custom Built Home $1 Million - $1.5

Finalist Victorian Project Home $500,000 - $750,000

Ten years ago, Thomas Archer embarked on a journey to redefine the world of home building.

Founded in 2013, we had a clear vision to create homes that not only met the highest architectural standards but also catered to the unique needs and dreams of Australian families. Recognising the gap between high-end architectural design and more standardised home builds, we bridged this gap bringing together a highly skilled team of architects, interior designers and construction experts to create homes that were not only beautiful but established a connection to the way families live within a modern environment.

By creating a bespoke architecturally pre-designed range and offering a full custom design service, we were able to provide clients with access to the best of all worlds, offering an accessible starting point with more considered and thoughtful designs.

Beginning within a retail office in Bentleigh, our focus was on delivering exceptional homes and client experiences. We began crafting homes with more thought built in and style considered with a small showroom to help our clients personalise their style. As our reputation grew, so too did the need to move our premises and in 2019 relocated to a larger office in Heatherton where we could further expand on the customer experience by opening our immersive and interactive Style Studio. Here our clients could experience a greater range of designer fittings, features and finishes that they could integrate into their homes all helping to create the distinct Thomas Archer edge we are known for.

Starting with our architectural pre-designed homes known as our Expressions Series and our Landmark Custom Designs, our appeal has garnered the interest of thousands with our distinct edge and high level of personalisation generating a huge level of appeal. We have always prided ourselves on being at the forefront of style and design and now with over 500 homes under our belt, this approach has translated in families loving their homes and feeling deeply connected to who they are and how they live.

Whilst we are proud to have been recognised over the years with over 40 home awards, even winning the coveted Australia's Best Project Home in 2020 – at the heart has always been family, and our unwavering focus on our clients' dreams, needs, and desires acting as the driving force behind every home we’ve built. It's the reason we’ve been able to craft Distinctly Different Homes that are not only architecturally stunning but also deeply personal, reflecting the unique personalities and lives of our clients. It’s this motivating factor that inspires us to push boundaries and innovate, so we can continue to achieve for our clients in the years to come.

We’ve come a long way from ten years ago and today we are just as determined to do better and achieve more for our clients in the years to come – delivering homes that are Distinctly Different and Distinctly Yours.

We couldn’t be more thrilled about the success of our Elba display opening weekend.

Throughout the weekend, our Elba display became a hub of excitement and inspiration as friends, family and local residents alike came to visit this beautiful home. Our display was buzzing with positive energy as guests took their time to experience all the thoughtfully crafted details within this home.

Welcomed to explore, many stayed for the afternoon enjoying conversation with the Thomas Archer team about features, finishes and the design of the home. Entertainment for the kids meant parents were able to take their time to enjoy each room whilst everyone was treated to warm drinks, juice and light refreshments on departure.

We were delighted by the fantastic turn out during this weekend which has further fuelled our passion to build exceptional homes for our clients. If you missed viewing the Elba during the opening weekend or haven’t yet had the chance to visit our display, then view here to find out more and organise a time to experience everything the Elba has to offer yourself.



Our immersive evening of art and design provided our guests the unique opportunity to explore a stunning collection of artwork specifically commissioned and curated for our Elba display by the talented stylist, Aimee Tarulli of Archer Interiors.

Aimee skilfully moderated a conversation between prominent artists, Abstract Expressionist Artist and Gallerist Kerry Armstrong, Contemporary still-life flora and fauna catalyst Ali McNabney-Stevens and Photographer James Geer whose work features in the Elba. Through this captivating discussion guests gained insight into the selected art collection and what to consider when selecting artwork for their homes.

With thoughtfully placed paintings and prints transforming each room into an elegant gallery-like space, every turn offers new moments to immerse yourself in the beauty of the artwork.

For more information about the artwork showcased within our display or to enquire about purchasing any of the pieces, please view our Art Catalogue on our 

Our gorgeous new display, the Elba, opened its doors for the first time to our partners, contributors, artists and guests, who helped celebrate the opening of our first display.

With so much to adore within this home, everyone was able to explore the seamless connectivity and immerse themselves in the beauty within that captivates you from every aspect. From the smallest of details in all the finishes, to the styling and quality throughout, this home truly celebrates our architectural edge, interior design approach and styling synonymous with Thomas Archer homes.


Thank you to our wonderful partners who all contributed to this home and the wonderful artists whose work features throughout. Make sure you view our video below to see all the wonderful moments we all shared at our Preview Evening.




Ali McNabney-Stevens
James Geer
Studio Gallery

Calming colours, a softening of space, natural beauty and spectacular backyards zoned to accommodate every requirement are trends creating a greater sense of comfort and tranquillity within our homes.

Take a look at our top 5 design trends elevating home spaces:

In 2023 we will see a shift away from the strong and masculine greys and blacks we have come to love over the last few years, with a move towards a softer and more calming colour palette. Think soft warm whites, stone and sand tones, and warm beiges and we will introduce a new term called “greige” – a soft mix of grey and beige.

These tones make us feel inherently calm and relaxed. We look forward to bringing this colour concept to life in our latest display home due to open mid-year.

We will continue to add maximum interest in our interior schemes through the use of texture. Think organic forms and shapes. Tiles with a handmade look and feel will prove popular. We will see colours schemes that are irregular and non-uniform and we will continue to mix and match contrasting stone and tile choices to give us a really interesting mix of colour and form. Explore the exciting hard finishes in our Style Studio.

In 2022 we introduced the notion of curves inside our homes and they will only play a stronger feature in 2023. Soft edges and feature rounded ends on island benches, arched doorways and mirrors and softer joinery edges. These curved shapes add interest and create a softer feel when transitioning through spaces in our home.

The design team at Thomas Archer can create incredible custom joinery to bring your love of curves to life.

More and more we are seeing natural stone being carried throughout the home. Not just relegated to being the feature in our kitchens, we are taking an integrated approach to natural stone in 2023 and going all out! Bathrooms, joinery and feature detailing give us even more opportunities to add the wow factor with natural stone. Exciting stones ready to steal the show in 2023 are Calatatta Borghini, Calacatta Viola, Lord White Marble and Green Calacatta varieties.

As always Thomas Archer is across the latest in stone trends and ready to bring them into our new homes.

5. Backyards with all the bells and whistles

Our outdoor spaces in 2023 are getting a whole lot of bang for their buck. With a greater focus on hardscaping, we are demanding more out of our humble backyard. Integration is key with outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, fireplaces and multiple areas to relax and unwind. Backyard zoning will feature this year with specific areas for work, rest and play. Basketball half courts are becoming a regular in our outdoor spaces and act like clever multi-use sports arenas for busy family life. Thomas Archer can put you in touch with our trusted partners to bring the backyard of our dreams to life.

As we near the end of another year at Thomas Archer, we are incredibly proud of our team and all our partners who, through their determination to deliver beautiful, quality homes, have seen us create truly stunning outcomes for our wonderful clients.

To our clients, we thank you for entrusting us with your dream and look forward to seeing you move into your Thomas Archer home.

Take a moment to enjoy our highlights from 2022 in the link below, as we reflect on the year that was at Thomas Archer.

Christmas is such a wonderful, time to have friends and family around to celebrate the year and enjoy each other’s company. Decorating your home and creating a beautiful table setting are two of the main highlights during these celebrations, and we’ve enlisted stylist, Aimee Tarulli, to offer her top styling tips for those hosting holiday events at home:

Using a mix of neutral colours as a base will allow you to hero other aspects of your setting. Keep it interesting by mixing a warm grey tablecloth with cool grey and white placemats and serviettes to add a contemporary warmth to your setting. Compliment this with tinted glassware and vases.

Adding bold pops of complimentary colours introduce an unexpected but welcome addition to any setting. Contrasted flowers with hot pink and fuchsia shades to present a modern twist on a traditional Christmas theme which will immediately speak to a quiet confidence in your styling during festivities.

A simple, yet elegantly designed menu placed on each plate demonstrates the thought and planning that has gone into hosting your event. It’s a subtle detail that shows the care and consideration you have taken to make your guests feel welcome and special.

Don’t forget the impact of beautifully curated desserts. Not only do they tend to stay on the table for a little longer, but they can also prove to be a highlight of the day! Impress your guests by carrying through your bold colour scheme with red and pink berries, or citrus fruits for a more natural palette. Add some to the top of your pavlova or try presenting them as an attractive side detail on a wooden serving platter with your Christmas pudding.

Soon to be built within an exclusive new enclave in Mt Eliza, our upcoming Coastal Retreat has been designed as an open, breezy sanctuary; harmonising with the beauty of its natural surrounds.

With a striking modern facade inspired by the classic cool of Palm Springs, the crisp white rendering, stone walls and timber features align with the environmental palette of its position and brings a beautiful balance to the location. The oversized floor to ceiling windows visible from the front of the home, transport you through to the courtyard and pool, creating a sense of abundance and light, and a seamless connection to the outdoors.

Offering 30 squares of living space, four generous bedrooms with the master positioned within its own wing, two living spaces and an open plan kitchen dining and living, the artful design of this home delights at every turn.

To find out more about our philosophy and approach to building within the Peninsula and Bayside areas, contact us today or send through an enquiry, so we can help you realise your vision through a custom solution. 

Choosing a floorplan can be a little more involved than people often expect. Once you start looking, there can be a bit more to consider than first thought, however with some planning and consideration you’ll be able to narrow down your options. Below are our top 5 tips to helping you find that perfect floorplan:

Understanding what suits you and your family begins with paying attention to the way you all interact and move around the house you currently live in. Consider the features everyone loves, the ones you don’t and what you all wish you had. Take notes about what is important to each family member within your home and take note of areas you frequent regularly, compared to those that are rarely used.

Thinking about your current needs and any that may change in the future, will help you get a better idea of what you want in your next home. Will you need more or less space? Will rooms be used differently? Do you need additional powder rooms to accommodate visitors? Will you have guests or family staying with you in the future? Understanding these needs will help you decide the type of multi-purpose spaces you may potentially require within your floorplan.

Every block of land is different, and each one has its own unique set of opportunities and challenges. The size of your block will, to a large extent, determine what type of floorplan you chose. For example, if you require large spaces within your home, but have a small to mid-size block, a double storey home design will be perfect for you.

If you have a sloping block, this can sometimes preclude certain designs, but on the other hand, it can provide you with the ability to truly customise certain aspects to make the most of your surroundings, such as natural light.

Our team of experienced design experts can work with you to optimise the design and orientation of your beautiful Thomas Archer home, so you can create a home that perfectly suits your requirements.

The orientation of your home plays a significant role in how you enjoy your lifestyle within your Thomas Archer home and maximise the everyday use of your design.

Ideally your living spaces should have a northerly aspect, to optimise light and warmth during winter and provide shade from the sun during summer. Planning with a focus around maximising these aspects is crucial and can play a huge role in making your home as energy efficient as possible.

Take note of prevailing breezes, ensuring you include windows that will allow these breezes to flow throughout the house. Details such as these can help make your home naturally cooler during summer.

At Thomas Archer, we suggest viewing our range of Expressions Series floorplans and selecting a few that deliver on what you are looking for. By showing us what you love, we can help you select the right floorplan for you, work with you to modify a design through our Evolve process, or even design your own home from scratch. Whatever option you choose, we will help you to create a home that truly reflects the way you live.

Our team will be able to guide you throughout the process and inspire you to discover what’s possible when designing and building a Thomas Archer home. 

Inspired by the knowledge gained from working alongside our clients and understanding the aspirations involved in every build, we have created a new approach to home design – Evolve Series. This innovative new design process grants you access to an array of architectural designs that you can modify to best suit your accommodation needs.

We sat down with the Director of Thomas Archer, Frank Tarulli, to find out more about the development of the Evolve series and the benefits clients can expect from their Evolve experience.

How did you come up with the idea for the Evolve series?

We always work very closely with our clients during their build journey, from concept through to delivery, and identified that there was a need for a middle ground between our Expressions Series and custom Landmark Series. We decided that the Evolve process could be just that and bridge the gap between architectural design and accessibility. It provides our customers with a home that they have always aspired to live in at a more affordable price point.

Do you start with Expressions Series designs as a base?

The beauty of Evolve is that it also allows clients to not only use our Expressions Series homes as a base but also access to a few additional floorplan designs that may be better suited to their vision and to their site. Once we have our clients’ design brief in hand, our team will develop the best outcome via a considered Concept design process.

What types of modifications can clients make?

Typical modifications clients look to make include relocating rooms to better suit their living needs, modifying window and door sizes and increasing ceiling heights. Adapting designs to vehicle access, existing pools, large trees and room orientation for solar gain are also reasons for this need.

Which types of modifications are excluded from Evolve?

Some projects simply require a custom approach. This could be due to a difficult, narrow or a heavily sloping site, a very specific architectural style that is required or perhaps, a high degree of construction complexity is necessary whereby we would recommend our Landmark Series to ensure we provide a highly considered and fully bespoke solution.

What are the benefits customers can expect from choosing Evolve?

Many design and development hours are poured into each pre-designed Expressions Series home. Each corner of the home is meticulously workshopped and every detail is considered. Modifying these existing designs allows us to lean on previous experience and refinements, resulting in building efficiencies that provide for a more cost-effective home.

Having predesigned joinery options to select from also helps with cost management, so our clients can make the most of their budgets. Each joinery design option has been carefully crafted by our inhouse Interior Designer to ensure each home has that distinct Thomas Archer look and feel.

Given we are repeating details already created, the Evolve process is generally faster than our Landmark Series, meaning you will be in your new home sooner.

Book an Exploration Session

For more information or to speak with one of our Consultants contact us today and we will respond to your query.

We’re here to help.

All inclusions within our homes have been hand-selected by our interior design team to carry the high-quality standard and design aesthetic expected at Thomas Archer. Externally, materials and finishes are chosen for their beauty and long-term practicality whilst our array of internal selections provide a more opulent level of style that we personalise to our clients' taste. Find out more about a few of our standard features below.

View some of our recent articles related to features, finishes and inclusions and the impact they can make to your home.