When interior designer Dana Tosolini set out to build her dream home in Narrabundah, Canberra, she faced the unique challenge of creating a space that would serve as both a family residence and a professional showcase for her design business, Concepts Interior Design (CID).
The striking mid-century inspired home, featured in Inside Out magazine, blends clean architectural lines with vibrant colour accents. But what truly elevates the space is the thoughtful transition between indoor and outdoor areas, accomplished with the help of Sareen Stone’s Luna Chiaro Limestone.
Seamless Transitions
“The large sliding glass door/wall allows vision from interior to exterior so the flow from interior to exterior was important,” explains Dana. “It is not a massive home, and this provides a sense of space.”
This design philosophy is evident in how the Luna Chiaro Limestone extends from the pool surrounds through the alfresco entertaining areas. The limestone creates a natural progression from the off-white microcement internal flooring, unifying the entire living space.
Why Luna Chiaro Limestone
When asked why she chose this specific natural stone for her Canberra home, Dana was clear about her preferences: “I love the light colour, it is cool underfoot and has enough texture in the natural stone to make it practical.”
The textural element was particularly important to Dana’s overall design vision. “I also love texture, and the Luna Chiaro Limestone gives me the texture whilst keeping the timeless simplicity, allowing me to put my stamp on it,” she says.
Colour Coordination
The colour selection was deliberate and strategic. “Because I wanted the seamless flow indoor to outdoors, I selected the microcement in a similar colour to the Luna Chiaro Limestone,” Dana explains. “The window frames too are white, as is the base track, so it is all very simple and timeless.”
This cohesive palette creates a sophisticated backdrop for the home’s more colourful elements, including the terracotta BBQ wall, vibrant furnishings, and the eye-catching Jatana tiles that Dana used alongside the limestone pavers.
Practical for Canberra's Climate
Despite Canberra’s varied climate with hot summers and cold winters, Luna Chiaro Limestone proved to be an ideal choice. “It is cool underfoot,” notes Dana, an important feature for the Australian summer heat. The stone’s natural texture also provides practical slip resistance around the pool area.
The Designer's Perspective
For Dana, this project represented more than just building a house—it was her first time managing a build from excavation to completion. Despite challenges, including starting construction just after COVID when skilled trades were difficult to find, she found the experience “extremely satisfying and educational.”
The result is a space that balances professional needs with family comfort. “Our relationship as a family and my relationship with my husband have been affected in a very positive way by living here,” Dana shares. “I feel like I’m eternally on holiday here.”
A Foundation for Creativity
Dana’s design philosophy that “being surrounded by beauty is good for the soul” is perfectly embodied in her material choices. The Luna Chiaro Limestone provides a neutral yet textured foundation that supports her more colourful design elements without competing with them.
“I used the off white/grey base of the floor, walls & ceiling as a shell to then build upon, allowing me to play with colour that is interchangeable,” she explains. This approach creates a home that feels both timeless and personal—exactly what Dana was aiming to achieve.
For anyone looking to create a similar indoor-outdoor flow in their own home, Dana’s project demonstrates how the right stone selection can help create a cohesive, practical, and beautiful living space that enhances daily life.
