Factory Convent Schoolhouse Home

A one-of-a-kind design book, showcasing transformations of unusual and non-traditional buildings into stunning, soulful homes. An air control tower in Scotland.

A historic carpenter s shop in Madrid. A laundromat in Texas. A medieval convent in Tuscany. None of these may seem the most obvious candidates for a beautiful, soulful family home but that is just what each one has become in the hands of their curious and creative new stewards.

In this book interior stylist and hotelier Lynda Gardener and photographer Lean Timms take us on a world tour of some the most astonishing home renovations you ve ever seen. In listening to a building, whether it s a piano factory or a fire station, and responding with restraint and imagination, these homeowners show us that we have the power to create homes that go beyond the expected to become something extraordinary.

About the Author

Lynda Gardener is a Melbourne-based stylist, interior decorator, and hotelier who has spent more than thirty years creating spaces that feel layered and lived-in, with an intuitive focus on atmosphere, texture, and connection. Drawing on history, craftsmanship, and natural materials, her work is both considered and distinctively original. Her career began with visual merchandising, evolving into independent retail and boutique accommodation ventures.

Today, Lynda's work spans private residential and commercial interiors, editorial styling, and fashion collaborations. She also maintains a portfolio of iconic short-stay properties that showcase her signature blend of industrial, antique, and modern design. Coauthor of the widely successful book Curate, Lynda has established a visual and editorial style defined by warmth, restraint, and an enduring sense of place that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Lean Timms is an internationally renowned travel and lifestyle photographer whose images explore the atmosphere, character, and stories of places, spaces, and faces. Lean draws her inspiration from natural light, in-situ spontaneity, and transportive storytelling and is known for her instinctive eye, playful use of light, and ability to find beauty where others might overlook it. Based between Australia and Sweden, Lean works across editorial, commercial, and publishing projects worldwide. She has photographed and contributed to several books, and is commissioned regularly by magazines, tourism bodies, and luxury travel and design-led brands.

Alongside her work as a photographer, Lean is an educator, teaching photography workshops and courses around the world. This is Lean's first book and reflects her enduring interest in storytelling through photography, particularly the quiet drama of honest, lived-in spaces.