The Design Files
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Covers real Australian homes, gardens, art, architecture, craft, interior design, furniture, textiles, homewares, food, and more! The Design Files is Australia's popular design blog founded by Melbourne stylist Lucy Feagins.
The Design Files
1d ago
An Artist’s 1970s Log Cabin, Passed Down From Grandma Homes
by Lucy Feagins, Editor
Framed watercolour by Adam Lee. Mark Tuckey Oak Tripod dining table. Takahashi Asako 170 Oak dining chairs, restored by Edwin Fox Furniture. Mud Australia platter and pebble bowl. Vintage Wedgewood Halley’s Comet plate. Inax Format tiles on bench from Artedomus.
Laurine and Adam Lee with Primrose the English cocker spaniel inside their Macedon Ranges home. Radial Timber ceiling. RMS Natural Stone slate flooring. Original restored Stegbar windows.
Framed ‘Zim Zum’watercolour by Adam Lee. ‘Zi ..read more
The Design Files
2d ago
Before + After: A Stylish Transformation Of A 75m² Home Interiors
by Amelia Barnes
Cedar Cottage is a renovated 75-square-metre home in McKinnon, Melbourne. ‘Moment of Summer’ by Matt Arbuckle (2023) via Diane Singer. ‘A Path’ by Kate Wallace (2023) via Lon Gallery. Various objects via Ma House Supply Store. IXIA Vase by Hattie Molloy.
The exterior envelope of the petite 75-square-metre weatherboard cottage has been untouched, but A.mi were able to unlock the space by opening up the previously partially enclosed kitchen and removing a hallway linen closet.
‘Moment of Su ..read more
The Design Files
2d ago
7 Australian Architects Taking On Projects Under $500k Architecture
by Christina Karras
Northcote House by Lisa Breeze Architects. Note: this project was less than $500,000 at the time of construction, but would be over that budget today given rising building and material costs. Photo – Catherine Schusler
Coburg House by Lisa Breeze Architects. Note: this project was less than $500,000 at the time of construction, but would be over that budget today given rising building and material costs. Photo – Caitlin Mills
North Fitzroy House by Lisa Breeze Architects. Photo – Catherine Schusl ..read more
The Design Files
3d ago
A Redesigned Extension With Nostalgic Allure Interiors
by Amelia Barnes
Derby House by Within Studio is a reworked extension of a Shenton Park, Perth home. Iva Stool by Grazia & Co.
The existing 78 square metre extension was reconfigured without altering the exterior envelope. Iva Stool by Grazia & Co.
The green quartzite kitchen is the focal point, complemented by timbers, leathers, and metals chosen for their ability to mature and develop a rich patina and story over time.
Top left painting ‘My Ngurra’ by Jean Norman. ‘Ocean Park’ print by Richard Diebenkorn. August T ..read more
The Design Files
3d ago
8 Excellent Places To Shop For Mum This Mother’s Day! Mother's Day Shopping Guide
by Christina Karras
In The Roundhouse Duck Egg Blue Scallop Dining Set. In The Roundhouse Pink & Green Stripe Cutlery Set. In The Roundhouse Pink & Green Cutlery Set. Photo – Courtesy In The Roundhouse
In The Roundhouse White Scallop Dining Set. In The Roundhouse Pale Pink and Silver Geometric Plate 1. In The Roundhouse Pale Blue and Silver Geometric Plate 2. In The Roundhouse Pale Pink and Silver Foil Bowl. In The Roundhouse Pale Blue and Silver Bowl. Photo – Courtesy In The Roundhouse
In The ..read more
The Design Files
6d ago
A Victorian Terrace Renovation That Champions Patterned Tiles Interiors
by Amelia Barnes
Eat.bathe.live were engaged to transform the extension of this Carlton North terrace and add a new storey above.
The designers introduced a bold feature tile in the new dining area (replacing a former bedroom), which not only creates visual impact, but overcomes discrepancies in the flooring between the new and older parts of the home.
Leather on the banquette seat has a distressed finish that references the texture of the exposed brick wall behind.
‘This is actually the back wall of the o ..read more
The Design Files
6d ago
Julia’s One-Pan Saffron Chicken With Potatoes + Olives Food
Julia Busuttil Nishimura
One-pan saffron chicken with potatoes and olives, served with a red onion and sumac salad.
It’s the kind of dinner you can quickly pop in the oven and forget about until it’s time to serve.
This salad is inspired by Biwaz, a Syrian parsley and onion salad often served with grilled meats.
One-pan dishes are truly heroes in the kitchen. Less washing up, more flavour and often not a lot of hands-on cooking time.
Here, it’s a fragrant chicken dish with potatoes, saffron and olives. The lemon permeate ..read more
The Design Files
1w ago
A Subtle Reimagining Of A Significant 1960s Multigenerational Home Architecture
by Amelia Barnes
Originally spanning two dwellings, this significant modernist home in Ivanhoe has been consolidated in a renovation by Jane Cameron Architects and Architect Hewson.
The original property was prominent modernist architects Guilford Bell and Neil Clerehan during their 18 month partnership to suit multigenerational living,
Now owned by the one family of four, the Beddison Swift House recently underwent a sympathetic renovation to combine its two residences (each with their own kitchen and l ..read more
The Design Files
1w ago
How To Save Energy In A First-Home Buyers’ Brunswick Cottage Climate
by Christina Karras
Homeowners Gemma Portelli, Luke Talbot (and their dog Honey) stand with energy advisor Tim Forcey outside their Brunswick house.
Tim assesses the entire property in a rigorous energy audit.
A cosy corner in the rear living room.
The main source of heating and cooling in the back of the house is this reverse-cycle air-conditioning unit.
Tim always recommends checking the unit’s filter, and cleaning it regularly!
Gemma looks at the ceiling’s insulation.
Tim uses his thermal ..read more
The Design Files
1w ago
A Sentimental Cottage Garden In Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs Gardens
by Christina Karras
The Donvale cottage is surrounded by lush gardens.
Stone walls separate the lawn from the garden beds.
A timber staircase leads through pastel-coloured flowers.
Agastache aurantiaca (‘Sweet Lili’) feature in the garden beds.
Towering trees provide shade over the backyard.
Organic bluestones surrounded by dichondra ground covers and perennial plantings create romantic walkways.
Nepeta ‘walkers blue’ (catmint).
Hydrangea paniculata.
The sun shining through the t ..read more