In the interior design business, there’s a saying “you kiss a lot of frogs until you find your prince”.  And by prince, we mean builder.  Sure, the allure of getting repeat business from an interior designer or architect is exceptional motivation to do an extra special job, as professionals, we still meet our fair share frogs along the way.  Rightly or wrongly, getting building quotes and appointing a builder is a massive source of anxiety for a lot of people.  And fair enough, media is awash with horror stories of dodgy builders doing remarkably dodgy things.   Over ..read more

Located in the bay-side suburb of Hampton, Melbourne this family home showcases a unique and relaxed residence that blends the allure of Palm Springs. Through meticulous design choices and a touch of playfulness, this residence offers a haven of casual liveable sophistication for a young family of four, creating a constant feeling of summery bliss all year round. Originally constructed in the early 2000s, this substantial build offered the ideal foundation for the transformation that awaited. The house had excellent bones and was well-designed and built for its time, but it required an update ..read more

Nestled amidst a neighbourhood of vibrant markets, apartments and commercial buildings, is an urban oasis that’s a world removed from the outside hustle and bustle. Sofas by James Said. Occasional chair by Space. Coffee tables by Voyager. Pendant by LightCo Home to a couple and their pooch that lead a busy social lifestyle, the home’s interiors are designed to reflect calm and liveable sophistication. Beyond its unassuming façade, occupants are transported from a lively metropolis to a place where classical European design meets contemporary living which circulates around a central courtyard ..read more

Life has been way too serious of late so I thought I’d have a bit of fun and introduce a very limited “Smells Like…” product range. The really exiting thing? I’m running a competition to win a Shazza scented candle AND the bragging rights to come up with the next “Smells Like…” scent!! For me info, head over to my insta feed at @_dmpcreative But, just who is…. In 1986, life is good for Sharon Peterson.  Shazza, as she’s known around town, landed the plum job of office administrator at the Tootgarook Motor Mechanics in 1982.  Not the most exciting job but it does come with perks.&nbs ..read more

A well styled coffee table is a marvellous thing.  And an absolute essential in the interior decorating caper.  We’ve all seen those stunning coffee tables in magazines, maximalist masterpieces literally groaning with a rich bounty of gorgeous little things. But wait, there’s no room for anything else…like my wine.  Extremely limited studies show* that if you have to sit and hold onto your glass whilst binge watching Netflix you drink 2-3 times more. * me.  at home.  alone.  don’t judge. The good news is, it’s pretty easy to combine beautiful style AND fun ..read more

When I first visited Blairgowrie House, I was surprised by what a nice property it already was. A modern building with minimalist design principals, expanses of glass and stepped down a sloping block.  Nestled amongst ti-trees synonymous with the Mornington Peninsula, it was a far cry from the classic beach shack I was living in just around the corner. Despite this, Blairgowrie House had a grown a little tired in areas and also harboured a fairly large design problem that needed resolving.  The open plan living, dining and kitchen area was on a civic-sized scale. Further exasperated ..read more

Plan your strike. Get your colour palate locked and loaded. No, not a typo.  I am indeed using dramatic military vernacular for this particular topic.  The topic that is the never ending despotic tyranny of “consumer choice”.   Hundreds, thousands of choices. All marvellous. All waiting for you to meticulously sift through to find THE perfect piece for you home.  Before you know it, you have 157 grey modular couches on your short list with not even a glimmer of a final decision…Sound familiar?  Those of you that have attempted to DIY their own interiors will know wha ..read more

Beginning a property make over can seem a bit daunting.  Where do you start…more importantly where do you stop? Whilst all of us would love to rip everything out and start again with a cache of high-end finishes and designer knick-knacks, more often than not that is not possible.  It’s at this point many people give up. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing to get great results. Refreshing a Docklands crash pad for a country based client recently, this very dilemma was front and centre.  The apartment itself was built in the early 2000’s without a single update during t ..read more

Layering colours and textures My lack of discipline boarders on the pathological.  There, I said it.  This is a fact verified by my local Crossfit gym (sorry guys, I promise I’ll see you soon) and my local wine shop (sorry guys, I promise I’ll stop bothering you…one day).  But in the broad litany of self imposed rules that get regularly broken, there is one that remains like a shining beacon of sanctimonious smugness. I make my bed.  Everyday.  Ok fine, 363 days a year.  The other 2 days are those in which I feel too mean spirited to dislodge my peacefully slumbe ..read more

Grab your shoulder pads everyone.  The 80’s are back! Interior trendsetters are already working with the 80’s influence as seen in the new product ranges from Jardan and Globe West…to name a few.  One thing is certain, it’s a broad interpretation of 80’s design. Spanning everything from pure artisan design (aka not for your everyday home) as seen by some of the pieces coming out of Bohinc Studio to soft, plump couches like Jardan’s Valley range.  This trend can work in almost any space from a frosty art gallery to a cosy family room. Similarly this broad church approach is app ..read more