Who Should Design My Kitchen?
Who Should Design My Kitchen? Interior Designer, Kitchen Designer or Cabinetmaker?
They can all draw you a kitchen. They are not all solving the same problem.
You've decided the kitchen has to go. The benchtop is giving 2007 display home. The corner cupboard requires the flexibility of a Cirque du Soleil performer. And three people cannot make toast at the same time without triggering a minor domestic incident.
So you need someone to design a new kitchen. Easy. Except... who? An interior designer? An interior architect? A specialist kitchen designer? The cabinetmaker your neighbour swears by?
Here's the answer nobody puts on a brochure: it isn't about which profession is "best". It's about what you're actually asking them to design.
How I Accidentally Built the Career I Was Always Supposed to Have
The one where a girl who mapped entire towns on brown paper finally figured out she was an interior architect all along.
How Did Plush Design Interiors Start?
There's a concept in astrology called the Lion's Gateway — a cosmic alignment that opens a portal of energy, clarity, and manifestation. You walk through it changed. You walk through it knowing.
Mine happened in a kitchen in the Adelaide Hills, in front of a whiteboard covered in what appeared to be the ravings of a highly caffeinated, slightly maniacal woman who had finally — finally — stopped lying to herself.
That woman was me. That moment was everything.
But let's back up. Because a good origin story, like a good room, doesn't work without its foundation. So, who is Penelope Herbert interior designer + interior architect?
The Triangle That Must Hold: Why the Designer-Builder-Client Relationship Is Everything
When the designer, builder, and client operate as a genuine triangle — anchored by a shared, signed-off Scope of Works — renovations are delivered on brief, on budget, and without the variations that erode both.
Inside the Bible: What Your Scope of Works Must Include (And What Happens When It Doesn't)
In Part One of this series, we established what a Scope of Works is and why you need one before a single wall comes down. Now we're going inside the document itself — because knowing that a Scope of Works exists and knowing what it actually contains are two entirely different things.
A Scope of Works: The One Document That Stands Between You and Renovation Chaos
Here's a scenario I've watched unfold more times than I care to admit. A couple hires a builder. They hire an interior architect. The builder starts. The designer is still drawing. Decisions are needed. Yesterday. The couple panics. Makes choices in haste. The builder charges variations. The designer winces. The budget bleeds.
Now here's the alternative. A very particular, very powerful document. A Scope of Works. And it changes everything.
Can You Renovate a Bathroom Without Moving Plumbing? (And When You Absolutely Should)
There are two types of bathroom renovations:
Ones designed with intention… and ones held hostage by existing plumbing.
And somehow, far too many people are out here spending $40K designing around a pipe like it’s a sacred artefact.
Let me be clear—your bathroom layout shouldn’t be dictated by a decision made 20 years ago by someone who thought one downlight was “plenty.”
Builder-Proof Renovation Checklist
Renovating should feel exciting. Creative. Transformative.
Instead, for far too many homeowners, it turns into a slow bleed of budget blowouts, vague answers, and “we’ll sort that out later” energy that ends up costing thousands.
Here’s the truth no one likes to say out loud:
Most renovation disasters aren’t bad luck. They’re bad preparation.
Timeless Is a Lazy Compliment (And What Designers Really Mean Instead)
“Timeless” is one of the most commonly used compliments in interior design. It’s also one of the least useful.
Homeowners hear it and feel reassured — like they’ve made a smart, future-proof decision. Designers hear it and immediately ask a different question: Timeless for whom? And frozen in which decade?
Because here’s the quiet truth:Timeless is rarely a design strategy. It’s usually avoidance.
Why Design Comes Before Build
The Day Reddit Tried to Cancel Interior Designers
I was deep in a scroll spiral on Reddit when I saw it:
“Don’t hire an interior designer. Hire a designer.”
Darling… what do you think I’ve been doing all this time? Practising interpretive dance with scatter cushions?
Now, I’ll be generous. Maybe they meant “decorator.” Maybe.
But what they said is exactly how homeowners end up skipping the most critical stage of a renovation:
Design.
And that, my love, is where things go from dream home to “why is my oven opening into a walkway?”
Taj Mahal Quartzite: The Stone That Makes Everything Else Look Like It's Trying Too Hard
I'll tell you a little secret about being an Adelaide interior designer who's specified Taj Mahal quartzite on more projects than I've had flat whites this year: it never disappoints. Not once. Not even slightly.
And in a world where "safe" has become the default setting for most residential interiors — where people are still choosing tiles by squinting at a 50mm sample under fluorescent showroom lighting and hoping for the best — Taj Mahal quartzite is the stone that walks into a room and makes everything else look like it's trying too hard. So a hi-tech porcelain alternative is precisely why I sat up and paid attention when Beaumont Tiles released their Oyster Taj Mahal collection as their 2026 Tile of the Year.
What Is The Loudest Mistake in Every Adelaide Open-Plan Renovation?
You've just dropped somewhere between $500,000 and $1,500,000 turning your perfectly solid 1960’s Adelaide brick home into an open-plan dream. The walls are gone. The polished concrete gleams. The stone countertop stretches for miles. The frameless glass splashback catches the light.
And every single word anyone says in your kitchen ricochets around the space like a ping-pong ball in a shipping container.
Welcome to Australia's most popular renovation mistake — the one nobody warned you about because your builder isn't a designer, your tiler doesn't own an acoustics degree, and the renovation shows on Channel Nine never, ever mention the word reverberation.
Natural Stone Interiors: From Benchtops to Back‑Lit Onyx Drama
Natural stone is that person who walks into the room and suddenly everyone else looks underdressed. Yet too many homes still treat it like a timid little benchtop instead of the lead character. This is not a “safe Carrara on the island and call it a day” article; this is about wrapping your home in stone with depth, veining, translucency and attitude. Take a breath drama queens, because in my third installment of gorgeous finishes for your home, we delve into luscious, uncompromisingly beautiful, and swoon-worthy natural stone! If you’re new here - welcome, and thank you. Catch up with the first two fabulous finishes we discussed in ‘Tiles With A Pulse’ and ‘Wallpaper on Every Surface’.
How To Navigate the Renovation Process: From Architectural Elements to Landscaping
After thorough pre-renovation planning, it's time to embark on the exciting journey of transforming your Adelaide home. The renovation process is where your vision begins to take shape, but it requires careful management and attention to detail to ensure success.
This comprehensive guide will cover key aspects of the renovation process, including architectural elements, lifestyle considerations, lighting, landscaping, communication with contractors, and strategies for staying on track and within budget.
Don’t Get Ripped Off by Your Reno
Avoid getting ripped off in your renovation with insider tips on budgets, hiring and quotes – plus a step‑by‑step guide to protect every dollar.
Learn how to avoid getting ripped off in a renovation in Australia, prevent budget blowouts and manage builders, designers and quotes like a pro.
Essential Tools for Every DIY Decorator
Every DIY decorator needs essential tools to complete projects to a high standard. There are so many tools available that you COULD use. But what about the essential tools that will make life easier, and projects more rewarding? We have the comprehensive list right here.
Unlocking The Hidden Potential of Your Home: A Guide To Identifying and Prioritising Home Remodelling Projects
Thinking of a home renovation? Feeling like your home could use a facelift? Considering remodeling but are unsure where to start? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many homeowners find themselves in a similar situation, pondering which areas of their home to tackle first to maximise value and functionality. Well, we’ve got you!
Our blog is a treasure trove of knowledge, filled with valuable insights, expert tips, and insider secrets.
We delve into a wide range of topics that cater to renovators of all levels, from the novice DIYer to the sophisticated homeowner looking to transform their space.
Whether you're in the early planning stages or about to embark on construction, our blog covers it all.
Additionally, we keep you updated on the latest building and renovation techniques, as well as innovative products that can elevate your space to new heights.
We believe that informed clients make the best decisions, which is why we take pride in sharing our knowledge and expertise with you.
Our blog is designed to demystify the interior design and renovation process, making it accessible and understandable for everyone.
So whether you're seeking inspiration, practical advice, or a deeper understanding of the art of renovation, you've come to the right place.
Join us on this exciting journey as we empower you to transform your home into a space that reflects your unique style and personality.