FIFTY SHADES OF WHITE: Why I’m Breaking Up With Resale-Obsessed Design
Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

FIFTY SHADES OF WHITE: Why I’m Breaking Up With Resale-Obsessed Design

I’m breaking-up with resale-obsessed design because “timeless neutrals” are just code for “I gave up.”

The Interior Design World Has a Problem

And no, it isn’t your unapologetically bold rug or slightly extra lamp. It’s the global epidemic of homes smothered in fifty near-identical shades of white, beige, greige and “stone” — all looking like undercooked porridge in different lighting.

This isn’t calm. It’s design sedation. Somewhere between “quiet luxury” and “minimalist chic”, a dangerous myth crept in: if your home has personality, you’re doing it wrong. Spoiler — that’s utter rubbish.

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Metal Magic: Curved Walls, Killer Splashbacks and Seriously Sexy Surfaces
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Metal Magic: Curved Walls, Killer Splashbacks and Seriously Sexy Surfaces

How to use metal laminates, liquid metal and laser-cut screens for walls, ceilings, splashbacks, kickers and more – indoors and out. If you’re here for beige, you’ve taken a wrong turn at “builder basic” – this corner of the internet is strictly for homes with a heartbeat and a slightly wicked glint.

This is part four of my five-part series on finishes with pulse: we’ve already flirted with tiles, seduced you with wallpaper, and romanced you with natural stone .

Today, we’re cranking the dial to “hot” and talking metal skins, veneers and coatings for walls, ceilings, splashbacks, kickers and every overlooked surface that’s dying to misbehave.

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Wallpaper On Every Surface: The All‑In, No‑Vanilla Guide To Rooms With A Pulse
Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Wallpaper On Every Surface: The All‑In, No‑Vanilla Guide To Rooms With A Pulse

Wallpaper is my second weapon in a five-part war against boring finishes — and yes, I’m coming for your “safe” walls next. This series is all about giving your home a pulse, not a polite little heartbeat, and wallpaper on all five walls is where we stop flirting with bold and actually commit. If you missed part one on tiles (where I banned basic splashbacks and exposed my tile obsession), you can catch up here: read the first instalment on tiles. Now, let’s talk wallpaper, pattern, and why your ceiling is absolutely not exempt from the fun.

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The Biggest Interior Design Mistake You Don’t Even Realise You’re Making
Interiors and Design, Colour Penelope Herbert Interiors and Design, Colour Penelope Herbert

The Biggest Interior Design Mistake You Don’t Even Realise You’re Making

You know that moment when you walk into your living room, scan the scene, and think, “Yeah… it’s nice,” but your shoulders don’t drop, your heart doesn’t lift, and nothing inside you says, “This is so unapologetically me”?

That, darling, is your home quietly filing for emotional divorce.​

It’s not the wrong white, the slightly-too-large sofa, or the throw cushions that look like they lost a fight with the dog. Those are amateur-hour issues. The real, gut-level interior design mistake most people make is far sneakier – and it’s choking the life out of your home.​

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Are You Playing It Safe or Designing Bold? Find Out Your Fearless Home Style
Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Are You Playing It Safe or Designing Bold? Find Out Your Fearless Home Style

You’ve pinned the inspo. You’ve saved the reels. But when it comes to actually designing your Adelaide home… are you confidently bold or still clinging to beige?

This quick quiz will reveal your Fearless Home Style—where you land on the boldness scale, what’s holding you back (if anything), and how to create a home that’s 100% you. Whether you’re a soft minimalist with a rebellious streak or a maximalist-in-the-making, this is where your real style starts to shine.

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Did I Make A Mistake Painting My Walls White?
Colour Penelope J. Herbert Colour Penelope J. Herbert

Did I Make A Mistake Painting My Walls White?

White walls have long been hailed as the epitome of chic, timeless interior design. They're clean, versatile, and can make spaces feel larger and more airy. But as any seasoned interior designer will tell you, the choice of wall colour is a deeply personal one.

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