Benefits of Hiring An Interior Designer and Interior Architect
Renovating and New Homes, Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes, Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

Benefits of Hiring An Interior Designer and Interior Architect

Have you thought about the key benefits of hiring an interior designer and an interior architect? If you want to transform your space, create functional beauty, and increase your property value, then hiring a design studio that specialises in both interior design AND interior architecture will be the perfect option. But why?

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The Lust-Worthy Art of Luxury Design: Creating a Luxurious Home with Dark and Moody Colours
Interiors and Design, Colour Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Colour Penelope J. Herbert

The Lust-Worthy Art of Luxury Design: Creating a Luxurious Home with Dark and Moody Colours

You’ll love creating a luxurious home with dark colours! Dark colours have long been misunderstood in the realm of home design.

Too often, they’re seen as sombre, drab, or even oppressive. However, when used correctly, dark hues will infuse a home with elegance, luxury, and a sense of dramatic sophistication. Let's explore how you can transform your living spaces with rich, dark colours, creating a stunningly chic and inviting atmosphere.

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There’s A New Room Replacing The Kitchen. It’s A Borðstofa!
Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

There’s A New Room Replacing The Kitchen. It’s A Borðstofa!

In Iceland, the word Borðstofa refers to the dining area of a home — specifically, the idea that this space is where the household truly gathers. Not the kitchen, with its noise and heat and perpetual motion. The dining room: slower, more deliberate, designed for the pleasure of being together rather than the efficiency of getting food on the table.

Australian homes have been obsessed with the kitchen for thirty years. Open-plan living gave us kitchen islands the size of aircraft carriers and benchtops that cost more than the family car. But something is shifting. The dining room — properly designed, properly considered — is reclaiming its place as the room where life actually happens.

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Adopt This White Paint Guide; Your Walls Really Need It!
Colour, Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Colour, Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

Adopt This White Paint Guide; Your Walls Really Need It!

In this white paint guide, we'll delve into the nuanced world of white paint, exploring the differences between various shades, how to test them on your walls, what to watch out for, and ultimately, how to select the perfect white paint for your home.

We demystify white paint and help you find the perfect shade for your home renovation. Adopt this white paint guide; your walls really need it!

White paint may seem like a straightforward choice for your walls, but any experienced interior designer will tell you that not all whites are created equal. The subtle nuances in undertones and finishes can drastically alter the mood and aesthetic of a room.

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

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

Your home is not a waiting room for the life you're planning to live one day. It's not a showroom for buyers who might come along in seven years. It's not a safe, inoffensive backdrop designed to offend nobody and delight nobody in equal measure.

It's where you live. Right now. Today. And it should feel like the most honest room in your life — the one place where nobody else's opinion gets a vote.

The biggest design mistake is choosing everything from fear. The fix is choosing one thing — just one thing — from joy instead. Start there. See what happens.

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How To Add Value by Designing Bedrooms The Right Way
Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

How To Add Value by Designing Bedrooms The Right Way

Designing bedrooms was originally only to create functional spaces – a place for sleeping and changing clothes. They were often tucked away in corners with minimal consideration for sunlight or panoramic views. Now, times have truly changed. This post details how to design bedrooms that add real value — from timeless adult retreats to flexible kids' rooms that grow with them.

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Creating a Focal Point in Every Home Space: Essential Design Tips
Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

Creating a Focal Point in Every Home Space: Essential Design Tips

In the world of interior design, establishing a focal point in every home space is a fundamental principle that transforms good design into great design.

A focal point draws the eye, adds interest, and serves as a foundation around which to build your decor. Here’s how you can effectively designate and accentuate focal points in various spaces within your Australian home.

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Why You Should Never Trust Australian Display Home Lighting
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Why You Should Never Trust Australian Display Home Lighting

Australian display homes are the catfish of the building world. You walk in, get hit with that golden, glowy ‘live your best life here’ lighting, and suddenly you’re emotionally engaged to a floor plan you met five minutes ago. The ceilings look higher, the benchtops look richer, your partner looks hotter — all thanks to lighting that has been obsessively curated to seduce you, not to serve you. What you’re actually falling for isn’t “good design”; it’s a lighting performance. Warm globes, hidden strip lights, perfectly placed accent lamps — all working overtime to sell you a fantasy that won’t exist in your real contract, your real budget, or your real Tuesday night. In this blog post I open the lid on why display homes lighting is lying to you… and how to fix it!

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2026 Interior Design Trends: Neo Deco, Cool Blue and Opera Aesthetic for No-Vanilla Homes
Interiors and Design, Colour Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Colour Penelope J. Herbert

2026 Interior Design Trends: Neo Deco, Cool Blue and Opera Aesthetic for No-Vanilla Homes

The 2026 interior design forecast is full of noise, but three 2026 interior design trends have real staying power:

Neo Deco, Cool Blue and Opera Aesthetic interiors. Used well, they are bold, liveable and fiercely anti-beige—and they play beautifully in Australian homes, from city apartments to Adelaide Hills retreats.

2026 Interior Design Trends: Neo Deco, Cool Blue and Opera Aesthetic for No-Vanilla Homes

If 2025 was the year people finally admitted they were bored of beige, 2026 is the year they actually do something about it.

“Safe” interiors are quietly dying; homes with backbone, glamour and personality are stepping into the spotlight as the new standard, not the exception.

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What You Need To Know About Planning Children’s Bedrooms
Interiors and Design, Child-Friendly Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Child-Friendly Penelope J. Herbert

What You Need To Know About Planning Children’s Bedrooms

Children’s bedrooms are just about the most fun spaces to decorate. You can be frivolous, colourful, playful and take risks. However, while we love to break design rules, there are a few you need to know when planning children’s bedrooms. It’s an exercise in designing for who they are now AND who they'll be in five years. An Adelaide designer's guide to children's bedrooms that grow with them — without a full renovation every phase.

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Casual and Classy Table Setting Ideas You Can Recreate At Home
Interiors and Design, Outdoor Living Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Outdoor Living Penelope J. Herbert

Casual and Classy Table Setting Ideas You Can Recreate At Home

Whether it's brunch with friends, a lazy Sunday lunch, or a Friday night feast just for you, a casual and classy table setting transforms the everyday into something extraordinary. In this video, you’ll find a collection of casual and classy table settings, each one thoughtfully styled. Think layers of linen, glimmers of glassware, earthy ceramics, and flickers of candlelight – all effortlessly arranged to elevate your home and reflect your personal style. This isn’t about being perfect – it’s about creating a moment.

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Three Great Bathroom Ideas To Add Value To Your Home
Wet Areas, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Wet Areas, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Three Great Bathroom Ideas To Add Value To Your Home

Every home renovator looks for the best tips and tricks to create bigger bathrooms for less. So we’ve compiled three great bathroom ideas that will add value, and create the illusion of spaciousness, in your home. Creating an airy and fresh bathroom can come from updating select features and laying tiles in particular patterns, all of which will have guests swooning, according to Beaumont Tiles Product Specialist, Michelle Kearney.

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Celebrating Stylish Coastal Interiors Reimagined by Kyal and Kara
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Celebrating Stylish Coastal Interiors Reimagined by Kyal and Kara

Australians love their stylish coastal interiors even when they don’t live near the beach. Curves and unique features abound in this stunning duplex design by ‘The Block’ stars, Kyal and Kara Demmrich. Side-by-side and sharing the same floor plan, this duplex is different. Expert renovators Kyla and Kara have created their own brand of stylish coastal interiors resulting in two homes with unique features. Learn how they did and bring their ideas to your own home renovation.

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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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Thinking Differently - What An Interior Designer Does
Renovating and New Homes, Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes, Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

Thinking Differently - What An Interior Designer Does

Thinking differently in interior design means creating a home that feels like you, not a beige show home. Discover how an interior designer reads your lifestyle, sees through walls and layers texture, light and personality to craft a truly timeless, authentic space in Adelaide and beyond.

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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.

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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.