Who Should Design My Kitchen?
Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

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.

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How I Accidentally Built the Career I Was Always Supposed to Have
Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

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?

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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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Builder-Proof Renovation Checklist
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

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.

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Timeless Is a Lazy Compliment (And What Designers Really Mean Instead)
Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

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.

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Why You Should Take an Interior Designer House Hunting (Before You Buy)
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Why You Should Take an Interior Designer House Hunting (Before You Buy)

You don’t need another “fall in love with the kitchen splashback” article – you need someone to tell you the truth. The most expensive mistake in buying Adelaide property isn’t paying too much for the house; it’s buying the wrong house, and then trying to renovate your way out of a bad floor plan. The candles, cushions and real estate chat will be gone in 30 minutes – but that awkward layout, lack of storage and zero privacy between bedrooms and living? That’s forever.

This is where an Adelaide interior designer strolls in before you sign anything, flips on the lights and shows you exactly what this home can be… and what it will never be, no matter how many moodboards you make.

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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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Globetrotting Renovations Inspired By Your Dream Travel Destinations
Renovating and New Homes, Wet Areas Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes, Wet Areas Penelope J. Herbert

Globetrotting Renovations Inspired By Your Dream Travel Destinations

When Adelaidians travel, they are often inspired by the places they visit. Bring some of those ideas home with globetrotting-inspired Adelaide renovations that have been inspired by where you have been OR your dream travel destinations. Why not bring travel destinations to your doorstep through an exciting home renovation. This is a beautiful way to spice up your space and create your own escape. However, the best things is you won’t even have to get your passport out!

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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.

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.