Styling That Lies: What Adelaide Buyers Must See Beyond the Pretty Photos
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Styling That Lies: What Adelaide Buyers Must See Beyond the Pretty Photos

Adelaide’s property market is hot enough to burn your brows off – and that’s before the downlights go on and the cushions get plumped.

In this kind of market, Adelaide homes practically sell themselves, but the styling? That’s selling you a story. And if you’re a high‑end buyer planning a renovation, you can’t afford to buy the story; you need to buy the bones. Which is why I’m talking about the pros and cons of property styling in a hot market.

Read More
Natural Stone Interiors: From Benchtops to Back‑Lit Onyx Drama
Wet Areas, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Wet Areas, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

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’.

Read More
What A Good Design and Build Proposal Should Include (so you don’t get ripped off)
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

What A Good Design and Build Proposal Should Include (so you don’t get ripped off)

A good design–build proposal isn’t just a pretty PDF; it’s a legally useful, line‑by‑line roadmap of what you’re getting, who’s doing it and what it costs.​ If you can’t tell what’s included, what’s excluded and how changes will be handled, you’re not holding a proposal – you’re holding a risk.

Read More
How to Design a Bold, Authentic Home (from an Adelaide Interior Designer Who Hates Beige)
Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

How to Design a Bold, Authentic Home (from an Adelaide Interior Designer Who Hates Beige)

Vanilla is a fine flavour—classic, safe, sweet. But when it comes to design? Vanilla is the enemy of progress. Adelaide interior designer Penelope Herbert shows you how to ditch beige, break design rules and create a home with a pulse, not a cookie-cutter showroom! In a world where we’re craving authenticity, personal expression, and bold living, sticking to safe, forgettable design is not just boring, it’s creatively bankrupt. No-Vanilla Design is more than a preference; it's a movement. A rebellion against mediocrity. A rally cry for homes that feel like you, not like page 42 of a furniture catalogue.

Read More
How To Navigate the Renovation Process: From Architectural Elements to Landscaping
Renovating and New Homes Penelope Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope Herbert

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.

Read More
Why “Cloud Dancer White” Isn’t the Future We Ordered
Interiors and Design, Colour Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Colour Penelope J. Herbert

Why “Cloud Dancer White” Isn’t the Future We Ordered

The 2026 interior trend ‘Cloud Dancer White’ claims to be calm and timeless — but it’s really design-on-autopilot. Here’s why this overused neutral needs a rethink, and how to create richer, warmer spaces with real personality. White has quietly become the answer to everything: calm, resale, minimalism, safety.
But here’s the truth — at this point, white isn’t a design choice. It’s a design default.

Read More
Wellness-Led Luxury Homes: The 2026 Interior Design Trends Transforming High-End Living
Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design, Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Wellness-Led Luxury Homes: The 2026 Interior Design Trends Transforming High-End Living

2026 luxury interior design trends are finally misbehaving, and that’s excellent news for anyone bored to death by “timeless” white boxes. The new high-end home isn’t trying to look expensive; it’s busy making you feel something.

For years, “upmarket” meant white paint, pale oak, chrome tapware and a generic slab of engineered stone pretending it just flew in from Milan business class. Cute. Safe. Utterly unmemorable.

Now, 2026 luxury interior design has kicked off its heels, ordered a dirty martini and decided that personality, wellness and atmosphere matter more than showing off square metres.​

Read More
Who Are You Really Designing Your Home For?
Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert Interiors and Design Penelope J. Herbert

Who Are You Really Designing Your Home For?

Somewhere along the way, “timeless” became code for “please don’t notice me”. People were sold the lie that a safe, all-neutral home is the only path to good taste and future resale. The result is a plague of white-on-white kitchens, oatmeal sofas, pale timber everything, and not a single shimmering risk in sight.

Your ‘aha’ moment: The exact second you realise your “resale-friendly” home doesn’t look expensive – it just looks like every other listing on realestate.com.au.

Read More
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.​

Read More
How To Balance Quality, Aesthetics, and Budget in Material Specifications!
Renovating and New Homes, Wet Areas Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes, Wet Areas Penelope J. Herbert

How To Balance Quality, Aesthetics, and Budget in Material Specifications!

One of the most critical steps in any interior design or renovation project is finalising material specifications. That is, are your selections the best they can be?

The materials specifications process requires a delicate balance of quality, aesthetics, and budget to ensure the end result is beautiful, durable and cost-effective. Here at Plush Design Interiors, we understand the nuances of this balance and offer you our expert advice on how to achieve it.

Read More
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!

Read More
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.

Read More
Pre-Renovation Advice: 10 Essential Factors Every Homeowner Must Consider
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Pre-Renovation Advice: 10 Essential Factors Every Homeowner Must Consider

Planning an Adelaide home renovation can be an exciting yet daunting task. The process requires expert pre-renovation advice and meticulous planning. Before embarking on a home renovation project, you should always seek professional pre-renovation advice to ensure a smooth and successful transformation. If you are not a seasoned renovator, you don’t know what you don’t know… and this can be as serious trap.

Read More
Grand Waterfront Residence Conversion Reimagines Coastal Design
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Grand Waterfront Residence Conversion Reimagines Coastal Design

Arts & Crafts Style 1940s home becomes two design-rich residences. Reimagining a 1940s Gunnamatta Bay grand waterfront residence into two separate dwellings was recently accomplished with charm and elegance. Personally, I love Arts and Crafts style homes so I was excited to see the renovation on this charming home. And then I realised it was two homes! This made the renovation and design aesthetic even more interesting.

Read More
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.

Read More
Eight Reasons Why Your Renovation Costs Are Out of Control
Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert Renovating and New Homes Penelope J. Herbert

Eight Reasons Why Your Renovation Costs Are Out of Control

Renovating your home in Adelaide is an exciting endeavor, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare if you're renovations costs are out of control. As an Adelaide interior designer with years of experience in home renovations, I've seen my fair share of projects veer off course. In this comprehensive renovation guide, I'll delve into the top eight reasons why Adelaide renovation costs blow out, and provide you with valuable insights on how to avoid these costly mistakes.

Read More

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.