Melissa Penfold

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HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR COPY OF MELISSA’S NEW BOOK YET?

Change how you experience the world everyday.
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NON-OBVIOUS MEGA DESIGN TRENDS: HOW TO SEE WHAT OTHERS MISS

The game-changing trends to keep you future-ready.
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2025 DESIGN PREDICTIONS ARE IN FOR THE WHOLE HOUSE

What’s in (and what’s out) for the new year, according to insider data.
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THE 23 MOST DEFINING PIECES OF FURNITURE FROM THE LAST 100 YEARS

Which designs would you nominate to a Furniture Hall of Fame?
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THE THINGS YOUR WEDDING GUESTS SECRETLY DESPISE

The aspects of weddings, people really detest.
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MPSTYLE

A WORLD OF INSPIRATION

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March 3, 2025

INTERIORS

HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR COPY OF MELISSA’S NEW BOOK YET?

Change how you experience the world everyday.

read the story

November 29, 2024

INTERIORS

2025 DESIGN PREDICTIONS ARE IN FOR THE WHOLE HOUSE

What’s in (and what’s out) for the new year, according to insider data.

read the story

August 1, 2024

INTERIORS

THE NEW 100 ETIQUETTE RULES FOR MODERN LIFE

The new rules of etiquette. Hugging? Out. Air-kissing? In.

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August 21, 2024

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THE RIGHT WAY TO LAY OUT YOUR LIVING ROOM: THE 7 RULES

Designers follow these guidelines.

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July 24, 2024

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HOW ON TREND IS YOUR HOUSE?

It's time for dopamine decorating.

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May 19, 2024

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THESE ARE THE WORST DECORATING MISTAKES YOU CAN MAKE

Here's how to fix the most common blunders.

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February 17, 2024

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INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS TO KNOW

The big ideas and trends defining design for the coming year.

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January 11, 2024

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DECORATING ON A BUDGET: INSIDER SECRETS

Time for an update.

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June 23, 2023

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HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD INTERIOR DESIGNER

Separate the truly talented from the dabbler and the dilattente.

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MELISSA’S QUICK FIXES

INSTAGRAM

Are you overwhelmed? I know a lot of people are.

Are you overwhelmed? I know a lot of people are. Even with recent sparks of hope, there have been a lot of slings and arrows lately. But when things get tough we can always turn to nature. As I said recently, there’s a truth in nature that’s as stable as gravity. Wishing everyone a wonderful week. Pics 1-3: @lecollectionist Pics 4-9: @evasiondecharme

Natural living is less about finding yourself and

Natural living is less about finding yourself and more about losing the anxious, performing self that is demanded of you in a greedy, materialistic world. But what I find even more beautiful about natural living is how it recognises that true sanctuary requires connection to nature - that wellbeing happens not in isolation but in chosen interdependence. When you break apart nature and enjoy its crazy quilt of sensations. Pics 1,2-5: @clarefeldman10

Here are the accessories daughter @isabellawalkers

Here are the accessories daughter @isabellawalkersmith and I felt worthy of being on a list of the best, most influential accessories for 2025. The ’90s ushered in an era in which status-symbol accessories would permeate interior design. We still live in that age, but the hysteria around home accessories has dimmed. It’s now more about how well you curate your pieces, using organic, weathered items to add a sense of timelessness to interiors. Accessories represent a time and a movement right now. Vases are an ‘it’ item, and quickly define our age. They are used to display much more than just flowers. We have introduced many new names – @aretae.gifting, @bottegaterra, @fredhomeaustralia, @holmonhome, @indesign_au, and @rose.van.eyk, as well as secret sources where top designers make regular raids including one of our faves @watertiger_au, where we are photographed. It has moved to a new store in Sydney’s Randwick this month. Read full guide in @houseandgarden August issue on sale now. Photo: @ksoljointeriors

The world is hot and hectic, change is coming fast

The world is hot and hectic, change is coming fast and furious. We are going to have to do something different. There’s only one thing for it. Touch grass. Get outside. Build with organic non-toxic materials. Stone, wood, clay, plaster. Nature will give you the lens to understand an accelerating world. There is a truth in nature that is as stable as gravity. Pic 1: Provence @simonuptonphotos; Pic 2-3, 5: @nua_architecture; Pic 4: @lifestylem_interiordesign via @ashleytstark

In my new book, ‘Natural Living By Design’ @ve

In my new book, ‘Natural Living By Design’ @vendomepress, I talk about the six surprising changes to add years to your life. Each chapter focuses on a core aspect of living well…naturally, to boost quality of life. Bring in natural light. Add organic, natural materials such as clay, plaster, wood and stone to rooms. Touch is the biggest aspect of human experience that can sometimes be overlooked. Enhance air quality - add layers of shutters, blinds and awnings to windows and door openings to improve ventilation. Prioritise connections to nature. Create moments of awe and wonder to uplift. Never forget the power of colour. Cool colours like green aid mental focus while warm earthy hues are more energising and can stimulate the brain and boost creativity. See how you can thrive with ‘Natural Living By Design’ - the book will help make your life easier and show you how to level up your game. It’s also a chance to check out some of the world’s most beautiful rooms such as the never-before-seen Australian Palm Beach house, pictured, built over five levels with panoramic water views. Restore health, happiness and purity to your life and order your copy TODAY. Link in bio + stories. Photos; @simonbrownphotography, @vendomepress @thamesandhudsonau Design: @studiosnoop; Builder: @constructcentralcoast; Landscaper: @mylesbaldwindesign. #naturalliving

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Are you overwhelmed? I know a lot of people are.

Are you overwhelmed? I know a lot of people are. Even with recent sparks of hope, there have been a lot of slings and arrows lately. But when things get tough we can always turn to nature. As I said recently, there’s a truth in nature that’s as stable as gravity. Wishing everyone a wonderful week. Pics 1-3: @lecollectionist Pics 4-9: @evasiondecharme

Natural living is less about finding yourself and

Natural living is less about finding yourself and more about losing the anxious, performing self that is demanded of you in a greedy, materialistic world. But what I find even more beautiful about natural living is how it recognises that true sanctuary requires connection to nature - that wellbeing happens not in isolation but in chosen interdependence. When you break apart nature and enjoy its crazy quilt of sensations. Pics 1,2-5: @clarefeldman10

Here are the accessories daughter @isabellawalkers

Here are the accessories daughter @isabellawalkersmith and I felt worthy of being on a list of the best, most influential accessories for 2025. The ’90s ushered in an era in which status-symbol accessories would permeate interior design. We still live in that age, but the hysteria around home accessories has dimmed. It’s now more about how well you curate your pieces, using organic, weathered items to add a sense of timelessness to interiors. Accessories represent a time and a movement right now. Vases are an ‘it’ item, and quickly define our age. They are used to display much more than just flowers. We have introduced many new names – @aretae.gifting, @bottegaterra, @fredhomeaustralia, @holmonhome, @indesign_au, and @rose.van.eyk, as well as secret sources where top designers make regular raids including one of our faves @watertiger_au, where we are photographed. It has moved to a new store in Sydney’s Randwick this month. Read full guide in @houseandgarden August issue on sale now. Photo: @ksoljointeriors

The world is hot and hectic, change is coming fast

The world is hot and hectic, change is coming fast and furious. We are going to have to do something different. There’s only one thing for it. Touch grass. Get outside. Build with organic non-toxic materials. Stone, wood, clay, plaster. Nature will give you the lens to understand an accelerating world. There is a truth in nature that is as stable as gravity. Pic 1: Provence @simonuptonphotos; Pic 2-3, 5: @nua_architecture; Pic 4: @lifestylem_interiordesign via @ashleytstark

In my new book, ‘Natural Living By Design’ @ve

In my new book, ‘Natural Living By Design’ @vendomepress, I talk about the six surprising changes to add years to your life. Each chapter focuses on a core aspect of living well…naturally, to boost quality of life. Bring in natural light. Add organic, natural materials such as clay, plaster, wood and stone to rooms. Touch is the biggest aspect of human experience that can sometimes be overlooked. Enhance air quality - add layers of shutters, blinds and awnings to windows and door openings to improve ventilation. Prioritise connections to nature. Create moments of awe and wonder to uplift. Never forget the power of colour. Cool colours like green aid mental focus while warm earthy hues are more energising and can stimulate the brain and boost creativity. See how you can thrive with ‘Natural Living By Design’ - the book will help make your life easier and show you how to level up your game. It’s also a chance to check out some of the world’s most beautiful rooms such as the never-before-seen Australian Palm Beach house, pictured, built over five levels with panoramic water views. Restore health, happiness and purity to your life and order your copy TODAY. Link in bio + stories. Photos; @simonbrownphotography, @vendomepress @thamesandhudsonau Design: @studiosnoop; Builder: @constructcentralcoast; Landscaper: @mylesbaldwindesign. #naturalliving

Follow Melissa on Instagram

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Get Melissa's weekly rundown of where top interior designers source their things and find inspiration - that will instantly transform your pad.

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Don’t miss the style set’s fave newsletter

Get Melissa's weekly rundown of where top interior designers source their things and find inspiration - that will instantly transform your pad.

Close and please don't show again