For the past two years, we’ve been working behind the scenes on our exciting new book, ‘Living Well By Design’ with Vendome Press. and principal photographer Abbie Melle.
A labour of love, there’s 30 years of knowledge in one volume along with a huge mix of houses, our own, and others, but you’ll find in it the styles that will enable you to bring out your individual style and personality. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
The book features a mix of all-new, never-been-seen-before content including this Australian farmhouse kitchen in the French style. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
The secret to success will be in your hands with this book. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Decorating books just got a whole lot more interesting with ‘Living Well By Design’ which sets out to help demystify good design.
The way you accessorize your rooms is what distinguishes them from everyone else’s and gives them individuality, like the wall of books in legendary Australian designer Michael Love’s Sydney dining room, that features in ‘Living Well By Design’ (Vendome Press). Photo: Abbie Melle. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
What to Expect
We have included a dazzling selection of interiors from our faves to never-been-seen houses that will lift your whole life. The secret to success will be in your hands with this book showing you how to appreciate your home in a whole new way.
Our philosophy is design should make people happy – whatever type of home you are decorating, there’s nothing more uplifting than a home that engages the senses and reflects your personality.
Every outdoor space and setting has its strengths, so make the most of yours like this original outdoor space in Michael Love’s Sydney residence. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
This book will help you make sense of what good design really is and master the basic decorating principles.
Melissa’s new book will open the door to some of the world’s most beautiful homes, demonstrating how to hit the mark every time you pull a room together. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
We break down the fundamentals – a sense of place, light and space, composition and balance, and pattern and texture – and, by opening the door to some of the world’s most beautiful homes, demonstrate how to hit the mark everytime you pull a room together.
Good Design Creates Good Moods
People want their homes to look good, but the way it makes them feel is just as important. Everything that surrounds you affects you, so only have things you love. The places we’ve featured are all brilliant examples of their kind – and show decorating is about self-expression; your interior—and the way you layer furniture, objects, textiles, colours, and art—is unique to you.
‘Living Well By Design’ (Vendome Press) allows you to step inside some of the world’s best interiors including the Australian country farmhouse, above, which has just undergone a massive restoration over several years. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Thirty Years in The Making
Having written about the interior design industry for the past three decades and worked for top brands and magazines all over the world, we understand the positive and negative effects an interior can have on your sense of well-being.
When the magic ingredients are present, a thoughtfully designed interior can boost your mood and make you feel alive.
Your home should create an emotional experience. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
We have included a dazzling selection of interiors from faves to never-been-seen houses that will lift your whole life and show you how to appreciate your home in a different way.
Texture reigns at the Australian country estate with stone flooring, metal table and balustrade, and chopped firewood stored in flanking the stone fireplace. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
You Don’t Need To Spend a Fortune
It’s never about spending astronomical amounts of money to impress others and demonstrate how wealthy you are. Because in reality these places often don’t function properly and are not inspiring to spend time in.
So many people overdo everything. It’s about simplifying what you own.
Floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides of the main living room in this Australian country estate increase the sense of space and bring the outdoors in, creating a natural backdrop for the curated mix of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century French furniture and objects. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
What stands out in today’s interiors is freedom of expression, originality, rich eclecticism and spirit-filled rooms filled with the kind of pieces, whatever their provenance or value.
Natural light, in particular, greatly affects the quality of any space. However small, a space that’s suffused with natural light will feel amazingly calm and serene. Rug by cadrys.com.au
This book will help you get it right the first time, and get by with fewer but better things.
People often play it safe with scale and proportion in their homes, but if you’re willing to take risks, push the envelope and go for larger windows and door openings, the results can be exciting. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Don’t Just Make Do with What You’ve Got
Great decorating is not about following the latest trends, it’s about sourcing the best ideas, knowing when to scrimp and when to save, and getting the mix right. Remember a really interesting house is rarely one look or period.
Pieces chosen by the same, good strong eye always come together; it takes a lifetime to finish a room, so keep at it, just follow our advice to carry off everything triumphantly.
In this room, it’s the subtle interplay between light and dark that creates visual appeal with rugs by cadrys.com.au
Learn how style is doing something simple well, without being a try-hard. Rugs by cadrys.com.au
Get Inspired
Decorating is the one thing the pandemic hasn’t taken away from us. Get inspired and make your life better now.
Some of the strongest design trends today are toward the decorative and comfortable.
The right things can make a huge difference and change the whole atmosphere. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Living well at home is one of the best ways to get a sense of where our priorities lie right now, which is what this book will help you do.
The book features plenty of all new, never-been-seen-before content. Just wait until you see the rest of this Australian countryside property. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Every well-designed house has a few things in common- for starters, a key aspect of creating a comfortable home involves discovering ways to amplify its sense of place.
A thoughtfully designed house sets you at ease. The houses we live in makes us who we are. Photo: Abbie Melle. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Following the latest fashions will not necessarily bring you happiness in your home, but embracing its setting certainly will.
It’s the subtle interplay between light and dark that creates visual appeal. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
You just need to open your eyes to the boundless possibilities of your house and its environment and dedicate your energy to realizing its full potential.
Strive for good lines, perfect proportions, and great finishes. Michael Love’s Sydney dining room is a reminder that successful room décor is about achieving a pleasing composition of all elements. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
By linking your home to its setting, or by establishing a new narrative within the property’s boundaries, you can create a place that feels special.
The best interiors are a harmonious marriage between architecture and interior design, so before you start decorating, spend time in your empty abode. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
When you are designing your house and garden, the aim is to create your own little world—a sanctuary—within your property’s boundaries, a place that feels timeless and sits happily in its location, wherever you live.
The secret to success will be in your hands with Melissa’s new book ‘Living Well by Design’, showing you how to appreciate your home in a whole new way. Photograph at Collette Dinnigan’s Black Barn in Bowral. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
All Elements Must Complement One Another
From materials to colours, textures, and patterns, harmoniously. Every so often you visit a house that changes everything. It bedazzles you, and delights you, and makes your blood pressure go up. Your home should create an emotional experience. The idea is for home and garden to be united as one. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Discover the magic of hanging art the right way. In the master bedroom of designer Michael Love’s Sydney residence, a collection of architectural drawings are grouped on dark walls, which make the works pop and pull out their inky shades. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
You Want Names?
‘Living Well By Design’ features some of the most beautiful interiors in the world – helping you make choices that have a transformative effect.
You’ll see designs by AD100 famers such as Peter Marino, Vincente Wolfe, Bunny Williams, Joseph Dirand, Gil Schaefer, Atelier AM, Tory Burch, Peter Dunham, Tom Scheerer, David Caffiero, Victoria Hagan, Steven Gambrel, Pietro Cignani, John Derian and many more noteables.
Houses wrapped in climbing vines always look “planted” in their setting. Photo: Abbie Melle. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
We feature the best of the best Australian talent: Michael Love, Thomas Hamel and Collette Dinnigan. Because even if you can’t afford the creme de la creme of the design world, you can still use their ideas, perspectives, proportions, to fabulous effect.
No matter the size of your outdoor space, there are important lessons to be learned about garden design. A balance of texture, shape, and proportion is key. Topiaries are always in style. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
The Lesson?
Find things that make you happy, and you are more likely to enjoy your surroundings. Most important, they will allow you to live a more stress-free life, which is perhaps the greatest luxury in our increasingly chaotic times.
A rule of thumb? Buy only things that you want around forever. But don’t forget to throw a little curveball in from time to time.
Every outdoor space and setting has its strengths, so make the most of yours. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Our surroundings reflect what we think of ourselves, so surround yourself with the best you can afford. Make sure everything you put on show speaks to you.
Living Well By Design, pictured, at Collette Dinnigan’s Black Barn, Bowral. The book will help demystify good design, helping show how well-designed houses all have several things in common. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Be proud of where you live. Even if you live in a shoebox, honour your presence in it.
Work with fabrics and textures to lighten the look of your home. Throw loose ecru cotton slipcovers over heavy chairs. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
When the magic ingredients are present, a thoughtfully designed interior can boost your mood and make you feel alive.
You Can Judge This Book by it’s Cover
This book’s cover with background in Lisa Fines’ textile Zoraya in Monsoon has to be seen to be believed. It’s like a piece of art that will instantly boost any space. Design by Susi Oberhelman.
Pre-order your copy of Living Well By Design today and create the beautiful, happy home you and your loved ones deserve!
Designer Collette Dinnigan’s Puglia estate features in Melissa’s book. The designer is pictured with an advance copy of ‘Living Well By Design’ at her Australian country house last week. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
Collette Dinnigan’s Casa Olivi in Puglia, featured in the book. Photo: Paul Raeside. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
PRE-ORDER NOW AT AMAZON – HERE
Living Well By Design by Melissa Penfold, Published by Vendome Press- link here.
When it comes to easy living, Melissa focuses on simple pleasures that bring joy to daily life. At the beginning of each week, Melissa grabs big bunches of pretty leaves from the garden, sticking to one or two types like magnolia, laurel, or bay for maximum impact. I put inex- pensive bunches of kale in jugs, frilly lettuces in teapots, onions in bowls, cauliflower in urns. Photo: Abbie Melle. Pre-orders now available at Amazon.com
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER – ABBIE MELLE.
OUT OCTOBER, IN BOOKSTORES EVERYWHERE.
