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# Melissa Penfold

Style For You And Your Home

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## Posts

- [HOW TO BRING FUN BACK TO HOLIDAYS? SIMPLIFY EVERY SINGLE THING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-bring-fun-back-to-holidays-simplify-every-single-thing/) - We understand how the holidays can be daunting. Buying gifts, planning travel, and everything that comes along with this season can be a lot. The good news: You still have time. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of our favourite ideas we use in our own homes, to help you get through it all. Many
- [AT-HOME ENTERTAINING TRENDS FOR 2026, SERVED!](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/at-home-entertaining-trends-for-2026-served/) - What we want now: listening bars, hidden wet bars, Argentine grills, and spaces where every room pulls double duty for the party. Every generation has its own way of gathering at home—the conversion pits and buffets of the ’70s, the formal dinner parties of the ’90s, the open-plan kitchens of the 2000s. So where are
- [THE NEW ETIQUETTE RULES:  50 WAYS TO DO THE RIGHT THING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-modern-etiquette-guide-when-everything-is-chaos-who-cares-which-fork-you-use/) - These are dark days for good manners. In our everyday lives, the rules of society and work are being rewritten in real time. Studies show that people are increasingly rude at work and impressively reluctant to say “please.” Drivers seem terribly quick to beep, suitors are swift to ghost, diners are shrinking tips and children
- [5 DISCREET SIGNS YOU'RE IN A WEALTHY PERSON'S HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-discreet-signs-youre-in-a-wealthy-persons-home/) - Flashy indicators of affluence are easy to spot. But these often-less-expensive decor items signal true wealth in more subtle ways. The quietly ultra-rich live with subtle indicators of affluence—and most aren't actually that expensive. Wealthy people don’t have “stuff” The more money people have, the less cluttered their life is. Their homes are not filled
- [HOW TO CULTIVATE A FEELGOOD GARDEN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-cultivate-a-feelgood-garden-2/) - Even if you have a tiny garden space, no bigger than a couple of shipping containers, you can create a feel-good garden. Even a microforest, where the summer heat recedes. So does the roar of nearby airplanes and any nearby traffic noises. Packing a garden with hundreds of native plants, you can use a decades-old
- [HOW TO GET STARTED WITH ONLINE FURNITURE AUCTIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/auctions-directory/) - Auctions are often a middle ground between high-end antique retailers and more mass-market stores. Thanks to sites such as LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable, which partner with auction houses around the world, you can access hundreds of sales any hour of the day. Such sales can be rich hunting grounds for vintage and antique furnishings, from majolica
- [WHERE TO FIND EXCEPTIONAL FLOWERS IN FIVE DIFFERENT CITIES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/florists-guide/) - Not only do fresh flowers bring joy and delight into a home, they’re also a symbol of important moments in life: they are the decoration of choice at weddings and funerals, and also the ultimate gift of love on Valentine’s Day. Their delicate nature, however, can make it tricky to get them right; think extreme
- [HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR COPY OF MELISSA'S NEW BOOK YET?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/have-you-preordered-your-copy-of-melissas-new-book-yet/) - In her best-selling book, Living Well By Design, Melissa Penfold addressed the basics of interior decorating. Now she turns her attention to demonstrating what a powerful force design can be in boosting our physical and emotional well-being in her newest book, 'Natural Living By Design', Vendome Press, launches in April and available for Preorder now. Each
- [NON-OBVIOUS MEGA DESIGN TRENDS: HOW TO SEE WHAT OTHERS MISS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/20-interior-design-trends-that-will-define-2025/) - If you want to understand what’s going to be big in design this year, peer into the world’s psyche. When the world was scared and isolated during the Covid shutdown, we decorated for comfort. This year, weary and worried after a stretch of inflation and political uncertainty, people are craving growth, playfulness and optimism at
- [THE RIGHT WAY TO LAY OUT YOUR LIVING ROOM: THE 7 RULES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-right-way-to-lay-out-your-living-room-the-7-rules/) - Designing a room is like putting a puzzle together. From optimal rug sizing to how high to hang lights, here are formulas for living rooms None of these pointers are etched in parquet, but even experienced designers largely stick to them. And they’ll help you map out a great living room. When laying out seating
- [HOW ON TREND IS YOUR HOUSE?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-on-trend-is-your-house/) - Things are changing fast in the world around us. After a prolonged period where practicality has held sway in interior design – and squeezing the most out of every inch of living space was at the forefront – it’s time to put the fun back into functionality. London-based forecasting agency Wunderman Thompson has some news, saying
- [THESE ARE THE WORST DECORATING MISTAKES YOU CAN MAKE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-are-the-worst-decorating-mistakes-you-can-make/) - Everyone makes mistakes when designing their homes. Between selecting furniture, experimenting with paint swatches and positioning art, there are hundreds of small decisions that go into decorating the perfect space. Read more, 'The 10 Decorating Mistakes Everyone Makes.' Even the slightest misjudgment, like hanging artwork too high or choosing paint in a gloss rather than matte
- [INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS TO KNOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/23-interior-design-trends-to-know-for-2023/) - 2022 has been an invigorating year so far, with many people welcoming friends and family back into their homes. Here then, are some of the biggest trends we’re seeing for next year, from Murphy beds making a comeback to vivid rooms saturated in all-over colour and consumable decor. What's In: plaster walls, chrome accents and
- [DECORATING ON A BUDGET: INSIDER SECRETS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/decorating-on-a-budget-insider-secrets/) - Most of us use a budget at some time when decorating, and for those who do, the benefits can be huge. Budgeting can help you be imaginative and put you on a path toward saving for things you really desire for your home. These are some of our favourite (imperceptibly) cost-saving, quick fixes - many
- [IF YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR HOUSE, FIGURE OUT WHAT TO RENOVATE FIRST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-add-value-to-your-house-and-what-not-to-do-in-2023/) - You want to sell your home, but the kids have scuffed up the floors and chipped the paint. The kitchen could use a face-lift and the lawn has seen better days. Every seller has to decide whether to sink money into their home before listing it, and how much. Lately, the stakes have grown as
- [THE NEW 100 ETIQUETTE RULES FOR MODERN LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/new-etiquette-rules-do-you-know-how-to-behave/) - Etiquette: it’s hard, often awkward and rarely intuitive. And yet it’s the fabric of our society. New York magazine's The Cut recently asked what specific kinds of interactions make us most uncertain - and from this they made an exhaustive, decisive guide to hosting, ghosting, texting, tipping and generally existing in polite society today. The
- [THE 23 MOST DEFINING PIECES OF FURNITURE FROM THE LAST 100 YEARS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-most-defining-pieces-of-furniture-from-the-last-100-years/) - How do we define furniture? It might seem like a silly question, but it’s one that kept coming up in October of last year, when, in a conference room on the 15th floor of The New York Times building, six experts — the architects and interior designers Rafael de Cárdenas and Daniel Romualdez; the Museum of Modern Art’s
- [THE THINGS YOUR WEDDING GUESTS SECRETLY DESPISE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-things-your-wedding-guests-secretly-despise/) - There’s a fairly well-established list of the things that wedding guests detest. Overly long ceremonies. Overly long toasts. Cash bars. A bachelor or bachelorette trip that sends its attendees into credit-card debt. A destination wedding in a remote locale that the couple has zero relationship to and that plunges its guests into further bankruptcy. But what about all
- [2025 DESIGN PREDICTIONS ARE IN FOR THE WHOLE HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/2025-predictions-are-in-design-forecast-for-the-whole-house/) - Style manifested in many forms over the last 12 months, as well as in our homes and gardens with the way we decorate, entertain, and live. Of course style - and trends - are subjective, not to mention a subject of heated discussion - but each of the trends we discuss for the year ahead
- [ISABELLA'S INCREDIBLE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/isabellas-truly-surprising-incredible-christmas-collection/) - It's a bargain hunter's paradise at Isabella Walker-Smith’s bumper Christmas Collection which has stacks of table lamps in the style of Christian Liaigre, Kelly Wearstler, Ralph Lauren, and Aerin, from $80. There are quality travertine lamps, $280 a pair, and adorable rattan lamps with bamboo bases, $140 a pair. Many are detailed to fab effect.
- [THE MOST THOUGHTFUL GIFTS THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL GIVE](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/christmas-2024/) - We're always here to help you find gifts that elicit “you really know me!” enthusiasm, even from the normally taciturn. This year, we aimed higher, aspiring to choose items with such eternal appeal, and of such high quality, that some might become heirlooms—used and loved by both your giftees and subsequent generations. Find our updated,
- [2024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: BEST GIFT IDEAS FOR EVERYONE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/2024-holiday-gift-guide-best-gift-ideas-for-everyone/) - Wondering what to get for all the beloved people in your life, whether they are quirky, picky, extravagant, eccentric or practical? This season, we have gone above and beyond in our quest to find presents for every person on your list. We’ve put together an invaluable list of gifts to suit a wide range of
- [THE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: BEAUTIFUL GIFT IDEAS FOR EVERY BUDGET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/gift-guide-101-how-to-do-christmas-gifts-2021/) - It’s an understatement to say that Christmas 2020 was a non-starter for most of us. On the bright side, last year’s failed festivities simply mean this year will be spent making up for lost time. It will have extra significance with Christmas shopping starting earlier than usual as many of us who celebrated a watered-down
- [CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: TIME FOR GIFTS WITH MEANING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/2022-christmas-gift-guide-time-for-gifts-with-meaning/) - We're always here to help you find gifts that elicit “you really know me!” enthusiasm, even from the normally taciturn. This year, we aimed higher, aspiring to choose items with such eternal appeal, and of such high quality, that some might become heirlooms—used and loved by both your giftees and subsequent generations. Find our updated,
- [SEASON'S TREE-TINGS! THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS, 2023](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/seasons-tree-tings-the-ultimate-guide-to-christmas-2023/) - The past few years have been rocky for Christmas. In 2020 it was cancelled. In 2021, it felt a little more appealing. Things began to feel more normal in 2022, but having been homebodies for so long we were still flexing our dormant social muscles. In 2023 the weight of current events around the world
- [THIS HOLIDAY, DON'T JUST DECORATE YOUR HOME. MAKE IT A WONDERFUL ESCAPE.](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-holiday-dont-just-decorate-your-home-make-it-a-wonderful-escape/) - Most people haul out the same old holiday lights and decorations each December. But with the world feeling especially bereft of wonder, we’re ready to approach decorating almost like set design. Here’s how. For the holidays that inspire us to decorate, notably Christmas, people tend to repeat things year after year. We haul out the
- [CHRISTMAS IS THE BEST TIME FOR ENTERTAINING - IF YOU FOLLOW THESE HOLIDAY RULES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/christmas-is-the-best-time-for-entertaining-if-you-follow-these-10-rules/) - It’s the week of Christmas, and the good news for procrastinators is: there’s still time to pull it all together in style! Whether you’re cooking the entire feast by yourself or bringing a dish to someone else’s house, just take a deep breath. People can set the perfectionism bar very high for themselves, and if
- [ISABELLA WALKER-SMITH TAKES US SHOPPING FOR CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/isabella-walker-smith-takes-us-shopping-for-christmas/) - With an eye for antiques, a passion for handcrafted furnishings, and a spirited embrace of texture and styles, Isabella Walker-Smith has swiftly become an important talent in the interior design industry. Shop Isabella’s Christmas sale for Lawsons Auctioneers now. Before you spin into a redecorating frenzy for the holiday season, consider the transformative power of
- [ROBYN COSGROVE RUGS CLOSING SALE MARKS END OF AN ERA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/robyn-cosgrove-rugs-closing-sale-marks-end-of-an-era/) - Kicking off today, 9 November, the farewell sale of Robyn Cosgrove Rugs marks the end of an era for Australian interior design. Robyn Cosgrove’s exquisitely made handwoven rugs have been a fixture in Australia’s best houses and dominated leading lifestyle magazines for 45 years. Cosgrove’s landmark Woollahra showroom designed by Alex Tzannes - which is
- [THE FURNITURE BRAND THAT IS CHARMING BABIES - AND ADULTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-furniture-brand-that-is-charming-babies-and-adults/) - The hot furniture brand you may never have heard of, used by Melissa’s daughter for her nursery? Several months ago, while travelling in New York, Isabella Walker-Smith sat in her hotel bedroom on her laptop, planning a new nursery. Isabella’s nursery goal was to find a thoughtfully curated mix of essential furniture and baby items
- [THIS SEASON'S MOST-WANTED GARDEN PIECES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-seasons-most-wanted-garden-pieces-might-surprise-you/) - If your garden could use a pick-me-up, you’re in luck. It's here: Melissa Penfold’s September Garden sale with a 170+ collection of classic one-of-a-kind architectural ornaments and sculptures, is likely to make your garden more beautiful than your house. Find aged stone, wood, and metal ­architectural ornaments, weathered urns, fountains, and bronzes that bring instant
- [HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD INTERIOR DESIGNER](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-choose-a-good-interior-designer/) - The problem with the interior design industry is that there are almost no barriers to entry. Anyone in possession of a phone and a clutch of paint charts can set up a business and start charging a fee. In the UK and Australia, architects are regulated by an Architects Registration Board, but for interior designers,
- [UPDATING YOUR PAD? ISABELLA WALKER-SMITH'S TOUR DE FRANCE SALE IS THE SECRET TO STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/updating-your-pad-isabella-walker-smiths-tour-de-france-sale-is-the-secret-to-style/) - Isabella Walker-Smith’s passion for all things French will never end. Join her outstanding edit of the best of France and refresh your home for the season to come, with the hottest looks people want right now. You'll find one-of-a-kind artisanal pieces, fresh from Paris to Provence and the French Alps, with some irresistibly low starting
- [THE BEST STUFF FROM IKEA, ACCORDING TO MELISSA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-best-ikea-stuff-according-to-melissa-and-isabella/) - IKEA is the first stop for many people after they move into a new home or when they’re renovating an old one. Even for pros who spend their days sourcing rare marble and priceless antiques, it’s hard to resist a good-looking bargain—which is why IKEA products have long been staples of designers everywhere. Not everything
- [YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SHOPPING ANTIQUES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/your-essential-guide-to-shopping-antiques/) - Whether you're a collector or a new devotee, there's a renewed energy in the industry and an explosion of interest as online auction shopping gives all the convenience of mass-produced decor without the environmental impact. The benefits of decorating with antiques are almost endless. They bring presence, even grandeur, while reflecting your style. There’s an
- [FRIENDS DROPPING BY IN 15 MINUTES? PREP YOUR PLACE PRONTO WITH THESE IDEAS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/friends-dropping-by-in-15-minutes-prep-your-place-pronto-with-these-ideas/) - Want tips on readying your home fast for impromptu guests—from instant bouquets to (yes) beautifully plated takeaway pizza? If you're like us, you’ve had well-meaning friends shoot you a text announcing that they’re “in the neighbourhood. Can we drop by in 15?” The only reasonable reaction? Becoming totally flustered. The house is far from presentable,
- [WANT A GORGEOUS GARDEN FAST? HERE'S WHAT TO PLANT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/want-a-gorgeous-garden-fast-heres-what-to-plant/) - Want a gorgeous garden fast? Use this time at home to plant your best garden that will turn your neighbour’s green with envy. Whether you’re an urban transplant new to gardening or just want instant gratification, now is the time to think about fast-growing, pleasure-giving plants, vines and hedges that will make it look like
- [IMPROVE YOUR MOOD WITH THESE 50 TOP DECORATING TIPS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/improve-your-mood-with-these-50-top-decorating-tips/) - Your home is the easiest way to ensure the experience is positive every time you walk in the door. Decorating is about self-respect. Your surroundings reflect what you think of yourself, so surround yourself with the best you can afford. Our series of stories on the best decorating tips of all times are among our
- [HOW TO SPEND THE EASTER WEEKEND 2023](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-spend-the-easter-weekend-2023/) - Easter does not look quite like it did a decade ago, or a few years ago. But surely the whole point of any holiday - the whole point of any celebration - is that it moves with the times? We think the Easter weekend is about curating whatever your personal idea of a valuable time
- [NEW BARGAINS ON OLD FURNITURE: ISABELLA WALKER-SMITH’S FRENCH FARMHOUSE SALE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/viva-la-vintage-isabella-walker-smiths-french-farmhouse-furniture-collection/) - It’s everyone’s dream to escape to a French farmhouse. Now you can get the look, wherever you live, with the very best in authentic French vintage and antique furniture at Isabella’s online sale with Lawson's Auctioneers, right now. It’s the design lover's curated Paris flea market of Sydney shopping. Isabella brings France home, with the
- [THE TOP INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2022](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-top-interior-design-trends-for-2022/) - Coming out of the pandemic, we have a renewed appreciation for emotional and mental health. Covid has fuelled this year’s trends, of course, and put an exclamation point on living well. What’s in: colossal light fixtures and herringbone floors. What’s out: peewee pendants and patterned tiles. Get ready for wall-to-wall carpet, punched up colours, and
- [HOW TO SET A STUNNING TABLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-set-a-stunning-table/) - IN 1600, the wedding of Marie de’ Medici and Henry IV, king of France, became the stuff of legend—and not simply because the epic banquet encompassed 50 courses. The real surprise came when the nearly 300 guests in attendance picked up their napkins and, in each case, a songbird flew out from beneath the folds.
- [30 DESIGN PREDICTIONS FOR LIFE IN 2023](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-top-30-interior-design-trends-for-2023/) - Nearly every big change in how we design starts as a fad, which is really just a shared moment among a subset of tastemakers or designers that gains traction. Some fads fade away slowly. Others implode suddenly. However, if there’s anything that has fallen decidedly out of fashion recently, it is the very idea of
- [50 THINGS YOU DEFINITELY HAVE AT HOME (BUT DON'T NEED)](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/50-things-definitely-home-dont-need/) - Clutter slows us down. Do a bit edit of all your possessions and chuck out everything that compromises your taste. Don't be sentimental. Chuck out everything that's chipped, tarnished, dated or ugly and depressing. Breaking up is hard to do. Despite our best intentions, we inevitably accumulate clutter around our homes. At our best, we
- [DESIGNING A GARDEN? YOU'LL NEED A PLAN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/designing-a-garden-youll-need-a-plan/) - Whether you want to frame a view or block one, sometimes all it takes is a few well-placed plants — and some guiding principles. When some of us first see our garden it just looks overwhelming. That's what happened to Bill Noble and his garden in Vermont thirty years ago - "It was a gorgeous
- [8 HOLIDAY-DECORATING MISTAKES - AND HOW TO FIX THEM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/8-holiday-decorating-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them/) - From wilted garlands to overly neutral palettes, we reveal the mistakes people make when celebrating the season, plus the best ways to remedy them. Avoid dining table centrepieces that crowd place settings, scented candles that trigger headaches, and robotic adherence to red-and-green colour schemes if they clash with your décor—these are some of the holiday-decorating
- [CHRISTMAS DAY ETIQUETTE: HOW TO KEEP FRIENDS AND NOT ALIENATE FAMILY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/christmas-day-etiquette-how-to-keep-friends-and-not-alienate-family/) - It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and here is how you ought to behave. Christmas Day – like any big family occasion – is formed of traditions. Many of these will be inherited – and therefore any traditions which differ to your own are likely to be deemed incorrect. Here are the
- [THE SIX SURPRISING SECRETS TO A HAPPY HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-six-surprising-secrets-to-a-happy-home/) - What makes your home a happy one? The findings of a new study might surprise reveals The Times newspaper in a recent article. "It’s not about owning your home, but knowing you can live there for as long as you need.'' It’s not about having big windows with lots of light, but whether you can
- [STATUS DECOR: HOW TO AVOID THESE TASTELESS TRENDS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/status-decor-how-to-avoid-these-tasteless-trends/) - Beware architectural flourishes and finishes such as two storey flagstone fireplaces or kitchen extensions that look like airport hangars. It’s tempting to fall for showy decorating fads. Here, we identify the worst interior status symbol missteps, (something you can afford, that someone else can’t) —from overkill chef’s kitchens to pretentious tray ceilings —and offer graceful
- [THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF FURNITURE PLACEMENT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-10-commandments-of-furniture-placement/) - Furniture arrangement affects our behaviour. Think of seating, for example, and a doctor’s waiting room with it’s hard-backed chairs lined against a wall and you get the picture. A mix of chairs and sofas is good both visually and psychologically with plenty of upright and sprawling options to suit all guests. Here’s 10 tips for
- [20 LITTLE SOCIAL ETIQUETTE RULES EVERYONE SHOULD FOLLOW](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/20-little-social-etiquette-rules-everyone-follow/) - Etiquette is not just about which fork to use and the right way to introduce people. It’s about showing respect for yourself and everyone else in your corner of the planet. You don’t have to binge-watch The Crown to learn the rules, here are 20 ways to be more fabulous this this year, and go
- [ISABELLA WALKER-SMITH'S HAPPY HAUTE HOLIDAY COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/isabella-walker-smiths-happy-haute-holiday-collection/) - My daughter Isabella Walker-Smith recently moved home after living abroad with her husband for the past 18 months, and they couldn’t wait to decorate their first proper marital home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The first thing Isabella did was find the key pieces - a dining table, a sofa, some chairs, and a desk. Then
- [FROM RALPH LAUREN TO LOUIS VUITTON, WHO DRESSED YOUR LIVING ROOM?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/from-ralph-lauren-to-louis-vuitton-who-dressed-your-living-room/) - For three-quarters of a century, the $1.7 trillion global fashion industry has found opportunities in home furnishings. Ralph Lauren Home. Fendi Casa. Louis Vuitton’s Art of Living. Fashion companies cannot seem to resist the lure of household objects. Why? A single bedsheet can produce more revenue than an entire season’s ready-to-wear collection. Home goods also
- [ENTER TO WIN A $1500 STYLISH RATTAN ARMCHAIR, (AND A COPY OF OUR BOOK)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/enter-to-win-a-1500-stylish-rattan-armchair-in-blue-white-print-and-a-copy-of-our-book/) - While writing our book, Living Well By Design, we searched high and low for furniture staples that are for keeps. Design classics that are made for relaxing, like Indochine, pictured, that can be mixed and matched and will pull everything together. To celebrate our book’s first birthday, we have teamed up with one of Australia’s
- [SECRET SERVICE: THE HOT LIST OF SYDNEY'S TRADESPEOPLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/secret-service-hot-list-sydneys-tradespeople/) - Grab your little black book – here are the must-have addresses of the tradespeople Sydney’s designers and decorators swear by. Where the seriously stylish dealers go to get their paintings restored? A pretty Ming vase rewired into a lamp? Or beautifully squashy cushions with double ruched edges made? Here are 50 addresses where you will find amazing
- [HOW TO AVOID THE 5 WORST OUTDOOR-ENTERTAINING MISTAKES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-avoid-the-5-worst-outdoor-entertaining-mistakes/) - Outdoor shindigs present more opportunities for hosting gaffes than indoor parties. Here are the party bloopers and event wreckers people make most often - from ill-timed sprinklers to elemental blunders - and what to do instead. When entertaining outdoors, you can make missteps before you’ve even swept the patio. Your invitation, for example, shouldn’t omit
- [THE ART OF THE AUSTRALIAN HOME: HOW OUR LIFESTYLE GAINED LUSTRE GLOBALLY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-art-of-the-australian-home-how-our-lifestyle-gained-lustre-globally/) - The Australian lifestyle has gained lustre globally. Australia has managed to create an original and instantly recognizable bright, instagrammable and mellow lifestyle over the past decade. Our love of summer and the outdoors means we take a more relaxed, casual approach to design with houses that are easy to live in. Australia’s location in the
- [LIFT YOUR LOOK WITH THE MOST TIMELESS GARDEN FURNITURE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-hot-outdoor-furniture-trends-for-2022-according-to-wisteria-design/) - We asked our friends at Wisteria Design, one of the most exciting furniture designers in the country, what’s coming in al fresco living. Their forecast? Say hello to graceful wicker-look sofas, luxury chaises and elegant weave armchairs and wave farewell to unimaginative metal items and bulky sectional sofas the size of sedans. Summer escape not
- [STEAL THIS LOOK: AUSTRALIA’S HOTTEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/steal-look-australias-hottest-boutique-hotel/) - Here's 10 easy steps to help you decorate like the white-washed charmer and pull things from different eras into one harmonious whole. BRUSH UP ON COLOUR Never underestimate the transformative powers of colour. Paint offers immediate gratification, even the good stuff is affordable, and a careful amateur can do a good job. Hate your house.
- [PERSONALISE YOUR LINEN WITH THIS CELEBRITY-LOVED LUXURIOUS RANGE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/personalise-your-linen-with-this-celebrity-loved-luxurious-range/) - Personalisation has been introduced to the Carlotta + Gee story. Whether you choose to add classic initials, a name or a nickname, Carlotta + Gee’s local artisans will embroider the 100% French quality linen range with your own stamp - like a little badge of your own personality. The celebrity-loved brand, started by two friends,
- [A ZARA HOME COLLECTION WITH VINCENT VAN DUYSEN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-zara-home-collection-with-vincent-van-duysen/) - Belgian architect and designer has debuted a very personal collaboration with Zara Home, that reflects on his past work, and creates refined new designs for the masses. Quality materials, such as solid French oak, sanded stone from Spain, pure cottons, and linens were paramount, but as a self-proclaimed “democrat in heart and soul,” Van Duysen
- [FESTIVE ONE-UPMANSHIP TO WATCH OUT FOR - THE ENTERTAINING MISTAKES TO AVOID](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-avoid-the-7-worst-holiday-table-decor-mistakes/) - For many people, Christmas will mark the first time they are setting the table for a holiday dinner party in quite some time. But some decisions are key to guests’ comfort. A cornucopia that blocks sight lines across the table? A big no. Personal place cards to head off the confusion of seating arrangements? Absolutely.
- [A BRAND THAT DOES EVERYTHING WELL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/create-your-dream-home-with-a-brand-that-does-everything-well/) - Each season we bring you the latest and greatest in interior design. As Spring approaches, we are sharing the things that we love most right now from our friends at Wisteria Design, one of the most exciting furniture designers in the country. We hope the Queensland-based company is on your radar. For the uninitiated the
- [TOP SIX MILAN INTERIOR TRENDS THAT'LL TRANSFORM YOUR HOME IN 2022](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/top-six-milan-interior-trends-thatll-transform-your-home-in-2022/) - It’s not a stretch to call Milan Design Week the biggest annual showcase of design in the world. Milan has been thrice postponed, and this year the fair, in June, marked Salone’s 60th edition, and a major return after Covid. It was a restart with a lot of positivity and energy, and the joy of
- [EASY PIECES: SIMPLE, OUTDOOR DINING TABLES](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/outdoor-tables/) - Living by Design Each idea is simple enough to implement into your home without taking away from your personal style. Here’s three rules every Stylish interior follows. Cosh Living Outdoor contemporary pieces with clean lines that look like high-end designer originals. Seek out Dansk, Illum and Asti. Cotswold Furniture Collection A great bet for smart casual
- [DRUM ROLL: LAWSONS X ISABELLA WALKER-SMITH'S FRENCH AUCTION IS HERE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/drum-roll-lawsons-x-isabella-walker-smiths-french-auction-is-here/) - Isabella Walker-Smith’s newest auction collection online this week has been specially curated to include the hottest looks people want right now. You'll find outstanding one-of-a-kind artisanal pieces, fresh from Paris to Provence and the French Alps, with some irresistibly low starting bids. Also on offer is must-see French bed linen in drop-dead colours that Matt
- [10 IKEA ITEMS WE 'NEED IMMEDIATELY'](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/17-ikea-items-we-need-immediately/) - Ikea’s latest ranges are dropping constantly in-store, and we can’t keep away. For the price of a coffee or pedicure you can get a lifetime of pleasure from the decorative, wallet-friendly accessories. Go for the best teacups, $4, wine goblets, $4, (great for entertaining), timber spice mills, $25, and stoneware dinner plates that look like
- [THE DESIGN LEGACY OF COVID. IT'S ALL AROUND YOU.](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/melissa-has-handpicked-11-stories-for-you-to-enjoy/) - Some practises born in lockdown, and during the virus will probably stick around - for better or worse. Some of our responses are fleeting, others will endure. Covid has lead to progress for our homes. Some tragedies have unexpected consequences. It has changed the way we perceive our homes with a hard-earned realism. We want
- [FAVOURITE PAINTS: HAPPINESS-INDUCING COLOURS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/favourite-paints-happiness-inducing-colours/) - Happiness comes in many hues. That’s what we learned when we asked leading designers for the cheeriest shades of paint that they use in their own rooms and clients’ homes. And as we took in their recommendations, we have to say, we couldn’t help but feel upbeat. Here are the best mood elevators for your
- [THE DESIGN LOVER’S AUCTION WITH PIECES FROM SAM ARMYTAGE TO VERSAILLES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-design-lovers-auction-with-pieces-from-sam-armytage-to-versailles/) - Internet shopping nearly wiped out ye olde antiquing weekend. But our Lawsons sales are resurrecting and redefining the thrill of the search. It’s your chance to update your space with a feast of 250-plus captivating artisanal and one-of-a-kinds that make it easier than ever to pick up a key piece from the comfort of your
- [FOUND: COFFEE TABLES TO SUIT EVERY STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/found-coffee-tables-to-suit-every-style/) - A coffee table isn’t just a place to put down your coffee, put up your feet and showcase your remote. It’s like the campfire of the home. That’s why it’s important to find the right one. Should the table be square, rectangular, round or organic? And no one said a single coffee table was gospel.
- [WHAT YOUR DINNER PARTY SAYS ABOUT YOU](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/what-your-dinner-party-says-about-you/) - Are you creative? Are you selfish? Are you lazy? We decode your dinner. Three Courses on a Thursday night (with port and cheese to follow). You don't have a job. You expect thank-you letters. You don't really mean 'dinner', you just mean 'party'. Food isn't served till 11 pm. Oh, haven't you made a lot
- [THE MOST SURPRISING SHIFTS OF THE POST-PANDEMIC HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/our-homes-our-future-our-happiness/) - The year 2021 saw the interior design industry shift in major ways to respond to a world impacted by COVID-19. After nearly two years of distance and isolation, a renewed desire for intimacy is shaking up interiors. We’re witnessing a sea change in design attitudes and decoration. Today’s homeowners are focused on creating design for
- [10 RENOVATION TRENDS YOU'LL BE SEEING A LOT OF IN 2022](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-renovation-trends-youll-be-seeing-a-lot-of-in-2022/) - As life becomes weirder, and even more difficult to believe (a global pandemic, 10-minute jaunts to outer space, an endless string of biblical natural disasters), the message of 2022 is let’s live well and create our own happy places. We don’t want what’s readily available. We want our own style that reflects our personality, that
- [ISABELLA WALKER-SMITH'S FRENCH COLLECTION: TREASURE HUNTING IN THE HAUTE-SAVOIE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-isabella-walker-smith-collection/) - Join Melissa’s daughter, Isabella for an online auction of one-of-a-kind antiques, vintage and artisanal pieces sourced from the Haute Savoie. Isabella has been called ‘a rising star in interior design’ by The Australian, working with big-name brands, (Wedgwood to Waterford, Royal Copenhagen, Jo Malone London, Belle, House & Garden, Paris Maison Objet). As millennials have
- [12 PREDICTIONS FOR A HAPPY HOME, 2022](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/12-predictions-for-a-happy-home-2022/) - Active engagement in homes has outpaced consumption as consumers crave mindful and cheerier surroundings. People want to surround themselves with uplifting and heartwarming moments around their homes, inviting joy and jubilation into their daily lives. We want our homes to do the same kind of thing as powerful social commerce tool and one-stop shopping and
- [EASTER IS OUR FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR - HOW TO CELEBRATE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/easter-is-our-favourite-time-of-year-welcome-to-your-long-weekend-essential-guide/) - Easter is our favourite time of year – a long weekend to pause and contemplate the road ahead. With the four-day weekend approaching, here are some of our favourite ways and items to brighten up your Easter. Treat yourself to something stylish to wear over Easter lunch, or send a treat to family and friends as
- [TWELVE TRENDS THAT WILL SHAPE THE WAY WE LIVE THIS YEAR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/twelve-trends-that-will-shape-the-way-we-live-this-year/) - The best trends that will bring you peace of mind. The pandemic could shape the way we live, much as World War II and the Great Depression did. After a tumultuous two years, alternating between lockdowns, and new outbreaks, life will not return to the old normal. It will be a new world. Events like
- [MELISSA'S FIRST SYDNEY BOOK SIGNING WILL TAKE PLACE IN APRIL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/announcement-melissas-first-sydney-book-signing-will-take-place-in-april/) - We are excited to announce we’ve partnered up for an Instagram-lover’s perfect collaboration with CASA by Kate Nixon, interiors editor of Australian House & Garden magazine, for our Debut Sydney Book Signing of ‘Living Well By Design’ on April 5. If you can manage to take your eyes off the dramatic peeled plaster archways and artisanal
- [REJOICE! LAWSONS x MELISSA'S MARCH SALE IS HERE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/rejoice-lawsons-x-melissas-march-sale-is-here/) - The auction market is sizzling. Is it a response to the pandemic? An act of respect for these troubling times in which we are living? Or just a matter of getting a beautiful piece and making you feel part of something bigger? For those seeking comfort, joy and positivity during a world in crisis, we
- [THE MOST TALKED ABOUT AUCTION IN TOWN: THE DAVID AND SKYE LECKIE COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-most-talked-about-auction-in-town-the-david-and-skye-leckie-furniture-collection/) - Get ready for a high-profile auction of the personal furniture collection that belonged to the legendary television boss, the late David Leckie and his charity queen wife Skye, online here now. Find pieces that belonged to the last of the rock star CEOs including his favourite leather armchair in which Leckie spent endless hours making
- [HOW SHIPPING DELAYS TURNED USED FURNITURE INTO A HOT COMMODITY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-shipping-delays-turned-used-furniture-into-a-hot-commodity/) - Interior designers and homeowners, fed up with endless waits for new purchases, are turning to antique, vintage, and even contemporary resale furnishings for quicker delivery. A gently used sofa can be yours within days, while many furniture sites estimate a new sofa will arrive between June and July, 22. Here is a guide to getting
- [AN INSIDE LOOK AT MELISSA'S DAUGHTER'S WEDDING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/see-inside-story-of-melissas-daughters-great-wedding/) - Beautiful ceremonies are a dime a dozen, but a great wedding is something special. My daughter Isabella Walker-Smith was married in Vancouver late last year. Originally it was an Australian countryside wedding for 120 people. When the virus continued raging, it shifted to Vancouver where Isabella was living with her husband-to-be, Lindsay Hatton. Now she
- [THE TECH THAT WILL INVADE OUR HOMES (AND LIVES) IN 2022](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-tech-that-will-invade-our-homes-and-lives-in-2022/) - Some smart home trends for 2022 that tech companies are pushing things you have heard of before. Many of the same “trends” appear again and again because, to put it simply, technology takes a long time to mature before most of us actually want to buy it. That applies this year as well. Just a
- [WHY YOU SHOULD TREAT YOURSELF TO THESE KITCHEN UPGRADES THIS SEASON](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/why-you-should-treat-yourself-to-these-kitchen-upgrades-this-season/) - The hardest-working room in the house takes a special hit this time of year with all the entertaining, cooking, and more. Why not show your kitchen how much it means to you with a few upgrades—many even doable in time for the holidays? Find inspiration and ideas for ways to give your kitchen an easy
- [MIND YOUR MANNERS WITH THESE ETIQUETTE HOLIDAY TIPS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/oh-behave-mind-your-manners-with-these-etiquette-holiday-tips/) - Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Between crowded shops and people's expectations, we all run the risk of feeling let down, which can lead to tension and bad behaviour. Avoid letting this happen by taking breaks to think about what the
- [CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR: IDEAS TO MAKE IT A ROARING SUCCESS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/christmas-this-year-were-going-all-out/) - Christmas is coming...and the festive season we all deserve. Our homes which have had to function as sanctuaries, offices and everything in-between look set to become places of celebration this year. Despite Omicron adding a layer of anxiety - most of us are taking personal responsibility to create a great Christmas spread rather than a
- [STILL LOOKING FOR INSPO FOR HOLIDAY GIFTING: TOP LAST-MINUTE PRESENTS FOR 2021](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/still-looking-for-inspo-for-holiday-gifting-top-last-minute-presents-for-2021/) - Holiday gift shopping can be stressful, especially if you’re on a budget. With this last-minute guide we hope to spare you from the worst of it: because haven’t we earned some good times? Last year when facing a sombre holiday season, we told readers to resist frivolous “silly” presents. This year…well, concepts like whimsy, fun
- [20 GREAT IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS DECOR — FROM STEMWARE TO CENTREPIECES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/21-great-ideas-for-christmas-decor-from-stemware-to-centrepieces/) - FOR design-lovers of décor, half the fun of hosting a holiday or Christmas soiree is decorating the house. They happily shop for plates and brainstorm tabletop themes all year round. For other people, the mere idea of a theme is overwhelming. We hope you will use this collection of timeless pieces to inspire a simple
- [A SHOP THAT DOES EVERYTHING WELL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-shop-that-does-everything-well/) - The pandemic altered shopping habits beyond return, not only are people shopping in new ways, they also have higher expectations from stores which makes Palmer & Penn one of Sydney’s 2021 retail winners. It has grabbed even more of the online and in-person shopping experience this year becoming a serious seller with its impeccable edit
- [HOSTING HOUSEGUESTS AGAIN? 14 WAYS TO MAKE THEIR VISIT UNFORGETTABLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/hosting-houseguests-again-14-ways-to-make-their-visit-unforgettable/) - As we happily greet overnighters once more, these creative, stylish guest-room gestures will let them know just how welcome they are. Now that we’re shunning Zoom and starting to see each other IRL, any overnight visit is going to feel special. Practical niceties such as blackout window shades and access to an electric socket that
- [PLASTER WALLS - A SIGNATURE OF WARM MODERNIST INTERIORS - ARE HAVING A MOMENT](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/plaster-walls-a-signature-of-warm-modernist-interiors-are-having-a-moment/) - As designers such as Axel Vervoordt and Vincent Van Duysen ushered in the vogue for Belgian modernism in the late 2010s, pared-back interiors filled up with linen slipcovers, muted colour palettes, and rustic wood surfaces. But even as decorating fads have begun trending back towards, well, more, one of that moment’s subtle hallmarks has proven
- [INTRODUCING THE ULTIMATE DECORATING BOOK](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-first-look-at-melissas-new-book-30-years-in-the-making/) - 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
- [OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CELEBRATING THE SEASON](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/our-essential-guide-to-celebrating-the-season/) - Christmas is right around the corner, and if you’re like us, you may be wondering how on earth you’re going to celebrate this year which is definitely going to be a bit different. The events of 2020 have given us a greater appreciation of our homes. They have become offices, schools, playgrounds, but now is
- [CHECK YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING OFF WITH LAWSONS AMAZING AUCTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/check-your-christmas-shopping-off-with-lawsons-x-melissas-spring-auction/) - Choosing furniture, art and objects is an art in itself. Melissa has teamed with Lawsons to do the work for you with the biggest ever Lawsons Spring Sale with things that go right to the essence. Pieces with a sense of soul that offer a globe’s worth of treasures close to home. We are big
- [THE NEW NORMAL: 11 DESIGN DIRECTIONS THAT WILL STICK AROUND](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/13-ways-to-fake-a-home-renovation/) - As we emerge from lockdown, we reflect on how we’ll reinvent our homes — and what matters now. Our homes have been a refuge yet they are often filled with too many people (and their pets) doing things the spaces were never meant for, like school, work, and physical activity. The 19th-century rural model; the
- [THOMAS HAMEL LAUNCHING MENTORSHIP DESIGN PROGRAM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/looking-to-advance-an-interior-design-career-check-thomas-hamels-new-mentorship-program/) - To commemorate 30 years in business in Australia, Thomas Hamel announces The Graduate Programme, an intensive one-year opportunity for one lucky, emerging interior designer to work and learn under his guidance at Thomas Hamel & Associates in Sydney. Reflecting on his three decades in Australia, the inaugural mentorship program is driven by Thomas’ passion for
- [10 GARDEN IDEAS TO STEAL FROM THE MODERNISTS](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/10-garden-ideas-steal-modernists/) - When it comes to creating a great outdoor space, think of the post-war boom that spawned suburbia, where even a postage-stamp lot had a backyard for lounging in as well as a front garden, and modernist landscape architects made the most of both. Leading American blog, Remoedelisa reports in a feature on the subject this
- [DRUM ROLL: LAWSONS x MELISSA'S JULY FURNITURE AUCTION IS HERE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/drum-roll-lawsons-x-melissa-penfolds-deal-packed-winter-furniture-auction-is-here/) - Bored during lockdown, stuck at home seeking escapism, comfort and pleasure? You’re in luck - we have just what you’re looking for with our latest House & Garden Winter online sale with leading auction house Lawsons including select pieces from the home of Collette Dinnigan. It’s your chance to refresh your home, update your space
- [YOUR GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE GARDEN TRANSFORMATION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/your-guide-to-the-ultimate-garden-transformation/) - The past year has shown us perhaps more than ever how vital outdoor spaces are. Living, dining, holiday retreat...your outdoor plot can do it all. Whether you have a tiny terrace or acres to play with, our ideas will help you max out your outdoors and create your own soothing oasis. Learn the tricks to
- [YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN THE NEXT DECADE: 35 INSIDER PREDICITONS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/your-guide-to-living-well-in-the-next-decade-35-insider-predicitons/) - The past 10 years have brought a plethora of home design trends —some helpful, some less so. After the pandemic, will architects design every entryway with a built-in handwashing station? Sorry, no. Will we ever travel the same way again? (Not entirely.) Are open-plan homes history? (Some architects say yes; we’ll believe it when we
- [DESIGNING A HEALTHY HOME? IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/designing-a-healthy-home-its-harder-than-you-think/) - The science is complicated. The marketing is unregulated. Why it’s so hard to know what makes a healthy home. An irony: learning about health risks in the home is not particularly good for your mental health. If you talk to doctors, researchers and scientists on the subject, each conversation will raise your stress levels. You
- [WHAT HOME IMPROVEMENTS WILL ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/what-home-improvements-will-add-value-to-your-home/) - Go for a pool or garden office but avoid hot tubs and conservatories. Since the pandemic has changed how we use our properties, there’s a temptation to spend up on home improvements according the The Financial Times in a recent article on the subject. Especially if you think you’ll recoup those costs — and more
- [EXPLORING THE HOME OF TOMORROW: TOP 10 DESIGN TRENDS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/whats-next-for-our-homes-pandemic-inspired-design-directions-that-are-sure-to-stick-around/) - COVID-19 is a humanitarian challenge that will have lasting effects on how people live, work, and play. Home is just not home anymore. A return to normal should no longer even be the aim. There are new realities. It’s an emotional home we’re after - the heartfelt connection we have to the place that makes
- [THE NEW COMFORT: WHAT DOES "HOME" MEAN IN 2021?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-new-comfort-what-does-home-mean-in-2021/) - Out with clean white havens and in with tactile havens, says The Financial Times in a recent article which claims the new interior mood is anything but sterile. The coronavirus is still causing upheaval a year on, meaning there is no better time to consider the protective shell we call home – and what it
- [THE RETURN TO DINNER PARTIES: A SENSIBLE, LOW-STRESS GUIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-return-to-dinner-parties-a-sensible-low-stress-guide/) - Are you getting ready to host or attend a dinner party soon? Good, because the dinner party Renaissance is upon us. If you’re doing it right, hosting a dinner party should not just look easy; it should also be easy, as well as delicious, engaging, affirming and fun for everyone. Here’s how to make elegant
- [OUR BIGGEST LAUNCH EVER: DECORATING'S NEW ERA IS FINALLY HERE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/our-biggest-launch-ever-the-interior-design-book-that-will-change-the-way-you-think/) - Everything you need to know about Melissa’s book, available worldwide, this week. You will learn four easy concepts of interior design you can apply to any home. We have developed an easy formula that will help you take control of your life with our new book, that will transform your home, life and confidence. Using
- [THE 20 BEST PAINT COLOURS ACCORDING TO DULUX](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/20-best-paint-colours-according-dulux/) - In a book written back in 1810, Goethe noted that only savage nations, uneducated people and children enjoyed vivid colours. He is far from the only person to believe intellectual and aesthetic purity are best expressed in monochrome. Le Corbusier, John Pawson and Steve Jobs have all flirted with the idea. So too, Australia’s greatest
- [THESE 9 KITCHEN TRENDS ARE HERE TO STAY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-9-kitchen-trends-are-here-to-stay/) - Kitchens, like the rest of our homes, have been influenced by the pivots that have taken place over the past 12 months, as we focus on health, safety and stylish solutions. Comfort and connection in the kitchen have never been more essential. Here we join Architectural Digest at a look at the future of all
- [THE BIG-PICTURE HOME DESIGN TRENDS TAKING OFF RIGHT NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-big-picture-home-design-trends-taking-off-right-now/) - Every now and then, a slow-burning shift in the way the world works suddenly starts to gather pace at a rapid rate. That is what is happening with our homes. In a relatively short space of time, the pandemic has made interior designers of us all, with decorating experiencing a particular boom in interest. A
- [KNOCK, KNOCK: YOUR FRONT DOOR HOLDS THE KEY TO BOOSTING CURB APPEAL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/knock-knock-your-front-door-holds-the-key-to-boosting-curb-appeal/) - Too many people ignore curb appeal until it’s time to move. Then they spruce up the place for the next residents. How does this make sense? Get a jump start on freshening your home for now, indoors and out. First impressions matter, even in today’s red hot real estate market, and designing a great entrance
- [HOW TO AVOID THE 10 LANDSCAPING TRENDS THAT DATE YOUR HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-avoid-the-10-landscaping-trends-that-date-your-home/) - From triple-tier fountains to endless paving, the outmoded garden trends that the design pros see most often. Read more, 'How To Create A Garden That Pleases The Whole Family.' Like spiky haircuts and skinny jeans, your landscaping choices will inevitably skid out of style. Certain planting techniques are being abandoned by landscape gurus. Consider rows
- [IKEA STOPS ITS CATALOGUE, ENDING A 70-YEAR SUCCESSFUL RUN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ikea-to-discontinue-its-annual-catalogue-ending-a-70-year-run/) - At its peak, the Ikea catalogue was said to have a greater circulation than that of the Bible. But while around 40m copies of the Bible are expected to be distributed around the world this year, the catalogue of the Swedish furniture giant will, after seven decades, no longer be published in September, 2022 because
- [21 BEST FATHER'S DAY GIFTS 2021](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/21-best-fathers-day-gifts-2021/) - The greatest gift we can offer the fathers in our lives is our time. A distant second is a thoughtful sentiment or token that recognises the unique connection between the giver and the recipient. We've selected our favourite Father's Day gifts that show your heartfelt affection for your dad - and that can be used
- [HOW TO CREATE A GARDEN THAT PLEASES THE WHOLE FAMILY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-create-a-garden-that-pleases-the-whole-family/) - With a vegetable patch for the home chef and playful pathways for the kids, copious flowers for the aesthete and comfy perches where all can relax, you can have a garden that checks all the boxes. Functional gardens are the way of the future. Read more, 'Key Outdoor Trends To Make The Most Out Of
- [HANG YOUR ART WITH A PROS EYES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/hang-your-art-with-a-pros-eyes/) - Nothing against vases, rugs, or lamps, but there's nothing quite like pulling a room together with the perfect piece of art. Even the most DIY-challenged can manage the basic hook, nail and wire combo that costs less than a latte. But art placement presents a bigger challenge—how to best show your collection. Read more, ‘How To
- [THE PHOTO-WORTHY RISE OF THE OUTDOOR UMBRELLA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-photo-worthy-rise-of-the-outdoor-umbrella/) - With undeniably retro allure, these shady patio staples are surging back into the spotlight. The outdoor umbrella is trending. “Stylish umbrellas are absolutely top-of-mind for our shoppers,” says Etsy trends expert Dayna Isom Johnson. “People want to be outside. There is a real effort to bring that sense of interior comforts to the outdoors now.”
- [FIREPLACES: 10 THAT WILL TAKE YOUR ROOMS TO THE NEXT LEVEL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/fireplaces-10-will-take-rooms-next-level/) - It’s burn season – that time of year when we want to cosy up. That means more people are seeking something special to stare at – a focal point for their rooms - in addition to crackling flames. "People install fireplaces for the heat and light, but they choose their mantel to make an artistic
- [THE 6 LUXURY BATHROOM TRENDS TAKING OFF RIGHT NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-6-luxury-bathroom-trends-are-taking-off-right-now/) - For those of us who spent the past year almost entirely at home with our families, there was one place that unfailingly proved to be a refuge: the bathroom. Understandably, priorities have changed when it comes to bathroom trends, particularly in a world where health and well-being are top of mind. Previously, the ultimate goal
- [WILL THESE PAINT COLOURS RULE 2022?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/will-these-paint-colours-rule-2022/) - Dunn-Edwards, manufacturer and distributor of paint colours and coatings in the American Southwest, is betting on a few key trends for next year—and designers should take note. This month, the company has introduced its own set of 2022 Colour + Design Trends in the form of five robust paint palettes, which address a few themes
- [AFFORDABLE ART EXISTS - HERE'S WHERE TO SHOP FOR IT ONLINE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/affordable-art-exists-heres-where-to-shop-for-it-online/) - Nothing against vases, rugs, or lamps, but there's nothing quite like pulling a room together with the perfect piece of art. Generally speaking, art can be pretty expensive, but spoiler alert: It doesn't have to be—so long as you know where to look. Read more, 'How To Start An Art Collection.' These days, there are
- [DESIGN IDEAS FOR STYLISH LOGGIAS, VERANDAHS AND BALCONIES](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/design-ideas-for-stylish-loggias-verandahs-and-balconies/) - If you're lucky enough to have a loggia, veranda or balcony attached to your house, it's the perfect place for relaxing or entertaining outdoors. The Italian concept of the loggia is all about leisure. In its original form, this space was used by the Romans as a walkway around a courtyard garden, and you can
- [THE 7 MOST IMPRACTICAL BUT POPULAR PIECES OF FURNITURE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-7-most-impractical-but-popular-pieces-of-furniture/) - What do armless sofas, Edison lightbulbs and Marcel Breuer’s strappy Wassily chair have in common? They are all, according to designers in an article in WSJ this month, as impractical as they are ubiquitous. Some have even achieved icon status, despite the dearth of comfort they deliver. “As designers, we can make anything beautiful, but
- [HOW TO PLANT CLIMBERS: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO PLANTING VINES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-plant-climbers-a-beginners-guide-to-planting-clematis-roses-and-more/) - This is a good time to add some icing to the garden cake by planting a climber or two. But not just any old climber, in any old place and in any old way, otherwise the disappointing mishmash can all end in tears. Whereas in nature climbers use other plants to achieve often limitless heights,
- [MOTHER'S DAY 2021 GIFT IDEAS: 100 STYLISH PRESENTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/mothers-day-2021-gift-ideas-100-stylish-presents/) - Mark your calendars: Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 9 — and after an especially hard year, this year is a very good time to shower the maternal figures in your life with some much-deserved love and attention. Whether you see her every day, or she currently lives far away, you can show your gratitude
- [WHY OPEN PLAN HOMES ARE ACTUALLY A TERRIBLE IDEA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/why-open-plan-homes-are-actually-a-terrible-idea/) - The combining of common rooms was already losing its lustre. But as the pandemic has triggered the demand for private spaces like home offices and studies, designers are looking for a new solution. The open-plan interior has demonstrated remarkable staying power. The plan that typically combines entryway, kitchen, living and dining room into one “great
- [THE 5 WORST PATIO DECORATING MISTAKES- AND HOW TO AVOID THEM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-5-worst-patio-decorating-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/) - WSJ recently asked designers and architects for antidotes to the most common outdoor-décor gaffes. Penny pinching your outdoor décor isn’t the only backyard folly decorating pros dread. Some big-ticket installations also flummox them. Designers don't understand why people want to use marble on their patios or porches of flooring in an outdoor space in the
- [7 STEPS TO MASTERING THE CASUAL SUMMER DINNER PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/entertaining/7-steps-mastering-casual-summer-dinner-party/) - There’s nothing like the magic of a casual summer dinner party where all seems right with the world- the table looks fab, everyone feels relaxed, and the menu hits the right note for fun, no-fuss, deeply delicious entertaining. DON'T THINK MENU- THINK SEASON Forget the latest recipes, or driving yourself crazy with a pre-determined colour
- [CAN YOU DESIGN A HAPPY HOME? IT'S EASIER THAN IT LOOKS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/can-you-design-a-happy-home-its-easier-than-it-looks/) - Home should be a place that restores, rejuvenates and replenishes – but so often it is not. Now more than ever we all need homes that support our wellbeing – so we can seize each day as it comes. Now is the time to find out what a happy home starts with; Find out how
- [TOP 10 DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2021: MEET YOUR NEW HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/top-10-design-trends-for-2021-meet-your-new-home/) - When we look into the future, we knew the impact of coronavirus would be a factor. But some of the trends we are witnessing were already influencing design before Covid-19—the virus merely pushed them to a tipping point. Read more, 'The Dream Home Has Changed.' The enthusiasm for open plans will wither: The open-concept floor
- [WHAT HAS BLACK AND WHITE DONE TO OUR INTERIORS?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/black-white-done-interiors/) - A flexible and forgiving palette that has given us the confidence to play with scale, contrast and takes risks. Yep, no matter what decorating style you prefer - midcentury, Art Deco, minimal - the boundaries of black and white are quite versatile, allowing for vibrant flourishes and grand gestures, despite the restrictive-sounding palette. By sticking
- [WALLPAPER: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO TRANSFORMING YOUR WALLS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/wallpaper-ultimate-guide-transforming-walls/) - It allows you to express yourself and, used correctly, adds warmth, character, even drama. Here’s what you need to know before taking the plunge. Wallpaper was huge in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s – everything from neo-Georgian stripes to optical-art patterns, crazy flocks to burnt orange feature walls. During the 90s and early naughties though,
- [EASTER IS THE NEW CHRISTMAS. HOW TO HOST A HOLIDAY PARTY.](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/easter-is-the-new-christmas-how-to-host-a-holiday-party/) - We often think Easter is an easier holiday than Christmas. Christmas is wonderful, filled with all our favourite things: good food, lots of wine and a holiday but it also comes with heavy expectations, a lot of tradition to uphold and a tendency to overdo it. Easter, on the other hand, has good food, lots
- [21 OF THE BEST HOME DECOR SHOPS IN LOS ANGELES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/21-of-the-best-home-decor-shops-in-los-angeles/) - Much like the city itself, design shopping resources in Los Angeles are fantastically vast and wildly creative. AD PRO asked local experts to share some of their favourite home decor shops, from tried-and-true classics to lesser-known treasures in locations ranging from Venice to Pasadena to Orange County - which we thought well worth re-sharing. These
- [THESE 21 DESIGN TRENDS HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-21-design-trends-have-stood-the-test-of-time/) - Seasons changes, tastes evolve, but certain design themes seem to return again and again—or never go away. Last March, few believed that COVID-19 would still dictate our daily lives a whole year later. The 12 intervening months have wrought much devastation and misery far beyond measure. Dreams have been put on hold, businesses shuttered, but
- [ONE OF THE BEST: AUTUMN HOUSE & GARDEN AUCTION TO SHOP NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/one-of-the-best-autumn-house-garden-auction-to-shop-now/) - If you've ever wished you could decorate your home just like us, you're in luck: we have curated our latest House & Garden online sale with leading Australian auction house, Lawsons making it easier than ever to pick up a beautiful piece from the comfort of your sofa. We’ve scoured attics and ateliers, handpicking more
- [THE KEY TO EVERY GREAT INTERIOR STARTS HERE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-key-to-every-great-interior-starts-here/) - Whether you are redecorating or starting from scratch, Living By Design has made a name for itself over the past few years with affordable furniture and decor that stands the test of time. Here are best sellers as well as new arrivals to guide you to furnish your home the right way in 2021 with
- [21 UPDATES FOR 2021 SHAPED BY THE PANDEMIC](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/21-updates-for-2021-shaped-by-the-pandemic/) - Here at Melissa Penfold, many of our most-read stories over the past year sprang from the pandemic. As we’ve quarantined at home, our needs for privacy, security, flexibility, floppability, and beauty have changed the way we want to live. Read more, 'Top 10 Design Trends For 2021: Meet Your New Home.' This month we are
- [THE BIGGEST LESSONS WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM THE YEAR OF COVID-19](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-biggest-changes-we-can-learn-from-the-year-of-covid-19/) - With 2020 in the rearview mirror, and the end of the pandemic (fingers crossed) insight, there’s a lot of changes to be assessed. But there are also a lot of lessons we can learn—lessons that will put us in good stead, whatever the future holds. Lessons about the importance of home and having different needs.
- [A VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE FOR THE OPTIMISTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-valentines-day-gift-guide-for-the-optimists/) - This past year has weighed heavily on many of us. But small amounts of joy and kind gestures have tremendous power to lighten the load. The best present this year? A bright outlook. Let your loved ones see the world through rose-coloured glasses and other translucent bits of blush. A LOT has changed since last
- [THE BIGGEST RESIDENTIAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE YEAR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-biggest-residential-directions-for-this-year/) - As Covid turns our lives upside down, what are the biggest residential design trends for 2021? Our recent awakening and collective brush with mortality will change what we place importance on; from the materials we choose, to the design of our living spaces, who we live with, and how we want our spaces to interact
- [THE TOP GARDEN AND LANDSCAPING TRENDS FOR 2021](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-top-garden-and-landscaping-trends-for-2021/) - Lockdown challenged our outdoor spaces. Around the world, gardens that had previously been just fit for purpose were found lacking. Many people’s gardens will emerge from the pandemic transformed. Outdoor kitchens and pavilion entertaining. Fire pits. Integrated seating. We look at the most popular landscaping trends for the year ahead. Read more, 'Key Outdoor Trends
- [5 EXTRA STORAGE SPACES YOU MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/5-extra-storage-spaces-might-forgotten/) - When you've been living in an apartment day in and day out, it's sometimes hard to see the place with fresh eyes. Looking for extra storage space is therefore typically a fruitless task—because if it were there, you'd have noticed it, right? But the following five locations are strangely evasive despite being relatively common. Your
- [THESE ARE THE 10 DESIGN REQUESTS PEOPLE WILL MAKE POST-PANDEMIC](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-are-the-10-design-requests-people-will-make-post-pandemic/) - The pandemic is in effect telescoping the future of our homes. Trends that might have taken five or 10 years to play out have unfolded in only two months, and all point in the same direction. To a world turning further inward. One thing is for certain: The way we create live-work spaces and our
- [10 MOST-READ STORIES OF 2020](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-most-read-stories-of-the-year/) - No matter how much cheer you throw at it, 2020 has been a rough year. But it has also been a year for resilience, mutual support and silver linings. This Christmas, amid a world-wide pandemic, we can see as never before how the joy of home looms large. We have gathered together our most-loved, clicked-on,
- [DO'S AND DON'TS OF CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/dos-and-donts-of-christmas/) - From poorly scaled Christmas trees to a slavish devotion to green and red, here are the biggest mistakes designers see most often—and what to do instead. Read more, 'Our Essential Guide To Celebrating This Season.' In this historically strange holiday season, we’re counting on flowers and greenery's historically documented ability to inspire cheer. In 2020,
- [75 CHRISTMAS GIFTS THEY'LL WANT TO USE RIGHT AWAY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/75-christmas-gifts-theyll-want-to-use-right-away/) - What should you get for all the beloved people in your life? In these most uncertain times, we stick to what we know. And if there’s one thing we know it’s gift guides. After a hard year, treat your loved ones to presents that can immediately make life easier, whether they love home, entertaining, garden,
- [HOW TO MAKE A PERSONAL PLAN FOR GIVING THIS CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-make-a-personal-plan-for-giving-this-christmas/) - It’s that joyous season when everywhere you look, people are smiling, laughing and — asking you for money. Most of us want to give. And with a little effort, could probably find ways to do it. But then we’re faced with the common predicament of figuring out the details. And then come the questions. Why
- [A CHRISTMAS SALE THAT'S OUT OF THIS WORLD](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-christmas-sale-thats-out-of-this-world/) - After a hard year, treat your loved ones and yourself to presents that can immediately make life easier and prettier at the biggest auction of the season – Lawson’s Christmas House & Garden sale on now– with every piece vetted by us. It’s a sale for the ages with hero pieces plus quick updates for
- [AN EVOLUTION: TREND REPORT EXPLORING WHAT'S NEXT FOR DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/an-evolution-trend-report-exploring-whats-next-for-design/) - Wherever you have spent lockdown, spending most of the year within the same set of walls has offered us all the opportunity to reflect on what makes the perfect interior, one that fulfils the two ideals of aesthetics and ease. The one certainty in these uncertain times is the importance of our home being somewhere
- [YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS SPRING HOUSE & GARDEN AUCTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/lawsons/) - Home lovers, If your house and garden needs a wake up call, get ready for the season’s biggest auction - Lawson’s Spring House & Garden sale on now - with every piece handpicked by us. There are more than 300 items to consider, from noteworthy furniture to decorative accessories and simple but stately garden designs
- [WHAT ARE WE BUYING FOR OUR HOMES DURING THE PANDEMIC](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/what-are-we-buying-for-our-homes-during-the-pandemic/) - Even as parts of the country starts to reopen after several months of lockdown, many of us are still focused on making our homes as comfortable as possible while we weather the pandemic. We spoke to several furniture retailers, auction houses and design companies to find out what people have been buying since March. The
- [2021 COLOUR OF THE YEAR IS THE SHADE WE NEED RIGHT NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/2021-colour-of-the-year-is-the-soothing-shade-we-need-right-now/) - The colour Aegean teal is being unveiled this month by American paint giant, Benjamin Moore as the next colour of the year. The annual colour proclamation is closely followed by the design industry, and the versatile shade speaks to this current moment, as well as the year ahead, in that we are looking at things
- [TIPS FOR REMAKING YOUR SPACE WHILE YOU'RE HOMEBOUND](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/tips-for-remaking-your-space-while-youre-homebound/) - Here is some inspiration to upgrade your home, no trips to the shops necessary. With worldwide lockdowns in place in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, millions of people are quarantining at home. As we take shelter, and spend more time than ever in our houses, we look at the best ways
- [HOW TO AVOID THE 5 WORST KITCHEN DESIGN MISTAKES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-avoid-the-5-worst-kitchen-design-mistakes/) - With restaurants only now slowly reopening, the pandemic has presented an opportunity to get reacquainted with our kitchens. The pesky drawer that doesn’t fully close, the rumble of the fridge on a hot day. And more acutely, the same white cabinets, the same white walls, and the same white benchtops. Read more, 'How To Renovate
- [A FENG SHUI CHECKLIST TO OPTIMISE YOUR HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/feng-shui-lessons-from-a-master-who-has-your-back/) - The ancient Chinese spatial laws of feng shui have gone full-on mainstream, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Marie Kondo among its enthusiasts. To the uninitiated, feng shui can feel a little esoteric, but if you take the time to dig into the philosophy behind it, you'll find that it's not only based on simple common-sense practices
- [KEY OUTDOOR TRENDS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN ALL YEAR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/key-outdoor-trends-to-make-the-most-of-your-garden-all-year/) - Overnight, outdoor space has become a commodity hotter than ever before, as—thanks to widespread stay-at-home orders—gardens, terraces, and patios replace the now cancelled summer travel and getaway plans made pre-pandemic. But worry not - a little social distance—with an ample assist from Mother Nature—can be just as restorative, if not more so, as a faraway
- [HOW TO GET THE BEDROOM OF YOUR DREAMS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-get-the-bedroom-of-your-dreams/) - The bedroom is where you spend a third of your life. It sets your mood at the start and end of every day, so turn into a haven. Read more, 'How Posh Is Your Bedroom.' It has to be beautiful and uncluttered – it’s your most powerful ally in pursuit of wellbeing, happiness, and health.
- [10 FAVOURITES: BEST OF IKEA'S 2021 CATALOGUE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-favourites-best-of-ikeas-2021-catalogue/) - The 2021 catalogue goes live online this month, with the Swedish giant continuing to make good design accessible to all of us, by putting the focus on terrific problem-solving tips and practical hands-on ideas when we need it most. Read more, 'Creating A New Feeling In An Old Home With Ikea.' There’s stacks of big
- [20 OF THE ABSOLUTE BEST PLACES TO BUY PLANTS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/20-absolute-best-places-buy-plants/) - ALPINE NURSERIES Over a hectare of every plant – the place to come for large quantities – drive off with 200 buxus if the spirit moves you. A good range of large trees, both evergreen and deciduous, everything from conifers to palm trees – the choice is dazzling. It’s a wholesaler, with knowledgeable and helpful
- [THE 'DREAM HOME' HAS CHANGED](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-dream-home-has-changed/) - To decipher what dream home means in a global-pandemic world, Mansion magazine recently asked the editors of three house-centric websites—Houzz, Decorilla and The Real Houses of IG—to identify their most popular images and rooms with their followers this year. They examined photos that home-décor followers are clicking, liking and scrolling through to better understand today’s
- [SUDDENLY, EVERYONE IS BUYING THIS FURNITURE BRAND](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/suddenly-everyone-is-buying-this-furniture-brand/) - Each season we bring you the latest and greatest in interior design. As Spring approaches, we are sharing the things that we love most right now from our friends at Living By Design. We hope the South Australian company is on your radar. For the uninitiated, the brand is nimble, achieving ever-faster speed to market and
- [YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED (OR NOT) TO OUR SOCIALLY DISTANCED WEDDING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/you-are-cordially-invited-or-not-to-our-socially-distanced-wedding/) - You may have planned a wedding with 160 guests for this Spring, 2020. But like thousands of couples, the coronavirus put an unexpected halt to your plans. You still wanted to get married but you want to be sensitive to what people are going through. Some have lost their jobs and income. They’re concerned about
- [HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A STAYCATION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-staycation/) - 2020 is officially the Summer of Staycations, with the holiday-starved prescribing themselves fresh country air, honey-hued village jaunts or the myriad delights of a city hotel staycation instead of jetting somewhere farther-flung. Why head out of town when you can have an enjoyable vacation by staying close to home? Here, we share top tips on
- [WEDDINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AFTER COVID - BUT THAT MAY BE A GOOD THING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/weddings-will-never-be-the-same-after-covid-but-that-may-be-a-good-thing/) - What will weddings look like in the coming months… Weddings and parties which are adaptable, focus on loved ones, and simplicity will be winners. We are in uncharted waters: the industry has never seen this before, and all signs point to the likelihood that lavish entertainment as we know it isn’t coming back for a
- [7 DECORATING RULES DESIGNERS ALWAYS FOLLOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/7-decorating-rules-designers-always-follow/) - Each room is a canvas on which to create, with the ultimate aim of being able to stand in the middle of any room, no matter how big or small and look at each wall and feel there’s an overall sense of balance, alignment, and consideration in every detail. This is essential to creating a
- [9 DESIGN TRENDS WE'LL BE SEEING IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/9-design-trends-well-be-seeing-in-the-very-near-future/) - As the world rapidly shifts beneath us, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where does design go from here? According to leading global creatives – lockdown is reordering our priorities, and we find ourselves gravitating towards the practical (less waste, more modular furniture) to the conceptual (more diverse design narratives, deeper relationships with our things). If we’re
- [10 WAYS TO REDECORATE WITHOUT BUYING A THING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-ways-to-redecorate-without-buying-a-thing/) - Perpetually inside? Design pros suggest ways to change your interiors using what you already have. Quarantined as we are, you’ve likely cleaned your quarters so thoroughly you expect a lightning-bolt worth of Marie Kondo’s sparky joy. It’s indisputably gratifying to have tossed expired food cans and vacuumed the grit from between sofa cushions. But when
- [5 PESKY PROBLEMS AROUND THE HOUSE AND HOW TO FIX THEM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-pesky-problems-around-the-house-and-how-to-fix-them/) - Now that you’re spending more of your days at home, it’s time to tackle those niggly issues that you never got around to addressing. The most common problems such as mouldy spots on the wall, or a slow-draining sink, that crop up around the home. Read more, '10 Common Decorating Blunders You Can Fix Today.'
- [11 REASONS YOUR HOUSE NEEDS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-reasons-your-house-needs-an-interior-designer/) - We think hiring an interior designer for even the smallest revamps is money well spent. Here’s our guide to calling in the experts. ONE: Many people think that hiring an interior designer is only for those with superstar budgets. In fact, you can call in an expert for much smaller projects. Don’t be shy about
- [THE RIGHT ONE: HAVE YOU FOUND THE PERECT BASKET?](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/found-perect-basket/) - As with many things in fashion, what appeared to be an overnight phenomenon, was in fact, the result of a lot of media attention and the work of people like India Hicks who made wicker and island style…cool. Now with so many brands doing versions, there’s no excuse not to have a great basket. The
- [HOW TO DECORATE: MAKING A BIG IMPACT ON A SMALL BUDGET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/decor-you-can-undo-how-to-decorate-a-rental/) - When it comes to décor, money isn’t everything. To create a stylish room, all you really need is imagination and the patience to find the right piece. When you’re designing a home, it’s easy to get carried away dreaming about expensive sofas, rugs and art. But big-ticket items aren’t as important as they seem, and
- [THE 9 TOP (AND MOST STUBBORN) DESIGN TRENDS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-9-top-and-most-stubborn-design-trends/) - As we pass the midway mark for the year, we decided to look at the top design trends with staying power. Key looks such as subway tiles that neatly cover kitchen backsplashes everywhere. How did they become so crazily popular? Plus kitchen islands - when did they become such a thing? And why do some
- [HOW TO CREATE AN OUTDOOR ROOM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-create-an-outdoor-room/) - If you are fortunate enough to have a terrace, a porch or some outdoor space, spending a lot of time at home can be a much nicer experience. But how you design that space makes all the difference. “A lot of times, you’ll see a beautiful garden with very organized furniture, which looks pretty, but
- [THIS IS THE ONE SPACE YOU'RE FORGETTING TO DECORATE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-is-the-one-space-youre-forgetting-to-decorate/) - If there's one mistake most dwellers are guilty of it's not paying enough attention to the spaces outside their home. While we appreciate an impeccably designed living room and a dining space curated to a T, you'd be remiss not to decorate your front porch - or entry - with an equal amount of flair
- [BUDGET-FRIENDLY PROJECTS FOR SOCIAL-DISTANCING WEEKENDS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/budget-friendly-projects-for-social-distancing-weekends/) - You’re probably not going to be hanging out with friends. Why not do a little work on your home? With so much time spent at home, many of us are paying more attention to our surroundings — and discovering that we don’t like what we see. Now might not be the time for a gut
- [TAKE A PEEK INSIDE KIT KEMP'S HYDE PARK HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/take-a-peek-inside-kit-kemps-hyde-park-home/) - Given the choice, most decorators with a personal design itch would scratch it by moving from one house to another, exchanging one expertly completed realm for a new challenge, ad infinitum. That would not be Kit Kemp, the effervescent British interior designer who is also the creative director and cofounder, with her husband, Tim, of
- [HOW TO RENOVATE YOUR KITCHEN AND NOT END UP IN TEARS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-renovate-your-kitchen-and-not-end-up-in-tears/) - All happy kitchen renovations are alike — and they live mostly in our dreams. The existing space is tight and usually comes with restrictions. You have unmovable and unlevel walls, pipes, gas lines, and electrical work that often need to be relocated and upgraded according to new codes, and areas where only custom woodwork will
- [WINTER GIVEAWAY: WIN LUXURY BED LINEN WORTH $1800](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/winter-giveaway-win-luxury-bed-linen-worth-1800/) - You could be waking up to spectacular 500 threadcount double corded Egyptian cotton bed linen by Blanche Rose used at New Zealand’s top lodges. As we all know, the best part of staying at a nice hotel is always the bedding —complete with perfectly crisp sheets. It’s heaven. Some of our favourite hotels and top
- [SAVE UP TO 70% AT RUBY STAR TRADERS' MEGA SALE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/save-up-to-70-at-ruby-star-traders-mega-sale-2/) - Aesthetes, on your marks from tomorrow, when Ruby Star will be offering up to 70 percent off at its mega half-yearly sale. For two weeks only, there will be mirrors, armchairs, wingbacks, tables, bedsides, lamps, commodes, and cupboards, in the company’s famous signature bone inlay - at heavily discounted prices. Also great accessory updates such
- [THE HOUSE & GARDEN AUCTION EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-house-garden-auction-everyone-needs-to-know-about/) - Design enthusiasts, get set for the biggest auction of the season – Lawson’s Winter House & Garden sale on now– with every piece vetted by us. Whether it’s with antiques, decorative accessories or outdoor items, personalising our spaces satisfies our inherent need for expression. Find your treasured items at the big once-a-year home extravaganza with
- [MAKE THE MOST OF A STAYCATION WITH THE BEST HOTEL DEAL IN TOWN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/make-the-most-of-a-staycation-with-the-best-hotel-deal-in-town/) - As travel restrictions ease in each state, we loved our staycation at Double Bay’s renowned InterContinental Hotel last week, despite our city pad being only a block away. Not only is it a great break from work from home - mental wellness is essential, essentially tied to relaxation, and what scientists call “life satisfaction”, both
- [QUIET PLEASE: A LITTLE SILENCE IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/quiet-please-how-the-design-world-is-encouraging-us-to-enjoy-a-little-silence/) - It's been quiet, hasn't it? At the risk of posting yet another theory on the over-dissected predicament of social shut-down-respite from life's more disruptive, discordant soundtracks could be added to the silver linings afforded us by the rampant virus. Unless at the mercy of an enthusiastic home renovator next door (taking advantage of metaphorical downed
- [6 OUTDOOR FURNITURE TRENDS OF 2020 - FOR ANY BUDGET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-outdoor-furniture-trends-of-2020-for-any-budget/) - For anyone who likes to entertain, social distancing carries an additional pointed pain. Even when regulations begin to relax, will we really want to sit around a once convivially crowded table enclosed in four walls? “I think that as we are able to gather, the first places we will do this is outdoors,” said New
- [15 WAYS THE PANDEMIC WILL IMPACT INTERIOR DESIGN AS WE KNOW IT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/17-ways-the-pandemic-will-impact-interior-design-as-we-know-it/) - As we isolate in our homes, we become increasingly aware of how our interior spaces affect our moods, our ability to work and our physical comfort. And in this moment of being homebound, while we need our interior spaces to be flexible to accommodate temporary activities, more importantly, we need to enjoy the space regardless of
- [GOING FULL CIRCLE: AN ULTRA-SIMPLE APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/going-full-circle-an-ultra-simple-approach-to-sustainability/) - When it comes to architecture, it can be hard to navigate between truly sustainable buildings and greenwashing, especially when terms such as 'zero carbon' and 'recycled' sound positive but don't always tell the full story. In a bid to find an authentic sustainable method of construction, some architects are looking to the circular economy. Read
- [WE CAN'T GO BACK TO NORMAL - HOW CORONAVIRUS WILL CHANGE HOME DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-will-coronavirus-change-the-future-of-home-design/) - Powerful forces are changing our world. The pandemic’s impact is touching all countries, sectors, companies, the environment, and increasingly our homes. It is also morphing in some unexpected ways and combining to create even greater impacts than we expected. Times of upheaval are always times of radical change. Some believe the pandemic is a once-in-a-generation
- [10 INTERIOR TIPS TO HAPPY UP YOUR HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-interior-tips-to-happy-up-your-home/) - Whenever we are asked to give advice on interior design we suspect we are expected to give an instant set of rules: style guidelines that can be applied to every home guaranteeing perfect results every time. What we can tell you is if something has been badly designed it will be apparent, as it will
- [A GUIDE TO MASTERING THE VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/a-guide-to-mastering-the-virtual-dinner-party/) - As lockdown becomes the new normal we are getting increasingly used to socialising virtually, from dating, coffee, and now the esteemed domain of the ‘dinner party’ is transcending to a digital experience. You may have already been invited to one, you may be hosting one or you may already be au fait with the burgeoning social
- [HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY: THIS YEAR IT'S LUNCH AT HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/happy-mothers-day-this-year-its-lunch-at-home/) - We should honour our mothers daily, but in case you've fallen off track—pay homage this Mother's Day with a thoughtful gift she'll actually appreciate. In a climate where status is increasingly cued by values and purpose in place of price and prestige, we’ve rounded up things that resonate with the modern mother, whatever her age,
- [INSIDE NATE BERKUS AND JEREMIAH BRENT'S NYC FAMILY TOWNHOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/nate-berkus-and-jeremiah-brent-transform-an-nyc-town-house-into-a-family-home/) - There’s no point in beating around the bush. Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent want you to know they’re embarrassed. Chastened. “Humiliated!” says Berkus. Seated in a pair of armchairs in front of a blazing fire in their new West Village town house, the married designers look content and perfectly at home—if a little sheepish. After
- [A RETURN TO DINING TOGETHER; AND NEW RULES FOR GROUP EATING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-return-to-dining-together-and-how-well-find-new-rules-for-group-eating/) - It now seems almost miraculous to remember that the act of eating in large groups with shared plates only a few months ago could have been so free and trusting. Suddenly, the idea of sharing food hand to hand with a group of strangers is off the table, along with so many other forms of
- [TABLESCAPES: ELEVATING DINNER AT HOME DURING ISOLATION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/tablescapes-elevating-dinner-at-home-during-home-isolation/) - While the effects of Coronavirus may be posing something of a culinary challenge to even the ablest of chefs, it has provided the perfect reason to get creative – and elevate the home dining experience in other ways instead. Extravagant centre-pieces, or tablescapes, have been a thing since the days of Downton Abbey and beyond according
- [HOW PREVIOUS EPIDEMICS IMPACTED HOME DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-previous-epidemics-impacted-home-design/) - If you’re doing your part and social distancing from inside your home, you may start to notice small details of your house or apartment you hadn’t thought about before—such as why your older home doesn’t have a wardrobe, or how white subway tiles became so ubiquitous. You may also be wondering if there’s anything you
- [SAFETY ADVICE IF YOU MUST VISIT THE SUPERMARKET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/safety-advice-if-you-must-visit-the-supermarket/) - Deliveries are safer during the coronavirus pandemic, but sometimes a store visit is unavoidable. Here are the precautions to take. With communities across the country virtually shut down, there is still one place nearly everyone needs to visit at some point: the supermarket. Experts say deliveries are safer, but sometimes it can be hard to
- [THE 7 MOST IMPRACTICAL DESIGN TRENDS OF THE LAST DECADE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-7-most-impractical-design-trends-of-the-last-decade/) - Open kitchen shelving. Sheepskin rugs. Vessel sinks. Design pros smack their foreheads as they recall the most foolish, yet still popular, decorating ideas of the last 10 years, according to the Wall Street Journal. A thought-provoking look at the least-livable design choices of the past decade, from the impossible-to-clean to the just plain uncomfortable. Last month
- [THE HOME LOCKDOWN GUIDE: HOW TO PREPARE FOR CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-home-lockdown-guide-how-to-prepare-for-coronavirus-quarantine/) - As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, self-isolation or quarantine is one of the key strategies in “flattening the curve” of infection rates. These 14-day isolation periods involve individuals or families staying within their homes, and not having physical contact with those outside. With school closures, as well as workplaces, shutting down, what can we expect and
- [HOW TO CLEAN YOUR HOME FOR CORONAVRIUS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-clean-your-home-for-coronavrius/) - It takes only a few minutes but cleaning high-traffic surfaces once a day can make a difference in preventing the spread of infection. Read more, 'How Coronavirus Will Change Our Homes In The Next Decade.' We asked the experts how best to clean our homes during a viral outbreak. After they taught us the proper
- [WHY BOOKS ARE SO COMFORTING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/why-books-are-so-comforting-in-the-time-of-covid-19/) - The thing with books is that they are a passport to other places and lives. In a book, you can go anywhere and be anyone. It’s a motivation that feels especially attractive again. Now, for whatever undetermined period of time this self quaratine will be, people are at home and reaching for books. We’re searching bookcases
- [CAN'T VISIT FOR EASTER? SEND A GIFT INSTEAD](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/cant-visit-for-easter-send-a-gift-instead/) - Although life has been put on hold during the pandemic it doesn’t mean traditions have to be. Let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them this Easter – and deliver the love to them - with a Royal Copenhagen Easter egg in porcelain they can treasure forever. The $99 handpainted designs are one of
- [THE CONTENTS OF A FAB COUNTRY HOUSE, UP FOR SALE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-contents-of-a-fab-country-house-up-for-sale/) - Fancy a fabulous French salon sofa? A bargain pair of slipper chairs? Or a big traditional artwork to elevate your interior? Head online to Shapiro Auctioneers who has a world-class furniture collection up for grabs this weekend, with knockout furniture and artworks targeting those of us who love English country style. Bon vivant Graeme Webb
- [CONQUER CLUTTER IN 10 PAIN-FREE STEPS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/spring-cleaning-conquer-clutter-10-pain-free-steps/) - Spring cleaning. The phrase has assocIations with a time when women spent all day washing, ironing, sweeping, and thumping carpets with sticks, and then, just for fun, once a year, took everything outside and thumped and washed and cleaned some more. These days people hardly ever clean, despite the fact that books on housekeeping are
- [THE 4 BIG BATHROOM TRENDS TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR IN 2020](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/4-biggest-new-bathroom-design-directions/) - A great way to celebrate the start of the new year is with simple renovations that go the distance. Before you begin sprucing up your home, consider the spaces that you use the most. Take a look at these four trends according to a new Houzz study that are worth your attention in 2020. NO-GLASS
- [HOW CORONAVIRUS WILL CHANGE OUR HOMES IN THE NEXT DECADE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-coronavirus-will-change-our-homes-in-the-next-decade/) - Not many people understand what is happening to our world and economy right now but experts are predicting the coronavirus epidemic will lead to "a global recession of a magnitude that has not been experienced before" that will eventually allow humanity to reset its values. Find out how we will slow down, get back to
- [A CHICAGO PIED-À-TERRE FILLED WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND DETAILS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-chicago-pied-a-terre-filled-with-one-of-a-kind-details/) - In August 2017, the American designer Summer Thornton posted a seemingly innocuous image of a tomato-red firehouse door on Instagram, citing it as inspiration for an upcoming kitchen project. But the picture set off alarm bells for at least one viewer. “I thought, ‘Oh boy, I hope that’s not for us,’” says Neil Heller, a
- [THE MOST TALKED ABOUT VASE IN PARIS ARRIVES IN TOWN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-most-talked-about-vase-in-paris-arrives-in-town/) - Palmer & Penn unpacks the most covetable Botanica collection of vases from Lalique, the venerable French crystal company, represented by most major museums in the world, this month. The brand looked to its storied Art Nouveau origins for the new pieces that take us into a world of escapism. Floral romanticism meets mineral strength. Motifs
- [HOW TO WORK FROM HOME IF YOU'VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-work-from-home-if-youve-never-done-it-before/) - What’s the best way to work effectively from home? That has suddenly become an urgent question as employers around the world tell their staff to work remotely in an effort to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. Here’s some advice. Read more, 'How Corona Virus Will Change Our Homes In The Next Decade.' Keep
- [THE 25 ROOMS THAT INFLUENCE THE WAY WE DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-25-rooms-that-influence-the-way-we-design/) - Three designers, two journalists and an interiors photographer gathered at The New York Times recently to make a list of history’s most enduring and significant spaces. The most influential rooms of all time. By that we mean "influential" in its truest sense. Spaces that not only changed the way we live but also changed the
- [COMING SOON: DIRTY JANES MEGA EMPORIUM IN CANBERRA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/coming-soon-dirty-janes-mega-emporium-in-canberra/) - A sustainable, awe-inspiring one acre outfit is just one reason to visit Dirty Janes Canberra, the vintage specialist's second Australian venue when it opens on March 25 this month. Plus there's an even bigger range of artisanal and antique shopping than the original Southern Highlands flagship which has become Australia’s most unique vintage shopping destination
- [DECORATING WITH COLOUR: A 4-STEP GUIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/decorating-with-colour-a-4-step-guide/) - The emotive power of colour is long documented: it's one of the most vital and highly contested elements of interior design. Can’t settle on a colour scheme for your home or even a room? Here, we outline a step-by-step guide for identifying—and decorating with—the hues that make you happy. This is how to get your
- [THE 9 PRODUCTS THAT MADE US HAPPIER AT HOME IN FEBRUARY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-9-products-that-made-us-happier-at-home-in-february/) - From wall-mounted new Perrin & Rowe filler taps with traditional porcelain lever handles that dispense water into pots and pans while on the stove to Ralph Lauren double silver nut bowls and the 'It' book everyone’s talking about – check out the things that are making us happier this month. Read more, 'How to Shop
- [THESE ARE THE TRADE SHOWS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IN 2020](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-are-the-trade-shows-you-should-consider-in-2020/) - The abundance of global design fairs can make for some serious FOMO. Which ones should you attend? Trade show season is upon us, but there are only so many you can attend—and afford—in a calendar year. That’s why we’re offering this cheat sheet to some of the major architecture and design shows. Take a read
- [10 BATHROOM LOOKS FOR 2020 PICKING UP STEAM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-bathroom-looks-for-2020-picking-up-steam/) - In our resolute quest for sanctuary, the bathroom is a space that feels increasingly vital. Perhaps now is the time to ask more of your bathroom. Championing bolder, braver design, innovative materials, and colour that calms or invigorates. Read more, 'The 4 Big Bathroom Trends To Keep on Your Radar.' Here, we’ve highlighted the current
- [THE GREAT CLUTTER COMEBACK](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/the-great-clutter-comeback/) - At a time when it feels as though the world is falling apart, a return to mess, maximalism and comfort in our homes, might just be the way forward, says UK Elle Decoration in its March, 2020 issue. The new year is a time for renewal, reappraisal, decluttering, purging, a domestic detox. Ridding your home
- [READY, SET, SHOP: COOL NEW ARRIVALS FROM LIVING BY DESIGN!](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ready-set-shop-cool-new-arrivals-from-living-by-design/) - Living By Design is producing some of the most affordable, contemporary and refined classic mid-century styles in vegan leather making for more sociable sutainable living experiences. All-rounder, streamlined swivel armchairs, $699, occasional chairs, $799, dining seats, $249, and barstools galore including great bentwood versions. Living By Design, (08) 8431 9887, www.livingbydesign.net.au Instant style boosters. And the
- [A GUIDE TO BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-guide-to-births-deaths-and-marriages/) - BIRTH Even in this digital, Instagram age, don’t thrust a camera in a mother or newborn's face. Neither probably wants to be photographed at that moment. Allow new parents to release and post the first few images of their baby - don't deprive them of that key, modern parenting moment. Over-sharing Similarly, parents, as with
- [THESE ARE THE COLOURS EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT IN 2019](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/colours-everyone-talking-2018/) - These are the colours you’ll be obsessed with next year, based on your personality according to US paint giant, Sherwin Williams - and we can’t help feeling excited. The paint company’s intention was to ask themselves: “'If this palette were a person, what kind of person might they be?'" said Sue Wadden, the company's director
- [THE 50 BEST DECORATING TIPS OF ALL TIME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/50-best-decorating-tips-time/) - Everything you put on show speaks to you. Here we break down the basics of how to hit the mark everytime you pull a room together. 1. When using colour, use it in planes Paint entire walls from architrave to skirtings. Don’t pick out the detailing in contrasting colours. It looks (and feels) old-fashioned. 2.
- [DECORATING ON A BUDGET: 20 TIPS FROM THE PROS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/decorating-budget-20-tips-pros/) - The bateau lit sofa in the living room at our country house was part of a set, but it was expensive, so a friend and I both chipped in — I took the sofa, she got the two armchairs. You don’t need to whizz off to the shops Rearrange what you’ve got. Move paintings, tables
- [JUSTIN MILLER’S ART SHOW OPENS AT LANDMARK SOUTHERN HIGHLAND’S PROPERTY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/james-fairfaxs-retford-park-open-to-the-public-with-justin-millers-stunning-art-show/) - This month is the highlight of the year for the Southern Highland and Sydney set judging by the quality of art on show. Get set for Justin Miller’s exhibition, The Art of Collecting: Retford Park Rehung that opens on Saturday as part of an annual exhibition at the famous country estate, in the Southern Highlands. We
- [GET THE PARTY STARTED; HOW TO BE THE PERFECT HOST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/get-the-party-started-how-to-be-the-perfect-host/) - SET THE SCENE Anything goes at this time of year, so create an eclectic feel with a blend of styles and references. Experiment by mixing classical motifs with ceramics, vintage style glassware and the odd playful pieces. GOLD THINGS Go festive without the kitsch, simplify the bling, by sticking with burnished gold and coppers rather
- [THESE WILL BE THE TOP HOME DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2020, PART 2](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-will-be-the-top-home-design-trends-for-2020-part-2/) - RIP sweet pinks and brass fixtures. Make way for the new IT building material: cork. Hello, simple luxuries, and shifting into a slightly more subdued gear for the new year while still packing on the personality. A great example is John Stefanidis’ house, pictured, on the Greek Island of Patmos, published from ‘Near and Far’,
- [THESE ARE, HANDS DOWN, THE BEST BUYS AT PROVINCIAL HOME LIVING'S MAJOR SALE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-are-hands-down-the-best-buys-at-provincial-home-livings-major-sale/) - Tastemakers, this one’s for you. Provincial Home Living, a purveyor of beautiful staples, has everything on sale, with a huge range of upholstery, dining tables, armchairs, French-style beds, bargain china, timber cakestands, bowls, lamps, and the chicest rattan outdoor furniture, for a lot less than usual. There are Algiers natural baskets, starting from $16.95 (was
- [THIS IS THE FIRST THING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER NOTICES WHEN ENTERING A HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-is-the-first-thing-an-interior-designer-notices-when-entering-a-home/) - Unless interior design is your profession, you may not be aware of the most common mistakes made when arranging furniture in a home. One of the biggest mistakes is placing your sofa directly against a wall. It's an incredibly common decision people make when arranging furniture in their living room because it's counterintuitive. You'd think that
- [THE TOP 8 DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2020](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-top-8-trends-for-2020/) - Oval furniture is making sharp angles seem passe. The reign of white Carrara is giving way to many-coloured marbles. So long, grey. Hello, soft earth palettes. RIP bleached and whitewashed floors. Make way for warm floors underfoot. For 2020 people want a softer style of living with homes that feel a bit more cosy. Longevity is in,
- [SAVE UP TO 70% AT RUBY STAR TRADER'S MEGA SALE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/save-up-to-70-at-ruby-star-traders-mega-sale/) - Aesthetes, on your marks from Saturday, when Ruby Star Traders will be offering up to 70 percent off at its mega annual sale. Pay $75 for fashionable chintz or Batik-design lamp bases, (were $325), $95 for gorgeous bone-inlay boxes (were $395), $25 for Santa Fe embroidered cushions in five different colours, (were $125) and $250
- [TIME TESTED TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/christmas/time-tested-tips-for-a-stress-free-christmas/) - Don’t let Christmas creep up on you. Try not to leave everything to a last-minute rush on Christmas eve. Start early and write lists of what you need to save you going in blind and buying more than you need. Use what you have - just make it look good. The presentation is everything. There’s
- [THE MOST DECADENT CHRISTMAS CANDLES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-most-decadent-christmas-candle-brand-and-how-to-take-care-of-them/) - Nothing says Christmas glamour like a hefty 3000g candle, and the offerings this year are particularly glorious. For the glitz factor, look to Cire Trudon’s Nazareth candle that provides a cosy blend of the most Christmassy scent of clove, cinnamon and orange in fabulously gilded glass. To reap the rewards of such an investment, when
- [A GUIDE TO THE 100 BEST CHRISTMAS GIFTS OF ALL TIME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-guide-to-100-best-gifts-of-all-time/) - Christmas may not be just about material things, but we all want to find something beautiful under the tree. The eternal dilemma for anyone choosing gifts: should you go purely practical or indulgently frivolous? We found the best of both. Raise a glass to our favourite pieces with both style and substance this year in
- [TURN OFF YOUR PHONE FOR CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/turn-off-your-phone-for-christmas/) - Your family might not get to see each other very often. Christmas means large extended family gatherings, hours of cooking and a group of people who don’t typically interact in person – and when the holiday ends, many will lament that they don’t get to spend enough tie with each other. But during the holiday itself,
- [WHY CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT FOOD](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/why-christmas-is-about-food/) - Christmas is one of those times of year that inspires reflection. For some it is a moment to contemplate the meaning of family. But for us, there is a simpler message to take away: We should all have more good food in our lives. What’s refreshing about Christmas is that, for all the travel delays
- [WHEN THE NEXT GENERATION HAS TO STEP UP ON CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/when-the-next-generation-has-to-step-up-on-christmas/) - Christmas is all about family and tradition. So what happens when parents—often the keepers of tradition—are aging and can’t do it anymore? Dynamics change, says Ken Druck, an expert on aging and family psychology and author of the recently released book “Raising an Aging Parent: Advice for Families in the Second Half of Life.” Adult
- [IF YOU WANT ANTIQUES, HIT LAWSONS LANDMARK CHRISTMAS AUCTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/if-you-want-beautiful-antiques-hit-lawsons-landmark-christmas-auction/) - On your mark, get set for Lawsons much-anticipated Christmas auction with more than 600 pieces of furniture and decorative objects at Camden Park House Stables this Sunday. The curated installation on the grounds of the historic Georgian manor, even includes a WCPenfold & Co cart, on the road since 1847, running deliveries for our very
- [A MANNER'S MANIFESTO: RULES TO LIVE BY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-manners-manifesto-rules-to-live-by/) - For 4,000 years, humans have implored one another to mind their manners. Like most rules, manners are written from social heights. Many decrees for how (or how not) to do things — to use snail tongs and fish knives - seem built to keep interlopers out. Some standards change, like passwords, as soon as they’re
- [DESIGN TRICKS: YOU MIGHT HAVE MORE HOUSE THAN YOU THINK](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/design-tricks-you-might-have-more-house-than-you-think/) - How interior designers give under-utilised square meterage a makeover—ingeniously finding space for a home office, a bar and more if you live in a shoebox Some people have expansive interiors with skate-boardable hallways and bookshelves devoted entirely to objects. Most folk, however, need to exploit every bit of real estate in their living quarters, something
- [THE ART OF CRAMMING PEOPLE AROUND YOUR CHRISTMAS TABLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-art-of-cramming-people-around-your-christmas-table/) - People pay too much attention to the food at Christmas and not nearly enough to the setting. By this we mean there is an art to cramming an unusually large number of people around the table. Every year the menu might change, but one of the most important Christmas rituals is to put everyone together.
- [HOW TO DO LESS + ACHIEVE MORE IN 2020](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-do-less-achieve-more-in-2020/) - Many women are terrified of dropping the ball: the career ball, the family ball, the friend ball. But often, our expectations of ourselves are simply unrealistic. Here’s how to decide what’s really worthy of your time. You might for instance return from maternity leave after giving birth to your first child, leaving the house fully
- [IT'S OFFICIAL: THE MOST POPULAR SYDNEY STORE AMONG THE STYLE SET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/its-official-the-most-popular-sydney-store-among-the-style-set/) - Palmer & Penn is buzzing. It’s a one-of-a-kind store with an influential aesthetic that sells high-end products and experiences. The brands all have impeccable pedigrees, with pieces choreographed as beautifully as a fashion show. You can have a cup of tea from a $1200 Legle de Limoge teapot with matching $500 teacup at its transporting
- [A SAVE-THE-DATE IS NOT A SUBPOENA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-save-the-date-is-not-a-subpoena/) - How to say no during wedding season. You are allowed to skip being in the bridal party, attending a shower or bachelor/bachelorette party and even the wedding itself. Search for “bridesmaid proposal” on Etsy and you’ll be met with 49,465 results. There are the cutesy mugs (“I can’t marry my mister without my sister”) and
- [ELLE MACPHERSON'S FASHIONABLE, ART-FILLED MIAMI HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/elle-macphersons-fashionable-art-filled-miami-home/) - With an assist from Sawyer | Berson, Elle Macpherson settles into a Florida home stocked with a trove of artworks that have been cherished companions in her travels through the worlds of fashion and business. Over the course of her celebrated career as a supermodel, wellness warrior, entrepreneur, and mother of two, Elle Macpherson has
- [LUXURY HOMES THAT PROMISE TO REDUCE STRESS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/luxury-homes-that-promise-to-reduce-stress/) - Architects are designing a healthier living environment for the wellness-minded among us. Think a meditation courtyard with a reflecting pool. An open-air yoga studio hung with silken hammocks. A medicinal garden planted with calming herbs. It may sound like a tour of an ashram, but these are some of the features that mark a trend
- [DREADING CHRISTMAS? HAM IT UP WITH PETER ROWLAND](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/dreading-christmas-ham-it-up-with-peter-rowland/) - Divine food is paramount to a merry Christmas. This year, Peter Rowland is ensuring merry celebrations with its abundant new Christmas Catering menu designed to avoid—or at least minimise— stress and drama around the biggest holiday of the year. There’s plenty of Christmas menus around to appease but few can rival the offering at Rowland,
- [THREE DESIGN BOOKS TO KICK START YOUR DECORATING PROJECT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/three-design-books-to-kick-start-your-decorating-project/) - For those itching to really switch things up, look no further than these knockout books: three of the best inspirational design books of the season in our (unscientific) opinion. NEAR AND FAR INTERIORS I LOVE Start with Lisa Fines debut book with much-admired photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna who Lisa worked with when they were both editors at
- [5 DECORATING TECHNIQUES THAT SEPARATE THE PROS FROM THE AMATEURS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-decorating-techniques-that-separate-the-pros-from-the-amateurs/) - Amateur decorators struggle with the same array of variables that interior designers do: furniture, lighting, paint, artwork, rugs, window treatments, and pets determined to destroy those window treatments. But pros take into account an overarching factor that eludes untrained eyes: a room’s visual connection to the adjacent space. It’s all about the flow or procession.
- [SYDNEY SALES WRAP: BEST OF THE MONTH](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/sydney-sales-wrap-best-of-the-month/) - Hey people, want easy updates for your home this summer? Hit Horgans annual warehouse sale today for up to 80 percent off a huge array of the prettiest homewares and furniture that is sold in some of our fave stores around the country. Kicking off for four days this week, and again next weekend, you
- [THE RETURN OF THE GOLDEN AGE DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-return-of-the-golden-age-design/) - With so many glass towers vying for attention on city landscapes around the world, such as New York City, some developers are looking to the past for inspiration. The result: new buildings with Art Deco and neo-Georgian flourishes. Many could easily be mistaken for structures built nearly a century ago. For 2020 we can expect to
- [THIS TUSCANY-INSPIRED POOLHOUSE MAKES A SPLASH AT AD100 ATELIER AM'S LA ABODE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-tuscany-inspired-poolhouse-makes-a-splash-at-ad100-atelier-ams-la-abode/) - Atelier AM’s Alexandra and Michael Misczynski expand their Los Angeles home with a sophisticated family fun zone that evokes the glories of the Italian countryside. Michael Misczynski describes it as a “defensive move.” The modest ranch house next door to the West Hollywood home he shares with wife and business partner Alexandra and their two
- [ANYTHING GOOD TAKES EXACTLY FIVE MEETINGS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/anything-good-takes-exactly-five-meetings/) - I was headed out of the office with a stack of papers I spent all week preparing. My boss stopped me at the door and asked, “What are you doing with all that junk?” I was trying to sell a company. “It’s the first meeting, right?” Yeah. “Don’t be an idiot. Leave all that stuff
- [CREATING A NEW FEELING IN AN OLD HOME WITH IKEA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/creating-a-new-feeling-in-an-old-home-with-ikea/) - Surrounded by lovely, unusual collections, handmade furniture and flea market finds live Sara, Patrik and Ragnar. Sara loves collecting everyday objects and creating compositions from them. Their home is far from perfect – but that’s the whole idea. Step inside… A natural color palette Sara works as an illustrator, and often works on children’s books.
- [HOW TO DECORATE FOR HAPPINESS AND MENTAL WELLBEING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-decorate-for-happiness-and-mental-wellbeing/) - The subtleties of interior design can have huge impacts on our mental health, in ways we often don't fully understand. Here we explore the elements of design, from colour to the presence of nature, that make us feel at home, according to a recent article published in UK House & Garden. What is it about
- [FEELING BURNT OUT? 5 WAYS TO FIND YOUR "OFF SWITCH" AT HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/feeling-burnt-out-5-ways-to-find-your-off-switch-at-home/) - For many people, leaving the office at the end of the day is much more complicated than simply walking out the door. It feels nearly impossible to mentally leave behind to-do lists, memos, deadlines and email inbox at the end of the day. According to a 2016 study by the Academy of Management, employees tally
- [LOOK WHO'S BACK WITH A POP-UP AND FRENCH FURNITURE UP TO 70% OFF](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/look-whos-back-with-a-pop-up-and-french-furniture-up-to-70-off/) - Look who’s back. That fave Sydney retailer, Imagine This, where our top-end designers once got pieces for the best houses in town, has opened a pop-up for three weeks only in Double Bay with up to 50 to 70 percent off everything. For a limited time you can grab savings off beautiful French antique tables,
- [WHOA. LES INTERIEURS NEW LOOK IS INCREDIBLY APPEALING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/whoa-les-interieurs-new-look-is-incredibly-appealing/) - The news that one of Sydney’s favourite retailers is now doing a new concept is reason enough to visit as soon as you can. If you haven’t visited Les Interieurs yet, and you really should – the new concept is a triumph. It’s had a makeover. The walls are still white, but there’s less black
- [JUST OUTSIDE PARIS, A VERY OLD, AND VERY NEW, CASTLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/just-outside-paris-a-very-old-and-very-new-castle/) - Owning a Louis XV-era chateau means deciding whether to honour the past or completely upend it. But for Jean-Louis Tapiau, the solution was somewhere in the middle. Jean-Louis Tapiau stands in the vast entryway of his inherited chateau outside of Paris, dressed in a trim black corduroy suit, ready to give a tour. At first
- [INSIDE ANNABEL'S SPECTACULAR NEW MOSAIC-CLAD LOO](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/inside-annabels-spectacular-new-mosaic-clad-loo/) - With a 500kg crocodile carved from a single piece of green onyx for a sink, we can reveal the most luxurious new selfie spot in London if not the world. Bathrooms have been an unlikely focus this latter part of 2019 – with places such as the Blenheim Palace 18-carat golden loo heist. Since last
- [THE RISE OF THE FASHIONABLE CONCRETE INTERIOR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-rise-of-the-fashionable-concrete-interior/) - From rough-hewn to refined, concrete has moved beyond the drab slabs of the past. Advancements have catapulted concrete into the world of architectural-grade products, alongside popular stone and wood options. The material has become synonymous with honesty and integrity. A concrete benchtop, sink or floor is a serious contender for those seeking a customised material
- [THE HOTTEST BUYS OF THE SEASON AND HOW TO STYLE THEM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-hottest-buys-of-the-season-and-how-to-style-them/) - You don’t have to spend a fortune to do a quick cosmetic makeover. Here’s a few pieces we know you’re going to love that will change the look of your rooms dramatically. It’s a new season – so go ahead and celebrate with something fresh. Read more, '3 Microtrends That Are About To Blow Up.'
- [5 OF THE BEST DESIGN LESSONS THAT DECORATORS EVER LEARNED](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-of-the-best-design-lessons-that-decorators-ever-learned/) - No one’s decorating skillset is built overnight. While some people are blessed with a natural eye for design, creating a well-appointed place requires plenty of experience, trial and error, and, yes, some lessons learned along the way. The good news is you don’t have to go to design school to pick up a diploma on
- [10 VITAL QUESTIONS FOR RENOVATORS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-vital-questions-for-renovators/) - Thinking of rolling up your sleeves, picking up a hammer and renovating? Before you start knocking down walls or picking out tapware, know what you are hoping to achieve. Determine your needs vs. your wants and document your possessions. We talk to the experts on all aspects of a renovation project from budgets to hiring
- [11 SECRETS TO DECORATING LIKE THE WORLD'S CHICEST DESIGNERS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/11-secrets-to-decorating-like-the-worlds-chicest-designers/) - Want an advanced lesson in how to decorate like a superstar talent? Follow the work of leading international designers such as McAlpine House, pictured, as we shed light on the art of living well and creating a beautiful home that celebrates life. Behind every great decorator is an extraordinary vision. Many of the best interiors
- [MP X BELLE: IDEAS TO HELP YOU GO ONE STEP FURTHER AT HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/mp-x-belle-magazine-ideas-to-help-you-go-one-step-further-at-home/) - Begin by asking yourself two key questions. How much bathroom space do I have to work with? And what look and feel am I after? Whatever your needs, there are great-looking and high-functioning bathware for all settings, whether you’ve got a spacious, spa-size bathroom or a tiny urban space. Read more, 'Bathrooms of The Future:
- [TRICKS OF THE TRADE: THROWING A LARGE DINNER PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/tricks-of-the-trade-throwing-a-large-dinner-party/) - You've mastered the art of hosting a dozen friends for dinner, and you're getting ambitious. How hard will it be to ramp up to throwing a large dinner party for 20 or more? Not too hard —with careful planning. Feeding large parties at home, is about staying organised to ensure that dinner parties unfold smoothly.
- [HOW TO DESIGN FOR REAL LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-design-for-real-life/) - The pioneering architect who elevated nothingness to an art form has just completed a project in the English countryside for his most demanding client: himself. If there’s a thread that runs through most of John Pawson’s work, it is his unwillingness to water down any part of his vision of how things ought to be.
- [INVESTMENT PIECES VS. TREND PIECES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/melissas-daugher-isabellas-guide-to-investment-pieces-vs-trend-pieces/) - I spend a lot of time looking at new trends, new labels, and new ways to wear things. However, sometimes you really can’t beat a classic, and it's arguably even more important to build a wardrobe that you'll love for years—if not decades. To help you do that, browse our list of classics verses their
- [3 MICROTRENDS THAT ARE ABOUT TO BLOW UP](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/3-micro-trends-that-are-about-to-blow-up/) - When most people think of trends, they think of huge changes, but many of the most surprising and influential developments in modern society involve smaller microtrends. They can have an outsized effect on our culture and spotting them early can give you a clearer sense of what the future holds. Here are a few unfolding
- [WHAT YOUR HOUSE GIFT SAYS ABOUT YOU](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/house-gift-says/) - An old friend came to stay with us last month and completely blew us away with the presents she brought as a thank you for having her to stay: a HUGE tub of Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey Body Crème, $120, Jo Amber and Lavendar bath oil, $90, and Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Bath
- [CUTTING EDGE STYLE: AMAZING PRODUCTS THAT STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/cutting-edge-style-amazing-products-that-stand-out-from-the-crowd/) - Soho House’s homeware brand teams up with US retailer Anthropologie to produce a 30-strong furniture collection. Soho House who now counts 25 outposts of its members clubs around the globe has paired Soho Home (its retail arm) with the American giant. There’s a lot of crossover, says Chris Sotz, head of Anthropologie Home, The brands
- [TOP 10 TRENDS FOR SPRING 2019](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/top-10-trends-for-spring-2019/) - A new season of design has arrived and it looks like Spring 2019 is all about originality, values, sustainability, and convenience. So long, fully lacquered rooms. Hello, upcycled furniture. The shift towards the sustainable-as standard mindset is being driven by personal values. People are looking for greater meaning in how they work, live and consume.
- [THE INTERIOR FAUX PAS YOU SHOULD NEVER COMMIT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-interior-faux-pas-you-should-never-commit/) - Between selecting furniture, experimenting with paint swatches, and positioning art, there are hundreds of small decisions that go into styling the perfect space. Even the slightest misjudgment, like hanging artwork too high or choosing paint in a gloss rather than a matte finish, can have a surprising effect on a room. Few know this better than interior designers, who
- [BATHROOMS OF THE FUTURE: WHY WELLNESS AND ECO CREDENTIALS COUNT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/bathrooms-of-the-future-why-technology-wellness-and-eco-credentials-count/) - Creating an indulgent, restful bathing sanctuary is so much easier now, thanks to the introduction of mindfulness-focused baths and showers. Gone are the days when the bathroom was simply a space to get clean. Now it’s a place for rejuvenation and relaxation too. Wellness and mindfulness are increasingly being sought at home to balance out
- [THE 17 STYLE RULES YOU SHOULD NEVER LISTEN TO](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-17-style-rules-you-should-never-listen-to/) - Rules are made to be broken, and none more so than those that dictate what we can and cannot decorate with. Even though there are times and places that do dictate modesty and formality, our interiors are less restricted than ever before. Interior trends are fun to follow and invite us to take part in
- [HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-improve-your-outdoor-space/) - Get an apartment in the city with a balcony, roof deck or terrace, and you are guaranteed to be the envy of your friends. In the suburbs, a green garden is practically a requirement. Once you have that sliver of green, however, it can quickly lose its freshness, becoming the last place you decorate and
- [THESE 3 TRENDS ARE ON THEIR WAY OUT - AND 3 THAT ARE IN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/these-3-trends-are-on-their-way-out-and-3-that-are-in/) - Accent wall, be gone! We name 3 décor trends—from vessel sinks to Jacuzzi tubs—that (yawn) may be making your home look long in the tooth. Here, are three design decisions that have not aged well, plus advice on how to bring tired rooms into the third millennium such as introducing fabulous pottery that is as
- [HOW TO THROW A VERY SUCCESSFUL PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-throw-a-successful-party/) - Take the pressure off throwing the perfect night. You actually do not have to make the whole night a series of bangs, one after another. Here is what people remember most: THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES What happens as people first arrive? This is something people remember most– just like an event's first impression. The first
- [WEDDING GUEST DRESS GUIDE WITH MELISSA'S DAUGHTER, ISABELLA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/wedding-guest-dress-guide-with-melissas-daughter-isabella/) - With wedding season upon us, we’ve researched all the latest looks so you can put your best foot forward at everything from your cousin’s nuptials to your boss's big day. There will be no excuse to turn up looking drab. Leave that to the bridesmaids! Whatever the dress code, we have you covered. We dare
- [IKEA'S 2020 CATALOGUE IS HERE - AND IT'S FABULOUS!](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ikeas-2020-catalogue-is-here-and-its-fabulous/) - The IKEA catalogue drop is the Vogue September issue of the interiors industry. It's the big, important, once-a-year release from the Swedish furniture giant, who changed the way we think about furniture. The 2020 version goes live online this week – with hundreds of new products, ideas, and materials that focus on our core emotional
- [THE ORGANISED HOME: MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-organised-home-making-the-most-of-your-home/) - If you've ever rediscovered a favourite vase, bowl or quilt cover that's been been buried in the depths of your cupboards for months, you understand the importance of a well-organised house. Read more, 'How To Create a Serene Home'. Not only does an organised interior make for a more visually appealing (and less stress-inducing) space,
- [EXTERIOR METALWORK TO SUIT EVERY OUTDOOR SPACE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/exterior-metalwork-to-suit-every-outdoor-space/) - WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN INVESTING IN A NEW GATE OR RAILINGS? Think about the main purpose. Are they for practical reasons, such as security? If the railings are to prevent your dog from escaping, for instance, make sure you know how high your dog can jump. Also, it’s worth noting that anything over two
- [HOW TO START AN ART COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-start-an-art-collection/) - Art is good for you. But it’s not spinach. Its purpose is not to make you healthier or wiser says the New York Times in a recent article — although that could happen along the way. The reason to nourish a relationship with art is the same as the reason for bonding with other people:
- [BRINGING THE LIVING ROOM TO LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/bringing-the-living-room-to-life/) - The walls have been painted, the rugs rolled out and the furniture installed. So why doesn’t the living room feel finished? Because it isn’t. What it needs are accessories — cushions and throws, trays and bowls, stacks of books, maybe a plant or two — to make it look interesting and inviting. A room before
- [15 STYLE RULES THAT WILL MAKE YOU AN INTERIOR GURU](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-style-rules-that-will-make-you-an-interior-guru/) - Learn to dress your rooms the way you dress yourself. Work on that lived-in look. Discover our secrets of style for getting your house looking good. You’ll never use a fabric swatch pattern book again. Most people don’t know how to live well. Money has very little to do with great style or great decorating.
- [THE MOST COMMON DECORATING QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-most-common-decorating-questions-asked-and-answered/) - When you're styling a new space, there are so many ways you can approach the design. You want to inject some personality and play around with current trends, but you also want it to be classic and stand the test of time. Even after months of thoughtful planning, it can still be a minefield of
- [11 MIRRORS YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU NEEDED (UNTIL NOW!)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/11-mirrors-you-didnt-know-you-needed-until-now/) - If there's one easy trick to make a space look bigger, it's adding a mirror. In even the smallest of rooms, mirrors will reflect natural light and space to give an expansive effect that you normally would not have in a regular room. They add spark and instantly double the objects you own, especially if there’s
- [A GUIDE TO THE MOST - AND LEAST - INTRIGUING DESIGN TRENDS OF 2019](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-guide-to-the-most-and-least-intriguing-design-trends-of-2019/) - Over recent seasons there’s been a shift in people’s views in the home. We are increasingly seeking solace from our interiors, staying in has become the new norm and people are taking a renewed interest in decorating. We’ve discovered most of the things that go to the garbage aren’t broken, we’re just bored with them,
- [10 STYLE MISTAKES THAT WILL INSTANTLY CHEAPEN YOUR HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-style-mistakes-that-will-instantly-cheapen-your-home/) - In a world of instant gratification, fast fashion, and one-stop-shop décor stores, it's easy to want to decorate our homes all at once but one of the biggest mistakes is not letting interiors come together organically, over time, and without urgency. Here are 10 valuable lessons - along with the style mistakes not to make.
- [SPRING BUYS UNDER $250 BY MELISSA'S DAUGHTER ISABELLA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/spring-buys-under-250-by-melissas-daughter-isabella/) - We are still in the throes of cool August days but with Spring only 9 days away we’re gearing up the style stakes by injecting our Spring wardrobe with bright colours, breathable fabrics and some off-beat accessories. Read more, '30 Zara Items To Buy Right Now, According to Melissa's Daughter, Isabella' Because it’s never too
- [THIS SEASON'S HOTTEST FURNITURE PICKS: WHAT TO BUY NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-seasons-hottest-furniture-picks-what-to-buy-now/) - Living by Design just keeps on getting better, morphing and mutating, and staying right at the top of its game as one of the best sources for essential design-forward, quality-made furniture you’ll always use. This month the retailer adds a knockout bunch of new twentieth-century-inspired designs to its classic Safari collection. Meet the modernist Maland
- [HOW TO SHOP NOW AND WHY RETAIL THERAPY STILL WORKS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-shop-now-and-why-retail-therapy-still-works-2/) - Retail has been in a state of flux for years, an industry built on brick and mortar in a world now populated by smartphones and featuring ever-quicker home delivery from the web. There is also increased competition from brands that have built their followings through social media. And, of course, there’s that little company called Amazon.
- [10 DESIGNERS WEIGH IN ON THE BEST WHITE PAINT COLOURS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-designers-weigh-in-on-the-best-white-paint-colours/) - Not all white paint shades are created equal. And a number of factors come into play when deciding on the perfect white: the region (the quality of the natural light, window placement, room size, ceiling height, and more. Artists and others who work with colour know that white isn’t one hue but many—and that some
- [THIS REALLY IS THE NEXT REVOLUTION IN TV TECHNOLOGY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-really-is-the-next-revolution-in-tv-technology/) - One of the most interesting things we’ve seen this year on the tech front is Bang & Olufsen new Beovision Harmony television, sporting mechanical, rotating panel speakers that are meant to turn the TV into a sculptural object. The television conceals much of its 77 inches in OLED display behind its elegant oak and aluminium
- [SUPERYACHT ETIQUETTE: THE RULES OF BEING THE PERFECT ONBOARD GUEST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/superyacht-etiquette-the-rules-of-being-the-perfect-onboard-guest/) - An idyllic sunset can rapidly turn into the perfect storm. Here are a few suggestions on how to avoid that permanent sunburn of shame as a guest. Be grateful Firstly, there’s the gauche swagger that some people adopt when stepping on to a big boat. The better the vessel, the more entitled that strut becomes.
- [PAINT COLOURS WITH CULT FOLLOWINGS: 10 PICKS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/paint-colours-cult-followings-10-picks/) - Even architects and designers turn to their favourite colours - versatile and universally flattering - again and again. Here’s 10 that have stood the test of time. Lexicon from Dulux The top choice for an all-purpose white paint. Leading designers from Thomas Hamel to Iain Halliday, Greg Natale, Anna Spiro and Parterre owner Richard Haigh,
- [CONCRETE FLOORS 101: HOW TO DO THEM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/concrete-floors-101/) - Here’s how via UK Elle Decoration's recent Great Big Decorating Hotlist report! WHAT'S A POURED FLOOR? It’s a surface that is installed in-situ using a material in its liquid state, such as resin or concrete. The solution sets to form a smooth, solid and hard-wearing finish. WHY CHOOSE ONE? It’ll help you to achieve a unified
- [HAUTE HEAT: DESIGNER RADIATORS THAT DON'T HAVE TO HIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/hauter-heat-designer-radiators-that-dont-have-to-hide/) - The radiator has always offered heat. Now it is acting as art with a debut range of designer radiators from Oblica that has been created in partnership with some of Europe's most respected manufacturers such as Tubes, Zehnder, Runtal and Ridea. The range includes the Agora, Square, Soho, Charleston and Schema designer radiant panels. The
- [30 ZARA ITEMS TO BUY RIGHT NOW, ACCORDING TO MELISSA'S DAUGHTER, ISABELLA.](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/30-zara-items-to-buy-right-now-according-to-melissas-daughter-isabella/) - The fast-fashion retailer, Zara is always stocked with every item we’ve seen on our favourite fashion bloggers and influencers—all at a price that doesn’t make you cringe. Sequin dresses, velvet trousers, and Spring boots? Check, check, check. So find our top 30 items, in the gallery, from the latest at Zara, (unsurprisingly, they're all super
- [KITCHEN DESIGN IDEAS: INSPIRATION FOR THE HEART OF YOUR HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/kitchen-design-ideas-inspiration-for-the-heart-of-your-house/) - The kitchen has transcended straightforward culinary utility: it is the nucleus of the home, where most of waking life happens. Now we’re making visible what was previously hidden, showcasing cookware and produce, bringing the outside in with houseplants, or using raw, sometimes industrial materials for units. Read more, 'Inside Some of the World's Best Kitchens
- [DESIGNER SNEAKERS: WHY WE ARE DITCHING DRESS SHOES FOR THEM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/designer-sneakers-why-we-are-ditching-dress-shoes-for-them/) - If one common trend could define the decade it would be streetwear as sportswear. The growing atleisure market speaks to our constant on the go culture and increasing awareness in our health. And if one thing could define the atleisure market it would be sneakers. Check our gallery as we round up our top picks
- [12 IDEAS TO STEAL FROM A HEAVENLY BELGIAN HOUSE AND GARDEN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/12-ideas-to-steal-from-a-heavenly-belgian-house-and-garden/) - A favourite Belgian house is master artisan Eddy Danker’s collaboration with Axel Vervoordt on his new home with an old soul that features moody pigments with a lot of depth, abstract art, a warm patina, neatly clipped hedges and rambling vines. Here’s a look at some of the elements to recreate the look. Including the
- [YES OR NO: SHOULD INSTAGRAM GET RID OF 'LIKES'?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/yes-or-no-should-we-get-rid-of-instagram-likes/) - Social networks built on public status markers are now starting to hide them. In six countries, Instagram, the company of one billion users, is trying out hiding the number of likes that a post receives. The goal is to reduce pressure on people. Less competitive, less pressurized and more personal, Instagram surmises. The social media platform,
- [ZARA DOES IT AGAIN WITH NEW KITCHEN COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/zara-does-it-again-with-new-kitchen-collection/) - We regularly peruse Zara Home and scroll the high-street retailer’s site in search of on-trend, accessible finds from bedding, bathware, tablecloths, china and glassware with seriously luxe looks. This week, we were delighted to discover the Spanish chains’ new kitchen collection of utensils, (steak knives to prep knives) and cast iron cooking pots and saucepans
- [CLEAN AND CLUTTER-FREE IN 15 MINUTES A DAY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/clean-and-clutter-free-in-15-minutes-a-day/) - To keep house, and live well, you have to do more than fantasise about cleaning. Set to work with a will and a game plan. Forget spring cleaning. Doing a huge amount once a year is disheartening and sets you up for failure. Doing a little cleaning every day, means you will never have to
- [MAKING A MODERN GARDEN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/making-a-modern-garden-that-matches-your-home/) - What makes one layout of borders and lawn suburban, yet another cutting-edge? How do you go about gardening in a way that is contemporary, sustainable and matches your interior? We asked the experts… There are just two essential ingredients to contemporary gardens: strong structure and simplified planting, ‘explains Helen Dirren, the in-house designer at UK
- [THE ONE UPGRADE THAT WILL INSTANTLY MAKE A RENTAL LOOK EXPENSIVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-one-upgrade-that-will-instantly-make-a-rental-look-expensive/) - Finding the perfect décor for a bedroom rental can be a serious design challenge. After all, improving a place that's not technically your own can feel like a waste of time and money. However, you want to infuse the space with a sense of personality—it is still your home, even if just for now. While
- [WHAT’S HOT, WHAT’S SHOT – IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO THESE TRENDS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/whats-hot-whats-shot-its-time-to-say-goodbye-to-these-trends/) - We’ve looked around for the next big design trends and the ones that have bottomed out. From passé white lacquer furniture to "boring" neutral tones, as well as "overdone" gallery walls, decorating in all one style, and cheap ‘fast-fashion’ homewares – and here are the trends we’re endorsing instead. The ones that truly capture the
- [3 TO TRY: BEST NEW SHOPS AND COLLECTIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/3-to-try-best-new-shops-and-collections/) - From a Melbourne former gospel hall with soaring pressed metal ceilings that's been transformed into Boffi's second Australian standalone showroom to the best velvet cushions you'll find in town. Even high-end Mexican modernist furniture unlike anything else around. Here's a rundown of our favourite new shops and shipments where we've sourced things and found inspiration.
- [A ROOM WITHOUT BOOKS IS JUST VERY SAD](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/a-room-without-books-is-just-very-sad/) - Ultimate Library sells books by the metre to international luxury hotels like the Ham Yard. Founded in 2011, it has capitalized on an explosion of interest in books as decorative objects, shown plainly in popular bookshelf images on Instagram and Pinterest, with the hashtags #shelfie or #bookstagram. We’re not surprised – for decades, we’ve been
- [10 TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE PLANNING A PARTY AT A RESTAURANT  ](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-tips-to-know-before-planning-a-party-at-a-restaurant-or-bar/) - If you lack the time or the talent, or live in a small pad, it can be hard to host a dinner party at home. Luckily, cities are full of fabulous restaurants and hip bars, meaning a savvy host can transform a beloved eatery into a venue for their next soirée. You can host any
- [NO, YOU CAN'T IGNORE EMAIL. IT'S RUDE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/no-you-cant-ignore-email-its-rude/) - Being overwhelmed is no excuse says the Wall Street Journal in a recent article on the subject of the email. It’s hard to be good at your job if you’re bad at responding to people. “I’m really sorry I didn’t say hi, make eye contact or acknowledge your presence in any way when you waved
- [RUSTIC AND MODERN FIREPLACES TO ENJOY WINTER IN STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/rustic-and-modern-fireplaces-to-enjoy-winter-in-style/) - Fireplaces and wood stoves do more than provide heat on a cold day — they anchor a gathering place at the heart of a home. They’re a great focal point for any family gathering spot. What brings people together? Either a really beautiful meal or a really warm fire. There are various options for adding
- [DESIGNER JEAN-LOUIS DENIOT REVEALS HIS BLISSFUL LOS ANGELES HIDEAWAY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/designer-jean-louis-deniot-reveals-his-blissful-los-angeles-hideaway/) - When it’s raining in Paris, designer Jean-Louis Deniot simply hops on a plane to his blissful hideaway in sunny Los Angeles. Jean-Louis Deniot’s travel schedule reads like the index of a world atlas. Since establishing his Paris-based architecture and interior-design firm at age 26, nearly two decades ago, the French native has risen to global
- [HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DINING TABLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-choose-the-right-dining-table/) - The best dining table for you will be one that works for your budget, is solidly constructed, fits in your space and has a style you’ll love for years. There are some core factors you should consider when choosing a good one. First, be wary of giving into trends, says Christophe Pourny, a master furniture
- [THE WEDDING SOCIAL MEDIA RULES ALL BRIDES NEED TO KNOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-wedding-social-media-rules-all-brides-need-to-know/) - As the bride, navigating the grey areas of social media at your own wedding is not exactly straightforward says Tatler magazine in a recent article. However, the social bible says by following these social media guidelines surrounding matrimony coverage and you’ll avoid committing any big day faux-pas and, most importantly, prevent annoying people. Your Engagement
- [CREATE AN OPEN-AIR LIVING ROOM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/create-an-open-air-living-room/) - A good garden is a many splendoured thing: Even beginner gardeners agree that a symphony of flowering plants, almost weedless beds and thriving, super-green lawns, shrubs, and trees are well worth the hassle. But a beautifully laid-out and maintained outdoor space—no matter how artfully clipped and formal, or bountiful and romantic—is merely decorative if it
- [WHY YOU SHOULD REDECORATE TIL YOU KICK THE BUCKET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/why-you-should-redecorate-til-you-kick-the-bucket/) - As we age, it’s easy to let our décor petrify. When you see a room that looks like a time capsule, it makes you wonder if its owner is stuck in time as well. Interiors need constant updating: often many things you own are fine, they just need a tweak to make them fresh. A small
- [CURRENT OBSESSIONS: WINTER SALES + BEST BUYS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/current-obsessions-everything-is-now-on-sale/) - Here’s what’s on our radar; a slew of winter sales and must-haves at a lot less than usual. It's the perfect time to get out there, and spruce up your surroundings. DESIGNER RUGS Save up to 50 per cent on luxury handmade rugs used in some of the best houses around. Hundreds of designs including
- [HOW TO DECORATE A BEDROOM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-decorate-a-bedroom/) - As the nights grow longer, how we decorate our bedrooms becomes even more important with well designed lighting and pieces. We have you covered with exclusives you’ll only find at Bragg & Co, the name to know when you’re looking for beautiful lamps, bedside tables and étagère. Founded by top Australian designer Adelaide Bragg, the
- [LET THERE BE LIGHT, BUT LET'S MAKE SURE IT'S GOOD LIGHT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/let-there-be-light-but-lets-make-sure-its-good-light/) - Have you ever left the house thinking you looked great, only to discover you looked dreadful in a dressing room at a clothing store? Does the way you look in the bathrooms of some hotel rooms make you feel out of sorts while out of town? Are you unsettled by your reflection in airplane lavatories?
- [LIGHTING A ROOM, SIMPLIFIED](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/lighting-room-simplified/) - The right lighting can lift your spirits and make you more relaxed and productive. Here’s how the pros do it. Any experienced designer will tell you that lighting is an essential element when you’re decorating a room – not the afterthought that many of us consider it. If you’re tempted to spend more of your
- [START BUYING THE MILLENNIAL WAY OR RISK MISSING OUT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/start-buying-the-millennial-way-or-risk-missing-out/) - While older people are reluctant to buy big-ticket design items online, Generation Y has inspired direct-to-consumer digital retailers that slash the risk, cut the costs and amp up convenience. Are you experienced? New digitally native brands are obsessed with making the customer experience painless, in large part because they fear a social media backlash. “Basically,
- [7 PAST DECOR FADS WORTH BRINGING BACK](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/7-past-decor-fads-worth-bringing-back/) - When it came to past fads we would like to see exhumed, many design pros decisively say Art Deco. Some singled out 1970s sunken living rooms and Tuscan-style kitchens. Here, what’s due for a comeback and what’s considered done and better left forgotten. Read more, 'The Predictions Are In: These Are The Biggest Design Trends
- [HOW AIRBNB AND ITS RIVALS ARE WINNING OVER HOTEL SNOBS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-airbnb-and-its-rivals-are-winning-over-hotel-snobs/) - The home-sharing revolution is rewriting the rules of holiday accommodation. Have you ever procrastinated in booking a hotel room for an international visit, and been priced out of the good hotels. So you decide to Airbnb. Once a sharing-economy platform becomes a widely recognized verb, it has left the realm of trend and become a
- [HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT RUG](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-choose-the-right-rug/) - Your living room isn't complete without a rug. For it to feel pulled together it needs one. But rugs can be expensive. And because a large-scale item is going to have a big effect on the way a room looks and feels, choosing one can be intimidating. The right rug may be in your home
- [20 PARTY IDEAS THAT WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO SEND OUT INVITATIONS IMMEDIATELY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/20-party-ideas-that-will-make-you-want-to-send-out-invitations-immediately/) - For the hostess with the mostess, it’s the perfect season to host a chic winter lunch or dinner party. This event can take place at home, indoors or out. The problem with any party is if you haven’t organised things carefully the hostess can simply end up being an unpaid tea lady, endlessly putting together
- [THE PREDICTIONS ARE IN: THESE ARE THE BIGGEST DESIGN TRENDS OF 2019 SO FAR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-predictions-are-in-these-are-the-biggest-design-trends-of-2019-so-far/) - As we pass the midway mark for 2019, the year is one of awakening - a time when “woke” consumers are pushing for greater transparency and as our ten trends indicate, a year shaped by consumer shifts linked to technology, social causes, and trust issues. Consumers are becoming less brand loyal especially among millennials, two-thirds
- [NO MORE DULL CURTAINS: AN A-TO-Z GUIDE TO WINDOW TREATMENTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/no-more-dull-curtains-an-a-to-z-guide-to-window-treatments/) - Curtains, rollers, romans, swags, valances—where do you start? We share all the advice you need to achieve smart window decorating, including tips on new technologies. People don’t think they’re important,” says Ellen Fisher, dean of the New York School of Interior Design and author of “Home: The Foundations of Enduring Spaces” (Clarkson Potter). Unlike a
- [HOW TO CREATE A SERENE HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-create-a-serene-home/) - A home should be a refuge – a calm, warm, inviting place to unwind at the end of the day. But all too often it falls short of that ideal. The clutter piles up, the sofa gets stained, the lighting seems cold, the paint colours aren’t quite what we expected and the accessories don’t work
- [THE 10 BEST LANDSCAPERS IN AUSTRALIA](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/10-best-landscapers-australia/) - Here we name Australia’s Best landscape designers who are shaping the way we use our outdoor spaces- one garden, one courtyard, one terrace at a time. Each of the landscapers in our list has a vision: some are innovators, some are classicists, but all are supremely confident. From dynamic designers recalibrating beloved traditions to enterprising
- [5 QUICK TWEAKS DESIGN PROS USE TO TRANSFORM ROOMS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-quick-tweaks-design-pros-use-to-transform-rooms/) - These interior tweaks are like the idea of your mother in a new dress. Subtle updates for your interiors to make it look hipper and edgier without bothering with a major overhaul. They're for when you want to make your home look cooler without spending a ton of money. Not blatant statement-making moves but chic
- [NEED MORE STORAGE? A BESPOKE APPROACH TO JOINERY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/need-more-storage-taking-a-bespoke-approach-to-clean-lined-joinery/) - WHAT SHOULD I THINK ABOUT WHEN COMMISSIONING FITTED JOINERY? First, take the rest of the room into consideration. Look at the furniture you’ve already got and the style of the space. If you want a piece of furniture to house audio video equipment in your living room, you need to know exactly what you want
- [NEW TO IKEA: THE COOL FOLDABLE TABLE THAT EVERY KITCHEN NEEDS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/new-to-ikea-the-cool-foldable-table-that-every-kitchen-needs/) - It’s from the Ivar collection of unfinished-pine storage shelving, a line that we’ve admired for years. This new shelving and foldable table combo, though, hit Ikea stores just a few weeks ago. The top folds down to create a table for three; closed, the compact unit is around 30 centimetres deep, making it an ideal
- [BUON APPETITO: TAKING AN ITALIAN APPROACH TO ENTERTAINING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/buon-appetito-taking-an-italian-approach-to-entertaining/) - Celebrate the art of easy entertaining and do as the Italians do by setting an easy table using what’s in the cupboards. In other words, keep it simple and intuitive. Italian food is usually very fresh and unfussy, and this, too, seems to be the modus operandi for entertaining. For Italians sharing a meal with
- [SHOPPING FOR CLASSIC UPHOLSTERED ARMCHAIRS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/shopping-for-classic-upholstered-armchairs/) - Choosing a new armchair isn’t just about finding a place to sit — it can also change the entire aesthetic of a room. A big, upholstered armchair, for instance, can ground a seating area and lend a sense of gravitas; a chair with legs conveys a sense of airiness, flexibility and mobility. Selecting the appropriate
- [THE THREE BEST TEXTURES FOR THE MODERN HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-three-best-textures-for-the-modern-home-from-bragg-co/) - A glossy, glossy table lamp that instantly elevates any room. A black lacquer table that’s the Little Black Dress of interiors. A rattan bedside that is incredibly modern and adaptable. We hope Bragg & Co is on your radar – the company, founded by leading Australian interior designer Adelaide Bragg eighteen months ago, is rewarding
- [HOW TO BUY BATH TOWELS: A QUICK GUIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-buy-bath-towels-a-quick-guide-few-basic-favourites/) - Want to know how to shop the softest, plushest bath linens. That feel luxurious, come in an array of sumptuous colours, and are durable. Here’s a quick guide. What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries? The answer is, of course, a towel. But recently, shopping online for towels to update our bathrooms, we
- [SALES, SALES, SALES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/sales-sales-sales/) - Sale fatigue: You've heard of it, we’re sure? It's when the markdowns are so fabulous, that you get overwhelmed, a little disoriented and maybe even miss out on something that's got your name all over it. In the interest of smooth sailing, we are sharing some of our half-yearly favourites—which we have organized into easy-to-navigate
- [IT’S A DATE!](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/its-a-date/) - Use imagination in all you do Creativity is the magic that will transform the way you live – how you present yourself, set a table, arrange flowers and how you see things. Money can never do what imagination can achieve. Rise above things When people gossip or blame you, shut up. Never complain and never
- [15 TOP TRENDS FOR 2015](https://melissapenfold.com/trends/15-top-trends-2015/) - These are the design trends that we think will define the six months ahead. According to top designer Thomas Hamel it’s all about different (pretty) shades of white. Plus the rules to help you get your colours right. ORGANIC CURVES Nature-inspired shapes that hug the body and promote a sense of comfort. It’s a trend
- [WE FINALLY REVEAL OUR TOP 10 SALE TIPS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/finally-reveal-top-15-sale-tips/) - ONE Don't blow your budget on splurge items when you still lack the basics. Making a list will stop you buying impulsively. TWO Hit the sales for trend-resistant, household essentials that will last and serve you well. Think pots, pans, china, cutlery, glassware, quilts, pillows, sheets, blankets, towels, luggage. THREE Now is the time to
- [THE NEW BIG DO'S AND DONT'S OF DECORATING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/new-big-dos-donts-decorating/) - Do Mix Wood Finishes: A little worried about your dark espresso floorboards competing with your raw timber kitchen island and bleached table? Don’t be – follow the lead of Belgian architects who mix and match all kinds of different timber types, stains and finishes in a room. The ‘collected look’ is far more natural and
- [THE MUST DO 2017 SYDNEY ANTIQUES AND ART FAIR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/must-2017-sydney-antiques-art-fair/) - And sometimes a forecaster of the economic climate. New trends always shows up at the Fair, which is open from today until Sunday, with more than 45 top dealers from across the decorative and fine arts fields - furniture, silver, porcleain, ceramics, glass, prints, textiles and art. It’s a strong mix of an up-to-date audience too,
- [THE KITCHEN BRAND CELEBRITIES LOVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/kitchens/kitchen-brand-celebrities-love/) - The high-end Italian set the fashion for handle-free kitchens and black timber ceiling fans which you’ve seen in all the magazines. And you’ll get a load of style for your money with its latest award-winning kitchens that come with lots of extras that have to be seen to be believed. Take a look at the
- [THE ART YOU NEED AND HOW TO HANG IT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/art-need-hang/) - Don’t just bash a nail in the wall or hang your masterpieces on the hooks left by the previous owners, assuming they’ll be right for you. Chances are they weren’t right for the earlier daubs. Remember, hanging art is an art in itself. Oh, and don’t be afraid to take cues from your décor for
- [SPRING IS HERE. WHAT TO KEEP AND WHAT TO THROW AWAY](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/spring-keep-throw-away/) - These days most people hardly clean, let alone spring clean, despite the fact books on spring cleaning are on bestseller lists, supermarket shelves bulge with ever-more-specialised cleaning products and frilly pinafore apons are walking out of shop doors. The secret is to do a big edit of what you own and chuck out everything that
- [SEE INSIDE MELISSA'S DAUGHTERS FIRST APARTMENT](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/see-inside-melissas-daughters-first-apartment/) - No other generation understands up-to-the-minute interiors quite like the tech-savvy 20- and 30-somethings that grew up on social media. So when Melissa’s daughter Isabella Walker-Smith moved into her first apartment in Sydney’s eastern suburbs recently, we couldn’t wait to visit and ask her to weigh in on the essentials every young woman should have in
- [OUR TOP 15 WEEKEND PROJECTS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/top-15-weekend-projects/) - TIE YOUR OWN SHOWER CURTAIN RINGS Try swapping your cheap plastic shower rings for leather ties. Probably not ideal in a heavily used shower (you don’t want the leather dye running onto the shower curtain). But an ultra-chic update and easy weekend project: just replace standard rings with 40 centimetre lengths of leather cord, knotted
- [OUR EXPERT GUIDE TO DECORATING WITH NEUTRALS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/expert-guide-decorating-neutrals/) - Neutrals have been the most popular tones for the home during the first decades of the 21st century – and for good reason. There’s no colour like no colour. Many people feel comfortable when surrounded by carefully balanced colours that create an understated environment and make few demands on the eye. Neutrals offer infinite possibilities for
- [MIRRORS 101: BEST OF 2018 DESIGN TRENDS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/mirrors-101-best-2018-design-trends/) - Forget horizontals and bevel edges: big verticals, ovals and small circles are the way to go. Here’s a rundown of the best shapes and where to source them: from up-to-the-minute looks to antiques. Support acts to star turns. Every space needs one! A great mirror will lighten a room, reflect views, add sparkle and instantly
- [HOW TO MAKE OVER YOUR ENTIRE LOOK WITH ONLY ACCESSORIES](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/make-entire-look-accessories/) - THE ACCESSORY DU JOUR? The etegere is displacing bookcases. We prefer our furniture light and airy. Terracotta planters A timeless piece that will give your interior a well rounded appearance. WICKER The material of the moment. Seek out gorgeous basketware - trays to planters, flasks, boxes and bins. Antiqued mirror It makes everything look posh.
- [HOW TO ENTERTAIN AUSTRALIAN STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/entertaining/entertain-australian-style/) - Australians know you don’t have to be a great cook to be a great entertainer – some of the best parties are hosted by the worst cooks. Fancy food is far less important than people and atmosphere. Here’s a quick guide to how Australians organise relaxed get-togethers that let the hostess have just as much
- [HOW TO BE THE PERFECT GUEST](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/manners-atmosphere/how-to-be-the-perfect-guest/) - They are congenial, undemanding, thoughtful and entertaining towards other guests and the hosts. They are natural at small talk, witty, clever at picking up small clues, filling awkward silences, making people feel comfortable and keeping the mood light. If you’re a perfect guest, no-one will expect a reciprocal invitation – which is lucky, because you’ll
- [HOW POSH IS YOUR BEDROOM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-posh-is-your-bedroom/) - Expert says your bedroom may reveal more about you than you think. Flat sheets are preferable to duvets, while there is a strict hierarchy of beds Much was said last week about Windsor Castle reportedly switching from flat sheets and eiderdowns to duvets. The brouhaha this caused was quite perplexing. Seemingly what goes on in our bedrooms
- [GET THE LOOK THE TRICKS BEHIND BEACH STYLE (REVEALED!)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/get-look-tricks-behind-beach-style-revealed/) - Yep, even without a sea breeze or view - whitewashed walls, light-filled rooms, weathered woods, and natural textures are bringing the essence of nature into houses everywhere. And of course, accessories should evoke a walk on the beach or an evening sail. But don’t go overboard - you don’t want too many rope, shell and
- [EXPERT ADVICE: 15 SECRETS FOR SAVING MONEY ON A REMODEL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/expert-advice-15-secrets-saving-money-remodel/) - It’s all about careful planning, smart choices, knowing where to spend and where to save to keep costs down. Here’s a 15-step guide to making your house look like a million dollars on a budget: CHECK THE FOUNDATIONS If you're buying a house, make sure you investigate any setbacks and the foundations before you buy.
- [EVERYONE IS RENOVATING THESE TWO ROOMS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/everyone-renovating-two-rooms/) - Along with faux finishes and concrete, renovations are trending. After surveying more than 100, 000 of its registered users, design platform HOUZZ has released its 2017 Report, revealing that homeowners, including millenials, spent 11 per cent more on room makeovers in 2016 than the year before. Even more impressive, this number excludes kitchens and bathrooms.
- [ENTERTAINING FOR A CROWD](https://melissapenfold.com/entertaining/entertaining-for-a-crowd/) - We’ve sourced tableware pieces that are versatile, durable and accessible – low-maintenance classics that are good enough for the fanciest dinner party but tough enough for everyday. Buy stacks of dinner plates: 20 is better than 12, and 10 is better than 6. Forget fads, especially when it comes to plates. That means nothing square,
- [DINNERWARE SIMPLIFIED: WEDGWOOD EDITION](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/dinnerware-simplified-wedgwood-edition/) - After two and a half centuries, the Brit ceramic maker is still going strong. Few looks can match the classic good looks of Jasper Conran’s new Tisbury collection. Named after the village where Conran lives, the snazzy white plates, mugs, jugs, creamers, teacups, and teapots, with tactile ribbed relief border mix geometric shapes with strict
- [CURB APPEAL](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/curb-appeal/) - Take it one step at a time – here are the quickest, most dramatic and cost-effective ways to add instant style to your façade and boost your happiness everytime you come home. TRIM THE HEDGES Shrubs should frame your windows, like eyebrows frame and fence our faces – keep them manicured, not out-of-control. CLEAN THE
- [A MAGAZINE WORTHY HOME IS JUST A FEW TWEAKS AWAY](https://melissapenfold.com/decorating/magazine-worthy-home-just-tweaks-away/) - An interior doesn’t need to be an obvious beauty. Just about any room, however humble or grand, can become a masterpiece of charm and understatement. The secret is to create a style whose elegance is not defined by time, neither traditional or modern. Tweak what you’ve got, and opt for timeless things. Here’s our list of
- [10 WAYS TO SPEND LESS AND REDUCE CLUTTER](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/10-ways-spend-less-reduce-clutter/) - Beware of Duplication Don’t always buy the same thing. We all have areas of weakness when it comes to spending. It could be baskets, dinnerware, books, black jackets, kaftans, shoes. Pinpoint the key areas where you impulse buy, which leads to clutter. Break the pattern now. Buying one for now, and one for later: good
- [10 THINGS TO REMOVE FROM YOUR BEDROOM IMMEDIATELY](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/10-things-remove-bedroom-immediately/) - PILLOWS THAT DON'T BOUNCE BACK The ultimate test to find out if you should replace your pillow? Fold it in half and if it doesn't spring back into shape it's probably past its prime. Keep only those which are fresh, fluffy, comfy and make you happy. YOUR RANDOM GARBAGE It turns out your mother was onto
- [10 OF THE MOST POPULAR THINGS WE BOUGHT THIS YEAR](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/10-popular-things-bought-year/) - After all shopping (and decorating) can be stress-free and easy if you know where to go. It’s all about making your house stand out from the crowd. Don’t just make do with what you’ve got, or shop only in the most obvious big-name stores or never go off the beaten track. That’s the reason so
- [6 FAVOURITES: SIMPLE WHITE SHEETS](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/10-easy-pieces-simple-white-sheets/) - Hotel Luxury Collection One of our best for five-star sheeting for those who are serious about their sleep. Seek out its best-selling, tailored Amalfi bed linen loved by top designers and well-heeled types. If it's good enough for Blainey North, Charlotte O'Neil, Skye Leckie, and Maggie Tabberer, it's good enough for us. www.hotelluxurycollection.com Eco Downunder
- [8 KITCHEN TRENDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HUGE THIS YEAR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/8-kitchen-trends-going-huge-year/) - STORE THINGS IN PLAIN SIGHT If you see it, you’ll use it. And if you don’t, chuck it. Open shelves are a quick fix, cheaper than built-ins and sometimes preferable because they don’t shrink a room. There are plenty of good-looking options around, that can be attached to virtually any surface. The best are fat enough
- [7 STYLE MISTAKES DESIGNERS NEVER MAKE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/7-style-mistakes-designers-never-make/) - Paper tissues are modern – but never let a cardboard tissue box covered with gharish flowers let your interiors down. Buy half a dozen smart covers in rattan, bamboo or fabric and keep your tissue boxes dressed. Table lamps, not switched on. Globes that have expired. Overhead lighting that throws light on your head, and
- [5 INSTANT STYLING TRICKS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/5-instant-styling-tricks/) - WHITE Refresh and restore with only that which is crisp, white, fluffy and makes you happy. From towels to tablecloths, pillowcases that you need to live well. NEW BEDDING With a slew of new companies challenging the bedding industry in the best ways, there’s no shortage of options at great prices. CHAMPAGNE BUCKET To
- [SLIP COVERS ARE MAKING THEIR COMEBACK](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/slip-covers-making-comeback/) - Maybe it's because they can look like giant bibs - we all know someone who stretched a new elasticized fabric over an old sofa until it looked like a cumulus cloud rather than a furnishing. But they have developed into much, much more, influenced in part by the relaxed style of Belgian architect Axel Vervoordt.
- [THE ONLY SUMMER QUILT LINENS YOU NEED (FORGET ABOUT THE OTHERS)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/summer-quilt-linens-need-forget-others/) - The Mulberry-silk quilts are the latest summer offering from Hotel Luxury Collection, the brand known for having one of the most prestigious client lists in Australia and used in the most gorgeous houses around. The lightweight luxury duvets in 300 threadcount cotton casing are filled with pure silk, which is a natural insulator that will
- [THE LAST MINUTE HOSTESS: HOW TO FAKE THE PERFECT HOLIDAY PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/entertaining/last-minute-hostess-fake-perfect-holiday-party/) - We want to give the impression that we’ve thrown this fabulous do with a minimum of fuss; that your innate taste has made everything come together effortlessly. The subliminal message with every canapé is: “I am a domestic goddess who manages to juggle job, children, life, husband, house and this party with ease.” So why
- [THE 3 BASICS OF GOOD DECORATING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/3-basics-good-decorating/) - Each idea is simple enough to implement into your home without taking away from your personal style. Here’s three rules every Stylish interior follows. IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE APPROPRIATE When you decorate an interior your first thought should be: ‘Is this appropriate?’ Let your house be true to itself – be that introverted, the outdoors
- [ARCHITECT'S TOP OUTDOOR FURNITURE PICKS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/architects-top-outdoor-furniture-picks/) - We’re glad we asked, because several lines are new to us. Here are their picks. Oh, and we threw in a couple of our own faves, or course. Plus a few from the connoisseurs – top designers to landscapers from Thomas Hamel to Paul Bangay and Myles Baldwin - who know how to curate five-star spaces.
- [7 ANTIQUE TIPS YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY TRY THIS YEAR](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/7-antique-tips-definitely-try-year/) - Don't be scared. Antiques bring presence, even grandeur, to any room. Approach antiques with a designer's eye, picking out items that are beautiful and using them decoratively rather than obsessively. Lash out on something big. Even if you live somewhere small. A huge commode, bookcase, amoire, or mirror will make the space appear bigger -
- [CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS: 5 WAYS TO TURN ANY HOUSE INTO A HOME YOU LOVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/cant-buy-happiness-5-ways-turn-house-home-love/) - A house is a structure you live in that provides for your basic needs and safety. A home is a place that provides you mental and emotional support, a place you look forward to being in to get away from the outside world. Do you feel that way about your home? If not, follow me...
- [UP TO 80% OFF. THE FIVE BEST FURNITURE + HOMEWARES SALES NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/five-best-furniture-homeware-sales-now/) - From affordable treats to investment buys and everything inbetween. We’re talking classic waffle duvets, quilts, towels, glasses, china, sofas, even vintage basketware and porcelain used by top designers. Take advantage, now! Hotel Luxury Collections From today, get 30 per cent off luxe waffle duvet cover sets which includes a duvet and one pair of pillowcases
- [MUST- HAVE LOOK: AREN'T THESE FANS JUST THE BEST?](https://melissapenfold.com/decorating/must-look-arent-fans-just-best/) - When summer moves in, we rely on fans as our first line of defense. (And they’re on in winter too, to keep the warm air circulating.) Here’s one of our current favourite desk and table fans in wicker and steel with retro appeal that's utterly modern. Gervasoni Wind S fans, available from Anibou, www.anibou.com.au, from
- [5 TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR BEDDING](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/5-tips-taking-care-bedding/) - Why do hotel sheets feel so much better than the sheets at home? Well, to begin with, hotel sheets are freshly washed, crisply ironed, and perfectly tucked - all by someone who is not you. These fine points go a long way to making hotel bedding a thing of desire. And beyond that, they’re all
- [THE LATEST RUGS THAT WILL INSTANTLY UPDATE YOUR INTERIOR ](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/latest-rugs-will-instantly-update-interior/) - Ethical rug company, Armadillo & Co has launched several stunning new lines of perfectly imperfect rugs that are affordable but don't look it, including the heirloom Agra and Indoor/Outdoor collection. The brand captures the spirit of the past with Agra, an heirloom collection of hand-knotted designs inspired by ancient Persian rugs made using hand-dyed, handspun
- [THE MOST DROP DEAD GORGEOUS DINING CHAIRS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/drop-dead-gorgeous-dining-chairs/) - The food might be fab, the conversation might sparkle, but if your dining chairs aren’t comfortable now, they never will be and you will be spending time with them every day. A wide seat and good support are vital. Style, of course, is key. Pay attention to the back of the seat, too. It’s the
- [FEELING EXHAUSTED? THIS IS HOW YOU CAN SIMPLIFY 2019](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/feeling-exhausted-can-simplify-2019/) - After a decade of digital disruption and increasing velocity of change, we’re marking 2019 as the year we seek simplicity. We are cutting spending, stress levels, forgetting formality and using what we have at home. In a world of screen saturation, non-stop expectations, always being rushed for time, and always-on technologies, the year ahead will
- [THE BEST BASKETS TO BUY NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-best-baskets-to-buy-now/) - The old-world technique of caning is still going strong, as brands keep reimagining it in more interesting forms and shapes. Not only do your rooms need to look good, but they also need to feel good, and baskets are the secret item leading designers have long used to give an interior a more layered, cultured, eclectic look.
- [10 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO FOR YOUR HOME EVERY WINTER](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/10-things-home-every-winter/) - Add chunky Wool Throws To Seating A cup of tea, a squashy armchair and a throw: what more do you need? Throws are the scarves of interiors, adding warmth, comfort and sensuality. And for a good few months of the year, you’ll want some chunky knit throws within easy reach. Make Curtains from Quilts A
- [10 TRICKS TO DECLUTTER YOUR KITCHEN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-tricks-declutter-kitchen/) - If you don’t use something, remove it from your life. Keep only that which is fresh, works and makes you happy. There’s no point in buying good things if you don’t know how to throw out bad ones. Clutter slows you down. THE BENCHTOP Don’t let a stretch of kitchen benchtop deteriorate into a chaos
- [10 WAYS TO MASTER THE PERFECT ROOM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-ways-master-perfect-room/) - BRUSH UP ON PAINT Take years off your room with a fresh lick of paint. Treat paint like make-up: colour is the quickest way of adding warmth and character to a space and it’s easy to change once you get bored. It can correct the dimensions of rooms and make them look taller, bigger, longer,
- [10 EASY PIECES THE PERFECT WHITE SOFA](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/10-easy-pieces-perfect-white-sofa/) - Don’t skimp: if it’s not comfortable now, it never will be, and you’ll be spending hours every night with it. Choose something simple, subtle and well-built, with quality details (frame, stuffing, seams, fabric). Here are picks that fit the bill. ANIBOU GERVASONI Almost every living design hero lists the Gervasoni Ghost as their favourite sofa
- [15 SECRETS FOR SAVING MONEY ON A RENOVATION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/15-secrets-saving-money-renovation/) - Quick fixes (paint, new appliances, door hardware) can give an old house a fresh look and will cost far less than a complete overhaul. It’s all about careful planning, smart choices, knowing where to spend and where to save to keep costs down. Here’s a 15-step guide to make your house look a million dollars
- [AUSTRALIA'S BEST PAINT COLOURS ARE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/australias-best-paint-colours/) - We reached out to leading experts to find out which paint colours they return again and again. Here are their top picks- the go-to’s they’ve painted countless incredible interiors and exteriors, and know work- starting with… Antique White USA, Half Strength “We just used this for three new National Trust shops in Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania-
- [BACK TO BASICS: 17 TIMELESS PIECES](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/back-basics-17-timeless-pieces/) - You can live without a huge house. You’ll never miss all your lead crystal glasses, silverware and the gilt-edged ‘good’ china. But no home can function without the essential kit. Try these: Saucepans and pots with thick bottoms and riveted handles that don’t get hot. A classic clock that will keep ticking when when there is
- [25 THINGS TO LOSE BEFORE YOU’RE 30](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/25-things-lose-youre-30/) - By the time you’re 30, much of your size and shape is set—you’re not going to get shorter or taller, and though you’re sure to gain and lose weight as the years go on, it’s unlikely anything major will change. As such, it’s important to have on lock which silhouettes look best on you. Are
- [BATHROOM REVIVED: THE BUDGET EDITION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/bathroom-revived-budget-edition/) - Careful planning and smart choices can keep costs down. Here’s ideas we’ve tried ourselves to great effect. Hang a wall-width mirror To give the illusion of space, a new mirror will lighten the bathroom, add sparkle and can transform the poky into the palatial. Work with a limited palette A fresh coat of paint can
- [BEST RATTAN CHAIRS UNDER $500](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/best-rattan-chairs-500/) - The company is renowned for everything from its best selling Roma outdoor chair loved by design heavyweights Paul Bangay and Cameron Kimber who repeat clients of the brand. Plus its Bahamas-style St Tropez armchair that designers like Marco Meneguzzi swear by. The Hamptons can design is another good look. Very Ralph Lauren. GAUDION FURNITURE, (03)
- [HOW TO LEAVE A PARTY EARLY (AND WHEN IT'S ACCEPTABLE TO ESCAPE...)](https://melissapenfold.com/entertaining/leave-party-early-acceptable-escape/) - People always worry that it’s rude to leave early. Actually, it’s ruder to overstay- to be a rave when everyone else it at a (grim phase) kitchen dinner. Conversely, though, it is perfectly acceptable to be at a dinner while everyone else around the table has their metaphorical rave hat on. Because- within reason- if
- [EVERY AUSTRALIAN INTERIOR DESIGNERS FAVOURITE UPHOLSTERER](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/every-australian-interior-designers-favourite-upholsterer/) - A serious trade secret. Melbourne-based Wills Furniture is the place bigwig interior designers go for the best sofas and armchairs in town. The Adelaide and Clivedon sofas are classics, handcrafted with expertise, perfectionism and great detailing, that grace some of the biggest and best houses in Australia. Owner John Sharkey’s renowned company has been producing
- [EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW SOCIAL ORDER](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/everything-need-know-new-social-order/) - It exists, even if we in the New World pretend it doesn’t. No matter where you fit in, someone is going to despise you. Accept this. Money and talent smooth out a lot of divisions; rich people and brilliant people rise to the top, whatever their background. People who know how to behave can fit
- [GONE IN 60 SECONDS? THE NEW HIGH STREET PIECES ARE AMAZING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/gone-60-seconds-new-high-street-pieces-amazing/) - With an ever growing choice of pieces that react quickly to trends, signal a new level of design excellence and mean the cope for updating our interiors is limitless. It’s a world of bargains. Bowls that double as vases, candlesticks that could easily pass muster as art gallery pieces, and tableware that makes its mark.
- [HAVE TO HAVE IT: THE WHITE CAMPAIGN CHAIR](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/white-campaign-chair/) - Our nomination for the most versatile chair ever goes to the Campaign chair, originally made for use in and for the tropics making it entirely suitable for Australian living. Spotted and admired recently: the newish Dunlin campaign chair, handmade by Original BTC in England. Choose between a frame in American oak with fumed dark finish
- [LET’S DISCUSS: THE ETIQUETTE OF ASKING ‘WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?’ ](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/lets-discuss-etiquette-asking-get/) - If you’re a design lover, you’ve no doubt wondered to yourself: Is it okay for me to ask my friend where she got her cushions, console, carpets, tapware, tables, dinnerware, or whatever it is, you fancy? It can be a tricky situation because you don’t want to put anyone on the spot. But sometimes you
- [MUST HAVE PERFECT PLANTERS: THE SEARCH IS OVER](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/must-perfect-planters-search/) - His outdoor pots and planter classics in solid rosewood, marine-grade steel and hand-thrown terracotta, grace some of the best gardens, hotels and hotspots in town. You'll find like the 44 Pot copper-look garden planters in hand thrown terracotta timber to a fab steel planter called Gary, (cube or circular) using the same paint as the Harbour Bridge. Or
- [THE ENGLISH LIGHTING NAME YOU NEED TO KNOW](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/outdoor-lights/english-lighting-name-need-know/) - Jamb is the name to know when you’re looking for reproduction antique lanterns based on beautiful old originals, used in grand houses, palaces, even cathedrals. Suitable for indoors or out, take a look at the Hyde Hanging lantern, the Pavilion Globes, Lorimer, Hallam, Penrose, Delaval and the Original Globe Lantern, made using hand-moulded metals from
- [STYLE ON A BUDGET: FIVE SOURCES FOR GOOD, CHEAP DINNERWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/style-budget-five-sources-good-cheap-dinnerware/) - When you find a style you like, buy stacks of dinner plates in generous quantities: 20 is better than 12 and 10 is better than 6. Forget fads, especially when it comes to plates. That means nothing square, oval or boat shaped. Plain white round always works but there are some great stone, ecru and
- [THE 7 BIGGEST BAD HABITS DRAGGING YOUR DECOR DOWN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/7-biggest-bad-habits-dragging-decor/) - Here’s how to avoid the 7 biggest bad décor habits and make your home your castle. Very little effort required, big results guaranteed! Decorating is about self-respect. Your surroundings reflect what you think about yourself, so surround yourself with the best you can afford. Even if you live in a shoebox, honor your presence in
- [THE POLITICS OF THE DINNER PARTY SEATING PLAN](https://melissapenfold.com/entertaining/politics-dinner-party-seating-plan/) - We love Tatler’s magazines recent story on the subject. Seating plans have always been tricky- throwing up every kind of insecurity for both host and guest, and making all involved feel nervous. But the thing to remember, says Tatler, is that seating plans are essentially kind, because they prevent that awful milling about and prep-school
- [YOUR INTERIOR NEEDS THIS PLANT](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/interior-needs-plant/) - The charismatic yet aloof beauty, is suddenly the plant-of-the-moment popping up in both modern and traditional interiors all over industry heavyweights like Architectural Digest to Elle Décor. Part of the appeal of cyclamen is its intriguing flowers and leaves with velvety white upright petals plus foliage that is a focal point, with its serene clump
- [YOU COULD SAVE BIG BUCKS AT OUR FAVE NEW SHOP](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/living-design-story/) - Fancy an affordable modern farmhouse timber dining table? That you can use as a desk, dining table, console, even kitchen bench. Last month we visited Living By Design, the exciting Adelaide chain that has taken off phenomenally since it opened back in 2015. It is taking on the big furniture companies, cutting out the middleman, removing as
- [YES YOU CAN! PLAN A WEDDING FOR LESS (AND NO-ONE WOULD KNOW)](https://melissapenfold.com/entertaining/yes-can-plan-wedding-less-no-one-know/) - When you decide to get married, first up you should set a date, time and choose a location. Be true to yourselves. What message do you want your wedding to send? Do you want it to be a bold statement, or something more polite and restrained? Decide what you like. Suitability is everything. Any style
- [WHY BOOKS WILL NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/books-will-never-go-style/) - They are decorative, interesting and great company. Old or new, paperback or hardback, good books are a statement that you are educated, intelligent and interested in the world. Here’s how to get them in shape. Keep books where you’ll use them: cookbooks in the kitchen, reference books by your desk. Display them well: think about your
- [TOP 10 TRENDS TO REFRESH YOUR GARDEN FOR 2015](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/top-10-trends-refresh-garden-2015/) - We’re predicting these 10 new design trends, via US blog Gardenista, to be the looks that will define (and improve) the best gardens this year. Yes, everything from black paint to columnar trees and ribbon driveways! BLACK PALETTE (AND FENCES) A black backdrop is the perfect foil for green plants (or any colour flower), plus
- [WHY THE INTERIORS BUSINESS IS BOOMING AGAIN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/interiors-business-booming/) - The financial crisis, you might think would have dealt a fatal blow to it, but it didn’t. Fundamentally it changed the way we shop and forced the survivors to be more innovative in what they sell. Here are the key factors that have transformed the shopping environment into what it is today. There’s a lot
- [THE SHOP THAT THOMAS HAMEL HAS LOVED FOR 20 YEARS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/shop-thomas-hamel-loved-20-years/) - “It is my go-to for furniture, artefacts and interesting items from around the world from Africa , Thailand, Bali and China that arrive all the time,” says the American-born and internationally-renowned designer and tastemaker, Thomas Hamel. “I have found enchanting stone Indian window frames, plantation chairs, campaign beds, tribal jewellery, stools, carvings, lanterns, and handcrafted
- [TREND ALERT: 5 SOURCES FOR GOLD HARDWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/trend-alert-5-sources-gold-hardware/) - Add a touch of class to your table this season with new-look contemporary gold-tone brushed flatware which is suddenly…everywhere. Great for adding warmth to table settings but do remember, a little gilt can go a long way. Elemental 16-piece cutlery set, $119.95, www.maxwellandwilliams.com.au Gold 5-piece cutlery place setting, $49, West Elm, (02) 89735900, www.westelm.com.au Hammered Steel
- [THIS YEAR'S HOTTEST SELLING TABLECLOTHS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/years-hottest-selling-tablecloths/) - Tablecloths made from digitally printed designs that make for an eye-catching spread when opened and laid over a table are big news this year. Also making waves are fabrics using a modified version of Japanese shibori techniques. Expect plenty of ginghams, paisleys, metallic on the best dressed tables this season, too. Here’s our edit of
- [THE SEVEN GIFTS ON EVERY COUPLE'S WEDDING LIST](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/seven-gifts-every-couples-wedding-list/) - While porcelain dinner sets, perennially popular flatware, small appliances and other traditional items like crystal vases and blenders are wedding gifts not to be scoffed at, it’s a fact that most newlyweds have all the household items they need before they walk down the aisle. So what do couples really want to receive? When couples
- [THE SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT STATEMENT CHAIR](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/search-perfect-statement-chair/) - Statement chairs provide not just extra seating, but are a great way to add a new silhouette, style reference or any colour to any room. We’ve gathered our five favourite retailers offering a mix of looks from occasional to wingbacks, and bergeres, old to new, at all ends of the price spectrum- so you have
- [THE ONLY INTERIOR TRENDS THAT WILL MATTER FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/interior-trends-will-matter-next-six-months/) - The new IT way to display your clothes is in glass vitrines that put your kit on display. It is important to decorate with natural materials and objects that having meaning and history, especially if the house is new. Oh and we’re throwing away the rule book and embracing interior design’s new motto: anything goes.
- [THE NO-COST REMODEL: 15 STEP PLAN TO CLUTTER FREE LIVING](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/tbc-declutter-title/) - If you don’t use something, remove it from your life. Keep only that which is fresh, crisp, fluffy and makes you happy, and nothing that is yellow, hard, stained, thin, cheap or tragic. You have to work out what’s important to you. Define the basics. Plates, bowls, cups, clothes, towels, beds, lamps, soaps. Then widen the
- [THE MISTAKE YOU'RE MAKING WHEN DISPLAYING ART](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/mistake-youre-making-displaying-art/) - Establish The Overall Mood of the Collection An art gallery wall should draw attention to your pieces with a colour that makes them stand out. But it should also reflect the overall atmosphere of your collection. “The colour that you select should make the artwork really pop,” Charlie Cosby, head of creative at Farrow &
- [THE BEST PLANT TO BUY FOR EVERY ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/te-best-plant-buy-every-room-house/) - Think about it, your home is filled with rooms that boast very different levels of humidity (hello, bathrooms) and sunlight. Lucky for you, the experts at Home Advisor identified the specific variety or you should keep in these different spaces so you can skip that whole killing your new plant hing. Another factor in deciding where to put
- [THE ART YOU NEED AND WHERE TO GET IT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/art-need-get/) - Head straight to Shapiro who has a world-class art collection up for grabs next week, with knockout works by artists that read like a rollcall of the great and the good from the art world. You want names? Tracey Moffat, Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, Sidney Nolan, John Brack, Fred Williams, Arthur Boyd, David Hockney, Henry
- [THE BEST ANTIQUES ALL IN ONE SPOT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/best-antiques-one-spot/) - We caught up with AAADA’s vice president Chris Hughes this week, ahead of next month’s much-anticipated Sydney Antiques and Art Fair to talk about how antiques are back in fashion (they really are the quickest way to finish a room, and bring out our individual style). But it’s the smaller pieces we are seeking from
- [THE PERFECT FATHERS DAY GIFT. IT'S THE ONE THEY ASKED FOR](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/perfect-fathers-day-gift-one-asked/) - Whatever you give him, you really don’t have to try so hard. There’s no need to spend hours finding the right gift. Your father would be happy with something quick and easy. This may sound too good to be true. The secret is: don’t aim for ‘the big reveal’. Getting gifts right isn’t hard: it
- [THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF WINDOW TREATMENTS](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/dos-dont-window-treatments/) - It’s time to rethink those bumph-lined, full-skirted, heavy fabrics and start again. Think evening dress: the desired look is 1930s body-skimming rather than 1980s flounce. Slim and sheer is the way to go. Window treatments can never be too thin. There has always been an element of couture in curtains. These days the slimmer the
- [URNS THAT WILL GET YOU NOTICED](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/urns-will-get-noticed/) - Add instant grandeaur and gravitas to your garden- however small- with an urn (most of which are elegant enough to use indoors). Here are 15 to consider: Garden Life (02) 9517 3633, www.gardenlife.com.au HK Living, www.khliving.nl Les Interieurs, (02) 93804975, www.lesinterieurs.com.au Martin Kellock Pots, (03) 97018261, www.martinkellockpots.com.au Motyaj, (02) 96181817, www.motyaj.com.au Orient House, (02) 96603895, www.orienthouse.com.au
- [25 THINGS EVERY 25-SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/25-things-every-25-something/) - Impervious to fashion, seasonality, or trends, these are things that work hard, look good and function well day after day that every responsible 25-something should have. Kitchen Kit Straight in at #1 is a great kitchen kit, because no matter how chic your home, this is the stuff you use daily. So choose aesthetically appealing
- [HOW TO LIVE THE GOOD LIFE ON A BUDGET](https://melissapenfold.com/budgets/live-good-life-budget/) - For most people the word budgeting conjures up feelings of deprivation and self denial. We far prefer the concept of joy-based living and spending to traditional budgeting. But living the good life on a budget. Is still possible. Here’s a joyful way to look at budgeting and the good life. Instead of telling yourself all the
- [SHUTTERS 101- FOUR OF THE BEST](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/shutters-101-four-best/) - Go for the widest frames, with as few verticals as possible, and the slimmest blades: anything very chunky eats up too much space. Unlike fabric window treatments, they don’t need dry-cleaning, and they are easier to dust than venetians because of the generous space between the blades and the fact there are no strings. They
- [OUTSIDE IN: EASY WAYS TO BRING A FRESH OUTDOOR FEEL INSIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/outside-easy-ways-bring-fresh-outdoor-feel-inside/) - Since we're surrounded with technology in work and play, we are looking to nature for balance. We all know the benefits of a life surrounded by greenery. Plants suck the bad stuff out of the air – and even the colour green is calming to our souls. Getting green indoors might be simpler than you think.
- [THE BUNNINGS OUTDOOR CHAIR THAT WILL MAKE YOUR JAW DROP](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/bunnings-outdoor-chair-will-make-jaw-drop/) - A bargain-hunter’s paradise, Bunnings has smart, casual weather proof resin armchairs with cream canvas seating that could easily pass muster as the expensive Euro outdoor stuff. Seek out Mimosa Valencia, a strong and durable design- the kind of instant style updater that will revamp your great outdoors, however small. One of the best value outdoor
- [THE 22 BIGGEST CLEANING MISTAKES YOU'RE MAKING](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/22-biggest-cleaning-mistakes-youre-making/) - Overloading your dishwasher Stacking dishes or putting too many utensils in your basket could impact your appliance’s ability to reach items with soap and water- meaning they wont get clean. Even worse: If you pre-wash your dishes, you might not notice. Using Dishsoap on your cutting boards When it comes to wooden chopping blocks, soap
- [HOW TO DO ECLECTIC STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-do-eclectic-style-2/) - Just be careful the curated look tones in and ties together, doesn't lack focus or become a byword for ‘anything goes’. There's a fine line between ‘layered’ or ‘collected’ and a dog’s breakfast. Put a cap on the number of contrasting styles in one area to avoid things feeling like a bazaar. You want your rooms to
- [THIS TRICK WILL HELP YOUR FANCY CANDLE LAST MUCH LONGER](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/trick-will-help-fancy-candle-last-much-longer-2/) - Be honest: Have you ever owned a candle that was so pretty and expensive that you didn't want to burn it? You might tell yourself you're waiting for a special occasion or a stressful day when you need a little boost, but really you're just avoiding the inevitable. The truth is, candles are meant to be melted — but that doesn't
- [THE KITCHEN BRAND CELEBRITIES LOVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/kitchen-brand-celebrities-love-2/) - The high-end Italian set the fashion for handle-free kitchens and black timber ceiling fans which you’ve seen in all the magazines. And you’ll get a load of style for your money with its latest award-winning kitchens that come with lots of extras that have to be seen to be believed. Take a look at the
- [PAINT MISTAKES: THE 9 COLOUR MISTAKES YOU SHOULD NEVER MAKE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/paint-mistakes-9-colour-mistakes-never-make/) - Choosing a color isn't a decision to take lightly, as it sets a room's mood and impacts how your furniture looks. Don't do these, say the pros: MISTAKE #1: PAINTING A CEILING FLAT WHITE The biggest wall in a room is the one most of us don't even think about. Never paint a ceiling dead white
- [THE BEST ACCENT CHAIRS: 6 TO CHOOSE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/best-accent-chairs-6-choose/) - They provide not just extra seating, but are a great way to add a new silhouette, style reference, or colour to any room. We recommend French pretty, English upright, Irish formal, American generous, Chinese rigid, Italian modern. All have their place if they are good examples of their kind. Always buy the best you can afford. As
- [THE ULTIMATE LIBRARY](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/the-ultimate-library/) - Here, we present our definitive list of beautiful, useful and inspirational titles on everything from our architecture to interiors and culture. Some are new, some are old but every one is worthy of a privileged place on our bookshelves Frank Lloyd Wright: Complete Works 1885-1916 by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer and Peter Gossel is a three
- [HERE’S WHY NAPKINS MIGHT BE GOING EXTINCT](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/heres-napkins-might-going-extinct/) - When you set the table for dinner, do you plop down a roll of paper towels instead of bothering with your napkin holder? It's not just you. The Washington Post reports that new market research finds napkins are on the downswing, and (naturally) millennials are to blame. A survey by the marketing intelligence company Mintel
- [PUT THE TV IN IT'S PLACE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/put-tv-place/) - If you look at most living rooms, every chair and sofa is oriented towards the television – a bit like a high-tech Stonehenge. If Sydney was buried by some sudden disaster, then dug up in 1000 years, archeaologists would announce that 21st-century society worshipped a box. It’s a mistake to turn your home into a
- [WE'VE HAD A MAJOR MAKEOVER- COME SEE!](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/weve-major-makeover-come-see/) - Besides the obvious facelift, we have a few new features we’re thrilled to unveil. There’s a gorgeous new mobile site! Our former mobile experience was, in a word, lacking. The new mobile experience is optimised to make reading and browsing on the go as easy as can be. There's a new homepage format — with endless
- [SYDNEY’S MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH HOUSE (AND NEW SHOP)?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/sydneys-beautiful-beach-house-new-shop/) - This month, having conquered the Eastern suburbs, Makin opens a beautiful new store in Newport, (back where she originally started her business). Plus, there’s a new beach house at Bungan Beach that sets the agenda for beach style. Makin has transformed the former shack into a beautiful one-bedroom oceanside glass box for modern coastal living,
- [THE NEW VISITORS' BOOK ETIQUETTE](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/new-visitors-book-etiquette/) - We are all for tradition, but some rules are too stuffy to bear. Which is why we love Tatler’s new decree that no longer must you limit yourself to writing your name in a visitors' book. Henceforth you may doodle, compose ditties and celebrate all your creative urges upon those thick white pages says the
- [5 PIECES THAT WILL INSTANTLY TRANSITION YOUR HOME FOR SUMMER](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/5-pieces-will-instantly-transition-home-summer/) - Well, not only is the brand more affordable than many IT brands, it also offers everything we really want including classic yet laid-back timeless staples that you can mix and match. Slip-covered linen sofas, casual bedheads in relaxed loose covers of white, smoke or charcoal linen, and artisan-style timber dining tables. There’s industrial-style timber benches, loft-look mirrors, consoles,
- [YOUR SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT DESK ENDS HERE: MEET CUPERTINO](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/search-perfect-desk-ends-meet-cupertino/) - The chic, practical desk, designed by Arde for Boconcept who we introduced you to last week, is everything you need in a home office. Very home corporate with a large worktop, commodious drawers, a light design, plenty of space for you’re your office bits and bobs, plus clean lines. With a design that hide ugly wires and incorporates
- [THE DANISH BRAND EVERY DESIGNER LOVES RIGHT NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/danish-brand-every-designer-loves-right-now/) - The Danish global retail giant, with 260 stores across 60 countries whose root’s reach back to the beginning of the Scandinavian furniture revolution in 1952 when two Danish craftsman Jens Aerthoj and Taj Molholm built the first of many influential pieces to come: cabinets made of oak veneer with mid-sections of walnut. Their products have
- [HOW TO BE STYLISH WHEN YOU'RE BROKE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/stylish-youre-broke/) - So what if you’re living out of the spare-change jar: your finances might be in the doldrums, but you don’t have to be. We’ve all been down on our uppers at some point, there’s no shame in it. Get out there and strut your stuff for all you’re worth. If you do this period of
- [WHOA. WEDGWOOD'S NEW BURLINGTON POTS ARE INCREDIBLE](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/2235/) - We are head-over-heels with Burlington, the venerable UK brand’s fabulous new collection of pots: ideal for creating your own portable garden, indoors or out. In what may be the most quintessentially British of collabs, Wedgwood has teamed with Laura Cavendish, Countess of Burlington and daughter-in-law of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire to develop the
- [PAINTS: THE LATESTS LOOKS, BEST BUYS AND EXPERT ADVICE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/2256/) - The only difficult bit is deciding which colours to choose. There are no real secrets. Just decide on the colour palette that best suits your home, based on the amount of natural and artificial light reflected in the rooms. Get ideas from interiors magazines, shops, or friends’ homes. The colour is not of paramount importance: it's
- [ONE OF THE YEAR'S BIGGEST ANTIQUE OPENINGS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/one-years-biggest-antique-openings/) - For statement-making yet affordable antiques like you see in London or New York, visit The Vault which has opened its first shop in Sydney following the runaway success of its online business launched earlier this year. The 200 square metre, concrete-floored space is an exemplary retail showroom reflecting modern antique shopping, that mixes all genres
- [THE IT COLOGNE AND CANDLE OF THE SEASON](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/cologne-candle-season/) - Yep, the Brit house has teamed with Jonathan Saunders, chief creative officer at Diane von Furstenburg to create all kinds of utterly lovely limited edition designs – from pop-art to Japanese-inspired candles and colognes in green and pink to black and white combos that will elevate any space. And what fragrances. A single whiff of
- [HOTEL LUXURY COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/hotel-luxury-collections/) - Hotel Luxury Collection offers luxury bed linen classics that will change the mood of your rooms instantly. The stuff feels and looks unlike anything else around. Made in the same Egyptian cottons and Italian linens used by the world’s top hotels, (think the Bristol Hotel in Paris, The Plaza Hotel in New York, The Dorchester in
- [5 FUN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/5-fun-things-weekend/) - Got an hour to spare this weekend? Hit the shops and splash out on a few key pieces, put your kids to work and let them create some great abstract black and white art for the walls, or make some time to create your own special space that will have bring lasting pleasure. Rococo Mirrors
- [10 CHRISTMAS GIFTS YOU WON’T HAVE THOUGHT OF](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/10-christmas-gifts-wont-thought/) - Christmas shopping is in full swing and you’re checking people off your list left, right and centre. If you’re having trouble coming up with a great present for someone, here’s a few luxury classics that will never go out of style... ONE Light up your main man’s life in style with an original design by Buster
- [ALL YOURS FOR $2](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/all-yours-for-2/) - Asian discount stores are a necessary stop for canny decorators: you’ll find things here that wouldn’t look out of place in the grandest boutiques in New York or London. You’ll dig deep for treasure, but it’s worth it. Go to areas where there is a critical mass of shops (in Sydney, Eastwood and Campsie, stand
- [THE ULTIMATE DECLUTTERING GUIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/ultimate-decluttering-guide/) - Good organisation is invisible, muddles stares you in the face. Here’s our all-time top tips for getting organised and keeping up morale (while you’re doing it). Don't try to do everything at once Organizing the right way takes time and can be an investment. However, the benefits far outweigh the financial and time commitment necessary. There
- [IS THIS SHOP THE BEST-KEPT SECRET IN INTERIORS?](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/shop-best-kept-secret-interiors/) - Yep, it’s shaking up an interior near you, and raising the bar of our homes with beautiful, affordable dining chairs, consoles, sofas and coffee tables to suit all needs from Denmark, Europe, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Japan and Australia. Owners Tim and Rebecca Bowring opened the shop in 2015 and already have five stores in South
- [NEW ZEALAND REPORTS: WHY EVERYONE LOVES CAPE KIDNAPPERS](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/new-zealand-reports-everyone-loves-cape-kidnappers/) - But also where you’ll be bowled over by the obscenely comfortable and beautiful design that is a lesson in easy-going elegance. This place is a 'pinch-me-am-I-dreaming' kind of place. It's the smartest, most heavenly lodge - with snazzy farm cottages, all decked out in the most stylish way imagineable with big decks to spend
- [LA SHOPPING: THE 10 BEST PLACES TO SHOP IN LOS ANGELES](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/la-shopping-10-best-places-shop-los-angeles/) - That's the Big Question. Which is why we’ve organised our pick of the 10 BEST. JEAN DE MERRY It’s got it all: drop-dead gorgeous modern pieces for house and garden including Thomas Hamel’s signature Hamel + Farrell collection. www.jeandemerry.com THERIEN & CO Go to just breathe in the atmosphere. It could teach us all a thing
- [GIFT GUIDE 101: HOW TO DO CHRISTMAS GIFTS 2017](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/gift-guide-101-christmas-gifts-2017/) - For most of us Christmas is the happiest gift haul of all. Follow our standard gift rule of beautiful basics: from cakestands to chinos, champagne buckets and monogrammed baskets, big and shapely, that stun. There can be no better way to be remembered than as the person who was thoughtful enough to give something lovely,
- [10 FAVOURITES: BEST OF IKEA'S 2018 COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ikeas-best-2017/) - It's no secret that IKEA has a huge fan following. Everyone from students to designers use the Swedish giant as a favourite source. And its branded shopping bag has attained such icon status that it's been copied on runways and been made the subject of a short film. More recently, the bag has been reinvented in
- [WORD OF MOUTH: FINE FURNITURE + DECORATIVE ARTS AUCTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/word-mouth-fine-furniture-decorative-arts-auction/) - Baccarat, Lalique and Georg Jensen are among dozens of big-names on the block at Shapiro - who has had a run of successful Spring auctions - next week. This summer looks just as hot with Tuesday’s completely lovely collection of proper pieces (furniture, lighting, porcelain, pottery and silver), that will elevate any space, and create
- [FIRST LOOK: AURA OPENS IN MELBOURNE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/first-look-aura-opens-melbourne/) - While other stores are shuttering at a record speed, following the rise of online shopping an influx of fast fashion, designer Tracey Ellis felt the time was right for opening an 'Aura Home Concept Store'. Located in Malvern, you'll find fashion-conscious linen in pure cotton that tends toward the lastest trends in graphic, contemporary designs.
- [WHAT WE LOVE THIS DECEMBER](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/what-we-love-this-december/) - Buying wicker to fill the house. From outdoor chairs to rugs and baskets that strike the right balance between practicality and comfort. We love Janus et Cie’s snazzy Katachi outdoor furniture collection, www.janusetcie.com.au Shopping the sales (which have come early). It’s a great time to look out for household staples in your colour palette.
- [WABI-SABI: THE LUXURY OF HUMILITY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/wabi-sabi/) - Broadly, it’s flea markets, not shopping malls; aged wood, not swank floor coverings; one single sprig of rosemary, not a dozen red roses. Wabi-sabi understands the tender, raw beauty of an abandoned building or shed. It celebrates cracks and crevices and rot and all the other marks that time and weather and use leave behind.
- [THIS IS BIG... THE DESIGN TREND THAT IS GOING TO BE HUGE IN 2017](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/big-design-trend-going-huge-2017/) - They’ve been part of the decorating toolbox since ancient times but we are now taking the light-and-shadow effects of mouldings to new heights. Even if you live in a shoebox, rhythmic interior panelling and trims will give the space the dimensions it doesn’t actually have. And add extra architectural weight. The new approach to mouldings
- [WHY DINNER PARTY SPEECHES ARE OVER](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/dinner-party-speeches/) - These days, when 'Ting Ting!' rings out across the dining room or restaurant, jaws tighten and minds whir. It is, in these torrid times, likely to signal the worst kind of group activity: 'Let's go around the table and say how we feel about...' Could be a birthday girl, a mother-to-be, a recently published author
- [THE BROKE PERSON'S GUIDE TO GETTING CHRISTMAS READY](https://melissapenfold.com/christmas/broke-persons-guide-getting-christmas-ready/) - Have a big chuck out first Dated, worn, or damaged items could be doing the look of your home a disservice, and if they’re non-essential, removing them can give your home a clean slate. Bin, bin, bin. Then consider filling a bowl with Christmas baubles. Stringing them from across the room. Seek out whatever fruit and
- [DON’T GET ON A PLANE WITHOUT THESE 9 ITEMS](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/dont-get-plane-without-9-items/) - There's no place like home for the holidays. (Unless that place is a beach, somewhere warm and faraway.) But whether you're traveling to see family this December, or just trying to get far, far away from them, flying at this time of year isn't always fun. On top of the usual stressors (security lines, checked-bag
- [PERFECT SAFARI CHAIRS THAT COST LESS THAN $400](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/perfect-safari-charis-cost-less-400/) - Safari chairs are having a major moment. It’s not a new fad or fashion. They match our houses and lifestyle which is why we are thrilled to discover Living By Design’s modern interpretation of a vintage campaign-style chair, Noa, in solid teak and leather for under-$400. Not only will the robust beauty give your eyes something
- [THE TRUTH ABOUT POSH TABLE SETTINGS](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/truth-posh-table-settings/) - The people sitting around the table are the secret to any great party, (preferably a glorious mix of glamorous, funny, cosy, powerful, kind, clever folk). Then it’s all about atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. Music is also essential and lighting is key. We are not here to lambast the dinner table. Or the lunch table or the
- [THE TOP PIECES INTERIOR DESIGNERS ARE SHOPPING RIGHT NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/top-pieces-interior-designers-shopping-right-now/) - Interior designers are the ultimate insiders who know what pieces are the standouts to buy now. Here we reveal the switch up your interior needs - expert approved. BLUE AND BROWN Take any space to the next level with this season’s power pairing which promises staying power. BAUHAUS PRINTS Blochy and bold prints as seen
- [THE 7 BIGGEST BAD HABITS DRAGGING YOUR DECOR DOWN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/7-biggest-bad-habits-dragging-decor-2/) - Even if you live in a shoebox, honour your presence in it. Make sure everything you put on show speaks to you and sends a positive message to others: ‘I care about myself. I have taste and I’m not afraid to show it.’ You aren't considering "home stuff" in your budget Don’t spend so much
- [THE 8 ESSENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN BOOKS TO READ IN 2018](https://melissapenfold.com/books/12-essential-interior-design-books/)
- [TOP 5 INTERIOR TRENDS FOR 2018](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/top-5-interior-trends-2018/) - Make way for metals you want to look unpolished? Lab-like kitchens are out. Bare walls are over. Say goodbye to predictable floral prints, people – it’s abstractions of nature that are heating up. So long, strict linearity. Curvy is a natural expression of maximalism: luscious spaces, unabashed layering and sensuous shapes feel more honest. Even
- [A MODERN COUNTRY HOUSE IN KANGAROO VALLEY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/modern-country-house-kangaroo-valley/) - Thankfully, the owners have both in spades. The result is a masterclass in easy decorating. Braebrook is warm and modern (not to mention comfortable for all ages) but also has a timeless classic quality to it. It’s Sydney based owners wanted to use the places for school holidays and rent it out the rest of
- [TEXTURE POP! 36 KMART BUYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME GREAT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/100-summer-budget-heres-buy-right-now-kmart/) - Kmart has everything you need to update your interior. These trending pieces are at Kmart for less than $50 a pop. Kmart is booming, having completely reinvented itself in recent years, gaining a cult following for its increasingly excellent range of bargain designer-look homewares for all tastes (think modern, industrial, boho). And our homes are
- [A SMART TRICK FOR MAKING SURE YOUR INTERIOR ALWAYS LOOKS AMAZING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/smart-trick-making-sure-interior-always-looks-amazing/) - Strategic use of an accent colour is the best and easiest way to update a room and give it impact. And it makes economic sense. When fashions change, replace a few key components and create the impression you have done complete redecoration. Clever you. Matching colours involves more than just walls, ceilings, and carpets.
- [THE 10 BEST SMART CASUAL DINING ROOM TABLES OUT THERE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-best-smart-casual-dining-room-tables/)
- [BAMBOO: THE NEW MUST-HAVE OUTDOOR FURNITURE MATERIAL](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/bamboo-new-must-outdoor-furniture-material/) - Take a look at these bamboo sofas, armchairs and tables – they are taking our outdoor spaces to a new level. Evidence of a craving for simple, sustainable, down-to-earth, honest, environmentally-friendly materials. The handcrafted pieces are a statement we are interested in the world. It’s a welcome development, as we opt for style over money,
- [10 PERFECT BAR STOOLS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-perfect-bar-stools/) - We’ve suddenly noticed a new crop of stunning bar stools popping up on the design scene and done the research on the best around, so you don’t have to. Most are affordable, come in honest materials from timber to rattan and steel, and a variety of finishes - natural, black, or white - to suit
- [THE EDIT: 5 THINGS TO BUY THIS YEAR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/edit-5-things-buy-year/) - New year, new you may have very well been your intention first days of the year, but if you're finding it harder to stay the course as the month gets underway, remember the beginning is always today. Then, shop these 5 essentials to help ease things along. Candle All five senses should be stimulated in
- [HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR HOME?](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/how-healthy-is-your-home/) - We think of our houses as places of comfort and refuge – but could they actually be having a negative effect on our health? As we seek to create efficient insulated buildings, we introduce more chemicals into our homes that are not as easily dispersed. How can we make our homes more healthy? Here are
- [HIGH/LOW: ARCHITECT'S TRADITIONAL GO-TO TAPWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/high-low-architects-traditional-go-tapware/) - Classic kitchen faucets and shower sets are popping up in the snazziest modern kitchens, bathrooms and gardens all over the world. Check out our picks from the couture styles to the basic models, to create something that works for you. THE ENGLISH TAPWARE COMPANY is a big fave with architects and designers, the place to spend
- [5 GOLDEN RULES ON ETIQUETTE FOR 2018](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/5-golden-rules-etiquette-2018/) - The year is back in full swing, and once again, it’s all too easy to over extend ourselves with good intentions—committing to drinks at pals only to realize your child’s sports game is the same night. We cancel via text and dig ourselves into impolite holes. Here’s how to RSVP (hint: always) and not rely on
- [MUST HAVE: TROMPE L'OEIL WALLPAPER](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/must-trompe-loeil-wallpaper/) - Believe it or not, the layered and peeling gauze wall is faux, from a stunning new range of the world’s most exciting wallpaper designs that top international magazine editors and stylists are going nuts over. If you covet timber moulding-style walls or colonnaded archways reminiscent of Mediterranean villas, why fork out for expensive materials when
- [BLINDS 101: TEN OF THE BEST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/blinds-101-twelve-best/) - The key is simplicity and great workmanship. The better the structure and mechanism, the less likely it is to jam or to end up in your hands as you open it. Treat your window (and yourself) to a bespoke, immaculately tailored finish. When you hang a blind, treat the window and the wall as one
- [5 WAYS TO HACK BUILT-INS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-ways-hack-built-ins/) - They can give a room the dimensions it doesn’t actually have. However, they can often be wickedly expensive to build. (And then there's the matter of deciding where they should go… how to detail them, what height, and so on…) So why not hack built-ins instead? A few design tricks can turn simple floating shelves
- [BENCHTOPS 101: A GUIDE TO SEVEN OF THE BEST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/benchtops-101-guide-seven-best/) - Twenty-five years ago, marble and granite (in very limited shades and sizes) were for the wealthy only. But in the past decade stone has taken off, and the price has fallen. Suddenly there is also quartz, onyx, and limestone - the latter a big favourite with architects and interior designers – and new finishes galore.
- [THE BEST 50 KMART BUYS - CHEAP THRILLS YOU WON'T REGRET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/k-mart-story/) - Their latest ranges – Urban, Industrial, and Classic, have dropped in-store, and we can’t keep away. It’s a world of bargains. Outdoor stick lanterns, stoneware bowls that could pass muster as art gallery pieces, and tableware that makes its mark. For the price of a coffee you can get a lifetime of pleasure from the fun,
- [THE TOP 10 FABRIC SHOWROOMS IN AUSTRALIA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/top-10-fabric-showrooms-australia/) - Soft furnishings and fabrics are what make an interior feel right. They dress our rooms, are an important source of colour, texture and pattern that lift any space. Here’s where our leading designers head for the best textile names on the planet: a dazzling selection of old favourites to the new hotties. You’re welcome to
- [WHAT (NOT) TO ORDER FOR DRINKS](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/not-order-drinks/) - We know what the best people are (and, crucially, are not) drinking - after all, we go to a lot of parties. But, as with everything, fashion is fickle. Last year’s Aperol could be next year’s Babycham. So to help you keep up…we are publishing Tatler's list of what's in and what's out in the
- [THE NEW SHOPKEEPERS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-new-shopkeepers/) - The last decade has been a turbulent one for the country’s independent shopkeepers with several beloved design and homewares stores closing their doors at a record rate as they feel the fallout from the rise of online shopping, but now things are looking a lot brighter. We look at the shops that are bringing colour
- [YOUR NEW WALL LIGHTS ARE HERE - SEE HOW TO STYLE THEM NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/new-wall-lights-see-style-now/) - How much money have you spent updating your lighting this year? Well, if you're anything like the average homemaker, you’ve probably spent a lot. Lighting has become the fastest-growing interior accessories category in recent years, beating year-over-year growth percentages for both cushions and soft furnishings. It’s big business. Online lighting shopping has experienced a high rise.
- [20 WAYS TO GET THE DESIGNER LOOK AT HOME WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/20-ways-get-designer-look-home-without-spending-fortune/) - Want a quick lesson in how to decorate like a top designer? Hit the mark everytime with our top tips on which colours look good together, how to work with texture, the way things should be displayed and how to learn the difference between a classic and a fad. This is all practical, no-nonsense basic
- [HIGH/LOW: MEET THE WICKER OUTDOOR CHAIRS YOU'LL USE NOW AND LOVE FOREVER](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/high-low-meet-wicker-outdoor-chairs-youll-use-now-love-forever/) - Take a look at these fave rattan armchairs – which are among the best Caribbean-style lookers in town. Ideal for outdoor living all year round, most look like a Ralph Lauren ad. Need we say more? HIGH-END: JANUS ET CIE One of our favourites, the top-drawer American brand’s Raffles-style rattan-look armchairs, Arbou outsells almost everything else
- [RSVP ETIQUETTE: THE MODERN RULES](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/rsvp-etiquette-modern-rules/) - An email pings into your inbox from Caroline asking you to her birthday drinks in five weeks’ time. How fun! And you’re free that Saturday too. Excellent. But maybe you shouldn’t reply immediately. Looks a bit desperate. And, come to think of it, didn’t Johnnie mention that he might be throwing a dinner party that
- [WHAT THE COLOUR OF YOUR FRONT DOOR SAYS ABOUT YOU](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/colour-front-door-says/) - The colour of your front door might be inspired by trends or fashion, but it can reveal a lot about your personality, the latest research reveals published in a recent House Beautiful magazine. London estate agent Marsh & Parsons has teamed up with international colour consultancy, Pantone, to carry out research on what your choice
- [ENTER TO WIN: 10 WILLIAM DANGAR BOOKS TO GIVEAWAY](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/enter-win-10-william-dangar-books-giveaway/) - For gardeners who appreciate great gardens, courtyards, terraces, patios and outdoor rooms we’re offering the chance to win a copy of leading Australian landscaper’s William Dangar’s debut book, ‘GARDEN - William Dangar’, (Murdoch Books) to 10 lucky MP readers, (valued at $59.99). The new book represents just how Dangar expresses the truth of a garden,
- [FOUR OF THE BEST BRANDS FOR BANNISTERS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/four-best-brands-bannisters/) - Replacing tired banisters is a cost effective way to update your staircase with minimum disruption. This can mean installing a new handrail and uprights (the sticks that support the handrail) or a balustrade, which can be done by a skilled carpenter or DIY expert. The upright posts at the top and bottom of the stairs
- [THESE $399 DESIGNER-LOOK OUTDOOR CHAIRS WILL INSTANTLY ELEVATE YOUR TERRACE](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/399-designer-look-outdoor-chairs-will-instantly-elevate-terrace/) - Stay ahead of the pack with chic, affordable outdoor furniture in fluid, modernist shapes, that are tough and flexible in fab stretch resistant mesh fibres covered in kahki, white, grey and black-coloured synthetic skin that are UV-and-stain resistant. ALASSIO TABLE Outdoor furniture like they have in the best houses. The luxurious Alassio fixed-frame aluminium table
- [8 BEST KITCHEN TRENDS THAT ARE POISED TO TAKE OVER IN 2018](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/8-best-kitchen-trends-poised-take-2018/) - Houzz polled more than 3465 Australian renovators for what’s trending and ending in 2018 kitchens. Here’s the consensus. Welcome to Kitchens 101...you can check the entire report here! CUTTING THROUGH THE CLUTTER Reducing clutter is one of the top motivations for upgrading cabinets during kitchen renovations. Most popular built-in cabinet storage includes cutlery organisers, deep
- [THIS IS THE KNIFE ANTHONY BOURDAIN SAYS EVERYONE SHOULD OWN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/knife-anthony-bourdain-says-everyone/) - The Unicorn Frappucino-hating chef has previously schooled us in the art of getting kids to try adventurous foods (his daughter was sucking down oysters at the age of three) and he's also taught us why Kobe beef sliders are the worst trend to ever exist. But Bourdain's latest piece of advice is perhaps the most
- [RENOVATING 101: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FOUR MOST POPULAR WOOD FLOOR FINISHES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/renovating-101-know-four-popular-wood-floor-finishes/) - Having chosen your beautiful new wood flooring, after much research, you’re told, you need to choose a finish. You choose one that seems innocuous enough, but the next thing you know your floors are glossy or, worse, an unwanted yellow colour. How to avoid making the wrong choice after all of that investment and care?
- [AWNINGS 101: EIGHT OF THE BEST](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/awnings-101-eight-best/) - Awnings make sense in Australia’s climate but, despite our much-vaunted “outdoor lifestyle”, we don’t use the outdoors as well as the Italians or French. Awnings create outdoor rooms, so they’re worth the expense. Not only do they cut heat and glare, they define an outdoor space. If your living room is poky, an awning is
- [TREND ALERT: THE SPLENDOUR OF VELVET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/trend-alert-splendour-velvet/) - We just can’t get enough of velvet at the moment... Traditionally made from threads of silk, today there are many varieties available from splendid pure velvet through to more budget friendly velveteen, velour and corduroy. Royalty and the upper class were traditionally the only people who could afford velvet, owing to it’s high cost. Then
- [GO ON, ADD A DESK TO YOUR LIVING ROOM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/go-add-desk-living-room/) - The most common mistake people make is opting for the place that’s most out of the way - but no amount of style can make up for a miserable spot for a desk. Go with what suits your lifestyle. It’s the best way to get work done. Adding a desk to your living room, instantly
- [5 PLACES YOU FORGOT TO CLEAN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-places-forgot-clean/) - But while you're busy wiping down that same table for the fiftieth time, items you never thought to wash are under full assault by germs and dust mites. "I think that a lot of people have a regular rotation of things they clean in their house, but you tend to get in a rut," says
- [ENTERTAINING FOR A CROWD: 15 EASY NEW PIECES](https://melissapenfold.com/entertaining/entertaining-crowd-15-easy-new-pieces/) - Want to stock up on tableware essentials? In the long run, if you entertain frequently it’s much more economical to buy than rent. We’ve sourced new-season tableware pieces that are versatile, durable and accessible – low-maintenance classics that are good enough for the fanciest dinner party but tough enough for everyday. Buy stacks of dinner plates
- [WHAT TO DO WITH COFFEE TABLE BOOKS](https://melissapenfold.com/books/coffee-table-books/) - How they look is nearly as important as what's in them. Obviously, they can go right on top of a coffee table—obscuring the piece of furniture entirely, if that's your objective, or simply adding a dimensional flourish atop a table you like—where guests can pluck one up and flip through it while you finish up
- [EASTER ESSENTIALS YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE ALL YEAR AROUND](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/easter-essentials-youll-actually-use-year-around-2/) - The Easter long weekend has long been synonymous with getting away. More often than not, this is the time of year where we find ourselves retreating from the bustle of our everyday lives, celebrating the break with friends and family. Indulging in fine wine, big books, warmth, flickering fires, layers that soften, rough-hewn textures, and
- [STYLE ON A BUDGET: 5 SOURCES FOR GOOD, CHEAP FABRIC](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/style-budget-5-sources-good-cheap-fabric/) - GOOD EARL & BAILEY A canvas kingdom. The wholesale institution, which supplies canvas for everything from outdoor furniture to awnings, is happy to direct the public to suppliers in their area. Go for the heavier 12- to 18- ounce off-white canvases suitable for upholstery and slip covers. 25-27 Salisbury Street, Botany NSW, 2019, (02) 9316 1300, www.goodearlandbailey.com.au
- [FLORAL REVOLUTION: THE BEST FLORIST IN SYDNEY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/floral-revolution-best-florist-sydney/) - Despite something happening in the floral industry, and florists attracting social media followings in their hundreds of thousands, Bloomey's is the one Sydney florist, who has continued to service the city’s most prominent families and style set (including our biggest celebrities) with its original and remarkably consistent style. There is no instagram, no publicity, no
- [MARTHA STEWART HAS NOTHIN' ON THIS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/chyka-home/) - How would Australia’s most successful event planner and caterer Chyka help you throw a party? Arrange a seasonal setting? Choose a fun cocktail? The entertaining mogul has built an empire on perfecting the art of decorating, entertaining, and, yes, organising - so it's no surprise that her home, which we visited last week, for the
- [THESE ARE THE 17 BEST TABLE LAMPS THAT DESIGNERS KEEP COMING BACK TO](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/17-best-table-lamps-designers-keep-coming-back/) - A pair of brilliant table lamps give a room elegance, gravitas and confidence. They're essential, the first things people notice, and you can't skimp: cheap lamps signal cheap interior. The average-sized living room will need at least four, each casting a subtle pool of light. Many people try to get away with fewer lamps and
- [AUTUMN SHOPPING: BEST 3 COLLECTIONS FROM THE VIRTUAL HIGH STREET](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/autumn-shopping-edit-best-3-collections-virtual-high-street/) - Ready for a spending spree? You can snap up unique affordable, amazing designs from the high street, from the comfort of your sofa. Each store has its own strengths, and knowing what these are is the key to smart shopping. Here’s where to go for what, including our edit of the most desirable on-trend pieces
- [IKEA X PIET HEIN EEK'S HANDMADE IMPERFECTIONS FOR THE MASSES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/first-look-ikea-x-peit-eeks-handmade-imperfections-masses/) - Ikea launches its new Industriell collection this month in collaboration with Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek – a nod to handmade craftsmanship and pine wood. After last year’s March 2017 release of the Jassa line, the two meet up again for a second go. “I wanted people to have the feeling of buying a unique product"
- [15 OF THE MOST BRILLIANT BATHS YOU'LL EVER SEE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/15-brilliant-baths-youll-ever-see/) - Begin by asking yourself two key questions. How much bathroom space do I have to work with? And what look and feel am I after? Whatever your needs, there are great-looking and high-functioning bathtubs for all settings, whether you’ve got a spacious, spa-size bathroom or a tiny urban space. When you’re ready to make your
- [WHAT'S POPULAR IN KITCHEN DESIGN RIGHT NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/whats-popular-kitchen-design-right-now/) - Erasing upper cabinets from our kitchens? In recent years a lot of people have chosen to incorporate open shelving into their kitchens — but lately, we've seen a trend that's even more dramatic: kitchens with no cabinets above waist-height at all which is in line with our desire for open-concept living to make rooms feel bigger.
- [THIS FIRE PIT IS THE PERFECT START TO YOUR 2018 AUTUMN](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/new-season-fire-pit-perfect-start-autumn-winter-2018/) - A fire pit is pretty much all you need to create an outdoor room. Pull up a few benches for seating, and you suddenly have a new living space—without a costly remodel. A well-sited fire pit such as Les Choses new Brasero series which comes in three good-looking designs is a great way of cultivating that campfire feel
- [OKAY, WE’LL BE DOING OUR GARDEN WALLS LIKE THIS FROM NOW ON](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/okay-well-garden-walls-like-now/) - Say goodbye to concrete bagged walls, people, as we make way for statement-making walls in stone, concrete, timber and more. Garden walls are more showy than they’ve been for a while if B&B Italia’s new Outdoor Catalogue 2018 launched this month is anything to go by. If your garden (or courtyard) needs structural help and support,
- [MILAN REPORT: WHAT’S NEW IN INTERIOR DESIGN FOR 2018?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/milan-report-whats-new-interior-design-2018/) - Ciao tutti. It’s that time again when all aesthetically-trained eyes look to Milan as the city explodes in a riot of inspired new design at the Milan furniture fair. The annual Salone del Mobile, of course, is no ordinary design show. As the place that has set the design agenda for almost 60 years, attracting 2500
- [HOW TO STRETCH YOUR DOLLARS WHEN DECORATING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/stretch-dollars-decorating/) - How to stretch your dollars when decorating? Buy great cushions. Yep, a pair of quality cushions can make a chain store sofa look like million dollars. One or two big generous designs are the quickest, and most affordable, way to change the look, and mood of your rooms. They can give an old space a
- [7 QUICK IDEAS TO REFRESH YOUR ROOMS (INSIDE AND OUT)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/7-quick-ideas-refresh-rooms-inside/) - You don’t have to spend a fortune to do a quick makeover. Rip down old curtain poles, hang new roller blinds, mirror a wall, replace pillows, give your walls a lick of fresh paint. Here’s a few quick, effective, ways to change the look of your rooms dramatically, that will take a lot less time
- [THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SOFAS](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/essential-guide-sofas/) - Sofas anchor our living spaces. Get them right and the rest will follow. There are, after all, few pieces of furniture that you are going to spend more time with. So it's essential to get what suits you. All you need to do is decide whether you plan to perch elegantly and nibble canapes on
- [THE BARGAIN ONLINE STORE ART INSIDERS SHOP](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/biggest-coolest-online-art-insiders-shop-without-telling/) - Hey art collectors, Bluethumb is a seriously good contemporary online art place with the kind of art you would usually only find at art shows and auctions that opens the art world to all of us. The website launched in 2011 and has assembled more than 1000 established and emerging artists under one cyber roof,
- [10 UBER-COOL WAYS TO STYLE A COFFEE TABLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-uber-cool-ways-style-coffee-table/) - Good decorating is all about having everything in the right places. Don’t underestimate the power of replacing old accessories on your coffee table for a new lot. A few great accessories are the little touches that can make a room look like you’ve done a lot more than you have - they signal confidence, glamour
- [MP X BELLE: STYLE ETIQUETTE MASTERCLASS FOR THE BEDROOM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/mp-x-belle-loves/) - I am utterly delighted to return to the Belle magazine fold, where I began my career back in the 1980s, following a stint at its sister publication Australian House & Garden, to Belle as interior design coordinator where I quickly became interior design editor where I stayed until the mid-1990s when a newspaper career beckoned.
- [THE ULTIMATE MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/mothers-day-gift-guide/) - We’ve put together a selection of gifts to delight every kind of mother – even those who say they don't need a thing. Things she can use immediately and will slot effortlessly into her life; that show you appreciate and love her. If you choose a present with care, you don’t need to spend a lot. Money
- [BECKER MINTY WAREHOUSE SALE: 50% KELLY WEARSTLER, AERIN AND MORE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/becker-mintys-warehouse-sale/) - One of the city's chicest boutiques for statement-making pieces who has an impressive list of clients (Francesca Packer to Baz Luhrmann and Iain Halliday) is having a rare warehouse sale and offering up to 50 per cent off a selected range of Kelly Wearstler, Aerin candles, Michael Verheyden, BM Marble canisters, fashion and more. Expect
- [THE BIGGEST TRENDS IN FLOWERS FOR 2018](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/biggest-trends-flowers-2018/) - These days when it comes to wedding floral arrangements, the more creative and inventive you can be, the better. But while there's plenty of scope to let your imagination run wild, there are some general themes worth considering to ensure your wedding, party or event is picture perfect. Image-sharing site Pinterest has shared details of upcoming wedding
- [THE #1 TREND TO MAKE YOU HAPPIER AT HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/1-trend-make-happier-home/) - Our homes are an extension of who we are: what we do within our walls shapes our mood, affects our productivity and influences our outlook on life. Scientific studies have shown that everything that surrounds us affects us, and beautiful houses that open with clear sidelines and open concept living create good moods. Compartmentalisation is
- [THE 2 OUTDOOR CHAIR BRANDS EVERY DESIGNER OWNS](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/2-outdoor-chair-brands-every-designer-owns/) - COTSWOLD FURNITURE Want smart furniture in strong woven fibres that can be painted any Dulux colour you fancy? A-list designers (Thomas Hamel, Michael Love, Marco Meneguzzi, Briony Fitzgerald, Brendan Wong, Cameron Kimber) swear by Cotswold Furniture Collection for its Belgian brand Vincent Sheppard which creates timeless designs used at fab hotspots throughout the world including
- [LANDSCAPING 101: GROUND COVERS TO PLANT BETWEEN PAVERS](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/landscaping-101-ground-covers-plant-pavers/) - Too often pathway gaps are neglected and become a home for weeds. But where some may see awkward spaces between stepping stones, I see potential. Plants between pavers can soften hard lines, adding a lush, living element to a design. It’s relatively simple to fill the cracks between pavers with creeping plants that will stay low, won’t mind being
- [A SLEEK NEW CAROMA SHOWROOM SET IN AN URBAN FOREST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/sleek-new-caroma-showroom-set-urban-forest/) - What makes Caroma’s vast new Sydney flagship that opens this month is the merchandising of more than 400 innovative bathroom products across 2500 square metres of space filled with Australian plants and trees. There are beautiful baths, basins, showers, loos, tapware with the brand’s famous water-saving features to inspire you, choreographed in room settings in the architectural
- [21 GIFTS TO SHOWER ANY BRIDE-TO-BE IN YOUR LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/21-gifts-shower-bride-life/) - With the royal wedding last week, we have our own wedding season schedule on the mind. Want to take a leap of faith and go off registry? Here are 21 gifts fit for the Meghan Markle in your life. For the sentimental bride, go for a keepsake: Online wedding connoisseur Over The Moon recently collaborated with Peep’s Paper Products to
- [THE ART YOU NEED + WHERE TO GET IT (WARNING: SHOPPING SPREE AHEAD)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/art-need-get-2/) - Do your bare walls need a bit of excitement? Discover the best places to buy art - online and offline —without blowing your entire budget. Yep, more fodder, for the art-obsessed, to make your pad a gallery in its own right. Expect the sort of pieces that make your retinas dilate. After all, no room
- [THIS IS HOW YOU DECORATE A ROOM FROM START TO FINISH](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/decorate-room-start-finish/) - We recently read a great story in MyDomaine on how to get your pad decorated in 10 steps which got us thinking how we’d do it…. The secret is spending some additional time, in the beginning, to save money down the road and end up with a much better interior. So plan ahead. But do
- [MYER, MERIVALE, ORIENT HOUSE: BEST OF THE MID-YEAR SALES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/sales-wrap-best-month/) - It’s the season to bag yourself a top buy – or two. But there is an art to sale shopping: you need to focus on what you really need, where to begin and what to look for. We’ve made a list of the shops and places to visit – which sometimes means thinking not only
- [LANDSCAPING DON’TS: 10 DESIGN MISTAKES TO AVOID](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/landscaping-donts-10-design-mistakes-avoid/) - However small your outdoor area, you can create the most charming space in the history of landscaping projects. All you have to do is avoid 10 common landscape design mistakes. Here’s how. ADD POTS Potted plants are accessories and, as with jewellery, less can be more. You wouldn’t wear all your jewellery like the Empress of
- [THIS SOFA TREND WILL SURPRISE YOU](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/sofa-trend-will-surprise/) - If you love slip-covered white linen sofas, then this is your year. Every major sofa brand featured one at Milan Furniture Fair – offset with a brown leather sofa which is also huge for 2018. It’s the last word in elegance. Plus white and brown are neutral colours which are easy and peaceful to live with,
- [THE WELL-KEPT WOODPILE: 10 TIPS TO STACK AND CARE FOR FIREWOOD OUTDOORS](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/well-kept-woodpile-10-tips-stack-care-firewood-outdoors/) - In publishing, books on firewood and building fires have been huge hits over the past year or two. Last Christmas it was Lars Mytting’s Norwegian Wood that was under every Christmas tree and this year there’s a bunch of new books on the subject, including Daniel Hume’s The Art of Fire and Sally Coulthard’s The Little Book of Building Fires. But
- [CURTAINS 101: FOUR OF THE BEST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/curtains-101-four-best/) - Any fabric - even those that are meant to be worn - can be whipped into wonderful curtains. Lining protects the fabric from daylight, gives extra weight and body and conceals all the hems. Curtains should blend in with the walls rather than announce themselves too emphatically. The demand is for slim and sheer drops
- [WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT'S NOT IN KITCHEN DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/whats-hot-whats-not-kitchen-design/) - After decades of all-white palettes and high gloss finishes, the rise of charismatic, hue-infused, texture-rich kitchen design is helping homeowners stand out from the rest of the pack. As folk increasingly art-direct their homes and jockey for “likes” on social media, they have become more adventurous with materials. They want earthy, tactile surfaces that visibly wear
- [THE BEST 2 SOURCES FOR BASKETS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/best-2-sources-baskets/) - Vintage and new baskets are the secret item leading designers use to give an interior a more layered, cultured, eclectic look. They are the ultimate multifunctional piece, whether for practical or decorative use; a great basket is a great buy that you are guaranteed to use daily. You can use them to stow everything from
- [IKEA'S NEW COLLECTION COULD SELL OUT IN SECONDS - HERE'S WHY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ikeas-new-collection-sell-seconds-heres/) - There’s all kinds of exciting new collections at Ikea, exploring new frontiers, driven from a platform of simplicity, relevance, and daring to be different. First, the return of poufs, reimagined for the modern home - and this year’s comeback as the living room staple – with Ikea doing geometric round knitted shapes that make a statement
- [THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIGHTING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/essential-guide-lighting/) - Once the poor relation of the interiors world, lights have emerged from the shadows to become one of the most glamorous areas of contemporary design and the quickest way to transform our homes. The magical aspect of lighting is the way illumination transforms the object. The planet is overflowing with ravishing, innovative light fittings in
- [IKEA FOREVER: BEST OF IKEA'S NEW COLLABORATIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ikea-forever-best-ikeas-new-collaborations/) - Want ultra-cool pieces to update your interior? Ikea has got your back with a new collection of edgy, appealing pieces, dubbed Spanst, for storing, displaying and organizing our homes with a streetwear model aesthetic. By consistently upping its design but not its prices, the Swedish giant is making its ephemeral furnishings more pervasive than ever by
- [LANDSCAPING: 7 IDEAS TO ADD ANTIQUES ARTFULLY TO ANY GARDEN](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/landscaping-7-ideas-add-antiques-artfully-garden/) - You don’t need to inherit an ancestral estate to make antiques look at home in a garden. Beautiful vintage stone urns, columns, and planters—or even new ones masquerading as old—can be used in almost any space, including tiny courtyards and small cottage gardens. The trick is to make antiquities feel as if they’ve always been there,
- [SAVE UP TO 70% OFF DASH & ALBERT X MP EXCLUSIVE OFFER, NOW!](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/save-70-off-dash-albert-x-mp-exclusive-offer-now/) - On your marks from today for Dash & Albert’s exclusive offer to Melissa Penfold readers, your chance to save up to 70% off Dash & Albert’s fab samples and discontinued rugs. Cotton, wool, jute and poly designs galore. Zigzag natural, now $350 (was $1020), Staffordshire stripe, now $220 (was $640), Plain Tin Oatmeal, now $510, (was $1460), Gypsy Rose, now
- [IN PRAISE OF HOUNDSTOOTH: DESIGNERS REINVENTING TWEED](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/praise-houndstooth-designers-reinventing-tweed/) - Houndstooth and other countrified traditional fabrics such as tweed are ubiquitous once again. With such old-school fabrics, there could be a risk of looking a little staid. But not if you oversize it such as Italian hothouse, Meridiani, who has stores around the world, has for its 2018 collection. Then toss in a few modern
- [ENTRYWAY IDEAS FOR WHEN YOU DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE ONE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/entryway-ideas-dont-actually-one/) - Whether your front door opens into a grand entryway or right onto the dark corner of the kitchen, that will be the first place your guests see in your home. Don't underestimate its potential. “Even small foyers are the first impression," says interior designer Peter Dunham, who advises a bold look for this part of your
- [GET SWITCHED ON: THE LATEST IN OUTDOOR LIGHTING](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/get-switched-latest-outdoor-lighting/) - Bored with your garden? Transform your outdoors with great outdoor lighting including mod, lantern-style designs to the latest LED looks used to revamp the best front entries, gardens, restaurants and hotels around. “Lighting plays a big part in creating the right outdoor environment,” says Richard Haigh, founder and owner of Parterre. It adds instant depth
- [BEDHEADS 101: SLEEP SOUNDLY IN STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/bedheads-101-sleep-soundly-style/) - The bedhead market has increased, fortunately. Here are our choices for simple, functional and well-designed pieces that will anchor your room, make everything else look right - from high-end to affordable pieces. Ideal for reading, working and of course, sleeping…that won’t go out of style anytime soon. HOTEL LUXURY COLLECTION 'Le Bristol' Bedhead is a new
- [SAVE 70% AT DASH & ALBERT WAREHOUSE SALE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/1-day-dash-albert-warehouse-sale-70-off/) - Run, don't walk to Winton House's rare warehouse clearance on Saturaday for 70 per cent off hundreds of Dash & Albert rug samples and discontinued lines. Designers go nuts over the American brand of designs in jute, cotton, wool and poly in myriad patterns and weaves. Stacks of choice at great prices. Expect contemporary rugs with
- [MP x BELLE: HOW TO HOST A SPARKLING DINNER PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/mp-x-belle-host-sparkling-dinner-party/) - The dinner party is back and as glamorous as sitting around a table at home gets. It’s a party with dinner. Drinks. Flowers. Music. Low Lights. Great china. Not cosy, as much as an 80s-style affair with world class style-statement glass, china, cutlery and linen. Dinner parties are deeply personal. The rules are your rules. The
- [DESIGNING A FEELGOOD HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/designing-feelgood-home/) - Are you happy at home? As anyone who has lived in cramped, dark or tiny quarters knows, your living space can have a big effect on your mood.We have spent a lot of time studying what makes us happy at home (and what doesn’t). Of course, you want your home to look good but the way
- [FLORAL MASTERCLASS: HOW TO DO FLOWERS LIKE ROYALTY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/floral-masterclass-flowers-like-royalty/) - Make a diary note now, for a weekend masterclass at New Zealand's The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in August, with one of the greatest floral artists of them all, royal florist Shane Connolly, who just bagged the gold medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Also, included in the top course is Bruce Keebaugh, Australia’s leading
- [23 RULES OF THE HOUSE PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/23-rules-house-party/) - Fortunately, many of us have fabulous friends who want to share their stunning country houses, estates, private islands, beaches, and boats with us - we are, after all, civilised beings. But we worry that they think we should be doing more, and perhaps visibly more grateful for us sitting down three times a day at
- [THE IKEA ESSENTIALS: MP'S 10 FAVOURITE HOUSEHOLD STAPLES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ikea-essentials-mps-10-favourite-household-staples/) - Good taste doesn't cost anything extra at Ikea where you can sniff out simple, affordable household staples like quilts, pillowslips, duvet covers, glassware, plates and other essentials that look a lot more expensive than they are. Proof that when it comes to style, having the confidence to trust your eye is better than a try-hard
- [THESE ARE THE MID-YEAR SALES WE'RE SHOPPING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/mid-year-sales-shopping/) - The year is halfway over (how?), but the good news is that this means a slew of mid-year sales. Keep reading to find out which ones we're shopping. LA MAISON The French and Hamptons favourite is relocating and offering up to 80 per cent off gorgeous French-style to industrial-look tables, chairs, consoles, desks, sofas, bedheads, bedsides,
- [RENOVATING 101: POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/renovating-101-polished-concrete-floors/) - Concrete once considered the Cinderella of flooring materials has come a long way. Long relegated to life as a subfloor - and covered up by a host of materials such as wood, tiles, and carpeting - it’s currently having its day in the sun. Hardworking, low maintenance, versatile, affordable, and in it for the long term,
- [YOU NEED TO SEE HALE MERCANTILE'S LATEST COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/need-see-hale-mercantiles-latest-collection/) - Hale Mercantile, the Melbourne company with the most divine linen classics that will make you feel you have been transported to an Axel Vandervordt castle, has just released its latest 2018/19 catalogue full of covetables. There are beautiful, top-drawer, crumple-washed linens that will last forever. The idea is to buy separate pieces from its yearn-dyed range
- [THE FABULOUS MEXICAN BRAND YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU NEEDED](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/fabulous-mexican-brand-didnt-know-needed/) - Mexican modernism has caught fire in recent years which is why you need to know about Alfonso Marina, a seriously good range of that will add instant pedigree to any space which just landed at Studio Cavit last month. Alfonso started back in 1971 as an expert cabinet maker, handcrafting fine wood furniture. There is
- [THE 5 MOST SEARCHED INTERIOR ITEMS ACROSS THE WORLD](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-searched-interior-items-across-world/) - New trends can whizz around the world in an instant, they can start in any time zone, from any possible geographic coordinates. For instance, Portugal is a new secret source for fresh futuristic fringing, with shimmy and sway – that brings the joy of movement and texture to our homes with pieces like Manna Design’s
- [WHY KITCHEN ISLANDS ARE RUINING TODAY'S KITCHENS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/kitchen-islands-ruining-todays-kitchens/) - A THOUSAND YEARS from now, archaeologists sifting through the rubble will be able to identify early 21st-century homes by their kitchens, says the Wall Street Journal's Michelle Slatella in a recent column. "The kitchen island will be as recognisable an artifact as the Doric column," she says. Read on for her thoughts on why kitchens might
- [HOW TO DISPLAY YOUR COLLECTIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-display-your-collections/) - The things you collect say something intensely personal about you. But don’t just amass things, and remember if it’s worth collecting, its worth displaying well. Your collections well displayed will give your house soul. Don’t separate the pieces of your collection – keep them together. Hang them on the wall, line them along shelves, group them
- [LIVING BY DESIGN'S NEW RANGE IS ALREADY A 2018 SUCCESS STORY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/living-designs-new-range-already-2018-success-story/) - Shopping for mid-century-style, affordable furniture in South Australia? Yep, Living By Design has just added a bunch of affordable, modernist-inspired Scandi consoles, desks and tables to its covetable collection that top Australian designers have gone nuts over. Plus, there are new additions to its best selling Safari chair range like Mala and Trento that will
- [HOW TO GET CHIC ITALIAN STYLE WITH 5 PIECES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/get-chic-italian-style-5-pieces/) - Celebrate the art of easy decorating and do as the Italians do by creating a gorgeous, effortless backdrop for your interior with earthy paint colours, lots of linens, understated fittings and an outdoor room you will actually use. Here are five of the quickest, most effective, ways to change the look of your interior and
- [DINNER PARTY RULES AND ETIQUETTE AT A PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/dinner-party-rules-etiquette-party/) - The dinner party is a staging a mighty, long-awaited comeback. Laughing in the face of the ghastly 'kitchen supps' upstart, it is charging back into our lives - full throttle, totally pumped, and on banging Eighties form. Goodbye, jeans and flat shoes. So long, bed by 10. Farewell, 'just us'. It's a party. With dinner.
- [10 PIECES FOR WHEN YOU ARE BORED WITH EVERYTHING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-pieces-bored-everything/) - If you're growing weary of your interior, it might be time to throw in something unexpected. We were recently feeling a little interior fatigue ourselves, so decided to peruse Instagram for some fresh inspiration and new looks. A massive tree inside - why not? Plants improve air quality, after all. Palm leaves that reach the
- [HOW TO RENT A EUROPEAN VILLA (AND NOT GO BROKE)](https://melissapenfold.com/atmosphere/travel/rent-european-villa-not-go-broke/) - If you think you can't afford it, it might just be a matter of knowing what to look for, and when. While “villa” tends to be synonymous with “wickedly expensive” infinity pools, panoramic vistas and private paths to the beach, they aren’t always as out of reach as you might think. Here are five tips
- [A SYDNEY BARN FOR A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AND FAMILY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/modern-outdoor-barn-sydney-landscape-architect-family/) - We couldn’t be more thrilled to see Australia featuring everywhere, with talents like leading landscaper William Dangar’s Bondi beach house recently gracing top US blogs Remodelista and Gardenista. Dangar has created more than 1000 gardens (big and small) over his 25- year career, including some of Sydney’s most famous ones. When it came to his
- [55 FAVOURITE DECOR IDEAS THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/55-favourite-decor-ideas-will-transform-life/) - With the holidays here, one of our favourite times has arrived with lazy afternoons spent surfing the internet on your phone for inspiration. Here are some ideas for your searches, from quick fixes to common problems, furniture hacks and more. So if you have an old sofa you can’t afford to reupholster, hate your kitchen
- [WHAT'S NEW AND BUDGET-FRIENDLY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/whats-new-budget-friendly/) - Want proof that a little price tag can still pack a big punch? Quality doesn’t always mean big names – whether its towels, tiles, sheets or ceramics, here are the chainstores we’re hitting for budget-friendly this season. SPOTLIGHT Quick, head straight to your local Spotlight chain, and seek out its heavy white and off-white linen,
- [THE STAR FLOWER OF 2018: YOU CAN USE SEASON, AFTER SEASON](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/star-flower-2018-can-use-season-season/) - We’ve suspected it for a while, but if London’s legendary Chelsea Flower Show decrees it, it has to be true, the plant of 2018 is the white hydrangea. The British Royal Horticultural Society’s esteemed judges deemed the Runaway Bride ‘Snow White’ an Asian hybrid bred by Japanese plantsman Ushio Sakazaki, the victor for its profusion
- [TWENTY WAYS TO BE FABULOUS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/twenty-ways-fabulous/) - Life is a confidence trick, so be confident. Lose your fear of being an individual. Think yourself up, not down. Convince yourself that you are unique, then go out and convince the rest of the world. If you have the confidence to get the look, the clothes, the manners, then the man the job and
- [WORLD'S 50 MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER SHOPS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/worlds-50-beautiful-flower-shops/) - The last decade has seen an explosion of hip, creative florists emerging in an industry that was once quite traditional and conventional. Flowers now take centre stage not just in interiors, but also larger-than-life installations for parties, the catwalk, art galleries, hotels, and restaurants. They are looser, wilder, more fluid - making it easier to
- [FINDER'S KEEPERS: HOW TO BE A TREASURE HUNTER](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/finders-keepers-one-persons-trash-can-become-prized-possession/) - Good furniture is not just for the rich. By cruising the streets of your city, or town, you can hunt down lovely pieces of furniture with good bones and aristocratic bearing that others have discarded for the council to take away. Whether you think of it as a treasure hunt or second hand style on the
- [HOPE YOU'VE SAVED YOUR PENNIES: 3 NEW SHIPMENTS ARRIVE AT ORIENT HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/hope-youve-saved-pennies-3-new-shipments-arrive-orient-house/) - Want to give your room an instant expression of style and personality? Orient House has just unpacked three new containerloads of furniture fresh from China, Indonesia and India. From baskets to porcelain to ginger pots, candlestands and classic timber tables, our much anticipated new Indonesian and Indian shipments are here, and definetly worth a look for
- [PILLOW TALK: 5 SECRETS TO MAKING A PERFECT BED](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/pillow-talk-5-secrets-making-perfect-bed/) - If you count all the hours we spend plumping pillows, smoothing sheets, straightening duvets, and fussing over how the whole thing looks, we spend as much time on our beds as in them. Yet the result never look quite right. Here’s a foolproof way to make your bed look as good as pictures in magazines… For tips on bed-making,
- [THE IKEA 2019 CATALOGUE IS HERE – THESE ARE OUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ikea-2019-catalogue-favourite-products/) - The 2019 Ikea catalogue starts hitting letterboxes this week, and goes online any minute. The Swedish behometh is celebrating our individual uniqueness, with seven houses that show how differently we all live, and provide smart solutions for everyone with loads of fabulous-looking new collections – all of which are driven from a platform of simplicity
- [LEGO, ADIDAS, SONOS AND PARIS' COLETTE AMONG IKEA'S NEW COLLABORATORS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/lego-adidas-sonos-paris-colette-among-ikeas-new-collaboraters/) - Each year in the beginning of June, some 300 journalists descend upon the small town of Älmhult, Sweden, for IKEA's annual Democratic Design Days. Between conferences, tours, and demonstrations, the event is also a chance to unveil the brand's newest offerings and—perhaps most excitingly—its latest collaborators. This month, Australia gets its own Democratic Design Day at Sydney’s MCA, 27th-29th
- [10 PIECES WE'RE SHOPPING FOR A SPRING INTERIORS REFRESH](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-pieces-shopping-spring-interiors-refresh/) - Now that it’s October, it’s time to think about what’s needed to spruce up your home for the season ahead. From maximum-impact mirrors to the perfect coffee table, suede cushion and rug we know you’ll love – read on for our pick of the best updates that will instantly transform your space. The Mirror You’ll Take
- [15 COMMON SHOPPING MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/11-common-shopping-mistakes-avoid/) - Once you've worked out where you go wrong, your life will be transformed. Avoid any of the following: 1. FADS: Don't enlist in the military look, the milkmaid look, heroin chic, the sequin bonanza or any of the rest. Buy only what suits you. If you have to succumb, only buy an accessory or two and
- [8 EASY UPDATES FOR INSTANT 2018 CURB APPEAL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/8-easy-updates-instant-2018-curb-appeal/) - Did you know that the front door and surrounding details can make or break a first impression? Even if your front garden is nothing more than a narrow strip of land to separate a house from the curb, here are eight ideas to steal for your own façade to make sure elegance and generosity are
- [A SHOPPING GUIDE TO SYDNEY’S NEW DESIGN PRECINCT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/shopping-guide-sydneys-new-design-precinct/) - Welcome to Sydney’s new design precinct. Paddington’s Oxford Street strip is designer home heaven with all the latest looks to be found in one concentrated shopping artery. The latest opening is Great Dane, which opened last month with a three-storey showroom towards the Queen Street end of the Oxford spine. By tramping within about four
- [10 BIGGEST DON'TS IN DECORATING SMALL SPACES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-biggest-small-space-design-donts/) - Dealing with an apartment that’s on the petite side? If you live in a shoebox, ban the word small. Call it compact or bijou, to emphasise its style and potential and get clever. Well-designed small spaces can feel spacious, and ignite admiration for their intimacy and efficiency. Carve space out of every niche, and optimise
- [THE 8 LOS ANGELES SHOPS FASHION GIRLS LOVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/8-los-angeles-shops-fashion-girls-love/) - 1: GLOSSIER STORE The growing trend of digitally native brands opening stores with strong visual elements meant for Instagram continues with Glossier’s second retail location.The store, located on Melrose Place in Los Angeles, includes a pink floor, pink shelf space, messages on mirrors with the familiar “you look good” slogan and a space called the “Glossier Canyon.” There,
- [THE SMARTEST SOAPS FOR HOUSE GUESTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/smartest-soaps-house-guests/) - TOM FORD NEROLI PORTOFINO BATH SOAP This is summer in a bar with the transporting scent of bergamot, sicilian lemon, mandarin, and orange flower. $40.50, harrods.com BYREDO GYPSY WATER SOAP Your guests will love this light earthy fragrance so much they’ll want the hand cream, and the body wash and most probably the cologne too. $35, byredo.co.uk
- [FINDING THE BEST HAND-KNOTTED RUGS (THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/finding-best-hand-knotted-rugs-will-change-life/) - Yosi Tal is the rug icon. For three decades his company has Designed Rugs for Qantas, Google, Microsoft, Lendlease, Westpac, Coca-Cola, Parliament House, the Australian embassies worldwide and teamed with award-winning designers like Hare + Klein, Greg Natale, and Catherine Martin to produce hand-knotted rug collections which are out of this world. We’re visiting this
- [THIS ACCESSORY FOR A FLAWLESS INTERIOR IS SIMPLE, BUT IT WORKS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/accessory-flawless-interior-simple-works/) - If you’ve forked out big money for your furniture, it’s worth investing in bespoke cushions to finish the job. (And even if you haven’t, a pair of brilliant cushions can take people’s eyes off all the flaws in your room.) You can change the mood and status of a space with a pair of well-chosen cushions. Different fabrics, different personality.
- [HERE'S HOW YOU CAN MAKEOVER YOUR BEDROOM FOR LESS THAN $100 AT IKEA](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/heres-can-makeover-bedroom-less-100-ikea/) - Chances are, as the season changes, your mood does too, and you want to refresh your bedrooms. Luckily by adding a few key pieces into the mix your space can feel completely new. The new season pieces to transform your bedroom right now? Our #1 item for the bed this season is Ikea’s well-tailored Puderviva
- [NOW TRENDING: 8 INGENIOUS WAYS PLANTS CAN MAKE A ROOM LOOK BIGGER](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/now-trending-11-ingenious-ways-plants-can-make-room-look-bigger/) - Plants may be the single most important element of interior design: when used right, they can add depth, height, and airiness to any room. Here are 8 ingenious ways that plants can make any room look bigger. Repeat a Theme In a room with high ceilings, try flanking a window with foliage, (faux or real).
- [THE INTERIOR UPDATES MELISSA AND HER DAUGHTER ARE BUYING THIS MONTH](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/interior-updates-melissa-daughter-buying-month/) - The most wanted looks of the seasons? As selected by Melissa and her daughter, Isabella! Whether you go for mounted tribal shell necklaces – the most-wanted accessory of the season – or sleek glassware, terracotta pots or metal pot one-offs with pedigree. Read on to shop our picks:
- [MOST-WANTED RUGS: WANT TO KNOW WHICH RUGS SHOPPERS ARE SNAPPING UP AROUND TOWN?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/wanted-rugs-want-know-rugs-shoppers-snapping-around-town/) - Want to know which rugs stylish Australian shoppers are snapping up and which are on buyer’s must-have lists? We’re revealing both this month so that you can browse what’s hottest right now. Hint: we’re starting with Greg Natale’s latest Composite collection for renowned rugmaker Designer Rugs. Natale’s Ink design from the range is one of
- [THIS BEAUTIFUL SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BRAND ONLY INSIDERS KNOW ABOUT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/beautiful-south-australian-brand-insiders-know/) - Shopping for modernist-inspired, affordable furniture in South Australia? Yep, our latest brand obsession, Living By Design has just added a stack of mid-century-style consoles, barstools and parquet-top coffee tables to its covetable collection that those in the know (including top Australian designers) are going beserk over. The Bezier Parquet coffee table comes in round and
- [THE BOOK EVERY DESIGN LOVER SHOULD OWN](https://melissapenfold.com/books/book-every-design-lover/) - Those of us who inhabit the world of interior design live in interesting times. In a world of instant gratification, fast fashion and the one-stop-shop popular culture, it's easy to want to ‘decorate’ our homes overnight. But style is changing, with a seismic shift says Karen McCartney, author and launch editor of Inside Out magazine, who planned her latest
- [HOW INSTA BECAME THE ART WORLD'S OBSESSION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/insta-became-art-worlds-obsession/) - As he boarded a plane for Hong Kong in late 2016, Brett Gorvy, then global head of postwar and contemporary art at Christie’s, posted an image of a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting on his Instagram feed. Upon landing, he found he had three text messages from clients interested in buying the 1982 work, a portrait of
- [12 NEW PIECES THAT WILL INSTANTLY UPDATE YOUR INTERIOR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/12-new-pieces-will-instantly-update-interior/) - One of the simplest ways to boost your look (and mood) at home, is to splurge on new accessories. From placemats to paintings, consoles to china, these glam updates are the latest looks doing the rounds this season. We're starting with Portia de Rossi's General Public art collaboration with Restoration Hardware. The actress is founder
- [EVERY NOOK COUNTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/every-nook-counts/) - Given second-class status, behind-the-scenes, back-of-house spaces such as mud and dry rooms are ready for their close-ups, and architect Gil P Schafer is leading the way. "Everything is more informal these days," says American architect Gil P. Schafer, who uses classicist traditions to create blue-chip spaces steeped in elegance and charm. "Until recently, the family
- [25 DESIGN TRICKS THAT CHANGED THE WAY WE DECORATE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/25-design-tricks-changed-way-decorate/) - A good design idea gets the job done while a great design trick can instantly transform an entire space. The best are also the simplest. Rather than plastering over an ugly wall, especially those lumpy concrete ones that look like cottage cheese, which can be expensive and time-consuming, it might be easier to just hang
- [50 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK MORE EXPENSIVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/50-ways-make-home-look-expensive/) - This month, we’re sharing our favourite ways to make your space look bigger, brighter, better, and more expensive than ever. Discover how to REALLY layer your rooms to feel rich, which colours always look chic, and the cheat’s way to luxe lighting. Plus, how to base your interior on a few timeless staples that mix
- [MELISSA'S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DECORATING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/melissas-ultimate-guide-decorating/) - There’s no better time to breathe new life into your home than Spring, a season that makes you want to banish the hoarding of winter and embrace a future full of interior design possibilities. Once you’ve got all of the cleaning and organizing under your belt, redecorating is the logical next step, whether that means
- [THE WEDGWOOD EDITION: MEET YOUR FAVOURITE NEW DINNERWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/wedgwood-edition-meet-favourite-new-dinnerware/) - This Spring, we are delighted to collaborate with Wedgwood, one of the greatest luxury brands in the world, to transform our very own table with its latest collections that let nature set the tone in an exciting and visceral way – truly capturing the mood at large. There are all kinds of exciting new
- [TO DEFINE YOUR TASTE IN INTERIOR DESIGN, LOOK IN YOUR WARDROBE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/define-taste-interior-design-look-wardrobe/) - Overwhelmed by decor possibilities? Nailing down your interior-design style can prove challenging. You might be vaguely drawn to the elegance of a Regency chair, the cleanness of 1940s metal hairpin legs, the worldliness of pattern-on-pattern—all at the same time. When home owners can’t specify their aesthetic preferences, strategic interior designers survey the client’s wardrobe for breadcrumb clues.
- [BE PART OF THE RATTAN RESURGENCE (BUY A PIECE OF HISTORY)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/part-rattan-resurgence-buy-piece-history/) - Just a handful of Europe's rattan ateliers are still in operation. The three finest have been weaving furniture according to ancient techniques for the last hundred years. An air of fustiness hovers over the very words ‘‘wicker furniture’’: One imagines sepia-toned photos of peacock-backed chairs on verandas in colonial India, and ornately curved chaises in
- [WEDGWOOD VERA WANG x MP: TABLE SETTINGS THAT SET HIGH EXPECTATIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/vera-wang-wedgwood-x-melissa-penfold-table-settings-set-high-expectations/) - What joy to team with Wedgwood this season to create a series of table settings at home with Vera Wang Wedgwood’s new Vera Jardin dinnerware that pushes tabletop designs to new heights. Yes, with the pendulum swinging to more layering, more complexity, more happiness, and more nature in décor and entertaining - creating a table
- [HOUSE OF HERAS: AUSTRALIA'S MODERN MASTERMIND](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/house-heras-australias-modern-mastermind/) - Great Gatsby designer Silvana Azzi Heras, who has worked with iconic names like Chanel, Tiffany & Co, Prada, Emirates, Anthropologie, Absolut Vodka and Facebook – turns her attention to real living rooms this month with a striking debut rug collection for Designer Rugs. Her style for the collection is influenced by the Arts and Crafts
- [GIFT-GIVING TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/gift-giving-tips-experts/) - We bear glad tidings for Christmas and the holiday season. After extensively observing how people respond to gifts, we have this advice for shoppers: You don’t have to try so hard. You’re not obliged to spend hours finding just the right gift for each person on your list. Most would be just as happy with
- [SSSH- THIS IS WHERE DESIGNERS FIND THEIR BEST STUFF](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/sssh-designers-find-best-stuff/) - Inner-city Oriental showrooms, French outdoor bistro chair retailers, British lighting - here’s a quick rundown of where our design guns, interior experts and visionaries source their things and find inspiration. It's an eclectic mix of businesses, but you’ll find the suppliers, that top names use most frequently to put together their interiors. Places you can
- [A GUIDE TO ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/guide-things-christmas/) - Here it is, the master guide on everything you need to know to make your Christmas a success. From going shopping, to setting the table, adding a few festive décor ideas for your most stylish celebration, being the best host (or guest), and serving the perfect pudding, this sum of all Christmas knowledge will get
- [SHOPPING GUIDE FOR SERVING UTENSILS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/shopping-guide-serving-utensils/) - Well-designed utensils can make any meal an occasion - and there’s no better time than Christmas to update your sets, with modish servers that keep your spirits up. After all, the things that we interact with daily are the things that should get the most thought in terms of design. Serving utensils that are a
- [5 CHEAP(ISH) THINGS THAT MAKE GREAT LAST-MINUTE GIFTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-cheapish-things-make-great-last-minute-gifts/) - It’s mid December and let’s be honest: you haven’t started your holiday shopping. That’s fine! Many folk are in the same boat. But fear not; we have lots of recommendations to get you through the next 12 days. Your first stop should be our 2018 Christmas Gift Guide. You’ll find everything for the jetsetter in
- [HOW TO BE BETTER AT PARTIES THIS SEASON](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-be-better-at-parties/) - Whether you love them or hate them, parties are important, says The New York Times. They are where people meet future business and romantic partners and friends, where small talk becomes the stuff of life. Who among us, save the most self-sufficient and confident partygoer (and who is that insufferable person, anyway?), wouldn’t like to
- [SHOPPING GUIDE FOR: MODERN REFECTORY TABLES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/shopping-guide-modern-refectory-tables/) - It’s a good sign when a style of furniture has withstood the test of time. Namely, the refectory table, first built in the middle ages for monastery halls which we are turning up in houses everywhere. We're using the same shapes we've had for decades with some subtle changes via Belgium. You'll notice the intimidating
- [THE 100 BEST CHRISTMAS GIFTS OF ALL TIME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/100-best-christmas-gifts-time/) - Oh, the holidays are in sight and your diary is filling up fast, but this year, don’t leave all of your shopping until the last minute – you’ve got better things to do on Christmas Eve. In our ultimate gift guide, we’ve picked presents so perfect that you’ll be shooting straight to the top of
- [10 FLOWER DESIGN PROS HATE, AND THE ONES THEY LOVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-flower-design-pros-hate-ones-love/) - Designers and florists voice very strong opinions, both scathing and affirming, on flowers. Sunflowers, it turns out, have few fans. Peonies are a hot fave. We know it's wrong to detest a poor innocent bloom, but we can’t resist sharing the Wall Street Journal’s recent list of least-favorite flowers. Even the most diplomatic designers, florists
- [15 GIFTS TO MAKE YOUR HOST SMILE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/15-gifts-make-host-smile/) - Here’s, a batch of items that are sure to get you invited back to Christmas parties, and your pal’s beach house, year after year. After all, there’s one thing better than owning your own weekend home: being a welcome, and frequent, guest at somebody else’s. You reap all the rewards — a great tan, plenty
- [IN PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT GIFT? IT'S A LOT CLOSER THAN YOU THINK](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/pursuit-perfect-gift-lot-closer-think/) - Traditionalists are complaining, but the rest of us can thank social scientists this season. They have come up with experimental evidence to support three revolutionary rules for people who hate shopping for holiday gifts: 1. You don’t have to spend any time looking for “thoughtful” gifts; 2. You don’t have to spend much money, either and 3.
- [4 SECRETS TO THROWING THE BEST HOLIDAY PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/4-secrets-throwing-best-holiday-party/) - 1. DECIDE ON THE AESTHETIC FIRST The biggest thing to consider when you are planning a holiday party is your theme. You are asking your guests to give their time and it’s just as important to take your time when deciding on the perfect atmosphere. Draw inspiration from everything around you, from window displays at stores
- [ESSENTIAL CHRISTMAS: A LAST-MINUTE CHECKLIST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/essential-christmas-last-minute-checklist/) - It’s that time again, practically the last-minute before Christmas and we hope you have everything under control - but in the event you haven’t, we’ve got everything you need to simplify the most festive day of the year. Christmas and holidays often come with big expectations baked in, and there's a lot of pressure to
- [THESE WILL BE THE TOP 10 DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2019](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/will-top-10-design-trends-2019/) - The concept of trends is a complex one, especially in the context of how we decorate our homes. In the world of fast-moving fashion, the popular styles move at a bewildering rate, fuelled by fast production processes and digital retail. Trends sweep by and one season looks very different from another. We attended Altagamma summit
- [WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S SHOT IN 2019](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/whats-hot-whats-shot-2019/) - This year, the prevailing design directions are much easier to spot than at other times bringing the concepts of order, calm and tradition back into our homes. Take a look at what’s on our radar as we identify the next big decorating ideas and moods at large from the ones that have bottomed out. The
- [18 OF THE BEST JANUARY SALES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/18-best-january-sales/) - Fifty per cent off Net-a-Porter, 40 per cent off Orient House, 30 per cent off Sephora, 60 per cent off My Chameleon, 50 per cent off activewear, and so much more. It can be an overwhelming experience, though you don’t have to sacrifice a bargain in a bid to avoid the crowds. We’ve rummaged through the
- [U AND NON-U: HOW TO BE UPPER CLASS IN 2019](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/u-non-u-upper-class-2019/) - Nancy Mitford has a lot to answer for. It was she who, in 1955, set out in print what had never been written before – the unspoken rules for being ‘U’ or upper-class, and ‘non-U’. Her article, published in the CIA-funded magazine, Encounter, provoked an outcry, according to Tatler's tongue-in-cheek recent article on the subject,
- [IF YOU ONLY BUY ONE THING AT IKEA, THIS SHOULD BE IT](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/buy-one-thing-ikea/) - IKEA’s Billy bookcases and Malm beds are fixtures in interiors worldwide, finding their way into some very smart homes from Giorgio Armani’s to Britain’s Prince William and his wife, Kate’s Kensington Palace pad. The practical, modern Swedish look is packed with steals that are neutral enough to fit into households around the world. Low prices take
- [DESIGN SLEUTH: OUTDOOR UMBRELLAS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/design-sleuth-outdoor-umbrellas/) - Once again, it’s that time of year when the perennial question of garden shade is upon us; here’s a roundup of some our favorite solutions and brands: MADE IN THE SHADE The Tuuci Hexagon Shade is made of teak and aluminum with a Sunbrella canvas shade. Quote on an application, made to order, www.madeintheshade.com.au THE TUUCHI MOBILE
- [A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO DECORATING YOUR HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/beginners-guide-decorating-home/) - You’ve finally decided it’s time to get a real sofa and stop eating off the plates you had in your student days. Maybe you’re just starting out, with a new job and a new apartment. Or maybe like many people, you’ve spent so much buying or renting your home, you have no money left over
- [EASY AND AFFORDABLE WAYS TO CLASS UP A DINNER PARTY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/easy-affordable-ways-class-dinner-party/) - Easy and affordable ways to class up a dinner party. Whether you’ve grown weary of your dinnerware or are looking to establish a collection of entertaining staples for the first time, setting an Instagram-worthy dinner table doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. We’ve sourced tableware pieces that are versatile, durable and accessible – low-maintenance
- [STYLE FOR LESS: UNDER $100 BUYS THAT LOOK EXPENSIVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/style-less-10-100-buys-look-expensive/) - With every new season comes a fresh bunch of design trends we can't wait to bring home. This Autumn 2019 is certainly no exception. We’ve perused our fave affordable home retailers stores and sites to bring you the best under-$100 steals. From rattan baskets with leather edging that looks far more expensive than they are to porcelain hands
- [10 COMMON DECORATING BLUNDERS YOU CAN FIX TODAY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-common-decorating-mistakes-can-fix-today/) - Decorating mistakes are easily made: you buy a sofa without measuring your door clearance, you hang a light too low and bump your head on it, or you paint a room in the wrong colour without testing it first. These decorating faux pas are not so easily fixed. But other mistakes can be fixed in
- [7 WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR KITCHEN RENOVATION](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/8-ways-save-kitchen-renovation/) - Renovating a kitchen is never cheap. We know. But before you empty your bank account overhauling your outdated kitchen, consider giving it a facelift using some of our fave easy updates. An abbreviated kitchen renovation would probably cost about one-tenth of the price of a new kitchen; plus you could add oversized statement light pendants for added
- [12 COMMON, EXPENSIVE THINGS THAT AREN'T WORTH YOUR MONEY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/12-common-expensive-things-arent-worth-money/) - Showing off luxe stuff is an undeniable aspect of western culture – but when it comes to making sound investments there are some things that Business Insider Australia tells us – having spoken to a bunch of financial whizzes - we should exclude from our budget! 12 common expensive things that aren’t worth your money:
- [EVERY COOL GIRL OWNS THESE 8 DECOR PIECES - DO YOU?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/every-cool-girl-owns-8-decor-pieces/) - When it comes to decorating, cool girls have a leg up on most of us. They seem to have a knack for decorating and effortlessly mixing styles and periods - just in the way they put themselves together. If your interior needs a reboot - check out these 8 key pieces that make the cut!
- [SEALED WITH A KISS: THE ULTIMATE VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ultimate-valentines-day-gift-guide/) - We'll help you do this right: no supermarket flowers, no corny cards. Instead, surprise your mother with an unexpectedly gorgeous gift, help your best friend forget that breakup, or toast your one-and-only with a glass of good champagne. They'll love you for it. After all, nothing beats the feeling of giving someone you love a heartfelt
- [A NOTABLE DESIGN BOOK WE ARE READING THAT YOU SHOULD TOO](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/notable-design-book-reading/) - To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Cabana magazine’s newish Anthology is a great way to bring its eclectic sensibility home. It’s also a great way to get your hands on the hard-to-find earlier magazine issues which can sell upwards of $295 a pop, on eBay. The prized Italian magazine Cabana is dedicated to the principle of gemütlich, a
- [WHAT YOUR HOME SAYS ABOUT YOU](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/what-your-home-says-about-you/) - Is a tidy house really a happy house? Will organizing your cupboards calm your mind? And, does your choice of bathroom décor illuminate the darker corners of your soul? Your furnishings don’t lie. They’re an accurate reflection of the state of your mind, according to actor, author and mental health campaigner, Ruby Wax, OBE, who
- [10 THINGS NOBODY TELLS YOU ABOUT INDOOR PLANTS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-things-nobody-tells-indoor-plants/) - How complicated can it be to keep an indoor plant alive? Quite tricky, we’ve discovered as we bin another dead succulent, buxus, or fishbone fern that's turned up its leaves. Here are 10 things nobody told us about indoor plants - essential secrets to keeping your species healthy despite the demands of your most finickity
- [YOUR FIRST GARDEN: HOW TO START A GARDEN FOR PRACTICALLY NOTHING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/first-garden-start-garden-practically-nothing/) - With a small budget, can you still start a garden? Most of us spend so much money on a house when we move in, that we have limited funds left over for the garden. Landscaping and plants are often not something we even budget for. We are soon surprised by the cost of designing the
- [I LOVE YOU: HOW THREE LITTLE WORDS BECAME SUCH A BIG DEAL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/love-three-little-words-became-big-deal/) - There’s more anxiety around when to say “I love you” and what it means than ever before. When is the appropriate time to say “I love you”? There are no guidelines on when to pull the trigger but a quick google search confirms that a relationship within the socially acceptable range of three to six
- [THE BARGAIN HUNTER'S GUIDE TO THE GOOD LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/bargain-hunters-guide-good-life/) - If the rising costs of being cosmopolitan have you in a flap, consider these wallet-friendly ways to score affordable luxury at home. Quick style steals to décor deals and easy update, that will instantly raise the bar in your abode. Yes, copy the paint colours of the rich and famous - including Monet’s Luminous Yellow, Vanderbilt’s chocolate
- [THE 10 DECORATING MISTAKES EVERYONE MAKES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/10-decorating-mistakes-everyone-makes/) - 1. The Looks-Great, Feels-Uncomfortable Piece Of Furniture The decor world equivalent of the Stiletto heel: Beautiful, but so impractical. It ultimately taught you that no matter how good-looking something is, if you can't sit/walk/relax on it, it's not for you. 2. The Too-Trendy Piece It looked amazing in the shop window. And in the magazine.
- [WHERE THE ART CROWD STAY IN LOS ANGELES FOR FRIEZE ART FAIR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/art-crowd-stay-los-angeles-frieze-art-fair/) - As the Frieze Art Fair makes its debut in the City of Angels, we loved Tatler magazine's recent pick of the chic hotels that will best cater to artistically inclined guests. Los Angeles, you may have heard, is having a renaissance. It’s been quietly, stealthily, redefining itself. And a groundswell of cool has taken over.
- [ART MARKET, THE GOOD TIMES KEEP ROLLING WITH GARY SANDS' ICONIC COLLECTION UP FOR GRABS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/art-market-good-times-keep-rolling-gary-sands-vast-collection-grabs-week/) - With the art market on such a hot streak, the 200-lot Shapiro sale of Sydney identity Gary Sands’ extraordinary contemporary art on Tuesday night is shaping up to be one helluva remarkable sale of high to low pieces - that you’d be mad to miss. Real estate broker Sands is downsizing, and distilling his vast collection
- [WHY ARE ANTIQUES SO CHEAP? BECAUSE WE LIVE IN OUR KITCHENS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/antiques-cheap-live-kitchens/) - The 18th-century oak bureau was expected to sell for at least 50 pounds, or about $65. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid of £30. No takers. What about £20? Again nothing. Unsold. The auction moved on. Plenty has been written about how antiques have fallen out of fashion. It’s become a routine observation that
- [DON'T DECORATE A NEW HOME WITHOUT THESE RULES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/dont-decorate-new-home-without-rules/) - Moving into a new home can be one of life’s great joys, but it can also be a time of uncertainty, especially when it comes to decorating. How do you make your space look its best while reflecting your personal sense of style? Do it well and you’ll end up with a comfortable, happy house.
- [AN ENTERTAINING PLAN TO MAXIMISE MINGLING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/entertaining-plan-maximise-mingling/) - A buffet is the driverless car of entertaining. Guests help themselves to dinner, no precisely measured settings required, and when all is well programmed, the host rarely has to grab the wheel. Once guests arrive, you want to keep your time in the kitchen to a minimum. Don’t leave your guests on their own, lonely,
- [INSIDE AUSTRALIA'S NEWEST COOL HOTEL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/inside-australias-newest-cool-hotel/) - The feel of Melbourne’s newest, cool hotel United Places is decidedly contemporary, an exquisite slice of calm for clued-in city slickers that looks set to be one of 2019’s most sought-after hotels. There’s little indication that this slick building is actually a hotel. There is no check-in desk, no foyer. A moodily lit monochrome lobby with
- [NEW CLASSICS: 8 IKEA PIECES DESIGNERS LOVE TO USE (OVER AND OVER)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/new-classics-8-ikea-pieces-designers-love-use/) - There’s a reason designers, even the most high-brow of them, are willing to brave the crowds to shop at Ikea—the Swede's elevated-design-meets-low-price ethos is simply irresistible. But not every collection gets designers’ stamp of approval. Some items are shabbily constructed; others look too mass market. These eight storage pieces, though, which pop up consistently in
- [FINDING THE PERFECT SOFA FOR YOUR LIVING ROOM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/finding-perfect-sofa-living-room/) - From cocktail parties to Netflix nights, your sofa works hard and should look great. Besides being the anchor of the room and a functional powerhouse, it’s also a major furniture purchase that requires some research and real-life testing. Buying a sofa is a big investment, and a well-made one should last, not be something you
- [WHAT INTERIOR DESIGNERS HATE TO SEE ON INSTAGRAM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/interior-designers-hate-see-instagram/) - Too much social-media love can shorten a design trend’s life cycle. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, designers share which looks have been victims of their own success—and how to avoid getting stuck with one. Interior design concepts, once disseminated sluggishly via coffee table books and glossy magazine spreads, now you can zip around
- [THE 5 ESSENTIAL FURNITURE PIECES YOU'LL ALWAYS USE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-essential-furniture-pieces-youll-always-use/) - A sofa that feels like a soul mate. A table that’s made for dinner with friends. One of our 2019 home homemaking goals is to find the streamlined, functional staples of our dreams. A sofa that has to be incredibly comfortable and adaptable. We hope Living BY Design is on your radar…The company is nimble,
- [A HARVARD PROFESSOR SAYS BUYING TIME PROMOTES HAPPINESS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/trend-alert-harvard-professor-says-buying-time-promotes-happiness/) - Most of us overlook a simple way to be happier because it costs money. Eliminating stressful things from your to-do list frees up time for more meaningful activities like spending time with family or friends, which can lead to more happiness. Many of us ignore simple ways to be happy because spending the money makes
- [LET'S DECORATE: BEST INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS OF ALL TIME, PART 2](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/lets-decorate-best-interior-design-tips-time-part-2/) - Whatever type of space you're decorating, there's nothing more important than creating a home that engages the senses and reflects your personality. Hot on the success of The 50 Best Decorating Tips of All Time we share Part 2 our fave interior tips to help you make sense of what good design really means. If
- [40 THINGS YOU HAVE TO BUY FROM ZARA HOME AND H&M RIGHT NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/40-things-buy-zara-home-hm-right-now/) - We all love the onset of a new season, but when you're sifting through the new collections, the sheer volume of products can be overwhelming. Autumn is here —is your interior ready? If not, Zara and H & M have lots of great ideas for you. We trawled through the new campaigns on each of
- [ELEGANT MINIMALISM IN A FASHION DESIGNER'S SYDNEY HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/elegant-minimalism-fashion-designers-sydney-home/) - When fashion designer Camilla Freeman-Topper, of Camilla & Marc, favoured by Nicole Kidman, Bella Hadid, Katy Perry, and Cindy Crawford isn’t working, she might be visiting Milan Fair to hone her understanding of interior colour, fabric and texture for her knockout new Sydney house. With its curves and straight lines, the 1930s residence created with
- [LITTLE LUXURIES UNDER $25 THAT YOU'LL USE (AND LOVE) ALL THE TIME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/little-luxuries-25-youll-use-love-time/) - There are luxuries that we’re still saving for. In the meantime, here are ways to feel like a lady (or gentleman) of leisure, like investing in linen sheets or whizzing off to a house party at your pal's country estate. Actually if you have a house party on your horizon: you might like to read
- [INSIDE SOME OF THE WORLD'S BEST KITCHENS AND EVERYTHING TO STEAL THEIR STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/inspiration-inside-worlds-best-kitchens-everything-steal-style/) - Kitchens have to be functional of course, but now more than ever they’re an opportunity to be creative. The days of stainless steel and white kitchens are behind us. We are seeking rooms that look professional and glamorous. White never goes out of style but for a modern touch, we are adding creams and greys.
- [HOW TO BUY A GREAT GIFT: 50 THINGS TO BUY YOUR FRIENDS THIS YEAR](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-buy-a-great-gift-50-things-to-buy-your-friends-this-year/) - Sometimes we give birthday gifts because we know the recipients will love and appreciate them. They dropped the right hints, we considered their tastes and interests and picked just the right object to wrap in that beautiful paper. Sometimes we give gifts out of obligation, picking something from a registry that are predestined to be
- [HOW TO DECORATE YOUR SHELVES LIKE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-decorate-your-bookshelves-and-benchtops-like-an-interior-designer/) - No matter what style your interior - modern, traditional, or eclectic - the right accessories on bookshelves, benchtops and tabletops will add instant edge to your rooms. It’s the quickest way to elevate the aesthetics and functionality of a space, as well as a great way to show off your kit, and have them at
- [THE 5 ESSENTIAL BEDDING ITEMS YOU’LL ALWAYS LOVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-5-essential-bedding-items-youll-always-love/) - Beautiful, fresh bed linen that you can curl up in and always makes you feel wonderful. Feather pillows that feel like soul mates. A duvet filled with the lightest silk. Mattress toppers filled with feather and down that can change your life. One of our 2019 homemaking goals is to find the quality bedding staples
- [PERMISSION TO FAWN OVER THIS TABLE LAMP BRAND](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/permission-to-fawn-over-this-table-lamp-brand/) - Good lamps are impossible to fake. So when leading interior designer Adelaide Bragg couldn’t find great ceramic bases in classic shapes and fabulous colours in Australia– she simply produced her own brand, Bragg & Co. These quality, accessible designs come in three curvy styles and in an array of hues, from caramel to coral, pink,
- [HOME DETOX: 22 IMAGINATIVE WAYS TO SORT AND STORE YOUR STUFF](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/home-detox-22-imaginative-ways-to-sort-and-store-your-stuff/) - Conventional wisdom has it that an uncluttered house makes for a relaxed state of mind, not to mention more living space. Here’s how to carry out a stress-free home detox – and organise your chaos with 22 ways to make your space lighter, brighter, better and more efficient this Autumn. A ‘home detox’ that involves
- [THIS SEASON'S THREE KEY BUYS (COOL STYLE TIPS, TOO)](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-seasons-three-key-buys-cool-style-tips-too/) - You can update the look of your interior dramatically, for a lot less money than you think. Here are three of our fave new-season buys - including inspiration from B & B Italia's latest campaign launched this month ahead of Milan's Furniture fair. Yes, adding a tree indoors might be what your room really needs
- [INSIDE A GORGEOUSLY RESTFUL VICTORIAN COUNTRY HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/inside-a-gorgeously-restful-victorian-country-house/) - This historic home revamped by one of Australia’s top interior design talents, Adelaide Bragg is one of the original properties in the Western District of Victoria and is part of a working sheep and cattle station. The things that are unique about the house are its privacy, the land that it’s on, and the view
- [YOUR OUTDOOR FURNITURE: 5 MISTAKES TO AVOID](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/your-first-outdoor-furniture-5-mistakes-to-avoid/) - Buying outdoor furniture is almost as exciting as buying your house and garden. Before you rush out to shop, take the time to work out the best all-weather pieces for your terrace, courtyard, deck or balcony. Here are five things to know before you choose the best outdoor furniture for your home: 1. Cheap Furniture
- [EASTER IS ALMOST HERE: LET US BE YOUR GUIDE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/easter-is-almost-here-let-us-be-your-guide/) - Who says you have to send your blood pressure soaring to set out a satisfying Easter spread this year? Nothing much in life compares to the joy of a meal – and time - with your nearest and dearest. In such situations, formality should be as far from the table, as those you don’t like.
- [INTO APRIL: WHAT WE LOVE THIS MONTH](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/into-april-what-we-love-this-month/) - Finally we can drag out the earth tones and long sleeves from the back of the cupboard – Autumn is Sydney’s most underrated season, a time when you can take a break over several long weekends to slow down and explore. Here’s a snapshot of what we love this month, starting with a few great
- [EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUTDOOR FLOORING](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/everything-you-need-to-know-about-outdoor-flooring/) - Our prediction: 2019 is shaping up to be the year of the deck. After all, it’s one of the least expensive ways you can add more living space to your home is with an outdoor room. Who wouldn’t want an open-air living room? The average 200-square-foot deck costs about $7,000, according to Home Advisor. Prices can
- [THIS IS HOW YOU KEEP YOUR INTERIOR LOOKING FRESH, NOT DATED](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/this-is-how-you-keep-your-rooms-looking-fresh-not-dated/) - Everyone should enjoy the style and time in which they live and make memories in their own home. Unfortunately, houses do get tired, and sometimes no matter how much time, effort and money we invest in decorating our homes - or the trends we fall for - our décor becomes dated, and the look we
- [HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO? DISCOVER MILAN DESIGN WEEK’S HOTLIST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/holding-out-for-a-hero-discover-milan-design-weeks-hotlist/) - The capital of design, Milan is the home of furniture fair Salone Del Mobile, which started on Tuesday and runs until Sunday - an annual celebration of creativity and innovation. You don’t even have to attend the city’s Design week to stay up-to-date on the products, people and places that will be dominating the world
- [THE ONLY DECOR TRENDS THAT MATTER IN 2019, ACCORDING TO ETSY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-only-decor-trends-that-matter-in-2019-according-to-etsy/) - It's that time of year when Etsy releases its popular Trend Guide, including a focus on interior decoration and what we can expect in the coming months. The results are compiled from Etsy search data as well as findings across the design landscape. Plus, the beloved e-commerce site spent a great deal of time analyzing
- [IKEA IS OPENING A NEW STORE IN SYDNEY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/ikea-is-opening-a-new-store-in-sydney/) - The world’s largest furniture retailer will open a new store at Warringah Mall next month – but this one will be a little different to the 30,000 square-metre whopper at Tempe that we’re used to. It’ll be the first “small-format” showroom in Australia, at just 100 square metres, marking a shift in the company’s expansion
- [FOUR TO TRY: BEST NEW SHOPS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/four-to-try-best-new-shops/) - From a new antique country store in NSW's Bungendore with a focus on French, vintage, marble, metal, pots, pillars, and French candles to a moody Vincent Van Dysen Sydney showroom. Even a modern must-visit in Melbourne that can lift your whole life. Here’s a rundown of four shops we’ve sourced things and found inspiration. They’re
- [THE BEST COFFEE TABLE BOOKS TO GIFT (OR KEEP) RIGHT NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-best-coffee-table-books-to-gift-or-keep-right-now/) - Read How Louis Vuitton Luggage Became the A-List Choice. Peruse the Gardens of Bunny Mellon – a book that takes you inside the world of the leading landscape genius of the twentieth century. Autumn is stacked with great reads, discover our favourite books of the season. Too lavish, and rich for any sustained sitting. These
- [HOW TO HAVE AN A-LIST EASTER ON A D-LIST BUDGET](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-have-an-a-list-easter-on-a-d-list-budget/) - By now we hope you’ve got everything you need to have a happy Easter – but in the event you haven’t, we’ll help you simplify, get inventive, cut spending, and stress levels when you have no time left. Whether you’re staying at home or ready to escape for an Autumn getaway, consider these your last-minute
- [2019'S TOP THREE TRENDS IN GARDEN DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/2019s-top-three-trends-in-garden-design/) - Want to transform a so-so garden into a triumph? Turn it into additional living space. The biggest trends in landscape design have more to do with structures that connect inside and outside than with tending greenery. A recent survey published in the Wall Street Journal revealed that the zeitgeist of garden design has little to
- [HAND SOAP IS THE NEW CANDLE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/hand-soap-is-the-new-candle/) - Hard-milled cakes are making a comeback, and many decorators applaud the choice. Find out why it's good, clean fun. Not very long ago, many of us gave up solid soap for the liquid version, happy to bid adieu to the gelatinous mess that inevitably accrued underneath a bar of soap and to the anxiety (fallacious,
- [HANDS DOWN, THIS IS THE BEST NEW OCCASIONAL FURNITURE BRAND](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/most-wanted-the-ultimate-interior-update/) - Known for her timeless, classic interiors and love of patterns and colour, leading Australian interior designer Adelaide Bragg has added a new range to her hugely popular Bragg & Co line of home furnishings. Ideal for fast-tracking your interior look, the timeless, new custom occasional furniture, ‘Classic Range’ comes in raffia and gloss finishes which
- [SPEND MONEY WHERE YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/spend-money-where-you-spend-the-most-time/) - It’s tempting to pamper yourself with a windfall of cash but try this instead — look at how you spend your day. Then put your money toward the things you spend the most time doing. You’ll be happier. When you buy a phone or a car, you do your research to make sure you get
- [FROM 'JEANNIE' TO 'BRIDESHEAD': TV THAT SHAPED INTERIOR DESIGNERS](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/from-jeannie-to-brideshead-tv-that-shaped-interior-designers/) - The easy mix of colour and antiques in Lorelai’s house on “Gilmore Girls” schooled Charleston designer J.P. Horton on lived-in eclecticism. To this day, Dallas designer Jean Liu balances square and round shapes in her projects, having adored the mushroom-shaped houses of Smurf Village growing up. Here, what six decorators took away from their childhood
- [THE 8 HOME DECOR ITEMS DESIGNERS WILL ALWAYS LOVE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-8-home-decor-items-designers-will-always-love/) - The term "basic" has gotten a bad rap in recent years. It conjures up images of "dreary" décor items like neutral rugs and white sofas, but these timeless staples are the groundwork for effortlessly elegant spaces. From brilliant table lamps to standout tabletop accessories - keep scrolling for the pieces that never go out of
- [MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE 2019](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/mothers-day-gift-guide-2019/) - Ask your mother/aunt/wife/sister/friend what she’d like for Mother’s Day and you’re more than likely to hear some version of “love and affection.” Sweet? Yes. True? Um. As much as we all swear otherwise (and this is not to speak ill of love and affection!), there’s usually something out there that would make the mothers of
- [DUSK: THE BRAND TO GIVE + NOT LOOK LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THIS MOTHER’S DAY](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/dusk-the-brand-to-give-not-look-like-everyone-else-this-mothers-day/) - To ensure you score your mother the best gift this year, we’ve teamed with dusk who has released a City to City collection of candles and gifts illustrated by the Sydney artist Chloe Joyce that is sure to impress and make your mum feel special. From candles to plates, tealight holders, mugs and gifts dusk has
- [THE ALL-ACCESS PASS TO NGV ART OF DINING THIS WEEK](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/the-all-access-pass-to-ngv-art-of-dining-this-week/) - Australia’s top creative powerhouses have joined forces with the NGV Women’s Association to create The Art of Dining’s spectacular, 44 high-concept table settings, open for public viewing from today until tomorrow, May 2-3. On the menu at the biannual fundraiser: a leading collection of Australian artists, designers, florists, stylists and creatives. Starting with interior designer
- [HOW TO BUILD THE PERFECT HOME CREW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/how-to-build-the-perfect-home-crew/) - A home can only thrive with a good support team, but finding that roster of handymen, plumbers and landscapers take time. When you buy a property you might know little about houses and even less about the local tradesmen in the area. You might find most of the tradesmen want nothing to do with small
- [WHY WE REACT BADLY WHEN THAT NEW SOFA ARRIVES](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/why-we-react-badly-when-that-new-sofa-arrives/) - For the first three weeks after a new piece of furniture is delivered, people often tend to absolutely hate it. It’s a fairly common syndrome. We don’t experience buyer’s remorse from other big purchases like cars, televisions or houses. Just furniture, and after we get used to our acquisitions, we are at peace with them.
- [TIMBER FLOORS EXPLAINED: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/timber-floors-explained-from-hardwood-engineered-parquet/) - Strong, clean and versatile, engineered timber is the ‘new concrete’. It’s the most technologically advanced form of construction for flooring in 100 years and one which mother nature holds the patent. Rigid, and durable, it insulates both heat and sound, can be prefabricated to high levels of quality and precision – and makes for quieter, calmer,
- [ROOMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/rooms-that-changed-the-world/) - A who’s who of decorating, the book features 400 incredible spaces, from the great professional gurus such as Billy Baldwin and David Hicks or the do-it-yourself decorating enthusiasts advanced by television shows and social media feeds, it wasn’t until the 19th century that businesses specializing in what is now known as ‘interior design’ became real
- [NEW ART AND TRADITION EFFORTLESSLY COMMINGLE IN THIS PARIS HOME](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/new-art-and-tradition-effortlessly-commingle-in-this-paris-home/) - Communications maven Jasmine Spezie left her Left Bank lifestyle after falling in love with a classic apartment across the Seine better suited for her growing collection. With a sprawling apartment in Paris, a chalet in Saint Moritz, and offices in Paris and Milan, German-Italian luxury communications whizz Jasim Spezie doesn’t put down her bags for
- [DECOR YOU CAN UNDO - HOW TO DECORATE A RENTAL](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/decor-you-can-undo-how-to-decorate-a-rental-2/) - After countless rental inspections, you've finally found your dream apartment. It's in the perfect location with a parking space, but even though the interior is clean, it's looking a little dated. Decorating a rental is tricky, but just because you didn't buy it doesn't mean you can't own it. A rental is still your home,
- [WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO FOR FUTURE-YOU?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/whats-your-favourite-thing-to-do-for-future-you/) - Do you think about your future self a lot. We like to thinks our Future Self will be someone who walks every morning (just for fun!), is a fun-but-stern-when-she-needs-to-be-boss, and speaks another language. But most of the time, when about our future self, it’s because we needs the motivation to get boring things done. Getting
- [ARE YOU A COMFORT ADDICT AND UTTERLY ADDICTED TO INDULGENCE?](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/are-you-a-comfort-addict-and-utterly-addicted-to-indulgence/) - Comfort addiction is everywhere in 2019. There are TED Talks, rehab treatments and academic articles devoted to this new-age compulsion. The privileged have always had their foibles: musicians tour with ‘Ambience Directors" to ensure their every whim is catered for in distant lands. Keith Richards has a shepherd’s pie made for him before every Stones
- [A GUIDE TO SYDNEY'S BEST FLORISTS](https://melissapenfold.com/top-stories/guide-sydneys-best-florists/) - The go-to places and names we can’t live without the best blooms used by PRs, celebrities and stylists. Among them are the names whose look and influence have been monumental on our homes (people now play with pattern and texture, duplicate arrangements and stick to single hues). GRANDIFLORA Queen of blooms, Saskia Haveeke’s statement-making bracnhes, succulent
- [THE POSHEST THINGS YOU CAN BUY AT IKEA](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/9-poshest-things-can-buy-ikea/) - Consistently our favourite haunt for dead plain glasses, plates, serving spoons, oven mitts, tea towels, aprons, throw rugs, even storage, at affordable prices. No wonder Giorgio Armani filled his yacht with the Swedish tableware. It’s simple, elegant, well proportioned and great value. We have masses of the wine goblets, white ceramic ware and linen quilt
- [5 SENSATIONAL DECOR TIPS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-sensational-decor-tips-will-change-life/) - Most of us know how to furnish a room, but not how to decorate. There is a world of difference between the two – and the difference is style. You don’t have to be rich, and every day is an opportunity for a fresh start. It will transform every aspect of your life and change
- [THE 10 DEADLY DECORATING SINS](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/10-deadly-decorating-sins/) - SAME, SAME, SAME. All matching curtains, cushions and carpets create character free rooms, however upmarket. A house needs a mix of textures, fabrics, colours, tones and patterns to give it life and interest. NOT MAKING YOUR BED Decorating starts as soon as you put your two feet on the floor every morning. Making your bed everyday
- [PAVERS 101: THE BEST PAVERS ON THE MARKET](https://melissapenfold.com/exteriors/pavers-101-best-pavers-market/) - What you put underfoot has a big impact on aesthetics, practicality and budget. Here's our guide to the best lookers. The same paving material used for a terrace, courtyard or patio will unify it and increase your sense of space, where a variety of treatments will enclose it. What does your garden need? Perhaps a
- [WHY EXTREME LUXURY IS TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/extreme-luxury-taking-world-storm/) - It’s no longer about running around with swatches and matching – which you have to keep coming back and correcting and balancing. It’s about full palettes, lavish textures, and strong contrasts that are giving us the freedom to be who we are. It’s now about having fun; and being unselfconscious like children are. If it
- [FIVE DESIGN CLASSICS EVERYONE HOUSE NEEDS NOW](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/five-design-classics-everyone-house-needs-now/) - CUSHIONS Cushions are one of the quickest ways to change the look of your rooms. They’re the little touches that cosy things up, dress our rooms, make any space a home, and bring comfort to our lives. VELVET A quick way to add confidence, attitude and glamour to a space. Remember, a little goes a
- [FRAMERS 101: SEVEN OF THE BEST](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/framers-101-seven-best/) - A frame can often be as important as the picture it surrounds; yet in the quest to display our art, the frame is frequently overlooked. The specialists listed here go well beyond what you’ve come to expect from your average local framer. Here’s where serious collectors go, not to mention big name galleries, some of
- [10 THINGS THE FRENCH ALWAYS DO WHEN DECORATING](https://melissapenfold.com/mp-fave/10-things-french-always-decorating/) - French interiors exude a certain je ne sais quoi—a flair for the refined, yet effortless home. Their spaces might be chic, but they’re always welcoming and never precious. They’re classic, but with a modern edge. And, while they feature pieces from some of the most iconic designers of the 20th century, they never feel ostentatious. So,
- [10 EASY PIECES: QUIRKY GLASSWARE, STEMMED EDITION](https://melissapenfold.com/quick-fixes/10-easy-pieces-quirky-glassware-stemmed-edition/) - Plain glassware can be a bit dull if unrelieved. Here are our favourite drinking glasses: from the artful to the oddball, and intentionally imperfect. Opt for a full set or an assortment.
- [5 SCENTS FOR EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/interiors/5-scents-every-room-house/) - CITRUS Sparkling, clean, and refreshing, almost any sort of citrus fragrance exudes an Amalfi Coast sophistication and a breezy confidence. SPICE Mysterious and complex, these kinds of scents express an intriguing sexiness and enveloping, exotic warmth. They give any space a sense of far-flung chic. VANILLA This is hands down the most popular, universally enchanting fragrance.

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- [NEW BOOK](https://melissapenfold.com/new-book/) - Natural Living By Design BY MELISSA PENFOLD In her new book, internationally renowned design and style authority Melissa Penfold turns her attention from the basics of interior decorating to demonstrating what a powerful force design can be in boosting our physical and emotional well-being. Each chapter is devoted to an aspect of healthy, life-enhancing design,
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## My Templates

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## Directory

- [RICHARD ELLIS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/richard-ellis/) - In business for more than 35 years, Ellis produces the biggest and best range in the country with more than 200 fireplace surrounds including classic styles inspired by 16th century designs. The most popular options are the Bolection fireplace with cushion moulding in Turkish limestone, as well as Louis XV designs and 18th century English
- [GRAHAM GEDDES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/graham-geddes/) - Melbourne's best known antique dealer remains a rich hunting ground of pieces for house and garden. Go for 18th and 19th century furniture with great bones, plus follies, fountains, rugs, the lot.
- [Steel Windows Australia](https://melissapenfold.com/item/steel-windows-doors/) - A subsidiary of Wrought Artworks with more than 25 years experience in high-end architectural metalwork, this is where bigwigs like Luigi Roselli and Universal Music get their custom four-metre soaring steel doors.
- [ANDREW BASSETT FINE FRAMING](https://melissapenfold.com/item/andrew-bassett-fine-framing/) - The expert framer, in business since 1988, specializes in quality fine art, photography, works on paper and much more. He has been framing art for top artists and dealers from Fred Williams to Tim Olsen, Rex Irwin, Martin Browne, Ray Hughes and Roslyn Oxley for years. Others clients include Damien Minton Gallery, Maunsell Wickes, Olsen
- [Calligraphy By Lesley](https://melissapenfold.com/item/calligraphy-by-lesley/)
- [LAMINEX](https://melissapenfold.com/item/laminex/) - Still a classic: tough, seamless, a huge range of colours, textures and finishes. Melissa loves it. Your kitchen-maker will set you up.
- [ASCRAFT TEXTILES + WALLCOVERINGS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/ascraft-textiles-wallcoverings/) - A showroom, with famous international fabric houses in the one place, from Lisa Fine to Peter Dunham, and Christopher Farr. Plus Fortuny (the mother of all fabrics, used by royalty throughout the world).
- [Skyrange Windows](https://melissapenfold.com/item/skyrange-windows/) - This Melbourne-based company in business for more than 30 years makes high-quality, beautifully detailed, customised French doors as well as bifold metal doors and windows. Clients include out top architects such as Meacham Knockles McQualter, BG Architecture, Glen Murcutt, Woods Bagot, SJB, Andrew Maynard, Durbach Block Jagger, and more.
- [Blinds by Bayliss](https://melissapenfold.com/item/blinds-by-bayliss/) - Give your rooms a view of hand-woven textured bamboo, flax, silk, leather, even polyester to suit all tastes. The high-end Australian company, specialising in niche hand-crafted weaves, has more than 2000 fabric designs (mostly exclusives) which it can make into romans, rollers, panel glides, dividers or wall hangings. It will visit your house, give advice
- [Blinds by Peter Meyer](https://melissapenfold.com/item/blinds-peter-meyer/) - Make the most of your windows with everything from made-to-measure roller blinds and romans to timber venetians and shutters that will fit, flatter and work for your architecture, making squat windows look taller, balancing wide windows, flaunting views, hiding neighbours and minimising ugly walls. You'll see their handiwork everywhere, in pretty cottages as well as
- [Bunnings](https://melissapenfold.com/item/bunnings/) - Ready-made style for less. Choose between ivory and mesh roller blinds in long drops and a variety of widths, or equally smart bargain bamboo designs and wester red cedar timber venetians. Cheap, cheap, cheap. Branches statewide.
- [Evalock Windows](https://melissapenfold.com/item/evalock-windows/) - Another excellent address for your little black book, this venerable company does bespoke metal windows and doors made in Australia using high-grade Belgian steel. Lots of harbourside and country types come here to make the most of their views.
- [No Chintz](https://melissapenfold.com/item/no-chintz-2/) - Chrissie Jeffery was one of the first to make upmarket bespoke blinds accessible. Her shops have a well-chosen range of fabrics and finishes, which they can make up in an inspired, modern way: turning an impossibility into a triumph with made-to-measure soft romans bordered with clever things, massive pelmets with scalloped edging, and so on.
- [ALTAMIRA](https://melissapenfold.com/item/altamira/) - If you like Society bed linen, you will love these top-drawer Belgiain linen furnishing fabrics. Expect beautiful plain linens in delicious shades of coffee, wheat, tobacco, charcoal, plum, slate, pistachio, etc. And what weaves. Hands down, one of our fave collections on the planet.
- [Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading](https://melissapenfold.com/item/mother-pearl-sons-trading/) - Seeking those drop-dead Regency-look door knobs in Ralph Lauren's New York flagship store? Head here for the upmarket Buenos Aires Fersa brand used by Ralph. Think endless styles from Louis XIV, XV and XVI, to Italian Renaissance, Georgian, Regency, Art Deco, Bauhaus, and more in nickel or bespoke finishes. Thomas Hamel is a repeat client.
- [DOMUS TEXTILES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/domus-textiles/) - A godsend for those who want perennial classics from Manuel Canovas to Colefax & Fowler.
- [MILGATE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/milgate/) - Go for Pierre Frey, Jim Thompson, Holland & Sherry and Braquenie linens, damasks and silks.
- [SENECA TEXTILES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/seneca-textiles/) - A fabric heaven with names like Osborne & Little, Marvic, Etro, Nina Campbell, and Elitis. Also Matthew Williamson designs, which are perfect if you want to make a statement.
- [TIGGER HALL DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/item/tigger-hall-design/) - Hall has made US names like Rose Tarlow and Kathryn M Ireland her own, but is just as good for hard-to-find names like Allegra Hicks, Nicole Fabre, Elizabeth Hamilton and many more.
- [THE TEXTILE COMPANY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/the-textile-company/) - The place to find Clarence House and Hill Brown, a firm fave with the design crowd.
- [WESTBURY TEXTILES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/westbury-textiles/) - An incredibly smart upholstery range, and a favourite with our A-list designers. Seek out Luxembourg linen in colours with delicious names such as Limestone, Café Noir, Hot Chocolate, Khaki, Raffia, nutmeg, Pebble and Duck-egg Blue. Also Veere Greeney fabrics for advanced decorating needs.
- [GOODEARL & BAILEY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/goodearl-bailey/) - A canvas kingdom. The wholesale institution, which supplies canvas for everything from outdoor furniture to awnings, is happy to direct the public to suppliers in their area. Go for the solution-dyed acrylic off-white Sunbrella and Dickson canvases suitable for upholstery and slip covers. A favourite with A-list designers and architects.
- [SPOTLIGHT](https://melissapenfold.com/item/spotlight/) - The chain has great pinwale cords to cottons in cherry, stone, khaki and navy that would be ideal for valances in children's bedrooms, plus a range of cottons, damasks, and linens in oyster, putty and ecrus that you could buy en masse and use to create abundant curtains with heavy lining. Plus, lots of Oxford
- [Vergola](https://melissapenfold.com/item/vergola/) - The most permanent and room-like form of awning, these fab exterior shelters use metal louvre blades, shaped like aero-foil wings, that you can rotate up to 170 degrees. That means you retain the light and air, but are protected from the direct blast of the sun. Very cool, in terms of looks and temperature. You
- [All Metal Projects](https://melissapenfold.com/item/all-metal-projects/) - Sergio Mino specialises in making architectural steelwork including bespoke steel-frame windows as well as sliding, bi-fold and French doors for architect heavyweights from BKH to Luigi Rosselli, Roth Architecture and more.
- [JULIA GARNER AGENCY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/julia-garner-agency/) - Lewis & Wood linens like Benaki. Also Ian Sanderson tickings (Pippi Stripe in Swedish Grey, French Blue and Stone graces some of our best houses). Plus James Hare silks and Fabric Pavillion’s affordable stripes and linens in good weaves and a palette of ivory, ecru, stone, straw, tobacco and moss, which are great value for
- [ORIENT HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/orient-house/) - Schumacher. Need we say more. It's a winner on all counts.
- [E & M Greenfield](https://melissapenfold.com/item/e-m-greenfield/) - This wholesaler, which supplies Opera Australia, sells direct to the public but does charge a small handling fee if you buy less than the entire 50 metre bolt of fabric. It specialises in plains with stacks of lightweight cottons, voiles, piques, georgettes, satins, viscoses, sheers and muslins and more than 20 different silks, all ideal
- [Blinds by Peter Meyer](https://melissapenfold.com/item/blinds-peter-meyer-2/) - Here you will find the quality German Weinor brand of awnings for everything from doorways and balconies to courtyards, conservatories and pool areas: folding arm-pivot-arm, straight-drops, cassette-style retractables, motorized or manual, plus its own-brand of cable zip-systems for enclosing walls. There is a full range to cover all needs. Pukka looks used by big-name designers
- [Blindmaster](https://melissapenfold.com/item/blindmaster/) - This family business has been doing internal blinds for 35 years, but branched into customised external sunshading 15 years ago. It imports its own range of German Markilux awnings, which are the No. 1 company in Europe for quality fold-up awnings. Blindmaster installs between several hundred each year, more than 80 per cent of them
- [Goodearl Fabric Systems](https://melissapenfold.com/item/goodearl-fabric-systems/) - This company is the grand old man of the Sydney awning business (it was established in 1886): today it’s a wholesale company that also has a retail arm. It carries a big range of awnings (fold-arm, conservatory, straight-drop and much more): everything from basic rope-and-pulley manual verandah awnings to the sort of motorised, remote-control, fully-cassetted
- [Outrigger Awnings](https://melissapenfold.com/item/outrigger-awnings/) - Put your house under sail with these top-notch made-to-measure awnings, including its best-selling batten designs and retractable models (motorised or manual) that can be mounted above the roofline, pool and pergola covers. The effect is light, modern and nautical (the rain-proof, wind-resistant fabrics are sewn by sailmakers using that iconic zig-zag stitching). Opt for a
- [Quantum Awnings](https://melissapenfold.com/item/quantum-awnings/) - This company specialises in cassette-style, retractable and folding-arm awnings, as well as straight-drops for balconies and Robusta window awnings. Motorised, remote-controlled, the lot. Many of the awnings are imported from Europe (with the most popular fabrics being the French-made Dickson acrylics), but there’s also Australia’s own Seashell semi-permanent semi-circular awnings that retract automatically in heavy
- [Sunteca](https://melissapenfold.com/item/sunteca/) - Wide choice of folding-arms, telescopic arms and cassette awnings, fabric tension systems, canopies, straight-drops, made to measure for decks, terraces, verandahs, pools. All very attractive, in acrylic fabrics, canvas and sunscreens by brands such as Luxaflex and Dickson. Mid-to upper-range. Phone for an appointment to see the showroom.
- [Keeler Hardware](https://melissapenfold.com/item/keeler-hardware/) - One of the biggest and best ranges of door hardware in the city, with over 50 brands and more than 400,000 items in every material and finish. They run the full gamut, from best selling Danish brand d line (a firm fave with architects) to top-notch exclusive Marc Newson Italian Erreti handles used by Qantas
- [Blue & White](https://melissapenfold.com/item/blue-white/) - Play like a celebrity at the drive-through Blue and White, where they fabric-test almost everything from your Hermes canvas bag to your beaded party frock and Louboutin shoes, then take them away in VIP canvas sacks. If it's good enough for Collette Dinnigan, it's good enough for us. Unique service at unique prices.
- [Avant Garde Dry Cleaners](https://melissapenfold.com/item/avant-garde-dry-cleaners/) - Unidentified gunk on your Prada best? No problem. The 31-year-old hands-on family business specialises in technical problems, and can remove everything from notoriously difficult pigments, synthetic dyes and blood from silks, suede, leather, and handworked evening wear.
- [Haberfield Dry Cleaners](https://melissapenfold.com/item/haberfield-dry-cleaners/) - How to clean your Jimmy Choos? Its a nuisance, isn't it. But if you have an investment pair of stilettos with grease marks or merlot stains on your wedding dress, Paul Collison can fix it. In business for 44 years, the dry cleaner specialises in “delicates”. from suede jackets to mink coats, beaded designer silk
- [Florida](https://melissapenfold.com/item/florida/) - Well-heeled Sydney get their rags cleaned here, and there’s a fleet of swish cars permanently outside dropping off and picking up expensive clothing. But the extra draw here is one of the city's most competent tailors. Hermes' well-dressed boss Karin Upton Baker, Westfield's Steven Lowy and the Marie Claire fashion team are all past clients.
- [Jeeves Dry Cleaners](https://melissapenfold.com/item/jeeves-dry-cleaners/) - A bridal gown mecca. It specialises in the fancy stuff (feathers, lace, beads) and services some of our best bridal wear designers, including Lisa Gowing, Sarah Divine and Joanna Johnson, as well as Scanlan & Theodore. Giorgio Armani chief Mary Chui, who takes her personal dry cleaning here, swears by the joint. Great for red
- [No-D-Lay Professional Dry Cleaners](https://melissapenfold.com/item/no-d-lay-professional-dry-cleaners/) - The service isn't flashy, but the no-frills 25-year-old family business with a staff of nine services Chanel, Escada, Henry Bucks, Arida, David Jones, Channel Seven, Channel 10 and Sydney silvertails. It’s surprisingly affordable. Need we say more. Oh, and a good laundering service for household linen.
- [2020](https://melissapenfold.com/item/2020/) - In business for 25 years, the three Ford brothers' client list reads like a roll call of the great and the good of the fashion world. Think Giorgio Armani, Zegna, Versace, as well as well-dressed Mosmanites. One of the best.
- [FORMATIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/formations/) - The big international names in design shop for their fireplaces here. The American company’s stone range of antique-style reconstituted sandstone and marble fireplaces offers a quick ship service on best sellers.
- [Jetmaster](https://melissapenfold.com/item/jetmaster/) - Gas fireplaces so fantastic that real-estate agents feature them as selling points in house ads. Gas and wood-burning models available. You can build one into your existing fireplace, too. Big range of mantels, fascias and trims in iron, wood, marble and limestone. Our choice.
- [JAMB LONDON](https://melissapenfold.com/item/jamb-london/) - The British antique stalwart specialises in top-notch reproduction marble and stone fireplaces that can completely change the atmosphere of a room. The kind of designs used in the world’s best houses. Thomas Hamel is a fan, and we are too.
- [Freedom](https://melissapenfold.com/item/freedom/) - A variety of off-the-peg roller and roman blinds in smart textiles, from finely woven bamboo in different sizes with a pull-up valance to polyester cotton twill weaves that are easy to hang and block a lot of light. Freedom also offers a made to measure service. Branches statewide.
- [Wynstan Blinds and Doors](https://melissapenfold.com/item/wynstan-blinds-doors/) - Wynstan Blinds and Doors in business since 1968 produces 60mm blade timber venetians with an ultra-deep, chic 85mm pelmet. The western cedar designs can be colour matched to a scrap of fabric. Also made-to-measure rollers and roman blinds. The downside of the deal is the sort of service where you're likely to battle through voice
- [Real Flame](https://melissapenfold.com/item/real-flame/) - The company has a Pure Vision pebble fire that you can bang into the wall, even if you live on the top floor of a city high-rise. It has a gas burner that is flush-mounted in a 20mm marble base covered with pebbles. The flue can run horizontally or vertically with a powerflue. It features
- [Rinnai](https://melissapenfold.com/item/rinnai/) - Check out their top-range fire called Aspiration, which will fire bright flames instantly without the mess of a real fire. It has a four-star energy rating, a remote control, seven heat settings, three fan speeds, even heat distribution, low running costs and a digital dual timer that allows you to program the fire to come
- [EcoSmart](https://melissapenfold.com/item/ecosmart/) - Winner of the Australian Design Awards DesignMark, the EcoSmart Fire is a flueless open fire that does not need a utility connection for fuel supply, making it ideal for apartments. Fuelled by methylated spirits, it burns clean and requires no ventilation. There are freestanding models or a renovators’ range of stainless-steel models that can be
- [Chiminee Philippe](https://melissapenfold.com/item/chiminee-philippe/) - Expensive, high-end, slow combustion woodburners surrounded by about 230 kg of cast iron. The ones with glass sliding doors allow you to switch from a safe slow combustion fire to a true open fire such as the triple Sided Wood Fireplace Radiante 700 3V.
- [Laura Kincade](https://melissapenfold.com/item/laura-kincade/) - A small yet beautiful selection of hand-carved mantels in Italian and French-styles. This place sells the cult US Hickory brand of furniture used in the White House, so you know you're in good hands.
- [RESTORATION HARDWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/restoration-hardware/) - The American giant has one of the biggest and best ranges of Belgian-style sofas for modern or traditional interiors. Renowned for best-selling designs such as Belgian scroll-arm sofas and just as good for contemporary best-sellers such as its newer Cloud sofa which media personality Deborah Hutton has ordered for her new Sydney Hamptons-style house.
- [FERMOB](https://melissapenfold.com/item/6794/) - Great inexpensive, compact French aluminium folding bistro chairs inspired by the famous Luxemburg Gardens furniture that comes in thousands of shades. Iain Halliday swears by them, saying, “I am obsessed. They’re so simple, which is what garden furniture should be.”
- [MINOTTI](https://melissapenfold.com/item/minotti/) - Paul Bruce, head of interiors at Popov Bass thinks one company getting it right is Minotti. “Recently we’ve been using the outdoor range from Minotti. The Cortina outdoor chair is a real winner. The white tubular frame has a Palm Springs vibe. It’s that white tubular frame. Amazing.
- [BROWN JORDAN](https://melissapenfold.com/item/brown-jordan/) - Heavyweight international designers love its timeless elegant metal designs such as Venetian that hark back to Palm Beach 1950s style and we do too.
- [BUNNINGS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/bunnings-3/) - Get your outdoor all-weather wicker chairs for less here.
- [DESIGNER RUGS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/designer-rugs/) - Yosi Tal is the rug icon. For three decades his company has Designed Rugs for Qantas, Google, Microsoft, Lendlease, Westpac, Coca-Cola, Parliament House, the Australian embassies worldwide and teamed with award-winning designers like Hare + Klein, Greg Natale, and Catherine Martin to produce hand-knotted rug collections which are out of this world. The showroom is renowned for
- [WORLD WIDE REFINISHING SERVICES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/world-wide-refinishing-services/) - If your bath, sink, stove, tiles, even kitchen cupboards are looking worse for wear, turn to this company. It can recoat virtually any hard surface – including metal, timber, laminate, ceramic, porcelain, enamel and fibreglass – on site. The most popular service is refinishing bathtubs, taking out stains and superficial rust and resurfacing with an
- [NEWBOLD & COLLINS BOOKBINDER](https://melissapenfold.com/item/newbold-collins-bookbinder/) - Repairs and rebinds old books, book boxes, and also releathers old desktops. (They made the necklace case used by Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge). It’s all done by hand: there’s not a power tool in sight. They can mend page tears, patch leather, do blocking and tooling (including pressed gold lettering) by hand. Family heirlooms, including old
- [TEXTILE AND CLEANING PROTECTION SYDNEY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/textile-cleaning-protection-sydney/) - Save the expense of new slip covers and get the Marrickville company to come and rejuvenate soft furnishings. It specialises in cleaning fabrics of all kinds, can get out those tricky water and ink stains), repair pulled threads, etc. It also offers a fire-retardation service. Designer Thomas Hamel uses them. No tricky furniture removals: all
- [PANAMA JACK TOTAL CLEANING SERVICES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/panama-jack-total-cleaning-services/) - Coffee on your new stone-coloured linen sofa? No problem. Panama Jack specialises in cleaning and removing stains from all kinds of soft furnishings, and will get your sofas, armchairs, rugs and bedheads looking like new. He can also fix any water damage on curtains etc. And he does upholstery protection.
- [CULLA CHANGE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/culla-change/) - Create a new look for weary slipcovers, tablecloths, curtains, bedspreads, outdoor umbrellas, and deckchair covers by dyeing the lot. CullaChange is a dyeing specialist who offers a huge range of standard colours, but can also custom-colour to any shade you care to dream up.
- [SPECTRUM DYERS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/spectrum-dyers/) - Create a new look for stained, world-weary slipcovers, tablecloths, curtains, bedspreads, outdoor umbrellas, and deckchair covers by dyeing the lot. Spectrum is a colour change specialist who offers a huge range of standard colours, but can also custom-color to any shade you care to dream up. On virtually all fabrics from polyester, nylon, silk, viscose rayon,
- [GOOD MANORS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/good-manors/) - For traditional garden looks and a good design service, head here.
- [GARDEN LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/garden-life-2/) - Richard Unsworth is your secret design weapon when it comes yo small outdoor city spaces.
- [SPIRIT LEVEL](https://melissapenfold.com/item/spirit-level/) - Hugh Main specialises in garden design, contrsuction and maintenance with the focus very much on the naturalistic and lyrical. These gardens have the appearance of inevitability in that it’s hard not to imagine any other garden in the settings. The big names in architecture come here (repeat clients include Howard Tanner, Sam Marshall, Alex Tzannes,
- [PETER FUDGE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/peter-fudge/) - The style set favourite, renowned for profoundly beautiful gardens rich with English and French allusions and monumental geometrics. One of the best.
- [SECRET GARDENS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/secret-gardens/) - Takes ordinary exteriors to the next level. A big firm that can handle big projects. Swimming pools, architectural, the lot.
- [WILLIAM DANGAR](https://melissapenfold.com/item/william-dangar/) - For decades- trees, hedges, grasses and flowers have bent to the will of Dangar who provides Sydney with an excellent (and complete) landscape service covering all skills. Solid design, construction and maintenance.
- [ANTHONY WYER](https://melissapenfold.com/item/anthony-wyer/) - Cultivating breathtaking landscapes with strong structural form. Defined layers. Sophisticated, refined stuff.
- [MYLES BALDWIN](https://melissapenfold.com/item/myles-baldwin/) - A brilliant plantsman who draws on a wide palette of plants to suit every environment and setting. Projects include Sydney landmarks from Bronte House to Boomerang, Parliament House and Government House to name a few. The big names in architecture love Baldwin, including BKH, Tobias Partners, SJB and Greg Natale.
- [PAUL BANGAY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/paul-bangay/) - Has a reputation for creating idylls, rich in English, French and Italian allusions. Expect the formality of parterres and statuary framing ponds that appear elegant and expensive.
- [Parterre](https://melissapenfold.com/item/parterre/) - Owner Richard Haigh probably has the most glittering client list of any Australian designer- creating exteriors which are just as impressive as his interiors. Renowned for blurring the boundaries seamlessly between inside and out, balancing architecture, hero pieces and an abundance of planting. A visionary.
- [DOMO](https://melissapenfold.com/item/domo/) - Statement-style and strikingly modern high-end Italian outdoor sofas and chairs loved by Simone Haag, Hecker Guthrie, Kennedy Nolan architects, Molecule, Decus, Claire Cousins and Aren’t & Pyke.
- [COTSWOLD FURNITURE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/cotswold-furniture/) - The big names in design and architecture shop here for smart, strong teak garden staples and smart casual Belgian furniture in woven fibres by Vincent Sheppard. Many are copies of original drawings by renowned architects like Sir Edwin Lutyens and Arne Jacobsen including iconic designs used in the world’s best gardens such as Lutyens and
- [JANUS ET CIE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/janus-et-cie/) - Bigwig design and landscape names like Thomas Hamel, Paul Bangay and Myles Baldwin get their outdoor furniture – including its collections such as Quadratt and Savannah, Slant and Arbour. Top designers come also for Relais, a chi-chic timber design.
- [STUDIO CAVIT](https://melissapenfold.com/item/studio-cavit/) - Stay ahead of the pack with beautiful lighting from major players such as Baker Lighting, Visual Comfort, Boyd Lighting andRobert Kuo used in top hotels and restaurants around the world. Also brands such as Corbin Bronze, McGuire, Arca Horn, R&Y Augousti, and Riviere who all do great lighting.
- [SPENCE AND LYDA](https://melissapenfold.com/item/spence-and-lyda/) - This furniture showroom, a fave with architects, has beautiful pendant, table and floor lights, both mid-range and high-end. Go for Atelier de Troupe’s fresh take on Modernist looks, Ay Illuminate wonky woven cocoon pendants, Czech handmade Brokis and Bomma artisanal glass lighting. Also, Pinch Designs and French DCW Edition La Lampe Gras designed back in 1921 by Bernard-Albin
- [SPACE FURNITURE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/space-furniture/) - Consistently provides fantastic, directional lighting designs that never let you down from the world’s brightest talents. Think celebrated brands like Moooi, Kartell, Foscarini, Italamp, Serralunga, Roll & Hill, Ingo Maurer, and Lee Broom with many designs inspired by mathematics and patterns in nature.
- [LIVING EDGE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/living-edge/) - Clean, architectural good looks, including one of the world’s most celebrated lighting collection’s, Flos. Also, ultra-cool brands such as Lambert & Fils, La Chance, Buster & Punch, Poul Henningson, Muuto, Lasvit, Wonderglass, and Waldmann. Expect to be spoilt for choice.
- [LAURA KINCADE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/laura-kincade-2/) - Brilliant. Go for Visual Comfort and Ralph Lauren (seek out its Visual Comfort classic swing arm wall lights in brass, black or bronze and six light square tube chandeliers).
- [HUB FURNTIURE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/hubb-furntiure/) - Loads of gifted interpreters of the medium here who are remarkable for the resourcefulness (not to mention their entrepreneurial skills) conjuring up innovative light fittings in a rich array of shapes, colours and textures.
- [ECC LIGHTING](https://melissapenfold.com/item/ecc-lighting/) - Architects, designers and well-heeled Sydney flocks here for high-end German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish lights in unusual materials: paper, mirrored glass, pleated fabric, wood, powder-coated metal, designed by big names such as Renzo Piano, Jasper Morrison and Arne Jacobsen. Brands include Lumina, Autonangeli, Oty, Weplight, Serien, Blauet. The sort of looks you see at top bars
- [EUROLUCE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/euroluce/) - Arguably the best lights available on earth, with design classics represented in major international museums and award-winners from major lighting brands: Flos (seek out new designs like Landlord, Bellhop, Klein, Shadow, The Fast Track and Super Line). Also, Reggiani (check its new Mood accent range), Multiline and Apure. Think the sleekest designer looks: no rip-offs
- [DEDECE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/dedece-2/) - The architects’ choice, with Belgian Kreon lighting (silver-grey or white in finish) favoured by Glenn Murcutt, Burley Katon Halliday, Peter Stutchbury, Alex Tzannes, Stanic Harding and Andrew Parr. Kreon tracking, Italian Davide Groppi new releases such as Meridianai, Endless, Cartesio, Calvino, Clip and Bugia spotlights and wall lights. Also pendants by one of the greatest
- [DOMUS TEXTILES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/domus-textiles-2/) - The showroom stocks Vaughan Designs, the Rolls-Royce of lighting, with a full range of high-end, British hall lanterns, hanging bowls, chandeliers, flush fittings, uplighters, downlighters, wall sconces, wall lights, swing arm fittings, floor and table lamps including a great range of new picture lights. The company’s handmade lampshades in silk, parchment, vellum and card walk out
- [WILLS & SONS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/wills-sons-2/) - We’ll get killed for revealing this wholesale outfit which leading Australian interior designers swear by. You’ll have to order through your decorator or upholsterer, but you won’t go past its sophisticated Brit-style Clivedon, or country-house classic, Adelaide, which Cameron Kimber uses them in his own residences.
- [LIVING BY DESIGN](https://melissapenfold.com/item/living-by-design/) - It’s contemporary sofas are one of Australia’s best kept secrets, (the celebrity’s fave), including the Elton 220cm slipcover classic in Cobblestone Ash or Fiint Smoke cotton blend, $2399, as well as the best-selling Antonio 240cm sofa in steel or light grey, $2999, the new Flynn four-seater 2600cm stunner in downpipe grey or moss green, $3999, or black
- [LOUNGE LOVERS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/lounge-lovers/) - A regrettable name, but the brand earns a place on our list as the place influencers are shopping like crazy according to a recent report in My Domaine. Around $999 will score you the most adorable Hampton sofa, or a classic two-seater sofa in a linen blend called Poppy for $1099. Discover luxe velvet sofas
- [JAMES SAID](https://melissapenfold.com/item/james-said/) - The net-a-porter of Australia recently opened a store in Sydney’s burgeoning interiors hotspot Paddington, where you will find sofas that suit most needs from mod Italian styles to slinky luxe velvet upright affairs with curved arms and wooden frames and modular sprawling numbers. We recommend Pillow, Ademai, Vermont and Esmeralda.
- [DEDECE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/dedece/) - Bigwig architects get their sofas such as the famous Hamilton here, seeking out brands like Minotti, the 70-year old Italian furniture maker who is a global company producing bestselling Freeman, Yang and Lawrence sofas designed by artistic director Rodolfo Dordoni who has been with the business for more than 20 years. We love the look of
- [MCM HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/mcm-house/) - Sofas to suit Australia’s low-key relaxed lifestyle , from it’s best-selling slip-covered linen Joe to Lowlife with deep back and black powder coated skinny steel frame and Judd with with thick timber frame with leather wrapped linen filled cushions. We recommend Banjo with slender arms, low deep base in pure Italian linen and loads of
- [ANIBOU](https://melissapenfold.com/item/anibou/) - Almost every living design hero lists the Gervasoni Ghost as their favourite sofa design. It’s chic, low-key and perfect for relaxed, elegant living.
- [GRANVILLE SMITH RESTORATIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/granville-smith-restorations/) - Jeremy Granville Smith is a young conservator and restorer (weighted more to the conservation end of things) who has become a firm favourite among heavyweight Woollahra antique dealers. He trained here, but his pedigree includes stints at the famous London antique shop Mallett. Good with mahogany, walnut, cedar and oak, with shellac finishes a speciality.
- [HUNTERS & COLLECTORS ANTIQUES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/hunters-collectors-antiques/) - Deals in natural history specimen and taxidermic heads (buffalo fox, rabbit, geese, the lot), armoury, pond yachts, Edwardian toy engines, black forest carvings, vintage motor bikes.
- [MITTAGONG ANTIQUE CENTRE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/mittagong-antique-centre/) - The place to seek out top names like Derek Greengrass (Greengrass Antiques) who has one of the biggest collections of walking canes, treen (turned bottle holders), campaign furniture, 19th-century objet and hunting memorabilia.
- [POTTS POINT GALLERIES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/potts-point-galleries/) - Good pickings and good names like Janet Niven, Wendy Varley, among others.
- [Lydie du Bray Antiques](https://melissapenfold.com/item/lydie-du-bray-antiques/) - The stock is ever-changing, but there’s regular shipments from France and Belgium with a small selection of hand-carved marble fireplaces and mantlepieces, some with original paintwork regularly raided by top designers from Australia to New York.
- [GRAFTON GALLERIES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/grafton-galleries/) - Put together as well as any museum display, the family business stretches back 70-years, and is run by Hartley Cook who has an excellent eye. You'll find French elm farmhouse tables, lovely library chairs, lamp bases, and an outstanding line up of very old English glassware. ecanters, corkscrews, wine accessories and glassware. Best antique furniture
- [Greene & Greene Antiques](https://melissapenfold.com/item/greene-greene-antiques/) - Get beautiful silver, jewellery, photo frames, silver-plated drinks trays, ivory beakers, 19th century porcelain, and goblets for the godchildren. Also the place to take your heirlooms when not in working order for repairs, conserving or making as good as they can be. Engraving, too.
- [1ST DIBS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/1st-dibs/) - The online marketplace connecting people, shops and galleries in the art and antiques trade began with a few dealers founded by Michael Bruno who had encountered ledgendary Parisian antiques market Marchis is a brilliant place to discover rare finds.
- [WYNSTAN BLINDS AND DOORS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/winston-blinds-doors/) - Wynstan Blinds and Doors in business since 1968 produces 60mm blade timber venetians with an ultra-deep, chic 85mm pelmet. The western cedar designs can be colour matched to a scrap of fabric. Also made-to-measure rollers and roman blinds. The downside of the deal is the sort of service where you're likely to battle through voice
- [GOSFORD SON & TERRAZZO](https://melissapenfold.com/item/gosford-son-terrazzo/) - Traditional terrazzo slab benchtops from marble chips and concrete (great for barbecue benchtops), or lighter, resin-based modern versions that work well over cupboards. Everything is hand-done, from mixing to grinding and polishing. Also benchtops in Caesarstone, granite, marble, etc.
- [ECO OUTDOOR](https://melissapenfold.com/item/eco-outdoor/) - Eco Outdoor Where A-list landscape and interior designers from Paul Bangay to Peter Fudge, Thomas Hamel and Secret Gardens, get their stones in a range of finishes. Think Paul Bangay, Peter Fudge and Secret Garden plus Hamel swears by the Jericho limestone. “The off-white-dusty grey stone is perfect for Sydney light and improves with time”,
- [GIBBONS HOME TIMBER AND HARDWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/gibbons-home-timber-hardware/) - A one-stop hardware for all garden materials: from plants of all kinds such as buxus, to topsoil, mulch, pebbles, gravel, pots, pavers, garden edges, retaining walls, stone cladding, even great garden furniture that resembles the designer stuff.
- [HANCOCK'S DAFFODILS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/hancocks-daffodils/) - A-list landscapers go nuts over this place. They all come for the best varieties of the daffodil family bulbs (or do you say narcissus?) along with a few fragrant antique flowers we can never resist.
- [MOIDART NURSERY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/moidart-nursery/) - The rare plant, specimen tree and shrub specialist opened back in 1970 to propagate many of these rare specimens to make them available to other nurseries, landscapers and garden lovers.
- [THE TREE KEEPER'S](https://melissapenfold.com/item/the-tree-keepers/) - Suppliers of mature specimen trees and hedging. Gigantic. Rare. Graceful. Noteworthy for their size, species or beautiful branching. Go for a large tree that can bring instant gratification and make a garden feel as if it has always been there.
- [FROGMORE GARDENS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/frogmore-gardens/) - One of the best for perennials, seeds and bulbs for real gardeners. Vast choice of daffodils, tulips, dahlias, crysantheums, gladioli, lilacs, lily of the valley, peonies, hydrangeas, cleamatis, as well as all kinds of shrubs and vines. Click on to it’s easy-to-navigate website that is indexed by colour and season.
- [ROUNDABOUT THE HOUSE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/roundabout-the-house/) - Everything in timber for the great outdoors. Huge half-barrel planters, terracotta pots, as well as a good choice of gates, pre-made picket timber fencing (mostly in panels or rolls that can be mounted to posts or pre-existing fence structures), awnings, even cubbyhouses. At fantastic prices.
- [MESARA TREE FARM](https://melissapenfold.com/item/mesara-tree-farm/) - The tree specialist, in business for more than 26 years industry experience a wide range of quality exotic, semi advanced trees from maples to plane trees, alders, ornamental cherries, chinese elms, dogwoods, claret ash, crabapples, hornbeams, magnolias, manchurian pears and oaks. Take your pick.
- [GRANITE AND MARBLE WORKS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/granite-marble-works/) - Kitchen and bathroom specialists, favoured by top-end architects and designers. Import only Italian and Spanish marbles and limestones in 40-50 colours.
- [WINTER HILL](https://melissapenfold.com/item/winter-hill/) - If you don’t want to wait years for your trees to grow, and fancy big, beautiful trees pruned into interesting shapes, come here. The 70-acre Canyonleigh farm has more than 300 semi-mature and advanced specimen trees and distinctive standards in endless shapes. (Hello cypress, beech, oak, plane, juniper, bay, laurel, maple as well as tulip
- [ALPINE NURSERIES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/alpine-nurseries/) - Over a hectare of every plant - the place to come for large quantities - drive off with 200 buxus if the spirit moves you. A good range of large trees, both evergreen and deciduous, everything from conifers to palm trees - the choice is dazzling. It's a wholesaler, with knowledgeable and helpful staff. The
- [WELBY GARDEN CENTRE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/welby-garden-centre/) - Come to the gem of a nursery, where you can get a lifetime’s supply of trees, and garden supplies, in one hit. With wholesale and retail arms, it is renowned for its quality shrubs, roses, fruit trees, (citrus, apple, peach, plum), perennials, pines, and great hedging plants. Also seedlings, potting mix, fertilisers, sprays, soils, mulches,
- [THE DIGGERS CLUB](https://melissapenfold.com/item/the-diggers-club/) - Choose the right vegetables for your kitchen-cum-herb garden (and climate) at its online site. Learn how to opt for a combo of ornamentals and edibles. Sow heavy croppers like tomatoes, zucchini and beans that all produce abundantly. Seek out the unusual. Plus get all the tools you need to get you going. Learn how to
- [LAMBLEY GARDENS & NURSERY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/lambley-gardens-nursery/) - The gardener’s fave source for lamb’s ear, which was once part of the Byzantine empire - that undeniably strong-growing perennial ground cover that stays low and dense, is easy to care for, and collaborates with a wide variety of different garden styles and colour palettes. Great for softening walkways, filling gaps, and adding a casual
- [TESSELAAR PLANTS AND BULBS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/tesselaar-plants-bulbs/) - Many of our favorite flowering plants grow from bulbs, rather than from seeds – and this is where serious gardener’s get them. Everything from tulips and daffodils, peonies and dahlias, and gladioli (corms).
- [HONEYSUCKLE GARDEN](https://melissapenfold.com/item/honeysuckle-garden/) - Hardly a secret, but an essential stop for those short on time and green fingers. Grab a white hydrangea, cyclamen or phalaenopsis orchid (the Hermes scarf of interiors). It has a strong line of its own grown topiary at very competitive prices, or browse the Zanzibar gems, gardenias, agaves, camellias, lavender and flapjacks. There are
- [PARKERS NURSERY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/parkers-nursery/) - An upmarket nursery servicing well-heeled Sydney with quality camellias, perennials (hellebores and hardy geraniums are a specialty), topiary, magnolias and unusual species for collectors). Great gift department too, tools section and furniture, and trained staff are on hand to give horticultural advice.
- [THE POTTING SHED BOWRAL](https://melissapenfold.com/item/potting-shed-bowral/) - Garden genius Maureen Gardener always has a good stock of on-trend plants, (succulents, topiary, rosemary, herbs, foxglove, standard cumquats), plus lovely old pots, English-style benches, obelisks, willow ware, fire pits, arches, and much more.
- [THARWA SANDS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/tharwa-sands/) - If high-quality natural Ginninderra red decomposed granite is used by Parliament House, the War Memorial, Rupert Murdoch, Alan Jones, William Dangar, BC Sands and Australian Native Landscapes. A classic look that never goes out of style, can be used to transition spaces between garden and wilderness. One of our faves.
- [ROBERTSON BUILDING PRODUCTS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/robertson-building-products/) - This institution specializes in bricks used everywhere from Woolworths to Coles and McDonalds but equally good for outdoor paving, with brands such as Petersen (the award-winning Danish couture range of bricks) plus Spanish and Australian designs loved by bigwig architecs from SJB Architects to Andrew Burgess, Tobias Partners, Woods Bagot, So much choice you’ll definitely
- [JG COBBLESTONES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/jg-cobblestones/) - You know those black granite pavers that councils love to fan around special trees? Architects get the same sort of thing her, in all shapes and sizes, sourced from China, and so can you.
- [STS STONE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/sts-stone/) - Architects and designers love the quality stones here.
- [BORAL](https://melissapenfold.com/item/boral/) - The secret source of those composite pavers that look like nineteenth-century cobblestones.
- [ANSTON PAVING STONES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/anston-paving-stones/) - Renowned Australian garden designer, Paul Bangay’s choice. Need we say more?
- [AMBER TILES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/amber-tiles/) - Hardly a secret, but this chain has a great selection of outdoor pavers in all sizes and finishes that offer instant gratification. They’re inexpensive, sturdy and easy to lay, plus they’re visually pleasing. And they’ll help eliminate runoff. Perfect for a patio, path, or outdoor entertaining space.
- [WK STONE AUSTRALIA](https://melissapenfold.com/item/wk-stone-australia/) - Australia's leader in granite, marble, limestone, onyx and travertine and more used by bigwig architects.
- [SLIQUE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/slique/) - Grease stain on your limestone floor? Slique can fix it, as well as repair other tragedies (badly placed plant, wine marks,) on virtually any floor surface, (travertine, marble, terracotta, ceramic or porcelain). Everything from stone and tile cleaning and restoration to maintenance. Plus grubby grout fixed, and re-polishing. Recommended by Artdomus, (market leader in top-notch
- [STONE BANK](https://melissapenfold.com/item/stone-bank/) - The Reserve Bank, The Country Trader and Martyn Cook Antiques all use Stonebank to restore their marble. Superb re-polishing to colour-matching. Chris Green has an excellent eye, and also supplies well-heeled Sydney with top-notch, French-look marble kitchen and bathroom benches, fireplace surrounds, stairs, even amazing wall slabs, (the latest trend). One of the best.
- [PROVINCIAL UPHOLSTERY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/provincial-upholstery/) - Carlos Rodrigues, who learnt the trade as a 14 year old in Portugal, specialises in repairing and rejuvenating old sofas, for The Historic Houses Trust of NSW to Government House and country houses. Does fab reupholstery, leather embossing, leather dyeing, and makes new furniture from scratch.
- [GARDEN LIFE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/garden-life/) - One of the Sydney's chicest plant nurseries with an impressive list of clients. Terraces, courtyards and high-rise balconies are the mainstay of the company, according to owner of the company, Richard Unsworth, who concentrates of Turkish urns, planters, troughs, along with an excellent line up of hardy, low-maintenance plants, including advanced cloud trees, citrus trees,
- [BUNNINGS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/bunnings-2/) - If your backgarden outlook is an urban mishmash and you crave nature's finest, the huge outlet at Mascot offers a fully-fledged garden centre that is a good source of plants, pebbles, mulch and much more. Most big Bunnings outlets are good: just set your taste meter to “high” because the chains cater for everybody. More
- [STONEITALIANA](https://melissapenfold.com/item/stoneitaliana/) - Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Versace, Qantas, David Jones and Sony are all clients. This Italian company, established in 1979. produces the man-made marble lookalike from engineered quartz stone. It is stronger than granite or limestone, non-porous so you don't need to bother with waxes and sealers and comes in more than 60 colours and three finishes
- [ART DOMUS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/art-domus/) - A boutique market leader in rare, consistently high-quality limestones and marbles, especially in an Armani palette of creams, whites, mid-taupes and charcoals. Go for the 100mm thick edges for maximum glamour.
- [CLASSIC CERAMIC IMPORTERS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/classic-ceramic-importers/) - This business, which does floors as well as benchtops, has ridden the stone wave for more than 35 years. It supplies natural stone (marble, granite, onyx, limestone, quartz) for everything from Mr-and-Mrs-Smith bathroom and kitchen renovations to swanky penthouses and commercial fit-outs. Using water and lasers, the natural stone is cut “like butter” at its
- [CAESARSTONE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/caesarstone/) - Caeserstone has taken off phenomenally since it was launched here in 1999. (Apparently we buy more of it than any other country.) Beige becomes us, says the company, which has developed a custom-palette of its tough, quartz-based stone slabs to suit our harsh Sydney light: great shades of Ginger, Linen, Oyster and Espresso that you
- [No Chintz](https://melissapenfold.com/item/no-chintz/) - The little mecca that changed the way Sydney shops for textiles is always a good place to start looking for fabrics. Well-chosen, quality textiles and trims, with heaps of mouth-watering cotton and linen stripes, checks, tickings, ikats and florals (no chintz) in tried and tested colour combinations (stones, ecrus, blues, acid greens, violets, pinks, greys,
- [WILLS & SONS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/wills-sons/) - Wills & Sons specialises in classic sofas in the classic English house-style (check out it’s Adelaide and Cliveden designs) as well as specializing in reupholstering old furniture. Old chairs and sofas can be made respectable; re-sprung, re-covered, wood repolished, with any sort of fills. Mobile: 0418 179 245; (03) 9815 0111.
- [JA WILKINSON & CO](https://melissapenfold.com/item/ja-wilkinson-co/) - In business since 1948, the old school upholsterer does all kinds of upholstery for antique dealers and top interior designers: sofas, chairs, loose covers, bedheads, even boat and outdoor upholstery, using traditional methods. A guru in his field.
- [CW HOWELL UPHOLSTERY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/cw-howell-upholstery/) - The big names in design including Charlotte Coote of Coote & Co head to Craig Howell who specialises in building modern and tradional furniture and can also rejuvenate existing pieces.
- [CAMM UPHOLSTERY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/camm-upholstery/) - Got a battered nineteenth-century French bateau lit (ship bed)? This is the place to restore and reupholster it. Camm does all kinds of upholstery for designers and antique dealers: sofas, chairs, loose covered, bedheads and more.
- [BLUESTONE FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/bluestone-furniture-upholstery/) - David Lindrea is one of the best in the business. Come for custom bedheads, ottomans, dining chairs, sofas, wall panels, the lot. He can also instantly update existing sofas and chairs. Top Melbourne designers, including Coote & Co, swear by him.
- [O'HEHIR & SONS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/ohehir-sons/) - The concept of the well-made sofa takes on new meaning in the hands of the O’Hehirs, who have worked for generations of our most prominent families. Hand-crafted with expertise and perfectionism, their furniture is well-made and traditional. They will also reupholster existing pieces.
- [EDWIN AHLFORS INTOO](https://melissapenfold.com/item/edwin-ahlfors-intoo/) - French-trained upholsterer Ahlfors can custom-make sofas to any size and specification, create built-in banquette seats, or pad walls to beautiful effect. Or come here to have things you love resprung and recovered - he is the leading designer's choice.
- [Carlos Malta](https://melissapenfold.com/item/carlos-malta/) - A trade secret. Malta’s know-how will instantly update a pre-loved piece, using all the traditional methods – he started in the antiques department at David Jones 45 years ago. Lovely work with antique chairs, using only horsehair, coconut fibre and feather and down (no foam). And the best bedheads in town.
- [HOTEL LUXURY COLLECTION](https://melissapenfold.com/item/hotel-luxury-collection/) - 5 Star luxury at home.
- [EMERGENT DESIGNS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/emergent-designs/)
- [RP ART](https://melissapenfold.com/item/rp-art/)
- [DAVID RICHARDSON](https://melissapenfold.com/item/david-richardson/) - In business for more than 40 years, where our best galleries, decorators and private collectors use Richardson’s services including Edwina Collett Gallery who is a repeat client.
- [UNITED MEASURES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/united-measures/) - Ryan Ward, is a specialist framer who understands a frame should never overwhelm the piece it’s celebrating. He thinks of it more like a tailored suit for your art and design; something that adds to the whole. By appointment.
- [COLOUR SQUARE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/colour-square/) - In business for more than 25 years, the company does a lot of work for major museums, galleries and private collections. Virtually anything is possible, including contemporary framing, to all kinds of display ideas using plinths, steel stands and Perspex box frames. Plus restoration service for frames.
- [GRAPHIC ART MOUNT](https://melissapenfold.com/item/graphic-art-mount/) - Mount your art on Perspex plinths, blocks, stands and cases to make it look important. This graphic company who do a lot of work for museums and galleries can make something simple look like something out of an art gallery.
- [FIDOSO PICTURE FRAMING](https://melissapenfold.com/item/fidoso-picture-framing/) - This is the place to head for all sorts of very good general, affordable framing work. Olsen Gallery is a regular.
- [PARKERS FRAMING WORKS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/parkers-framing-works/) - The dealers favourite. Olsen Gallery’s go-to for bespoke framing as well as an exceptional range of every kind of moulding that should cover most of your needs. But it its not there, the custom service will cover it. Art Gallery of NSW’s choice, too.
- [JIMS CROFT STUDIO](https://melissapenfold.com/item/jims-croft-studio/) - For serious art. Some of our best artists and designers head here- lots of Archibald entries pass through these doors first. Rod Denson (who now runs the business) specializes in graphics, paintings and photographs and is renowned for being good, quick and reliable. Olsen Gallery gets his frames here. They’re so busy they were reluctant
- [SIMPLE STUDIO](https://melissapenfold.com/item/simple-studio/) - Blinds (from rollers to romans, venetians, even awnings) are sourced from top suppliers or custom-made. The difference is Simple works closely with clients from beginning to end. Popular with architects (Andrew Parr and Nick Tobias) and designers (Arent & Pyke, Blainey North, Patricia Stewart, Romy Alwell, Briony Fitzgerald, Heather Buttrose and Sarah Davison).
- [Stedmans Hospitality](https://melissapenfold.com/item/stedmans-hospitality/) - Wedding? Milestone birthday? Dinner party? For good help, get Stedman's on speed dial. Sydney's A-list fave, is the genius name behind parties for Louis vuitton, Paspaley, Dior, Moet Chandon, David Jones and Myer. It's top-notch waiters and butlers will manage everything from how many glasses to hire, how much alcohol to buy, where to set
- [Floral Craftsman Matt Bisaro](https://melissapenfold.com/item/floral-craftsman-matt-bisaro/)
- [Grandiflora](https://melissapenfold.com/item/grandiflora/) - Queen of blooms, Saskia Haveeke’s statement-making branches, succulent leaves and fab flowers have inspired books, photographic exhibitions and many a copycat stylist. And her illustrious client list reads like a roll call of the great and good of the fashion world. Think Elle Macpherson, Cate Blanchett, Toni Colette, Hugh Jackman, Jane campion, Sarah Murdoch, Sass
- [MANDALAY](https://melissapenfold.com/item/mandalay/) - The kind of flowers that look good anywhere. Fresh-cut, relaxed but dramatic enough. A fave with well-heeled Eastern Suburbs types. The bunches are generous, the flowers will last, and you can pick up a usefule and affordable vase while you’re there.
- [MR COOK](https://melissapenfold.com/item/mr-cook/) - You’ll find amazing inspiration here. The place does classic, classic blooms in a contemporary and organic way. You’ll find everything from cabbage garden roses to arrangements that incorporate succulents. Great style.
- [JARDINE BOTANIC](https://melissapenfold.com/item/jardine-botanic/) - If you like your flowers to look as natural as possible, not as if they have come out of a glasshouse, Jardine Hansen’s loose, free-form arrangements will strike the right note. The emphasis is on botanical varities. Jardine offers floral stylings for weddings, events, corporate spaces and private homes across Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
- [HERMETICA](https://melissapenfold.com/item/hermetica/) - Long revered by magazine stylist, this hotspot located in Darlinghurst is as modern as the name suggests. Inside the crisp layout and wall of hundreds of coloured roses is Jai Winnell’s signature informal style. Simplicity and freshness are key.
- [TRACEY DEEP FLORAL SCULPTURES](https://melissapenfold.com/item/tracey-deep-floral-sculptures/) - Much more than flowers. Deep, who holds regular exhibitions of her work, brins an artist’s sensibility to her edgy ‘living sculptures’. She uses architectural branches, pods, wood, even metal with unusal flowers such as clivea, sedum, ginger flowers and coral like celacia. A firm fave for high-profile weddings, big parties and corporate events.
- [POHO FLOWERS](https://melissapenfold.com/item/poho-flowers/) - This florist creates modern-looking displays from its airy art Deco space that houses a contemporary, cool show of greenery, branches, berries, pods, palm leaves, fleshy flowers and natives. The arrangements focus on lush, earthy tones. Statements flowers.
- [SOPHIA KAPLAN](https://melissapenfold.com/item/sophia-kaplan/) - If you’re looking for flowers that offer something out of the ordinary, Kaplan could be your first port of call. Inspired by picking wildflowers around France, Germany, Italy and Australia, she is an artist who likes her bouquets to look as natural as possible. Working from a shared studio space in Alexandria, she textures each
- [SEED FLORA](https://melissapenfold.com/item/seed-flora/) - This Glebe florist is responsible for the annual epic David Jones flower shows. Proper flowers, a mix of modern and classic blooms. Seed can make magic happen with just a few magnolia or cherry blossom branches and orchids.
- [My Violeta](https://melissapenfold.com/item/my-violeta/) - The secret is out on this little Redfern-based workshop, which is like looking through a keyhole into a secret garden. It is becoming Sydney’s go-to flower shop for home-grown flowers arranged in owner Myra Perez’s signature informal vintage mod style. A fave with the fashion crowd for weddings and events.
- [My Flower Man](https://melissapenfold.com/item/my-flower-man/) - Kieran Birchall’s oversized, dramatic bunches often combine classic flowers with mod foliage and natives so expect to see English roses mixed in with showier leaves and blooms. Instead of combining flowers evenly, he often keeps each type distinct in the bunch, so there are pockets of light and dark. He can deliver same day around
- [ELLIOT CLARKE](https://melissapenfold.com/item/elliot-clarke/) - A fabric kingdom for acclaimed fabric brands like Lee Joffa’s Oscar de la Renta to Aerin Lauder fabrics. You’ll also find Kravet, Brunschwig & Fils, Mulberry, GP & J Baker.

## Categories

- [MP Fave](https://melissapenfold.com/category/mp-fave/)
- [QUICK FIXES](https://melissapenfold.com/category/quick-fixes/)
- [FURNITURE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/quick-fixes/furniture/)
- [Top stories](https://melissapenfold.com/category/top-stories/)
- [INTERIORS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/)
- [EXTERIORS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/exteriors/)
- [ATMOSPHERE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/atmosphere/)
- [VIDEO](https://melissapenfold.com/category/video/)
- [Outdoor Lights](https://melissapenfold.com/category/exteriors/outdoor-lights/)
- [CANDLES](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/candles/)
- [ART](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/art/)
- [GLASSWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/glassware/)
- [KITCHENS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/kitchens/)
- [RENOVATIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/renovations/)
- [PAINT](https://melissapenfold.com/category/exteriors/paint/)
- [BATHROOMS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/bathrooms/)
- [ENTERTAINING](https://melissapenfold.com/category/entertaining/)
- [MANNERS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/atmosphere/manners-atmosphere/)
- [MAINTENANCE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/maintenance/)
- [PLANTS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/plants/)
- [FURNITURE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/furniture-interiors/)
- [WALLPAPER](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/wallpaper/)
- [WEDDINGS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/atmosphere/weddings/)
- [BEDROOMS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/bedrooms/)
- [RENOVATING](https://melissapenfold.com/category/renovating/)
- [DINNERWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/dinnerware/)
- [OUTDOOR FURNITURE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/exteriors/outdoor-furniture/)
- [CLEANING](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/cleaning/)
- [ANTIQUES](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/antiques/)
- [GIFTS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/atmosphere/gifts/)
- [WINDOW TREATMENTS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/window-treatments/)
- [TRENDS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/trends/)
- [DECORATING](https://melissapenfold.com/category/decorating/)
- [DINNERWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/dinnerware-interiors/)
- [BUDGETS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/budgets/)
- [ECLECTIC](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/eclectic/)
- [BEDROOMS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/bedrooms-interiors/)
- [BEACH STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/beach-style/)
- [BOOKS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/books/)
- [PAINT](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/paint-interiors/)
- [LIGHTING](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/lighting/)
- [LANDSCAPE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/exteriors/landscape/)
- [STORAGE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/quick-fixes/storage/)
- [PLANTS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/quick-fixes/plants-quick-fixes/)
- [ACCESSORIES](https://melissapenfold.com/category/quick-fixes/accessories/)
- [PAINT](https://melissapenfold.com/category/quick-fixes/paint-quick-fixes/)
- [PLANTERS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/exteriors/planters/)
- [PAVERS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/exteriors/pavers/)
- [SHOPPING](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/shopping/)
- [FLOORING](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/flooring/)
- [TRAVEL](https://melissapenfold.com/category/atmosphere/travel/)
- [LUXURY](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/luxury/)
- [AUCTIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/auctions/)
- [TRENDS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/trends-interiors/)
- [CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/christmas/)
- [AUSTRALIAN STYLE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/australian-style/)
- [TAPWARE](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/tapware/)
- [BLINDS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/blinds/)
- [BLINDS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/exteriors/blinds-exteriors/)
- [RUGS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/rugs/)
- [FABRICS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/fabrics/)
- [FLORISTS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/florists/)
- [DINING](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/dining/)
- [FLOWERS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/flowers/)
- [CHRISTMAS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/christmas-interiors/)
- [GIFTS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/gifts-interiors/)
- [PARTIES](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/parties/)
- [HOTELS](https://melissapenfold.com/category/interiors/hotels/)

## Tags

- [AUCTIONS](https://melissapenfold.com/tag/auctions/)

## Locations

- [New South Wales](https://melissapenfold.com/location/new-south-wales/)
- [Queensland](https://melissapenfold.com/location/queensland/)
- [Victoria](https://melissapenfold.com/location/victoria/)
- [South Australia](https://melissapenfold.com/location/south-australia/)
- [Australian Capital Territory](https://melissapenfold.com/location/canberra/)
- [Western Australia](https://melissapenfold.com/location/western-australia/)
- [Tasmania](https://melissapenfold.com/location/tasmania/)

## Services

- [Florists](https://melissapenfold.com/service/florist/) - The best florists across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a florist in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Framing](https://melissapenfold.com/service/framing/) - The best framers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a picture framer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Benchtops](https://melissapenfold.com/service/benchtops/) - The best benchtop suppliers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find benchtops in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Door Hardware](https://melissapenfold.com/service/door-hardware/) - The best door hardware suppliers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find door hardware in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Upholstery](https://melissapenfold.com/service/upholstery/) - The best upholsterers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find an upholstery company in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Nurseries And Garden Supplies](https://melissapenfold.com/service/nurseries-and-garden-supplies/) - The best nurseries across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a nursery or garden supply store in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Outdoor Paving](https://melissapenfold.com/service/outdoor-paving/) - The best paving suppliers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a paving specialist in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Fabric](https://melissapenfold.com/service/fabric/) - The best fabric stores across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a fabric supplier in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Fireplaces](https://melissapenfold.com/service/fireplaces/) - The best fireplace suppliers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a fireplace in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Furniture Restoration](https://melissapenfold.com/service/furniture-restoration/) - The best furniture restorers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a furniture restorer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Metal Windows And Doors](https://melissapenfold.com/service/metal-windows-and-doors/) - The best metal window & door suppliers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a metal window & doors in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Calligraphy](https://melissapenfold.com/service/calligraphy/) - The best calligraphers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a calligrapher in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Blinds](https://melissapenfold.com/service/blinds/) - The best blinds companies across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a blinds supplier in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Awnings](https://melissapenfold.com/service/awnings/) - The best awning suppliers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find awnings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Dry Cleaners](https://melissapenfold.com/service/dry-cleaner/) - The best dry cleaners across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a dry cleaner in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Staff](https://melissapenfold.com/service/staff/) - The best staffing companies across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find staff in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Bedding](https://melissapenfold.com/service/bedding/) - The best bedding stores across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a bedding supplier in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Floor Cleaning and Repairs](https://melissapenfold.com/service/floor-cleaning-and-repairs/) - The best floor cleaners & repairers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a floor specialist in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Antiques](https://melissapenfold.com/service/antiques/) - The best antique shops across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find antique shops in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Sofas](https://melissapenfold.com/service/sofas/) - The best sofa companies across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a sofa specialist in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Lighting](https://melissapenfold.com/service/lighting/) - The best lighting stores across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find lighting in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Outdoor Furniture](https://melissapenfold.com/service/outdoor-furniture/) - The best outdoor furniture suppliers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a outdoor furniture store in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Landscapers](https://melissapenfold.com/service/landscapers/) - The best landscapers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a landscape designer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Dye](https://melissapenfold.com/service/dye/) - The best dyers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a dyer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Upholstery Cleaning](https://melissapenfold.com/service/cleaning/) - The best upholstery cleaning companies across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find an upholstery cleaner in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Bathrooms](https://melissapenfold.com/service/bathrooms/) - The best bathroom companies across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a bathroom specialist in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Book Binding](https://melissapenfold.com/service/book-binding/) - The best book binders across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a book binder in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.
- [Rugs](https://melissapenfold.com/service/rugs/) - The best rug suppliers across Australia are right here in Melissa’s little black book – the go-to guide for hand-picked suppliers & service providers. Find a rug store in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas Australia-wide.