Design, Debacles & Delightful Details — you’ve found the right place

I’ve had this moment in my mind for ages — sitting down to finally press ‘post’ and entice you into this little corner of my world. Starting this blog feels a bit like opening the front door to my home, pretending I just tidied up for you, and inviting you in for a cup of coffee and a long, overdue catch-up — the kind where we talk about beautiful spaces, design disasters, insider tips, renovations, and the little joys that make a house feel like home.

So, before we dive into all the good stuff, I want to share a little about how I even ended up in the world of interior design over a decade ago — because it wasn’t a straight line, and it definitely wasn’t obvious from the start.

I’ve always been creative, but for the longest time I had no idea how that translated into a career. I tried everything — web design, event management, a little bit of this and that — but nothing ever felt quite right. I kept searching for the thing that made me feel that spark, that click, that “oh, this is it!” moment.

I have since been replaced as the trusty sidekick...

It finally came when my parents built their home. My dad has experience in design and construction through his work, mum has this intuitive sense of what suits our family, and then there was me — the willing sidekick who had always tagged along beside my dad for every DIY project since I was little. The three of us designed the house from the ground up. I was fascinated by every aspect of it. Space planning, choosing materials, thinking through how we actually lived — it all lit me up in a way nothing else ever had.

But the real moment — the one that changed everything — didn’t happen until we moved in.

I grew up in a duplex, and although it was full of love and memories, it also had its fair share of daily frustrations. Our laundry was tiny, so mum folded clothes on the dining table. The narrow footprint meant there was basically one awkward spot for the TV, and a couple of us had to crane our necks every night just to watch a show together (shoutout to my wonderful chiropractor). The oven was small, which made mum’s annual 10kg Christmas ham a bit of a mission. Those things seem small, but when you live with them every single day, they wear you down.

Then we moved into the new house — and the difference was visceral. Everything had a place. Everything flowed. Suddenly, the tasks that used to take an hour took 5 minutes. Even unpacking a suitcase after a holiday felt oddly satisfying instead of chore that I avoided like the plague. It was life changing. And yes, I know it sounds corny, but that’s when I truly understood the power of design. The way a home can support your life instead of working against it. The way good design shows up not just in the “wow” moments, but in the quiet, everyday ones. A home that makes you breathe a sigh of relief the moment you walk in, as though a weight has lifted from your shoulders — your own sanctuary.

That realisation has shaped my entire career. I’ve designed stunning kitchens that clients adore, but the moments that make them cry happy tears are never about the stone benchtops or the brass hardware. It’s the new door that lets them walk straight from the garage into the house, so they don’t have to run through the rain with ten bags of groceries. It’s the laundry with designated baskets for each family member’s clean clothes, ready for them to grab and take to their rooms to unpack. It’s the wide wall mounted oven so mum doesn’t have to struggle to get the big a** ham in and out every time it needs to be basted with that sweet sweet glaze.

It’s the small things — the deeply practical, emotionally meaningful things — that change how we live.

And that’s exactly why I’m starting this blog.

I want this to be a place where design feels understandable, inspiring, warm, achievable and honest. A space where I can share the knowledge I’ve gathered while working with wonderful clients and trades across diverse projects — from full home renovations to mini refreshers— and where we can talk about everything that goes into creating a home that feels uniquely you.

You can expect monthly posts filled with renovation wisdom, behind-the-scenes stories, learning from my failures, and conversations about design that are approachable, real and hopefully a little fun, too. I want to help make the renovation process feel less overwhelming and more exciting, with guidance that comes from experience — both professional and personal.

So, whether you’re dreaming of a big renovation, planning something small, or simply love beautiful spaces and insightful ideas, I’m so grateful to have you here.

If you haven’t already, make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss a post — some seriously good content is just around the corner.

Until next time,