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Homes

Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.

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Homes
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Architectural Apartment Mid Century Minimalist Family Country Tiny Coastal Victorian Renovated
Small Garden Suburban Garden Country Garden Public Garden Vegetable Garden Coastal Garden
Aboriginal Art Exhibition
Illustration Lighting Interior Design Graphic Design Styling Textiles Furniture Jewellery Photography Craft Floristry Architecture Industrial Design Woodwork Quoted Art Aboriginal Art Ceramics
Lunch Dinner Snacks Salad Vegetarian Breakfast Sweets Gluten Free Drinks Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Fashion Kids Art Ceramics Furniture Gifts Lighting Plants + Flowers Rugs Soft Furnishings In Print Sustainable Design Homewares
Guides Stays

About

About The Design Files Contributors Contact Advertising Frequently Asked Questions

Homes

Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.

ALL
Apartment
Architectural
Coastal
Country
Family
Mid Century
Minimalist
Renovated
Tiny
Victorian

Architecture

Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.

ALL
Apartments
City Homes
Coastal Homes
Country Homes
Mid Century Homes
Queenslander Homes
Sustainable Homes
Tiny Homes
Victorian Homes

Interiors

Award-winning Australian interior design, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top designers.

ALL
Expert Advice
How To
Kitchens

Gardens

In depth features on Australia’s most beautiful gardens and landscape design.

ALL
Coastal Garden
Country Garden
Public Garden
Small Garden
Suburban Garden
Vegetable Garden

Creative People

Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.

ALL
Studio Visit
Extraordinary Routines
Dream Job
Small Business
Family
-
Aboriginal Art
Architecture
Art
Ceramics
Craft
Floristry
Furniture
Graphic Design
Illustration
Industrial Design
Interior Design
Jewellery
Lighting
Photography
Quoted
Styling
Textiles
Woodwork

Art

Studio visits with Australia’s top artists, and unmissable art exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and beyond.

ALL
Aboriginal Art
Exhibition

Food

Weekly recipes and meal ideas from our favourite cooks, authors and foodies.

ALL
Breakfast
Dinner
Drinks
Gluten Free
Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Lunch
Salad
Snacks
Sweets
Vegetarian

Travel

Unique travel destinations, design-led accomodation and day trip ideas in Australia and New Zealand.

ALL
Guides
Stays

On The Market

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Climate

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News

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Homes Gardens Architecture Creative People Food On The Market Climate News
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Dinosaur Designs Co-Founder Louise Olsen On Building An Iconic Australian Brand, On TDF Talks

Podcast

Louise Olsen is a true icon of the Australian design industry. She is co-founder of Dinosaur Designs, – a company she founded more than thirty (!) years ago with two art school friends. She’s also the daughter of legendary artist John Olsen, and a formidable artist in her own right. 

In this conversation with host Lucy Feagins, Louise talks about her creative upbringing with two painter parents, the humble beginnings of Dinosaur Designs, and the ways she’s seen the industry shift in the last few decades. It’s a conversation filled with anecdotes, wisdom and insight – and you can listen now!

17th September, 2021

Drawing at the Dinosaur Design HQ in Redfern. Photo  – Nikki To for The Design Files.

As creative director, Louise spends four days a week here overseeing new collections. Photo  – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Some of the iconic resin pieces! Photo – Eve Wilson for the Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins. Art Direction – Annie Portelli.

Sasha Gattermayr
Friday 17th September 2021

Believe it or not, Louise Olsen and Stephan Ormandy started Dinosaur Designs as a means to supplement their fledgling artist practices. Newly out of art school, they needed some form of income so they could keep painting!

Selling pieces at Sydney’s Paddington Markets in the 80s turned quickly into commissions for INXS and Kylie Minogue – aka other young Australian artists making it big on the international creative stage. Fast forward a few years, and Louise and Stephen were right there among them (albeit in a different industry)! 

These days, Dinosaur Designs has grown to a global brand with stores in New York and London, alongside their Australian outlets. Louise is now its creative director, and these days splits her time between Dinosaur Designs, and her own art practice. 

Don’t miss this conversation with a true legend of the Australian design scene!

See here to learn more about Louise Olsen’s artistic work + browse the current Dinosaur Designs collections here. 

This Week

News

Now's Your Chance To Buy Classic Thonet Pieces, For Less!

Snap up your favourites from Thonet, with 20% off chairs, barstools and tables in store, until 1st April.
Sponsored

On The Market

This Designer’s Family Home Hides A Rooftop Terrace, And It’s For Sale

The Melbourne house of owner-designer Dan Gayfer is on the market, but this Edwardian's sweeping extension is full of surprises.
Christina Karras
  8 hours ago

Architecture

A Playful Renovation + Extension Of A 1910s Edwardian Weatherboard Cottage

This once lacklustre Edwardian cottage has been given new life thanks to a renovation and extension by Architect George Meek, of Studio Meek...
Bea Taylor

Stays

10 Retro-Inspired Motels To Book For Your Next Weekend Away!

Is there anything more nostalgic than a vintage motel with a dreamy pool? Here's some of the coolest ones to visit across Australia.
Christina Karras

Gardens

The Bountiful Country Garden of The Design Files' Alice Ziebell!

Take a wander through the magical Korumburra garden of The Design Files' partnership manager Alice Ziebell, and see the unbelievable 'before...
Bea Taylor

Shopping

Style Meets Sustainability In Armadillo’s New Melbourne Showroom

Melbourne design lovers will be happy to hear beloved rug brand Armadillo have opened a new showroom in Fitzroy!
Christina Karras

Homes

A Victorian Coastal Family Home Inspired By A Famous Alpine Village

The Jan Juc family home of artist Ingrid Daniell and designer Clifton Daniell.
Lucy Feagins

Studio Visit

Di Lunedi’s Nostalgic Ceramics Serve Up A Slice Of Coastal Italy!

Step inside the Northern NSW studio of De Lunedi's Elise Eales, who creates one-off ceramic pieces inspired by her love of Italy's seaside.
Bea Taylor

Interiors

A Sunny Bondi Terrace Renovation With A Candy-Pink Bathroom!

The interiors of this family home now feature an all-pink bathroom and olive green features, inspired by the owners' personal style!
Christina Karras

News

Find Timeless Timber Furniture At Mark Tuckey’s Workshop Sale

Australian furniture brand Mark Tuckey are holding their biggest clearance sale yet, with up to 60% off!
Sponsored

Studio Visit

The Sculptural Fabric + Metal Works Of Architect-Trained Artist, Annie Paxton

Melbourne based Annie Paxton creates mesmerising sculptural works made from silk, fabric, aluminium, steel and chain mail!
Amelia Barnes
  16 hours ago

Interiors

Inside The Memo Co-Founder Phoebe Simmonds’ Family Home

Entrepreneur Phoebe Simmonds and builder Shaun Caton's 'contemporary Edwardian' Melbourne family home.
Amelia Barnes

News

Shop Zenn Design + Christopher Blank’s New, Must-Have Bedside Tables

It’s time to elevate your bedroom with this sleek new collection of solid timber tables.
Sponsored

Design Eye

Creating A Timeless Interior, With Jean-Pierre Biasol

Melbourne interior designer Jean-Pierre Biasol reveals how interior spaces can outlive trends, thanks to careful furniture selections.
Lucy Feagins

On The Market

A Luxuriously Modern Home For Sale In Sydney's Forest Lodge

This new home has everything from smart-home features to solar and an electric car charger, alongside a dreamy outdoor entertaining area!
Christina Karras

More Podcasts

Podcast

Cormach Evans On Creating Space For Aboriginal Excellence, On TDF Talks

Yorta Yorta man Cormach Evans talks to host Lucy Feagins about the two organisations he founded and directs: Strong Brother Strong Sister, a...
Sasha Gattermayr

Podcast

Stylist Turned Designer Sarah Ellison On Building A Cult Status Furniture Brand, On TDF Talks

The Byron Bay-based creative talks transitioning from stylist to designer, the value of being an assistant + living in an Instagram world.
Sasha Gattermayr

Podcast

BuildHer Collective Co-Founder Rebeka Morgan On Empowering Women In Construction, On TDF Talks

In this episode of TDF Talks, BuildHer Collective co-founder Rebeka Morgan breaks down the basics of the renovation game!
Sasha Gattermayr

The Design Files acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

First Nations artists, designers, makers, and creative business owners are encouraged to submit their projects for coverage on The Design Files. Please email bea@thedesignfiles.net

The Design Files’ original content and photos are copyright protected. Please email us before reposting our content on other publications, personal websites, or Instagram. Feel free to share our images on Pinterest using the credit ‘via thedesignfiles.net’. Thank you!

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