See How This First-Time Renovator Transformed Her Pint-Sized Melbourne Apartment

This 1970s Alphington, Melbourne apartment had great bones just brimming with potential… all it needed was a new owner to bring the space to life. 

That owner was academic Laura Schuijers — a first-time renovator who designed and project managed the apartment’s recent transformation, creating an enviable home with custom-made plywood cabinetry, a hand-built bath, and clever storage solutions.

Laura really has thought of EVERYTHING in this renovation, from a tailored lighting scheme down to hidden space to store her rock climbing gear in the 34 square metre home. 

Read the full story here.

A New Kitchen Designed To Look Old, With No White Joinery In Sight! 

The brief for this renovation outlined two fairly uncommon requirements for a modern kitchen. The space needed to ‘look old’, and have zero white joinery in sight! 

Drawing on the established residential character of the surrounding Reservoir, Melbourne area, M.J. Harris Group updated the kitchen for modern functionality, while visually portraying an older aesthetic in keeping with its 1960s origins.

Read the full story here.

The TDF Office’s Dreamy Kitchen Renovation! 

The TDF team has been based in our beloved Collingwood office for about six years, and it had a very basic and boring kitchen when we first moved in. But after renewing the lease post-lockdown, it was finally time for a kitchen upgrade – complete with pink Moroccan tiles, a marble benchtop, integrated appliances and new timber joinery.

If we do say so ourselves – we’re pretty chuffed with this transformation!

Read the full story here.

A Young Photographer Transforms Her Rambling Coastal Garden In One Week!

With a little help from her friends, photographer Kate Shanasy totally transformed her jungle-like garden in Blairgowrie, Victoria, into an entertainer’s coastal delight – in just one week!

Inspired by designer Fiona Brockoff’s Sorrento garden (‘just around the corner’), Kate swapped finger grasses and overgrown ivy for sand grit, boulders and native plants. 

Read the full story here.

A Gorgeous Owner-Designed Renovation Of A 1950s Melbourne Apartment

Christopher Cassidy and David James bought an apartment in a great 1950s St Kilda East building, only the interiors were mouldy with asbestos linoleum and creamy yellow paint concealed the beautiful original features.

The couple quickly embarked on some simple updates to make the property liveable, before designing and project managing an extensive renovation over 18 months. 

Timeless new flooring and sympathetic colour pay tribute to the original architecture while introducing the Melbourne home to a new era. 

Read the full story here. 

A Dated 70s Home Gets A Sunshine Yellow New Look

Before its perfectly retro refresh, this Queensland abode was run down and in dire need of a renovation to bring it back to life.

The owner – who’s in his 70s – had also never lived with colour or pattern. But a few meetings with interior designer Ally Giovine of – Studio Lala quickly revealed his love for bright and playful interiors.

Together, they’ve sympathetically transformed the 1970s residence, filling it with pops of colour, personality, and an adorable yellow splashback in the kitchen!

Read the full story here.

A Kids’ Playroom Transformed Into A Stylish Study

As part of our One Room Wonders series, in partnership with Surround by Laminex, we get to do our very own ‘before and after’ transformations – and this one really was an absolute favourite in the TDF office!

We transformed a simple kids’ playroom into a stylish home office that will last well into teenage years, and beyond. In fact, it turned out so nicely, we think it would make a pretty perfect home office for grown-ups, too! 

Watch the transformation here.

See How This Simple Beach Shack Was Transformed In Just 6 Weeks! 

Already a seasoned renovator and professional designer, Rachel Collard has outdone herself in the creation of her holiday home and accommodation, Miss Morris, on the Mornington Peninsula.

Previously a simple beach shack with whitewashed interiors and a dated kitchen, Rachel transformed the Mount Martha property in just six weeks while managing her work as a designer and being a mother of three in Melbourne.

The renovation is a celebration of colour and nostalgia that balances space, intimacy, and character with subtle hints to the beach opposite.

Read the full story here.