Interiors

How Interior Designer Mardi Doherty Created Her Dream Bedroom

When designing her dream family home, director of Studio Doherty Mardi Doherty considered every detail of the interiors and styling, right down to the perfect locally-made bed linen by Abode Living.

The calming bedding palette speaks to the original classic features of the home and Mardi’s additions, including bold blue accents and a delightfully unexpected patterned bedhead.

Mardi takes us behind the scenes of the design process!

Written
by
Amelia Barnes
|
Photography
by
|
Editorial styling
by

Lucy Feagins

The bedroom sits within the context of the wider renovated home — designed in collaboration with Folk Architects — that is fun, energising and warm. Abode Living Francesca Tea Towel in Indigo.

The house is a exploration of creativity and expression, where every room invites discovery and tells a unique story. Abode Living Francesca Tea Towel in Indigo.

Mardi in her living room. Abode Living Palazzo Cushion in Marine and Olive.

Abode Living Palazzo Cushion in Marine and Olive.

Writer
Amelia Barnes
Photography
Editorial styling

Lucy Feagins

3rd of August 2025
Interior design
Architecture
Location

Prahran, VIC/Wurundjeri Country

Director of Studio Doherty Mardi Doherty had many plans for the renovation of her family home, but she always had a clear vision for the bedroom.

‘This room was always our bedroom. It has a beautiful calmness to it that just resonated to me,’ she says. ‘Trent and I live and breathe design building and this room was always going to be a calm place where we could sleep and dream.’

The bedroom sits within the context of the wider renovated home — designed in collaboration with Folk Architects — that is fun, energising and warm.

Mardi carried these same qualities into the bedroom, which highlights the same bold blue accents featured throughout much of the interiors. Never one to play it safe, Mardi selected a patterned bedhead and some key pieces of contemporary art to characterise the space.

The bed is the dominant feature of any bedroom, so selecting the appropriate bed linen is naturally front of mind for Mardi — and something more clients are also considering when engaging Studio Doherty on a project. ‘They appreciate the joy beautiful bed linen can bring, but are nervous about trying new colour and texture combinations outside what they would normally select,’ says Mardi.

Bold bed linen can be overwhelming, so Mardi prefers layering the bed with multiple tones and colours across the sheets, doona cover, pillowcases, and blankets.

For her own bedroom, she selected an Abode Living ice blue (Arctic) linen quilt cover for its calm, cool tone. ‘It brings a serenity to the space and reflects the soft natural light from both windows beautifully.’

The Egyptian cotton sheets and pillowcases are a slightly deeper blue (Atlantic), paired with deliberately contrasting ochre linen pillowcases that are warm, earthy and grounding. ‘Together they create a balanced palette that feels both restful and subtly layered,’ says Mardi.

An Italian-made merino wool blanket and a purple linen cushion add a final layer of cosiness, reflecting tones found across the artwork and furniture.

The bedding is all part of Abode Living’s in-stock range (available in store and online), with all sheets, pillowcases, and the quilt cover made right here in Melbourne.

Altogether, Mardi has crafted a relaxing, luxurious, and unique bedroom that speaks to her signature style and wider home. The bed linen anchors the space, adding a focal point that sets the tone of the calming sanctuary.

Visit the Abode Living website to explore their product range and contact a dedicated trade representative to find out how Abode can enhance your client projects.

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