Melissa Lunardon Melissa Lunardon

Launching our Curated Furniture Packages

Exciting news! We are thrilled to introduce our brand new Curated Furniture Packages, set to launch this Sunday. 
It's a fantastic way to have a well designed home without hiring an interior designer.


 🛋️ Affordable Elegance at Your Fingertips

Our Curated Furniture Packages offer an affordable solution to furnish your home with sophistication. Say goodbye to the hassle of coordinating furniture and accessories – we've done the hard work for you. Now, you can enjoy a professionally furnished home effortlessly.

💼 Access to Reputable Suppliers with a Click

With just a click of a button, you gain access to our network of reputable suppliers. Quality and style are at the forefront of our packages, ensuring you receive furniture that not only complements your space but also stands the test of time.

🏡 Three Distinct Styles to Choose From

Explore and embrace your personal style with our thoughtfully curated themes:

  1. Modern Farmhouse

  2. Luxe Contemporary

  3. Laidback Coastal

🛋️ Tailor Your Home to Perfection

Within each theme, we've designed three different rooms for you to choose from:

  • Entry

  • Living

  • Dining

  • Bedroom

Simply select the theme that resonates with your home and personality, decide on the rooms you want to furnish, and leave the rest to us.

🚚 Effortless Ordering and Delivery

Place your order stress-free, and we'll take care of the rest. We coordinate with suppliers and arrange deliveries directly to your doorstep. It's that simple – a hassle-free way to upgrade your space.

🏡 Perfect for Every Occasion

Our Curated Furniture Packages are ideal for:

  • Those who've just bought a new home

  • Individuals looking to refresh their existing space

  • Owners of holiday rentals seeking a stylish, welcoming touch

This Sunday marks the beginning of a new chapter for your home. Elevate your living space with ease and style.

Stay tuned for our launch this Sunday, and be among the first to experience the magic of our Curated Furniture Packages.

Here is a preview of the Look Book...

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Tips for Maximising Small Spaces

Expanding the Illusion of Space: Mastering the Art with Floorworld

In the realm of interior design, the perception of space isn't just limited to physical dimensions; it's an illusion that can be skilfully manipulated to transform even the most confined areas into open, inviting havens. If you've ever marvelled at how certain spaces seem larger than they are, you've witnessed the magic of creating the illusion of space. Welcome to a world where dimensions can be stretched, and boundaries blurred, all with the expert guidance of Floorworld.

Embrace the Illusion: Creating Space Beyond Walls

Incorporating strategic design elements and techniques, you can make any space feel more expansive and comfortable. Whether you're dealing with a cozy living room, a compact office, or a small apartment, these principles are your allies.

The Palette of Possibilities: Light and Airy Tones

Light and neutral colours serve as the foundation for creating spaciousness. These shades reflect light, instantly rendering a room airy and open. Imagine the seamless expanse when a consistent color palette blankets walls, ceilings, and furniture.

But why stop at walls? Extend this principle to your flooring too. Floorworld's partnership with Redbook Green brings forth the "Mountain Chalet" range. Delve into the Summit and Mountain Lodge Cloud Cover tones, which exude warm greys to enhance spaciousness within bedrooms.

sheer curtains melissa lunardon interior design melbourne

Harvesting Natural Light: Illuminating the Illusion

Natural light is the ultimate enlarging agent. Sheer curtains and blinds can replace heavy drapes, allowing sunlight to gracefully illuminate the room. Mirrors, strategically positioned, effortlessly bounce light around, magnifying the dimensions. For spaces devoid of windows, such as hallways or inner bathrooms, consider the addition of skylights.

Furnishing Your Illusion: Selection and Scale

Furniture with slender profiles and elevated legs plays a pivotal role. These choices expose more floor, creating an immediate sense of openness. Multi-functional furniture pieces like sofa beds and storage ottomans aid in decluttering and amplifying perceived space.

Remember, the scale is paramount. Opt for appropriately sized furniture to avoid overwhelming the space.

Elevate with Vertical Space: A Taller Illusion

Direct the gaze upwards for an illusion of heightened space. Floor-to-ceiling curtains, majestic artwork, and towering bookshelves elongate walls, casting a spell of grandeur. Shelves, beyond storage, also lend verticality and visual appeal.

Mastering Minimalism: Less is Exponentially More

Minimalism – the art of less – invites serenity and openness. Streamlined furniture, restrained decor, and a harmonious color palette work wonders. Titan’s Hybrid range, a triumph of minimal knots and color variation, not only amplifies the illusion but is also resilient and waterproof.

Seamless Flow: Open Sightlines and Continuity

Unobstructed views contribute to the seamless flow of a room. Furniture arrangement that maintains open sightlines supports this sense of continuity, ultimately making the space feel larger.

Maintaining a consistent design style throughout the space also aids in preserving a sense of expansiveness. Floorworld, the experts in advice, price, and range, walk hand in hand with you through this journey

Reflections and Finishes: The Magic of Materials

Incorporate reflective surfaces like glass and metallic finishes to dance with light. They skillfully manipulate the dimensions of a room, creating a larger-than-life ambience. For petite bathrooms, envision glossy wall tiles, adding to the illusion.

Transparent Divisions: Space Beyond Solid Walls

Breaking boundaries without closing off spaces is an art. Transparent dividers, whether in the form of open shelving units, pendant lights, area rugs, or decorative screens, maintain division while welcoming openness.

Horizon of Illusions: Horizontal Lines and Monochromatic Mastery

Horizontal lines visually widen a room. Utilize horizontal stripes, elongated artwork, or low-profile furniture to amplify the space. And don't forget the allure of a monochromatic scheme – harmonious shades of the same color weave an environment that expansively stretches.

Step into the Spacious Illusion with Floorworld

Floorworld brings more than just flooring expertise to the table. Their commitment is to guide you through every facet of creating the illusion of space. Find your nearest Floorworld store to embark on this transformative journey. Request a free measure & quote to witness the possibilities firsthand. With Floorworld by your side, spaces will transcend dimensions, and illusions will transform into realities. Embrace simplicity, balance, and harmony, crafting environments that beckon with open arms.

Request a Free Measure & Quote

*Experience the Art of Illusion with Floorworld - Where Expertise Meets Vision*

If you would like to chat more about your new build or renovation project and would like to brainstorm some ideas, book in for a complimentary design call by clicking on the button below.

Book your complimentary design call
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BASIC TILE CATEGORIES AND WHY TO USE THEM

The world of tiles is big and broad! Here is a starting guide to the various types of tiles available on the Australian market, and why each different type may or may not suit you and your home.

Natural stone

As one would expect, certain natural tile materials will cost more than standard ceramic or porcelain finishes but can be an incredibly worthy investment. Natural stones such as marble, slate or terrazzo will all fall on the higher end of the pricing scale due to their extensive mining and preparation process as well as the product’s scarcity, but can create the perfect, elegant touch to a design. You’ll find their luscious beauty and charm offers timeless appeal to any room or project.

Ceramic and porcelain

Man-made materials such as ceramic and porcelain tiles are generally much more cost effective than natural products, with ceramic tiles often being the most economical choice of the two thanks to their lighter density and weight. Ceramic pieces are most often used as wall tiles, allowing a less labour-intensive finish thanks to their lighter and softer structure making them easier to work with, whereas porcelain tiles will fetch a higher price tag (both to purchase and to install) as they are much thicker and denser, making them an ideal wall and floor tile choice thanks to their increased durability, longevity and strength.

Handmade tiles

Handmade tiles will often incur an additional purchase cost with consideration to the added labour involved in their creation as well as the specific skill and artistic quality of the finished product, but they can create stunning bespoke and highly personalised spaces. If possible, try to favour products that are entirely made and glazed by hand right here in Australia, meaning you not only support local businesses, but the tiles can be custom made to specific requirements. In particular, at Melissa Lunardon we adore porcelain tiles that have been printed with the use of digital technology. This allows for a crisper, varied and overall more realistic finish, and an incredible quality result that truly captures depth and character-filled variation.

TOP TIP!

The number one tile trend is (and always will be!) to have fun and not hold yourself back! When it comes to tiles, there really is no limit.

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FIRST HOME BUILDING MISTAKES TO AVOID

When it's your first time, there are many building mistakes that can lead to many problems for your dream home. There are also many industry factors that can significantly impact your build if you are not aware of where things can go wrong, where budgets can blow out and where timeframes get stretched. The building process should be one of the most exciting projects you will undertake in your lifetime, so be sure to avoid these common mistakes when building a house.

Research

There are many important factors to consider when it comes to building a new home that could quickly overwhelm you if you haven't done the research. You could begin the process with unrealistic expectations, leading to more planning and more costs. Research every step of the process, from the location to the builders’ inclusions. Engaging an interior designer early on to utilise their experience and industry knowledge will be highly advantageous here.

Budget

Your dream home costs money and that's why having a set budget, right down to each and every cent, is a must have for home builders. Having an approximate range of what you are going to spend could lead to some shocking bills and all of a sudden those 'little extras for the laundry room' are becoming a big problem. Once you have set your budget, be transparent with it. That way you can work with your builder and designer to achieve your desired result within your allocated budget.

Location

The location of your new home is one of the most important steps to consider. This is where it helps to do some research so that down the line, if it comes time to sell, there's no external factors that could hurt your chances. When looking at potential suburbs to build in, nothing beats actually visiting and seeing the location for yourself to better judge distances and the land quality.

Floor plan

An advantage that building has over buying is the opportunity to create the home of your dreams. Planning your home design to suite your lifestyle (now and in the future) is an essential step to making that dream a reality. An interior designer is trained in optimal layout and floor plans that work, so be sure to consult a professional to avoid any accidental flaws in the floor plan that will be inconvenient and irritating down the track. A designer will work with you to ensure your new home fits your lifestyle and your vision, right down to the smallest details.

Your team

Whether you're planning to build with a traditional project builder or hoping to take the custom home builder route, choosing the right builder, architect and designer can save you a lot of headaches down the line. By not taking the time to compare professionals, your home could remain a construction site for longer than expected and may not be the home you once dreamed of. Experience, communication, financial stability, and strong supplier relations are some of the most important things to look for in the professionals working with you

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TALKING TERRAZZO

Terrazzo (Italian for “Terrace”) was invented in Venice over five hundred years ago. Workers in Venetia were often left with discarded marble pieces, where they would put these small marble rocks in clay and grind them flat. These were used as a low-cost alternative to marble for their living quarters. Fast forward to the 1970s, thin-set, or epoxy-based terrazzo was introduced. This quickly sparked the popularity of terrazzo, with a wider selection of colours, faster installation, and less susceptibility to cracking. To put it simply, modern day terrazzo is a composite material, made of small pieces of stone materials or chips (marble, glass, stone), bound together with either cement or epoxy, and polished to get a smooth surface.

1. CEMENTITIOUS TERRAZZO

This traditional terrazzo is heavy and takes a long time to dry. Colour choices are also limited and things like glass can’t be used as it is not porous. On the upside, they feel more like stone and is ideal for both indoors and outdoor use, especially in high traffic areas.

2. POLYACRYLATE TERRAZZO

The “middle ground” made from a combination of cement and latex. They require less work and less product, so are less expensive. It has more design options, can be dyed to match just about any colour, and can often include glass and mirrored chips.

3. EPOXY TERRAZZO

This is the most versatile and most commonly used type of terrazzo in the market today. It’s the strongest and the least susceptible to scratching, fading, staining, or cracking. Epoxy terrazzo is available in any colour and is the best option for making intricate designs.

Terrazzo benefits

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind flooring option that’s warmer than marble and more stylish than ceramic tiles, terrazzo tiles are an ideal option you can go for. Here are some of their many qualities:

- Versatile for both exteriors and interiors

- Tough and durable flooring option

- Water, slip and heat-resistant

- Go with any style of building

- Eco-friendly and economical

- Stylish and customisable

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ONE-OF-A-KIND AGED BRASS

Weathered or Aged Brass is a living, aged brass finish which develops golden highlights over time. Commonly used within contemporary settings, it provides a deep, warming contrast to light or solid colour surfaces, as well as a rich, dark complementary tone to darker ones. This finish is sought after for the unique characteristics that it develops overtime.

You will find this organic finish will age gracefully and develop a unique patina depending on the established climate, exposure, handling, cleaning, and waxing routine. Watermarking, oxidisation and spotting is normal and acceptable on organic finishes such as aged brass. As no two products will ever age the same, it provides a truly one-of-a-kind fixture.

The accelerated aged look is achieved by chemically treating each brass piece. Tone can vary depending on whether the brass is extruded, cast, machined or forged, but the result is a beautiful organic appearance. Over time the raw brass surface will further evolve as it reacts to the natural atmosphere it is in. Areas that are touched by hand become lighter, while areas that are rarely touched darken and oxidise to create a beautiful organic appearance.

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DECLUTTERING WITH CHILDREN

One of the biggest sources of frustration when it comes to keeping a family home clean and tidy is… children. Yes, we love them! And, no, we don’t want to impede their creativity or passion for their projects, or to throw out those special projects. It’s easy to get caught up in holding onto them ‘just in case’ we want to look back with nostalgia one day. But is that what you really want? Think about what you are really trying to hold onto.

Edit emotions

So much of what holds us back when it comes to the clutter in our home are our emotions. We make objects mean so much. And that can be a good thing, at times. It’s important to have a home that is filled with pieces that we love and are meaningful. But, quite simply, we can’t hold onto everything. At some point we have to edit our collections. We have to decide what keep and what we choose to let go. And it’s not always easy.

Get clarity

When clearing out children’s rooms, be clear on what you value and what you want your life to look like. Take the time to visualise how you want your home to look and feel. Check your children’s rooms against the goals you have for your home and life. Assessing your spaces helps you to get clear on what improvements you need to make, and also allows you to have focus as you declutter your collections.

Embrace the responsibility

When it comes to decluttering with children, remember that they see you. Children are great mimics and model the behaviour of those around them. Take a look at what you’re modelling. Are you tidying up after yourself? What does your bedroom look like? Do you prepare ahead of time? Or are you always in a rush and flap? Make sure that you are setting a good example for your children. They notice everything!

Daily rhythms

Children thrive on rhythms. They feel safe and secure when they know what to expect and what is expected of them. And when there is a consistent rhythm, they are able to move in accordance with it almost without thinking. It becomes second nature. Systems, processes, routines and standards are therefore imperative. In this type of environment, everyone thrives. We don’t need to shout or get frustrated. We just need to create clear systems and rhythms so that everyone can thrive.

Storage

When designing kids' bedrooms, prioritise bedroom storage ideas that will grow with them. This includes wardrobes with adjustable shelving and hanging spaces, drawer space beneath the bed, plenty of shelving, and toy storage ideas. When they are young, shelving can host toys and games. As kids grow older, shelvecan make way for books, schoolwork and gaming equipment. Other low level storage such as open pigeon holes filled with baskets work well in a child’s room, keeping things tidy, safe and accessible.

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STYLE REFRESH

Spring is upon us in Australia, heralding warmer weather, new life and new opportunities to grow! A new season is the perfect time to give your home a new look and feel, particularly the invigorating season of Spring, a season that opens the door to all sorts of possibilities.

There's no place like home—until you’ve been cocooning in it for too long and the scene starts to feel stale and stagnant. And, come to think of it, so do you. Adopting your home’s vibe is a real thing since your surroundings and your mindset are intertwined.

If you feel that your place has been in a bit of a slump, let’s change that! Now is the perfect time to look at a seasonal style refresh in your space. Here are some ideas to inspire you to reinvigorate your space, and fall in love with it all over again.

Paint your doors

Without a doubt, paint is transformative, and changes the way that your home not only looks, but how you feel about too. It’s like adding a fabulous new pair of shoes to your favourite outfit! The colour of the paint you choose has a significant impact. As we head into the warmer months of Spring and Summer, consider colours that more light, bright and joyful. Then you can go dark and moody when heading into the cooler months of Autumn and Winter.

Change rugs

With the changing of the seasons, consider switching over wool rugs to seagrass or lighter textures, or perhaps even remove them altogether. The feeling of walking on bare timber boards or cool polished concrete in Summer can be extremely pleasing and help to cool the temperature of internal spaces.

Brighten your bedroom style

Opting for lighter colours and textures in the bedroom is the best way to change the mood of the space. You can also mix up books and decor on your bedside table, add fresh foliage and switch up your bedside table for a stool or table from another room.

Switch rooms

It is less common, but it can be very refreshing to switch rooms in the house. Alternatively, bring new energy to rooms by changing configurations and what you put inside the space. Maybe take a pendant from one room and put it in another. Rethink your space to give it a whole new energy.

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CREATING MORE CALM AND ORDER AT HOME

Many studies on happiness show that what we really want to experience is a sense of calm and contentment in our homes and throughout our day. We create this when we simplify our lives, embrace daily rhythms and create meaningful connections. When we take this approach, we allow more room for joy. More joy in our homes, in our families, in workplaces and in our hearts.

Take a moment to think about how you feel when the kitchen counter is messy. Or what about your desk — can you create your best work then? How happy does mess make you? In contrast, compare the feeling when you walk into your home and it’s clean and tidy. When we remove from our homes the things we don’t use, need or love, as well as the objects that don’t even work, we free up our spaces and also our minds.

But what about when life gets busy? That’s when you need good design that helps impose some sort of order. You will be able to create better work and feel more present. When it comes to creating more calm and order at home, functional design concepts are key, along with routines and habits stacked in your favour. It takes effort at the beginning, but leads to ongoing contentment.

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THE SCIENCE OF A HAPPY HOME

If you were asked what the six ingredients to a happy home are, what would you say? We all want to live in a happy home. However, when it comes to designing our homes and using them day to day, happiness isn’t always at the forefront. But at Melissa Lunardon Interior Design, we think it should be!

That’s why we love a UK scientific study that surveyed 4000 residents, taking their answers and combining them with the best existing research, to develop The Science of a Happy Home Report. The report identified six qualities that help create happiness at home, and it is so good to see it reflects the work we do every day with our clients! Read on for a deep dive into the qualities that will positively influence how you feel in your home according to the report and our work with clients over many years.

Secure

A secure home refers to the provision of shelter, safety and stability, both physically and emotionally. We want security and peace of mind when it comes to our homes.

Nourishing

Nourishing homes provide healthy conditions that optimise light, sound and ventilation. Indoor air quality is important too, as is the ability to control comfort levels depending on preferences. Interestingly, happiness levels are affected by the view to outside more so than sunlight levels.

Adaptable

We don’t use all rooms and spaces in our homes equally and typically spend much more time in some than in others. So we need our homes to be able to flex to meet our changing needs. We are happiest when we can adapt our home to our changing needs now and in the future. Over 92% of those happiest at home agree that their house can meet their current needs. The ability to change layouts is more important than the size of our bedrooms.

Relaxed

Relaxed homes are places that make people feel calm, comfortable and at peace. People who describe their homes as relaxed are happier within them than those who use any other personality traits, such as organised, balanced or sociable. About half of us relax most in our living rooms, and about a third in our bedrooms.

Connected

Spaces to interact and to socialise with our family and community are important for well-being, too. We want to be able to connect with others in our home, the outside world and with nature. The spaces that matter the most to our happiness at home in this regard are private gardens, balconies and open-plan living spaces.

Mirrors

We want a home that reflects who we are. We’re much happier if our home reflects our values and personalities. About 80% of those who are happiest at home say their home reflects who they are. When making design decisions, focus on how your home meets your needs or help you express yourself for long term satisfaction.

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PREPARING FOR A BIG HOME PROJECT

Making big changes in your home is necessary if you want to update it or give it a fresh new look. Some minor updates can get you so far, but there’s only so much you can do with a bit of paint or a new rug. More extensive renovations may be the way to go if you really want to make a change in your home. But a big project can be disruptive and difficult to deal with, especially if you’re also working from home. Good preparation can help, and there are multiple things you can do to get ready.

Mind Prep

The right mindset is useful for any situation, including carrying out work in your home. It can be stressful to have so much happening in your home, so you need to be prepared for the chaos. The first thing to do is accept that things are going to be a little out of your control for a while. You need to be prepared for everything to be messy and for your normal home to not be available to you. Having a team of professionals to ensure things go to the budget, timeline and plan you formed will aid immensely here.

Inaccessibility

Renovating your home means that you’re not going to be able to use every space as you usually would. Some projects can be more inconvenient than others. Your new bathroom renovations are exciting, but they will also mean you can’t use your bathroom for a while. If it’s the only bathroom in the house, there are ways to ensure you’re still able to access it when you need to use the toilet. However, you may need some hacks and backup plans. Think about how you’re going to live while the work is taking place.

Clear The Space

Clearing the space that will be worked on will help your contractors. You might not be able to remove everything, but there should be some things you can clear away and store elsewhere. You might need to move things into a different room or perhaps put them in storage in some way. This could mean using your garage or a shed, asking friends for help, or perhaps hiring a storage space.

Protection

Not everything in your home can be moved when you’re renovating. Some things may be too large or even fixed into place so you’re unable to move them. However, you can still protect everything that you can’t move. Covering things up will help to protect them from dust, paint, or anything else that could get on anything. You can use old sheets, plastic or anything else you might have. Your contractor can also help you cover precious items.

Budgeting

Work out your budget for the renovations and make sure you stick to it. If you’re stressed, going over budget will only make the stress worse. Being able to trust your builders, contractors and renovation team is absolutely crucial. Having a firm plan and budget (and perhaps even a designer to help you execute it it to perfection) will be invaluable in the long term, as calling in the professionals to correct your mistakes will cost you.

Have you been thinking about a reno or rebuild? Click here to get in touch with our friendly team today!

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