What makes one layout of borders and lawn suburban, yet another cutting-edge? How do you go about gardening in a way that is contemporary, sustainable and matches your interior? We asked the experts… There are just two essential ingredients to contemporary gardens: strong structure and simplified planting, ‘explains Helen Dirren, the in-house designer at UK
The past 10 years have brought a plethora of home design trends —some helpful, some less so. After the pandemic, will architects design every entryway with a built-in handwashing station? Sorry, no. Will we ever travel the same way again? (Not entirely.) Are open-plan homes history? (Some architects say yes; we’ll believe it when we
Melissa Penfold and her family have settled in the Southern Highlands in a home that is the perfect setting for a celebration.
Welcome back to my blog series “Country Homes Around The World,” where each month, I spotlight an inspirational country home…
The past year has shown us perhaps more than ever how vital outdoor spaces are. Living, dining, holiday retreat...your outdoor plot can do it all. Whether you have a tiny terrace or acres to play with, our ideas will help you max out your outdoors and create your own soothing oasis. Learn the tricks to
LIVING WELL BY DESIGN is a must-own book by Melissa Penfold full of exquisite timeless interior design and ideas to make a house a home.
We recently read a great story in MyDomaine on how to get your pad decorated in 10 steps which got us thinking how we’d do it…. The secret is spending some additional time, in the beginning, to save money down the road and end up with a much better interior. So plan ahead. But do
Go for a pool or garden office but avoid hot tubs and conservatories. Since the pandemic has changed how we use our properties, there’s a temptation to spend up on home improvements according the The Financial Times in a recent article on the subject. Especially if you think you’ll recoup those costs — and more
If you are fortunate enough to have a terrace, a porch or some outdoor space, spending a lot of time at home can be a much nicer experience. But how you design that space makes all the difference. “A lot of times, you’ll see a beautiful garden with very organized furniture, which looks pretty, but
Things are changing fast in the world around us. After a prolonged period where practicality has held sway in interior design – and squeezing the most out of every inch of living space was at the forefront – it’s time to put the fun back into functionality. London-based forecasting agency Wunderman Thompson has some news, saying
The past year has shown us perhaps more than ever how vital outdoor spaces are. Living, dining, holiday retreat...your outdoor plot can do it all. Whether you have a tiny terrace or acres to play with, our ideas will help you max out your outdoors and create your own soothing oasis. Learn the tricks to
The past year has shown us perhaps more than ever how vital outdoor spaces are. Living, dining, holiday retreat...your outdoor plot can do it all. Whether you have a tiny terrace or acres to play with, our ideas will help you max out your outdoors and create your own soothing oasis. Learn the tricks to
The past year has shown us perhaps more than ever how vital outdoor spaces are. Living, dining, holiday retreat...your outdoor plot can do it all. Whether you have a tiny terrace or acres to play with, our ideas will help you max out your outdoors and create your own soothing oasis. Learn the tricks to
On this Weekend Meanderings, a day out in Woodside, baskets for planters, the perfect summer pants, and a Australian designer you will love.
Want a quick lesson in how to decorate like a top designer? Style queen Melissa Penfold shares her top tips…
Welcome back to my blog series “Country Homes Around The World,” where each month, I spotlight an inspirational country home…
Great Gatsby designer Silvana Azzi Heras, who has worked with iconic names like Chanel, Tiffany & Co, Prada, Emirates, Anthropologie, Absolut Vodka and Facebook – turns her attention to real living rooms this month with a striking debut rug collection for Designer Rugs. Her style for the collection is influenced by the Arts and Crafts
The past year has shown us perhaps more than ever how vital outdoor spaces are. Living, dining, holiday retreat...your outdoor plot can do it all. Whether you have a tiny terrace or acres to play with, our ideas will help you max out your outdoors and create your own soothing oasis. Learn the tricks to
Furniture arrangement affects our behaviour. Think of seating, for example, and a doctor’s waiting room with it’s hard-backed chairs lined against a wall and you get the picture. A mix of chairs and sofas is good both visually and psychologically with plenty of upright and sprawling options to suit all guests. Here’s 10 tips for
Want a gorgeous garden fast? Use this time at home to plant your best garden that will turn your neighbour’s green with envy. Whether you’re an urban transplant new to gardening or just want instant gratification, now is the time to think about fast-growing, pleasure-giving plants, vines and hedges that will make it look like
Whether you want to frame a view or block one, sometimes all it takes is a few well-placed plants — and some guiding principles. When some of us first see our garden it just looks overwhelming. That's what happened to Bill Noble and his garden in Vermont thirty years ago - "It was a gorgeous
The past year has shown us perhaps more than ever how vital outdoor spaces are. Living, dining, holiday retreat...your outdoor plot can do it all. Whether you have a tiny terrace or acres to play with, our ideas will help you max out your outdoors and create your own soothing oasis. Learn the tricks to
What should you get for all the beloved people in your life? In these most uncertain times, we stick to what we know. And if there’s one thing we know it’s gift guides. After a hard year, treat your loved ones to presents that can immediately make life easier, whether they love home, entertaining, garden,
The past year has shown us perhaps more than ever how vital outdoor spaces are. Living, dining, holiday retreat...your outdoor plot can do it all. Whether you have a tiny terrace or acres to play with, our ideas will help you max out your outdoors and create your own soothing oasis. Learn the tricks to
Whether you want to frame a view or block one, sometimes all it takes is a few well-placed plants — and some guiding principles. When some of us first see our garden it just looks overwhelming. That's what happened to Bill Noble and his garden in Vermont thirty years ago - "It was a gorgeous
Want a gorgeous garden fast? Use this time at home to plant your best garden that will turn your neighbour’s green with envy. Whether you’re an urban transplant new to gardening or just want instant gratification, now is the time to think about fast-growing, pleasure-giving plants, vines and hedges that will make it look like
If you are fortunate enough to have a terrace, a porch or some outdoor space, spending a lot of time at home can be a much nicer experience. But how you design that space makes all the difference. “A lot of times, you’ll see a beautiful garden with very organized furniture, which looks pretty, but
Things are changing fast in the world around us. After a prolonged period where practicality has held sway in interior design – and squeezing the most out of every inch of living space was at the forefront – it’s time to put the fun back into functionality. London-based forecasting agency Wunderman Thompson has some news, saying
Here at Melissa Penfold, many of our most-read stories over the past year sprang from the pandemic. As we’ve quarantined at home, our needs for privacy, security, flexibility, floppability, and beauty have changed the way we want to live. Read more, 'Top 10 Design Trends For 2021: Meet Your New Home.' This month we are
The NSW Southern Highlands has always been a vibrant part of New South Wales, and these days its reputation is cemented as a destination for stylish homewares and antique furniture. Style expert Melissa Penfold shares her favourite places to shop in the NSW Southern Highlands.
Welcome back to my blog series “Country Homes Around The World,” where each month, I spotlight an inspirational country home…
