Colour Drenching: Because More is More (And It’s Glorious)

You know those moments in life when you think, "Go big or go home"? Like when you commit to bottomless brunch and immediately regret that last mimosa (but still order another…or worse, someone yells “let’s do shots!”)? That’s colour drenching in a nutshell—except instead of regret, you get a visually stunning, mood-boosting masterpiece of a room.

So, What Exactly Is Colour Drenching?

Glad you asked! Colour drenching is the interior design equivalent of diving headfirst into a giant tin of paint and deciding, "Yep, this is my life now." Instead of playing it safe with a feature wall (a hard no from me anyways), this trend takes one colour—walls, ceilings, doors, trims, the whole shebang—and absolutely soaks your space in it. The result? A beautifully immersive, cohesive, and effortlessly chic vibe that makes a statement without trying too hard (kind of like that friend who ‘woke up like this’ but you know has a 12-step skincare routine).

Why It’s So Damn Good

First off, colour drenching is the lazy person's dream (hi, it’s me). If you've ever spent hours agonising over which shade of white is the ‘right’ white (spoiler: it’s a trap, they all look different in every light), then you'll love this trend. One colour means fewer decisions, and fewer decisions mean less stress—which means more time for the things that matter. Like wine. Or aggressively fluffing your throw pillows…actually on the last point, the design illuminati says we shouldn’t be chopping cushions anymore FYI. #Devastated.

What It Does Visually

Besides making your space look like it belongs in a ridiculously high-end design magazine, colour drenching has this magical ability to make a room feel bigger, cosier, and just cooler. When everything is the same hue, it blurs the edges of the space, making walls seem taller, ceilings higher, and doorways disappear into the background like an architectural magic trick. It’s the design equivalent of soft focus on a dating app photo—everything just looks better.

Other General Benefits (Because Who Doesn’t Love a Perk?)

• Creates Mood & Drama: Whether you want to go deep and moody (hello, rich forest greens) or light and airy (soft peach, anyone?), drenching your space in colour gives it serious personality.

• Works in Any Room: Bedrooms? Yes. Bathrooms? Absolutely. Tiny, weird nooks you don’t know what to do with? THE best.

• Disguises Ugly Bits: Got a door or some weird architectural quirk you’d rather not highlight? Colour drenching camouflages it like a pro.

• Minimalist-Friendly (Kinda): If you love the idea of minimalism but also really love colour, this is your loophole. One bold shade = maximum impact with minimal effort. Winning.

But Have I Managed to Convince a Client Yet? Absolutely Not.

Look, I’d love to say my clients are lining up to embrace the transformative magic of colour drenching, but the reality? Australians, by and large, are a conservative bunch when it comes to colour. The idea of painting a ceiling anything other than ceiling white sends people into an existential crisis. I’ve seen less panic at a snake sighting (and we live in Australia, so that’s saying something).

I’ve tried it all—mood boards, Pinterest inspo, passionate TED Talk-style monologues about the joys of a fully immersive space. Still, the second I suggest that a ceiling could, in fact, be a colour, I watch my clients' pupils dilate in pure terror. "Isn’t that… a bit much?" they whisper, clutching their Dulux Natural White swatches like a security blanket.

One day, though. One day, I’ll convert the masses. Until then, I’ll keep fighting the good fight, armed with a paintbrush and a dream.

So there you have it, friends. Colour drenching: because sometimes, more is actually more, and in the best possible way. Now go forth and paint your world fabulous. Just maybe don’t start with your partner’s home office unless you want a domestic-level debate on the emotional impact of deep aubergine.

Happy decorating, legends! #ColourDrenching #GoBoldOrGoHome

Dave xx

Future Nostalgia: Transforming a Tired Family Home into a Sophisticated Sanctuary.

Utilising the existing layout, expansive use of walnut veneer paneling was used to create the feeling of a truly bespoke, high spec kitchen.

A Metricon Glow-Up

In the early 2000s, Metricon homes were the epitome of family living. These spacious but conservatively designed houses provided flexible living for countless young families so it’s no wonder they dotted the suburbs of Melbourne in abundance. One such dot, a two-story, four-bedroom, three-bathroom off-the-rack home located in leafy Malvern East, had been a beloved haven for two decades. But as the years passed and the children grew up, the home began to show the ravages age at the hands of 3 active kids. It was time for a refresh—one that would reflect the family's journey from the happy chaos of youth to a more refined, adult elegance.

The Client's Vision

The family wanted to breathe new life into their home, transforming it into a sophisticated and stylish space. Tired of the original safe beige palette a more mature and dynamic aesthetic was the goal. Their brief to DMP Creative was simple yet ambitious: create a home that felt grown-up, using colour and texture to inject sophistication whilst maintaining character and warmth.

Initial concept moodbaord. Warm hues and natural textures formed the overall creative direction.

Design Inspiration: Mid-Century Meets 1970’s Eltham

DMP Creative drew inspiration from American mid-century architecture and the distinctive designs of Alistair Knox, a renowned architect known for his work in Eltham during the 1960s and 70s. Knox’s designs were celebrated for their earthy materials and harmony with the natural environment often using expanses of rustic mud brick and reclaimed materials. This approach perfectly aligned with the family’s desire for a home that felt both sophisticated but relaxed enough to host many functions from 18th birthday parties to large family Christmases.

Rough, rustic tiles surround the newly created fireplace designed to invoke the use of hand crafted brick by celebrated architect Alistair Knox.

The Transformation

With the help of Ardele Construction, DMP Creative set out to bring this vision to life by incorporating a rich palette of materials and colors. Key elements of the renovation included:

1. Warm Walnut Veneer: The extensive use of warm walnut veneer paneling added a sense of minimalist elegance and natural beauty to the home. This material was chosen for its rich, warm hues and was used on mass to create a feeling of refined earthy luxury.

2. Micro Cement: Micro cement was used to create sleek, contemporary surfaces in most bathrooms that were both durable & visually striking whilst being kind to the wallet. Its smooth, seamless finish provided a modern contrast to the natural textures of the other materials.

3. Earthy Green Paint Tones: Earthy green tones were employed throughout the home to evoke a sense of calm and connection to nature. These hues complemented the walnut veneer beautifully, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Pops of rusty red and orange were deployed to add a spicy contrast; a world away from Metricon’s “safety beige”.

4. Textured Brick Effect Tiles: Textured brick effect tiles were used in the family room to add depth and rustic charm, providing a tactile contrast to the highly refined walnut veneer surfaces. These tiles drew inspiration from Knox’s signature use of mud brick and recycled materials, blending rustic techniques with modern design.

5. Brushed Brass Accents: Highly refined brushed brass accents were strategically placed to add a touch of luxury and sophistication. These elements provided a polished counterpoint to the earthy materials, ensuring the overall design felt balanced.

Creating Impact with Rich Colours and Furnishings

To stay within budget while achieving maximum impact, DMP Creative used rich colors in both the design and furnishings. Bold, deep hues were chosen for walls whilst key pieces of artwork, decorative accents and furniture pieces also got the colour treatment with tactile but durable materials such as velvet, distressed leather and linen. This approach allows the family to imprint a new history without being precious of the new whilst infusing the home with high impact design vibrancy sans extensive structural changes.

The guest bedroom again uses expanses of walnut paneling to create a concealed wardrobe and entry into the adjoining ensuite.

The end result

The transformation of this early 2000s Metricon home shows how thoughtful design can breathe new life into a tired space without breaking the bank. By embracing rich colors, varied textures, and timeless materials, DMP Creative created a sophisticated, grown-up sanctuary that perfectly reflects the evolution of its residents. This rejuvenated home is now a beautiful, warm, and inviting space that stands as a testament to the family's journey and the power of inspired design.

Quote Like A Pro: How to get your renovation quoted and choose the right builder

In the interior design business, there’s a saying “you kiss a lot of frogs until you find your prince”.  And by prince, we mean builder.  Sure, the allure of getting repeat business from an interior designer or architect is exceptional motivation to do an extra special job, as professionals, we still meet our fair share frogs along the way.  Rightly or wrongly, getting building quotes and appointing a builder is a massive source of anxiety for a lot of people.  And fair enough, media is awash with horror stories of dodgy builders doing remarkably dodgy things.

Over the years I’ve sifted out the good, the bad and the ugly and settled with a handful of builders I use on the reg. I trust them and they are simply awesome people who care about their craft and their clients…and their designer (most importantly, obviously).  I’ll always invite them to tender for my projects and I know whichever the client chooses, we’re in safe hands.

“Righto, but I’m not an interior designer who does this all time” I hear you mumble.  True, but there’s a few commonalties each of my trusted builders posses which I shall share with you right now so you can stop kissing frogs and find your own prince of construction and get your project confidently priced and underway!

Can I take your order?

know that urgent, unsettled feeling you get when the waiter is poised to take your order but you’re still frantically sizing up the menu?  Then times this by 1000 if you haven’t fully locked in the design or plans or have a fairly good, documented idea of what you want to do.  To get the most accurate quote, the builder needs to know what they’re going to be doing.  And the more detailed you can be the better. Having a fixtures and fittings schedule (FFE), detailed proposed materials schedule, an electrical plan and a project scope of works are all critical details the builder needs to know.  Of course, some smaller things are likely to change as the project progresses, but a solid plan of attack means you’ll get a more accurate quote and less fiscal freakouts down the track.

Reference point.

If a friend recommends a builder, you’re on a winner.  Ask friends and colleagues if they have any personal recommendations.  The better their experience was, the more they’ll swoon and that is the best reassurance you can get.  As industry professionals, this is something my colleagues and I do. We’re the first to pass on builder details to a fellow designer if they’re awesome. If your mates come up blank, nothing wrong with reaching out to local interior designers and asking for advice.  Typically, we’re all tragic people pleasers and love to support our beloved builders and trades with positive referrals.  Of course, some builders are suited to certain types of projects so always check your project is vaguely similar to the type of projects the referred builder does. If not, reach out to them anyway as they may refer you to someone they know if they’re not suitable. It goes without saying, obvs stalk them all on socials to check out their previous work and reviews.

Speed Dating.

It’s always great to get 3-5 quotes on the same plans (so you’re comparing oranges with oranges).  This quickly reveals who’s cheap and nasty, who’s being bougie and who is fair and reasonable.  I tend to only get 2-3 quotes these days as I know my guys well and know they’re not price gauging. This is also a good opportunity to meet the teams and get a feel for them personally.  You want to want to work with them and trusting your gut instinct here is so often undervalued in the equation.

You buy?

Quoting a build project is a tricky, involved science and it does take a builder a few weeks (if not longer) to put together a proper quote. Patience is key.  I wouldn’t go as far as to say the longer you wait, the more accurate it will be, but I’m not far off.  A builder who comes back to you in a few days has either loaded the quote with “just in case” slush or may present a gazillion surprise variations throughout the build.  Be sure to check if the quote includes things like council permits, rubbish removal, project management, and procurement of FFE.  In other words, what is and isn’t included.  Feel free to ask for a more specific breakdown of costs if the quote was a little vague.

Timing your engagement is the surprise consideration. If you quote too early, you run the risk of price increases on materials, specified products being discontinued and requiring reselection and general exciting Wall Street global market type fluctuations.  Quoting when you’re ready to get started means the information remains current.  Don’t be fooled into thinking fixed price is better. See below.

Street Cred.

Always check your builder is registered with the appropriate industry bodies and holds the right insurance.  Always worth asking if sub-contracted trades also have the same safe guards and will be able to provide certified compliance of works done. A great builder will do this for you.

A lot of the financial dramas in the building sector has been born from fixed price contracts falling victim to covid era hiccups to supply chains both in materials and labour.  For me personally, I think it’s unreasonable to expect a fixed price for something so complicated which could unearth any number of nasty surprises (especially when renovating an existing, older property).  In my opinion, a detailed quote and banking on a reasonable contingency fund for unexpected works is the fairest way forward for all stakeholders.  Sure, no one wants to spend money on something so blisteringly tedious as rising damp, and your builder especially doesn’t want to.  It’s your house after all.

In closing, your Honour…

By no means is this an exhaustive list of pitfalls to watch out for when starting your renovating or building project. But, hopefully it provides enough info to calm your farm and guide you towards further resources and some questions to raise with your builders before locking them in.  A good place for further information is Consumer Affairs Victoria (or your state’s equivalent if not located in Vic). And of course, your friendly neighbourhood designer is always there to help.

Happy building!

New Project: Pop Art House, Blairgowrie

When I first visited Blairgowrie House, I was surprised by what a nice property it already was.

A modern building with minimalist design principals, expanses of glass and stepped down a sloping block.  Nestled amongst ti-trees synonymous with the Mornington Peninsula, it was a far cry from the classic beach shack I was living in just around the corner.

Despite this, Blairgowrie House had a grown a little tired in areas and also harboured a fairly large design problem that needed resolving.  The open plan living, dining and kitchen area was on a civic-sized scale. Further exasperated by soaring ceilings, the space was so large it dwarfed any human resident (let alone poor Muppet, the resident pooch) and made cosy, intimate living impossible.  Especially on those cold wintery coastal evenings.

Having a passion for mid-century furniture and an impressive collection of Charles Blackman artwork, clients Denis and Jura were hoping to incorporate city-slicker art gallery sensibilities into a reimagined coastal interior that reflected the surrounding environment to add warmth, personality and a more contemporary aesthetic.  Installing a new fireplace was also an absolute client must have. No arguments from me here!

The first point of business was dividing up the space to create more specific living hubs without destroying the open plan feel.  Creating a fully bespoke fireplace and integrated entertainment unit solved 2 problems at once dividing the giant space and providing a discrete place for the TV previously mounted mystifyingly high on a feature wood panel wall.  Deceptively simple, the fire place structure hides a complex construction that challenged the trades involved.  Polished concrete and Paloma brick tiles are encased in a perfectly imperfect patina treated steel shroud. The TV is veiled behind custom designed black wedge veneer bifold doors that recess completely out of view within the structure ensuring the design is maintained if the TV is exposed and in use or hidden away.  The crowning jewel is the double sided Oblica fire box that is part sculpture, part function.

Opposing the fire place is a large feature wall clad in Japanese charred timber which forms a dramatic backdrop for the larger Blackman artwork.  Drop track lighting was added to “lower” the ceiling height and bring a little art gallery glamour to the space.  

Beyond is the dining and kitchen areas.  A large Alex Earl pendant above the dining table also features a patina finish to add cohesion between the newly divided spaces.  Black wedge cabinetry replaced the tired and very predictable light wood that is so ubiquitous in coastal inspired interior design.  The additional joinery under the island bench overhang features an in-built tech station to hide life’s ugly but essential tools such as phones, iPads and endless charging cables.  The marble bench tops were also replaced with a strikingly dramatic Neolith calacatta gold.  On this last note I do confess this was all the client’s doing.  In an unusual twist it was the client encouraging the designer to be bold and I must say they were on the money with the stone selection. It looks sensational. 

The thing I loved most about this project was the collaborative nature.  Having plenty of experience redoing shop fit outs, Denis and Jura also posses a passion for renovating and design.  Ideas were bounced around freely by all parties. With absence of ego all-round, if it was a good idea it got developed regardless of whose it was.  For me, this is how design should be.  It’s this experience, passion and sense of adventure that also enabled some of the most spectacular elements of the design to come to life.  As mentioned, the fire place unit is 100% bespoke which meant some elements were being done for the first time by some very experienced trades.  In other words, the outcome wasn’t assured which can be nerve wracking but as this project proves, very very rewarding.  

Colour me happy. Daring to be different with paint colour.

Colour me happy.

Choosing paint colours with confidence.

Lately I’ve been looking at ways to steer clients away from safe colour palates and into something more adventurous.  This is usually greeted with some trepidation and I get that, I really do….especially when talking wall colour.

There’s a lot of “rules” around this.  Don’t use dark colours in a small rooms, it will make it look smaller.  Play it safe for open living areas and stick with a light neutral so it’s not too overwhelming or clashes bla bla.  No wonder people get spooked and yes, some are certainly valid.

The thing is though, paint is a relatively cheap thing in the grand scheme of renovating and is one of those elements that makes a HUGE impact on the final result. I’m not sure why people don’t mix it up and change this more often as it’s one part of decorating you can easily do yourself without the expense of a trade professional.

One of things I’m really loving at the moment is using multiple shades of the one colour.  This is proving to be quite the hit with my more nervous clients.  Doing a feature wall in the darkest shade and then the other walls in a lighter version delivers the drama and excitement without the full commitment.  I guess it harks back to the bold feature wall of the 90’s.  The difference here, the other shades help temper that impact rather than having a feature wall stand boldly (and garishly) on it’s own as the rest of the room cringes away.

A good place to start choosing the colours is to look for a main colour, and then grabbing the 2 shades on either side.  Taubmans paint samples are great for this as they have 3-4 variants of the one colour on the one sample chip.  You can see straight up how they sit together.  I would probably not do the darkest and lightest together.  Darkest and middle.  Or middle and lightest.  Basically, you don’t the difference to be too severe and jarring. Make sense?

The next step is getting sample pots of all 3 and start painting!  Make sure you do a larger sample (say 50x50cm square) and do that in various points in the room to see how the colour reacts to ambient and natural light.  You’d be amazed how the colour can change from one part of the room to the next, from one time of day to the next.  It’s also important to remember, the existing wall colour will influence the new paint samples so a couple of coats and waiting for it to dry is best before deciding.  If that all sounds too hard, Dulux have A4 sized paint samples you can blu-tac to the walls which is super easy and quick.  

Now you’ve made the decision, go forth and create your dream space!

Check out my insta feed to see some experiments in colour and materials…and hopefully some inspiration!

Dave xx