Renovation Diaries: An Original 1960s Melbourne Apartment, Transformed For $65,000 Architect Nick Sweetland believes in the generosity and potential of older brick apartments, so he purchased an original two-bedroom apartment in a solid 1960s Ivanhoe East building, with a $65,000 budget to make his own upgrades.
What followed was a remarkable transformation over just four months, including a rebuild of the kitchen and bathroom, and removal of a central wall, to create a more comfortable and all-round beautiful space to inhabit.
Nick shares how he did it, and reveals the final budget breakdown.
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/07

How To Create A Blissful Bathroom Worth Spending Time In Bathrooms are often seen as a bit of a utilitarian space, where function takes precedence over form.
But many of our favourite homes prove that the bathroom has so much more potential than being just a place for your morning shower — it should be a personalised sanctuary, worthy of a thoughtful design as much as a living room or bedroom.
Below, find some of our favourite pieces from Reece, along with advice for creating a blissful bathroom you’ll enjoy really spending time in.
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/06

This New Sydney House Takes Its Cues From Mid-Century Design The owners’ travels to Brazil and Palm Springs served as inspiration behind this new build in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
These trips gave them a greater appreciation of mid-century architecture, which in turn became the aesthetic they wanted for their own family home.
Aatos Design shaped the resulting Narrabeen abode to capture uninterrupted views of the lake and coastline, using natural materials to create fresh interiors that still feel a little bit nostalgic.
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/06

The 2025 Victorian Architecture Award Winners Revealed We look forward to the Victorian Architecture Awards every year, where the very best projects in local design are recognised and celebrated.
The 2025 winners have been revealed, showcasing exciting diversity across the 15 categories, including some very special houses.
See the standout winning entries below!
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/06

Inside A Family’s Wonderfully Eclectic Northern Rivers Farmhouse The Northern Rivers in NSW is full of lush family properties with personal stories behind them, and this home in one of the region’s smallest towns is no different.
Built from 100-year-old pine beams, the farmhouse has just been renovated with help from Studio Isaza, who beautifully married the owners’ maximalist taste with the home’s rural vernacular to create a warm, eclectic home.
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/06