Michelle Banares’ Art Deco Family Apartment Content creator Michelle Banares grew up in Sydney where she developed a love of art deco homes and life by the water.
Her current home in Brighton is essentially the Melbourne version, styled to perfection with Marketplace finds, and nods to Scandinavian style.
Michelle, her partner Brandon Darvell and their son Zev invited us in for a tour!
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/10

How To Choose The Right Ceiling Fan For Your Home One of the most important decisions you can make in a new build or renovation is how you’re going to heat and cool your home.
If ceiling fans aren’t already in the equation, they should be! Not only are fans a practical addition for Australia’s sweltering summer climate, they are also more energy efficient than air-conditioning — better yet if they can be used in tandem.
This will help better circulate the cool air around your space, while saving money on your bills. Plus, you’d be surprised how spending a bit of time selecting the right ceiling fan from the outset can really enhance a room’s design.
Here’s our ultimate guide to choosing a ceiling fan, with some of our favourite picks from Beacon Lighting.
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/10

A Terracotta + Yellow Transformation Of A Standard White Kitchen Carmel Wylie, senior designer at GIA Renovations, looks to colours in nature when designing interiors, knowing if a colour combination is working outside, it will definitely work inside.
Inspired by the yellow sands and red earth of the Australian outback, she selected a butter yellow and terracotta palette for this Elwood kitchen renovation, transforming a kitchen with a ‘standard white laminate vibe’ into a space brimming with personality.
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/10

This Striking Architectural Residence In Northcote Is For Sale We first featured this modern Northcote house in 2018 for its striking design by Ola Architecture Studio inspired by industrial loft living and contemporary art galleries.
The two-storey property offers a luxurious scale rarely seen in Melbourne’s inner north east, complete with light-filled interiors, sculptural joinery, and a glistening pool.
It’s now time for new owners to appreciate its central location, proportions, and one-of-a-kind features. 5 Ross Street is officially on the market!
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/10

How This Restored 1930s House Engages With Its Street Olaver Architecture designed the restoration of this circa 1930s house to balance its heritage character and engage with its Glen Iris surroundings — elements both lacking in previous renovations.
The architects removed an unsympathetic earlier western addition, creating space for a new side courtyard on the corner site.
A relatively low fence allows residents to engage with passersby, creating a home better connected to its neighbourhood, context, and garden.
https://thedesignfiles.wpengin....epowered.com/2025/10