The big question: how does Darren Palmer, whose job it is to judge the interior design of others on The Block, actually live? The answer: just like the rest of us, in a comfortable family home he loves, with plans for a big renovation.
“It’s a really liveable, friendly and accommodating house that we don’t have to be too precious with,” he says of the Bondi home he’s lived in for two years with his family and their three dogs.
“I always buy pre-reno houses, and I have pretty comprehensive plans for this one,” he says.
Planning on holding off on a major renovation, Darren opted for smaller updates to give his Bondi home a fresh new look.
Time is tight though – right now he’s busy designing homewares with Myer inbetween filming seasons of The Block – so he’s made interim changes, many involving more than a dash of DIY, to make sure his home fits in with its beachside location and with his signature relaxed yet luxe style, a look he’s brought to his foray into home accessories.
“Darren’s unique aesthetic is showcased beautifully in his collection, which makes his high-end look accessible for everyone,” says Dain Friis, Myer group general manager home and entertainment.
Here, Darren shares 7 simple style and design lessons that will instantly refresh your home.
The stark white palette throughout works perfectly with the home’s coastal style. Artwork: Sara Blake, Friends of Leon Gallery and Mark Tipple, Otomys.
Make a fresh start
A coat of white paint is a great leveller and makes a tired space feel brighter on a pretty low budget, especially if you take on some of the work yourself. “When we moved in, everything was painted cream and felt a bit dated,” says Darren.
So he picked up the brushes and painted the whole place himself in Haymes Light Frost. “I love DIY – I’d do more of it if I could! I also painted the doors and stair treads in Haymes Copen Blue and changed all the door handles and cupboard handles, which made a big difference,” he says.
Beautifully curated vignettes add character and charm to the home.
Create styling moments
An upcoming build is no excuse for letting your style slip. Create a few beautifully styled vignettes throughout the house so that it feels cohesive and pulled together.
“The best thing about accent pieces is that you can really change the feel of a room with them. I don’t ever feel like a space is finished until it has layers of smaller pieces, and some greenery,” says Darren.
A clever kitchen nook maximises the space in the kitchen.
Refine your vision
Playing the waiting game before you start a big reno can actually improve your plans. “I didn’t have a vision for the place when we moved in, but as we’ve lived here it’s become much more obvious what we need,” says Darren of his plans to open up the home to bring more light into the living area.
He also wants to create a larger kitchen with an island bench – currently, the cooking zone includes this little nook. “At this point, it’s all crystal clear in my head,” says Darren. “I walk around the house mentally ticking off the things I want to do – I’ll be able to draw it up exactly when the time comes.”
Sheer curtains maximise the natural light through the home.
Step up your floor game
Flooring is the foundation of a home’s style, so changing it up can make a big difference.
“There were a few different timbers in this house – yellow-toned Cyprus pine downstairs, orangey timber on the stairs and reddish Jarrah upstairs – and it was all a bit disconnected, so I laid Provincial Lane oak laminate flooring from Carpet Court throughout the house myself over a couple of months,” says Darren.
“I usually like to redo all the furniture when I redo a house, but I think I’ll keep these chairs – they work perfectly for beachy style,” he says of the white Windsor-style Thonet chairs with grey felted wool seat pads.
The deck is the perfect outdoor entertaining zone for the family.
Plan for the whole family
The deck, surrounded by palm trees, is a peaceful retreat and a favourite spot for Darren’s dogs.
“Living with dogs can wear on the house a bit, but we love them and they’re part of the family. We don’t want to make the dogs change to suit the decor; we’d rather change our lives to suit our family,” he says.
“This home will always have to fit the dogs – for instance, we have removable sofa covers. But. if I get my way, it’ll be a little more luxe, with a contemporary resort look and lots of limestone.”
A statement artwork by Neil Frazer from Martin Browne Contemporary echoes the home’s coastal surrounds.
Make do or now
In Darren’s master plan, the existing timber stairs will be replaced with a grand curved staircase, complete with a skylight above it.
“In the meantime, I’ve used existing furniture from my last house to furnish this spot. What I’ve done is to make the whole place as livable as I can, using furniture and art that’s contemporary,” he says. “The light was just a bulb on a wire, so I attached this shade with cable ties – it adds texture and throws interesting shadows.”
A playful palm tree wallpaper adds bold personality to the bedroom.
Be creative with what you have
The master bedroom looks out over the treetops, and its open aspect means it’s full of light and can take some darker tones.
“It was just a white box and I wanted to add some interest, so I put up this wallpaper, an old favourite, to bring some tropical vibes. The statement bed was left over from a shoot I worked on, and I found these navy curtains for a bargain on Overstock,” he says.
See more from Darren at Darren Palmer. Additional styling by Jono Fleming with assistance by Taylor Walkerden.
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