Want to explore tips and tricks? Check out our blog posts.
Salon & Spa Trends for 2023: Are Arches back in style (& will they stay in style in 2024)?
Arches have been experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity over the past few years, with the interior design of many Salons and Day Spa incorporating this form in everything from openings to niches & furnishings. It’s possible that this trend may continue into 2023, but it’s also important to note that fashion and design trends…
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How to develop an Interior Design budget for a Salon or Spa
Have you ever found yourself googling “how much does it cost to build a salon?” Building a Salon or Spa is a significant investment, and it’s essential to create a realistic budget plan. Building costs can vary greatly depending on location and other factors, so it’s important to do your research and get accurate estimates.…
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Introducing The 2.5hr Design Direction Consultation
We’ve put together a one-off 2.5hr Design Consultation Package that is perfect if you know you need design advice & direction, but aren’t ready to commit to a full design package. This service option is right for you if your premises is in need of a cosmetic refresh only & you are looking for interior…
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How long does it take to design (& build) a Salon or Spa?
Don’t forget when you are researching how long it takes to open a salon, to factor in the time it takes to plan and design your dream salon or spa. Popular reality TV shows create a distorted perception of how long it takes to design and build/renovate a home (or a commercial space). These shows…
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How to Brief your Salon / Spa Interior Designer (& Get your FREE Planning Questionnaire)
You don’t have to do this alone. Despite what you may believe, I’ve never had a client who’s actually written their own brief. This either gets done by your designer, or my past client’s have employed a Project Manager write the initial Brief for them. Interior Designers will write your Brief for you, as we…
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Salon Trends for 2023: Small & Memorable Moments
The idea of nooks and niches in workplace design is not a new one (and I’ve personally been designing offices for the last 10 years with these features), however it seems to be an Interior Design Trend in 2023 to introduce these into Salon & Spa spaces. The idea behind these nooks, corners, and small…
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Introducing The Salon Makeover Plan (When you Desperately need ideas for a refresh)
We’ve put together a Package that is perfect for you, if you’ve ever found yourself googling ‘How do you revamp a salon?’. This service option is right for you if your premises is in need of a cosmetic refresh only & you are looking for interior design guidance. Perfect for: We do this by having…
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Interior Design has never been about “Pillow Puffing”!
I heard that term years ago when I started Interior Design (25 years ago believe it or not); I think someone called me a “pillow puffer”…..after 4 years of University education & a loan that took 10 years to pay off. I’m still educating myself today. Sadly that is what may people thought then of…
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Explaining the Design Process: How Long will my Project take to Design?
Despite the impression that Instagram reels & Reality TV Interior Design shows give of designers waltzing around waving a fan deck and fabric swatches, then it all comes to life and is designed and built in a day (or an hour!), that’s not a true interpretation of what we do & how long it actually…
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Explaining the Design Process: Construction Stage Design Services
We stay engaged on your project to support you & your builder throughout the Construction process; our level of involvement may differ from project to project depending upon the level of complexity. I take personal pride in giving you a design package that is as comprehensive as possible, with detail to make the design intent…
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Explaining the Design Process: Detailed Design Development & Documentation
You might think that all the important work is done once the Concept Design stage is completed. No – we’ve only just begun hammering out the details. During the Detailed Design Development and Documentation, we work closely with consultants like your project manager, services engineer, structural engineer, architect, building surveyor, other specialists & your builder…
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Explaining the Design Process: How I use Sketches to design your project
Hand sketches & / or sketching on my iPad is used at various stages of the design process for your project. When working on computer-aided drafted designs, it’s very easy to loose that element of creativity when you’re restricted by the design program; organic, fluid, complex or curvy designs become more complicated to get onto…
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Home Design Trends for 2023 that are perfect for Salon & Wellness Spa Design
Ocean Tones are On Trend in 2023 according to Vogue4. I just had to go with the eye-catching image for this Blog Post. And again just for good measure. Now that I’ve got the gratuitous Aquaman-esque5 shot out of my system…. Residential design can influence Salon design because they both aim to create comfortable and…
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Salon Interior Design Trends for 2023
Trends in interior design change over time, reflecting changes in customer expectations and preferences. Maintaining a up to date & on-trend aesthetic can be important for your Salon to attract clients. A well-designed and well-maintained salon improves your Client Experience can create a positive impression on clients, making them more likely to return and recommend…
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Explaining the Design Process: What do I need a Moodboard for?
Once the Information Gathering initial site investigation & Taking the Brief is developed, a Moodboard is developed for your space at the same time as the Sketch Plan is created. This Moodboard sets the aesthetic & tone for your design; it is a visual translation of the verbal Brief you give us. The Moodboard may…
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Explaining the Design Process: Taking The Brief
You may know roughly what you want (and almost definitely what you don’t want) to achieve for your Interior Design project. We can’t begin your design with a lot of guesswork; this allows us to begin to target in on what you need for your individual project. This is the time we gauge if you…
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Explaining the Design Process: The Sketch Plan
During the Data collection stage, an initial site investigation & survey is done, and the info gathered in that stage is used to create a series of sketch plans. We generally allow for 1 – 2 options, but this can differ depending upon the individual project. It’s called a Sketch plan or Space plan, because…
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Explaining the Design Process: Just what is Concept Design?
The definition of Concept Design varies a bit from designer to designer, to fit into their individual design process when designing an interior. In our design process, Concept Design happens in the early stages of a project, after I’ve taken a brief from you, and Initial information gathering and sketch plan stage is complete. Concept…
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Explaining the Design Process: The Site Survey
The initial site investigation and site survey are two key steps of any design project which cannot be skipped. Read on to discover just how important these tasks are to the overall success of your project.
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A Contemporary Californian Bungalow Renovation
The Melbourne owners of this 1930’s Californian Bungalow were in the midst of a major renovation. The home was dated and didn’t function for our clients in it’s current state. Lisa Elliott worked collaboratively with the builder to design this Californian Bungalow modern renovation. The existing interior had already seen multiple renovations, and many heritage…
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How can I make my salon stand out? Salon Sleuth: Part 2
Here we explore in-depth how to make a salon unique, by analysing real-life salons. I aim to make it easy for you to find real-life Inspo in a one-stop place that you can relate to, learn how other Salons have created their own unique look, and take away tips to help you find your vibe.
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How can I make my salon stand out? Salon Sleuth: Part 1
Here we explore in-depth how to make a salon unique, by analysing real-life salons. I aim to make it easy for you to find real-life Inspo in a one-stop place that you can relate to, learn how other Salons have created their own unique look, and take away tips to help you find your vibe.
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Simple ways to make your home feel more stylish & luxurious
Many people ask me what they can do to make their home look put-together and ‘expensive’. What makes a home look luxurious? Luxury style is subjective, however there are some key characteristics that are common, regardless of the style of your home or your budget. Luxury is not just about how much you spend, but…
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How to plan a Bedroom Makeover
We spend so much of our time in the bedroom, it’s important to create a space for relaxation and to get a good night’s sleep. Many clients have been dreaming for years of their bedroom redesign; when the opportunity finally arrives, it’s important to get the planning right to ensure that the end result was…
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How much does it cost to furnish a bedroom for a Young Adult?
The last 12 months has seen a lot of focus on the home front, with all of us working from home, living 24/7 in the one environment and in each other’s pockets. It’s normal to want spaces that can be a haven. Sharing with others has put a further spotlight on the need and desire…
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How much does it cost to furnish a Master Bedroom?
Clients often ask me how much does it cost to furnish a house? What we imagine it will cost to furnish a room and what it actually does is very different. Not many people actually plan to purchase the furniture and accessories for a whole room (or even an entire house) all at one time. Unless you’re luck enough to win…
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Pedestal Drinking tables to Elevate your Guest’s Experience
Single drink tables are making a comeback; and it’s a chic trend that I haven’t seen for a long time and perfect for improving your customer service and create an elevated customer experience (and ultimately perfecting your beauty salon customer retention strategy). This is the prefect piece of furniture for your lounge, or even your…
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On our drawing board
Currently on my drawing board for the last 2 weeks, I’ve been working on an exciting project at the Paris end of Collins st (love that description). I always have a job on the go doing interior designer for builders near me. The day the Vic Lockdown ended was my first chance in 112 days…
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The highly practical benefits of a well designed lighting & a good Statement Piece
I recently created a new Hair Salon interior design for a client, who commented that the improvement in lighting proved beneficial to the success of her new salon. The lighting was designed to improve colour rendition so that the hair colouring that was seen inside the salon more closely matched the colour of hairstyles in…
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The Pros and Cons of Indoor Vertical Gardens for your home or workplace
Indoor Greenwalls, Living walls & Vertical Gardens are a great way of adding a feeling of authenticity and natural touch-points to your home or your workplace branding. There is no doubt that the introduction of plants (either real or artificial) are of benefit to any interior space & provide a calming effect and embrace the…
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Creative Ideas for Instagrammable Backdrops
In my last blog post we discussed The Golden Rules of creating an Instagrammable backdrop for your Retail space which is keep it eye-catching, relevant & on-brand in your hospitality space or salon Here are some Ideas for creative Instagrammable walls and selfie stations; put your own spin onto these, and elevate the ‘selfie-station’ into…
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Create an Instagrammable backdrop for your retail space
One of my Blog articles, When Your Client heard about you through Instagram…, explained why it’s important to align your physical premises & quality of service with your social presence. How do you do this, and keep it eyecatching, relevant & on-brand in your hospitality space or salon? Maximise the space you already have and…
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Translating your brand into Touch Points for the senses
My last Blog article focussed upon discovering & Honing your Brand Archetype, and why it’s important to translate that into your physical premises. Here I look further into how that is achieved. Many business advice blogs touch upon branding your interior, and will clumsily suggest using up to 3 colours derived from your logo as…
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Hone your Brand Archetype
Align your Premises to your Social Presence. My last Blog article focussed upon Business branding and how it can be translated into the physical environment of your shop fit out, cafe or salon. Here we deep dive into this in greater detail. Why Incorporate your Branding into your premises? Affirmation that your company is upholding…
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When your client heard about you through Instagram….
Align your Premises to your Social Presence. Business branding is a hot topic that small business owners are slowly becoming more aware of these days, but there is less understanding of how it can be translated into the physical environment. Now more than ever, emphasis is being placed upon aligning your physical premises with your…
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Salon & Hospitality Faux Pas – Avoid these client service mistakes
It’s such hard work attracting your perfect client; please don’t scare them away unintentionally. From my own observations as a hospitality and retail designer and from my own experience as a customer, there are a few key areas where you have total control over how customers perceive your brand. Designers notice every detail, how they…
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The Best Looking Sit to Stand Desks available in Australia for your Home Office
I’m always on the lookout for elegant solutions for sit to stand desks. Great looking options are hard to find and most sit to stand desks look like they’ve come straight from a call centre – practical but hardly suitable for a home office or an executive office. While searching for desks, I came across…
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Home Office Style: 13 of the best Australian Made desks for your home office
Is your current home office setup a temporary make-do situation like the one above? It’s worth taking some time to investigate local furniture manufacturers before purchasing a new desk. When you’re looking for something special for a project, something a little unique, it’s quite hard to find the perfect thing when there are soooo many…
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Planning a Bathroom renovation when you only have one bathroom
One of the biggest obstacles to renovating a bathroom is the thought of having to live and manage while the work takes place. The key to success here is planning. A bathroom renovation generally takes 4 – 8 weeks, depending upon the amount of work involved, and if there are any items like the shower…
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How to choose an Interior Designer for your Project
How do you choose an Interior Designer for your Project? There are many different firms, large and small, that offer Interior Design services at various levels. How do you wade through these options when selecting a designer for your project?
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The Design Process
When you flick through an Interior design magazine and admire the numerous perfectly presented homes, or if you’re invited to the opening night of a new retail shop or office, you’re seeing the finale of months (if not years) of hopes & dreaming, planning, design and construction. Each project is unique, and the outcome reflects…
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What Colours should I use in my Workspace?
Your work environment can have a positive affect on your energy, focus and creativity. Evolution and a person’s experiences and cultural background are a few of the fundamental mechanisms by which we translate colour into meaning. Our colour preferences are highly personal and generally relate back to experiences and objects that we like of the…
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How to add colour in your home with paint, when you want to keep it classic too (& stick to your budget)
How do you add a shot of colour to an interior scheme? Most of my clients prefer a neutral, classic style. However. It can become a bit same-same unless the textures, tones and natural materials are highly curated to deliver visual interest. It’s great to have the ability to add an injection of colour to…
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Are you Working from home (and keeping it all together)? Here’s how I manage…
Working from home in the era of Covid has meant a chance to reflect on the way we live and how to achieve some much needed work life balance.
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Why do I need an Interior Designer?
Whether your interior design project is residential design, commercial, retail or hospitality, hiring an interior designer is the first essential step for the success of your project. Your Interior Designer is on Your team. When you engage an Interior Designer directly, they are a client side designer. This means they are on your side for…
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Absolu Hair Salon – Opening night
Finally, after 11 months of preparation planning, design and construction, the Absolu Hair Salon celebrated their opening night last Saturday, with perfect Melbourne spring weather to accompany it (the evening was the most mild we’ve had since last Autumn). The owner of Absolu purchased this shop in a shell and core state (no floor coverings,…
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Planning your Bathroom Design
Why use an Interior Designer for your bathroom design project? In most cases, bathrooms have a very significant impact on the resale value of your house. A bathroom with a wow factor is as much about investing in your asset to improve the value of your house as something that you can enjoy in the…
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Common Design mistakes people make when building or renovating their own home.
Like many professional Interior Designer’s, I’ve done the hard yards working on residential and commercial projects, as well as designing my own home. It’s been lived in, knocked about, and I’ve been locked in when the handle fell off the front door! 1. Misinterpreting room sizes and area on plans We went for a standard…
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Creating a Business Lounge – How to give your clients the VIP treatment
An accounting client asked me recently why I design offices and Airline lounges; they are quite dissimilar sorts of projects. To me they’re not, as often my clients are one in the same; I’ll be in the midst of designing their office in Melbourne and they’ll discover that I was the chief designer for the…
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How to make your Co-working space your own
The rise of Co-working spaces are one of the most exciting and innovative movements I’ve seen in corporate and workplace design in recent years. As a new twist on the activity based working & hot-desking that lends itself neatly to entrepreneurs, sole proprietors and small companies, it provides all the benefits of larger support structure…
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Pascoe Vale House – A fresh approach to Vintage (Concept stage)
Location: Pascoe Vale, Melbourne Client: Young family Builder: E.A Constructions Status: Work in Progress (Commenced April 2015) Project: Interior Design in a tiny existing single story Art Deco brick veneer house in Pascoe Vale, originally built for a WWII war veteran, which is currently undergoing extensive structural renovations to suit a young family. The design…
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Pascoe Vale House – A fresh approach to Vintage (Planning Stage)
Location: Pascoe Vale, Melbourne Client: Young family Builder: E.A Constructions Status: Work in Progress (Commenced April 2015) Project: Interior Design in a tiny existing single story Art Deco brick veneer house in Pascoe Vale, originally built for a WWII war veteran, which is currently undergoing extensive structural renovations to suit a young family. The design…
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Small Living in Style – Halcyon days bathroom ideas
This is the third update on the design of our small house. I’m planning to update our bathroom, and am exploring a few ideas. Our current bathroom, which I designed the layout & cabinetry for in 2002, still looks fresh but being a designer I get a bit bored with what I see everyday (“familiarity breeds contempt”).…
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Small Living in Style – A kitchen which is still “On Trend”
This is the second update on the design of my home. Like many people we’ve spent the Christmas holidays doing a spring clean, clearing out the cobwebs and the old toys that the kids have grown out of. I made a commitment to clean and style my kitchen, which I designed ten years ago when…
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Granite Consulting & Thomas Frost’s Office is in Construction
Granite Consulting & Thomas Frost recruitment agencies moved to a larger tenancy within the same building they already occupy. When the decision to move was made to relocate, the firm’s co-founders key commitments where to create an open, light and comfortable environment for staff. A modest budget for the front of house area set a…
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Small Living in Style – Landscaping and a Lap Pool
My family lives in a small house (a cottage really) with a small back yard, and although it’s a tad squashy from time to time, I look back and think of all the benefits: less cleaning, less cost for utilities, lower mortgage. Compared with all the McMansions that surround & dominate our little house, I…
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Tiernan Parsons’ Office is in Construction
Tiernan Parsons Pty Ltd accounting and financial services firm are moving to a larger tenancy within the same building they currently occupy. When the decision to move was made to relocate, the firm’s co-founders key commitments where to create an open, light and comfortable environment for staff. Our streamlined approach of the designer working directly…
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Lisa Elliott Interior Design 