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Peek inside an interior designer’s colour-filled home in Melbourne

By Heather Nette King

This story is part of the November 17 edition of Sunday Life.See all 14 stories.

A roomy rental gets a fresh personality.

“We have regular movie nights and reconfigure the Eva sofa into a big bed so we can stretch out,” says Banfield. The wall colour is “Lampoon” by Dulux and the artwork at left  is by Stacey Rees.

“We have regular movie nights and reconfigure the Eva sofa into a big bed so we can stretch out,” says Banfield. The wall colour is “Lampoon” by Dulux and the artwork at left is by Stacey Rees.Credit: Armelle Habib

The home
A contemporary four-bedroom, two-storey house in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Who lives here
Bree Banfield, an interior designer, photographic stylist, Dulux stylist and colour forecaster, with her sons Cruiz, 24, Miller, 17, and Chase, 14, and their dog, Indi.

What we did
“We’re renting, but the owners let me paint the walls to add some colour and character,” says Banfield. “Giving rooms an identity via strong colour changed the vibe and we now feel more connected to the home.”

My favourite room
“Since painting it in ‘Classic Calm’ by Dulux, my bedroom has become a place where I love to linger,” she says. “It gets gorgeous sunlight and some of my favourite pieces of furniture and art are in there.”

The ’hood
“Centre Road in Bentleigh is an energetic shopping strip with great food options like Da Giuseppe and Távola, and fabulous coffee at Merchants Guild,” says Banfield.

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Future plans
“Renting is tricky,” she says. “We hope to be here for a while, but we can’t plan ahead other than wanting to stay in the same area.”

Best advice
“Whether it’s painting a rental or not painting your home in case you sell one day, don’t wait,” she says. “Make it your own with the things you love and it will make you happy.”

“I am very much affected by colour,” says Banfield. “I find some colour combinations – like the red chairs against the blue table and warm pink backdrop – energise me.”

“I am very much affected by colour,” says Banfield. “I find some colour combinations – like the red chairs against the blue table and warm pink backdrop – energise me.”Credit: Armelle Habib

“This is my calmer colour scheme: muted blue walls with stronger colour on décor and furniture,” says Banfield. The Grazia & Co coffee table sits on a Loom rug.

“This is my calmer colour scheme: muted blue walls with stronger colour on décor and furniture,” says Banfield. The Grazia & Co coffee table sits on a Loom rug.Credit: Armelle Habib

“These days I dress in what I love rather than to please others, so I’m fully confident and comfortable in my own skin,” says Banfield in her vibrant dressing room.

“These days I dress in what I love rather than to please others, so I’m fully confident and comfortable in my own skin,” says Banfield in her vibrant dressing room.Credit: Armelle Habib

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/peek-inside-an-interior-designer-s-colour-filled-home-in-melbourne-20241115-p5kqus.html