design – Oh Eight Oh Nine

Hello hello,

In March, I got the keys to my new home, and over the past 9 weeks, I’ve been steadily working through the flooring, electrical, landscaping, painting, carpentry, decking, aggregate, aircon, solar—and plenty of other smaller jobs on my long to-do list. It’s been a big process, but the home is coming together beautifully, exactly how I envisioned. I’ve shared some behind-the-scenes snippets on my stories, and one of the most common questions I’ve received has been about my flooring choice. So I thought I’d pop everything into a blog post so it’s easy for people to find.

Pic one: Warm sunlight | Pic Two: Shaded light

The Vision

Early in the design process, I knew I wanted light oak tones for my kitchen and scullery overheads, feature handles, and open shelving. Matching that tone with flooring from the builder’s standard range proved tricky, so I chose to remove flooring from my build contract and sourced the perfect option myself.

Having lived in homes with hardwood, hybrid, and vinyl plank, I knew from experience that my favourite is glued down Vinyl Plank. It’s durable, looks amazing, and offers practical benefits that suit both personal living and investment potential

Why I Chose Glued Down Vinyl Plank (VP)

(Note: All points below refer specifically to glued down vinyl plank, which is the only application method I’ve used or specified.)

It’s Quiet Underfoot: I’ve specified many homes with both hybrid and vinyl plank flooring, and VP is by far the quietest option. Since I decided to go carpet-free (even in the bedrooms) I wanted something that still felt peaceful and soft underfoot.
No Scotia Needed: Vinyl Plank can be laid flush to the wall, meaning there’s no need for scotia. This creates a sleek, streamlined look and is especially important for kitchen islands or walls with with curved edges- where scotia simply doesn’t work well.
No Expansion Joints: Unlike hybrid flooring, which typically requires an expansion joint every 10–15 metres, VP doesn’t need them. My home has a long 22 meter hallway from front to back and I really didn’t want a visible strip breaking that space up.
Cleaner Tile Transitions: At the junction with wet areas, VP uses a tile trim rather than an expansion joint, giving a more minimal, seamless finish. While there are slimline expansion joints for hybrid, I personally find the tile trim cleaner and more discreet.
Doesn’t Shift Over Time: Because VP is glued to the slab or subfloor, it stays firmly in place. Hybrid flooring needs a small expansion gap along the walls (which is why scotia is used), but this can sometimes result in tiny gaps forming between boards over time. VP avoids that issue entirely.
Easy Repairs: If a plank ever gets damaged, it can be cut out and replaced individually without pulling up surrounding boards.

Pic One: Flush laying against a curved island | Pic Two: Wet area seamless junction

Why I Ruled Out Hardwood

I love the look of hardwood, but this home will eventually become an investment property, so I needed something more budget-friendly and low-maintenance. For that reason, upkeep, price, and durability ruled hardwood out very early on. The Vinyl Plank I chose still gives me the warm, natural look of real timber without the extra cost or maintenance that comes with hardwood.

The Flooring I Chose

I went with the Godfrey Hirst Polaris range, in the 1500mm board length, and ordered free samples from their website (you can too here!). I landed on the colour Pearl Oak, and I couldn’t be happier with the finished result.

Pearl Oak is a beautiful light oak tone with low to mid variation in colour, grain, and knotting. It has the realistic look of timber without feeling too busy or patchy. If you scroll to the first image in this post, you’ll see how it looks in both warm light (kitchen) and shaded light (living/dining) -it’s incredibly versatile. I chose to skirt the whole house because my painter didn’t take the paint all the way down to the floor, but if you love that minimal, skirting-free look, this flooring supports that too.

If you’re considering vinyl plank for your own home, I hope this post gives you a helpful starting point! Let me know if you have any other questions- I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned along the way ♡

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a trend forecasting event where industry experts shared their insights on the latest design trends emerging from this year’s European trade fair. One standout presentation focused on colour directions for the upcoming year, leaving me feeling inspired and ready to source products for upcoming projects.

Two of the trends can already be seen styled in my recent projects the Nalu and the Eclipse Homebuyers Centre display homes which is great because I can provide examples alongside the info and key take outs that I share below.

Nalu

The Euro Summer vibe is set to flourish, embodying a relaxed coastal style that invites creativity. The palette features all the classic coastal colours (pale blues, whites, subdued greens and beiges) while introducing warmer hues like terracotta, peach, blush, and soft yellows. This mix creates a unique and cheerful vacation-inspired aesthetic- perfect for summer entertaining!

In Australia, you can easily find art and decor that embodies this Euro Summer style at various retail stores. Some are linked below and for those seeking additional inspiration, head to the Nalu display home located at 16 Selacosa Avenue, Alkimos WA. It’s a fantastic place to see these trends in action!

|| Wallpaper || Side Table|| Lamp || Art 1 || Art 2 || Cushion || Dining Chair || Sofa || Napkins || Vases ||

Eclipse

If you’re drawn to stronger, moodier settings, you’ll be excited to see how bold blues and rich spice tones are making a significant impact in the design world. While caramel, rust, and terracotta continue to hold their ground, they’re now being styled alongside bright hues like blue. Interestingly, these colours are opposites on the colour wheel, which allows them to complement each other beautifully.

You might have already seen that cobalt and vibrant blues are making waves in fashion, suggesting that furniture and decor will soon follow suit. Brands like LM Home, RJ Living, Myer, David Jones and Target are already offering fun, patterned decor pieces that perfectly align with these emerging trends.

Art and Wallpaper (above) – Olive Et Oriel

In my recent project at the Eclipse display home, I experimented with these accent colours by starting with a monochrome base and layering in vibrant pops throughout each room. This thoughtful balance of warm and cool tones creates a harmonious atmosphere, allowing each colour to shine while maintaining a cohesive design.

A great way to link different elements of your space is through artwork! I used the striking trio of “Nightflower” artworks by Corinne Melanie as a focal point, seamlessly tying together both blue and rust tones throughout the living, dining, and kitchen areas. This approach not only enhances the visual appeal of the space but also provides a narrative that connects all the design elements and rooms within the home.

|| Artwork || Bowl || Handles || Cushion 1 || Cushion 2 || Pendant || Dining Chairs || Occasional Chairs|| Vase || Canister || Rug || Ottoman || Bedsides ||

You can shop some of the key pieces I have used in the Eclipse display home above and view them in person at 10 Featherflower Entrance, Piara Waters.

Looking ahead, I can’t wait to see how these colour trends evolve and influence future interiors. I love observing how current styles change over time, and I’m particularly excited to see where the ‘coastal’ aesthetic is headed. I think it will allow us all to introduce more personality and flare to our homes, making them look and feel uniquely our own. Which trend do you like most?