The Design Files’ Top 10 Australian Homes of 2025
Homes
Clam Chair by Philip Arctander. Triangle Leg Table and Bench by HAY. VP Globe pendant designed by Verner Panton for Verpan. Meltingpot Table by Kooij. Candleholder No. 12 by Andu Masebo. Soda Coffee Table by Miniforms. Tres Rug designed by Nasim Köerting for Totzke Rugs. Pendant shade by The Society Inc. Floor cushion from Cadrys. Photo – Milly Mead. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks.
Nasim and Jan have painted the balcony, trims, and outdoor decking a vibrant red. Photo – Milly Mead. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks.
Nasim Köerting and Jan Köerting in their Bilgola Plateau home. Photo – Milly Mead. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks.
Art (from left) by Lastenia Canayo/Pecon Quena, Minna Leunig, Minori Oga, and Esther Stewart. Eave Modular Sofa by Audo Copenhagen. Pilotis Side Table by Malgorzata Bany. Font Lounge Chair by Møbel Copenhagen. Meltingpot Table by Kooij. Candleholder No. 12 by Andu Masebo. Soda Coffee Table by Miniforms. Floor cushion from Cadrys. Tres Rug designed by Nasim Köerting for Totzke Rugs. Shogun Wall Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide. Pendant shade by The Society Inc. Cushions covered in fabric by Redelman Fabrics and Pierre Frey. Photo – Milly Mead. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks.
A Uniquely Creative 1960s Home On Sydney’s Northern Beaches
The Bilgola Plateau home of Merivale design director Nasim Köerting and design strategist Jan Köerting is an eclectic backdrop for their creative life.
In a DIY renovation (designed by Nasim, and built by Jan), the couple have leant into the 1960s home’s unique qualities, adding bold red exterior trims, restoring the cedar wall panelling, and exposing the concrete floor — all before that incredible Pittwater view.
Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
Tulip dining table by Eero Saarinen. Big Game Bold chair by Moustache. Akari 26A pendant. Art by Nina Walton. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
Pendant light by Pani Jurek. Revolver Bar Stool by HAY. Tiles by Academy Tiles. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
Thygesen & Sørensen dining set from Juliet’s Balcony. Akari 3X lamp. Art by Nina Walton. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
A 1907 Farmhouse With A Delightfully Unexpected Interior
This idyllic 1907 farmhouse in the Byron Shire reveals a perfectly understated renovation, born from a chance meeting between the owners and Berlin-born designers Hülle & Fülle.
Take a look inside the charming home, transformed with a palette of blush pink, earthy terracotta, olive green, raspberry red and generous texture and pattern.
A day at Holly and Nich’s house always ends on the wraparound verandah, where the family come together to unwind, entertain, and marvel at the tropical paradise they call home. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Art (from left) by Ken Done, Minna Leunig, and Ty Williams. Kitchen island by Fearon. Stools by Martin Johnston Furniture. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Posey and Della’s bedroom. Bedding by In Bed. Rug by Pampa. Art by Brodie Jackson. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The dining table was made by Holly and Nich’s friend Che Bagshaw as a wedding present. Photographic print by Victoria Aguirre. Artwork on back wall, right by Serena Mitnik-Miller. Artwork in foreground by Sarah Darling. Lamp by Coe Studio Ceramics. Vintage sofa reupholstered by The Dusty Road. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
This Northern Rivers Farmhouse Is A Family’s Tropical Paradise
Holly McCauley and Nich Zalmstra have built an enviable life in the Northern Rivers, since moving to the NSW region 15 years ago.
Now parents of three young children, they reside in a traditional timber farmhouse beneath towering palm trees, set on five acres of tropical paradise!
Millie’s’ horses Martini, Gucci, and Oskar come up to the house. ‘We probably let them out for an hour or two every day, and they love grazing on the fresh grass while coming up for scratches and pats,’ says Millie. ‘It’s such a nice energy, watching them gallop around or wander up for cuddles and nuzzles. If you’re out gardening, they’ll just follow you around the whole time.’ Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli.
Purple bath ordered from NuPride Kitchens & Bathrooms. Green onyx flooring. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli.
Custom glass ‘spiky’ pendants by Leisa Wharington, who Millie shares a studio space with in Moorooduc. Paintings by Ben Minkley, Miranda Skoczek and more. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli.
Millie Savage’s Outrageous, Colour-Filled Farmhouse
Millie Savage describes her home as colourful and chaotic, meets comfortable and functional.
Located in Gherang, Victoria on the edge of Great Otway National Park, the existing farmhouse on site was transformed over 18 months by the jewellery designer, with a dream team of creative collaborators.
Almost everything in the home is custom made, from the glass blown lighting pendants to the terrazzo kitchen floors, and arched cubbyholes showcasing Millie’s crystal collection.
The landscaping introduces a plumbed outdoor bath, custom glasshouse, and plenty of open space for the couple’s goats, alpacas, dogs, and horses.
The brick exterior of the circa 1860s cottage. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Sarah Hendriks.
Zoe Cuthbertson, Richard Healy, and their daughter Rafaela in their Fitzroy home courtyard. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Sarah Hendriks.
Elma Table by McMullin. Sample bowl by Softedge. Tablecloth by IN BED. Vintage chairs purchased from Curated Spaces. On back bench from left: ceramic glazed pot/vase from Florian Home. Stand by Country Road. Small bowls by Tahni Bouhadana from Florian Home. Pot by Our Place. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Sarah Hendriks.
A Compact Kid-Friendly Home In The Heart Of Fitzroy
Since signing the lease on this unassuming 1860s brick cottage in Fitzroy, Undressed owner and IN BED journal editor Zoe Cuthbertson, and artist Richard Healy, have barely had to lift a finger to make it feel like home.
The recently renovated interiors were already perfect for the couple (who were then expecting their first child)… all the house needed was some thoughtful styling to maximise its small footprint, and make the interiors really sing.
The result is stylish and tidy, without forgoing what Zoe calls the ‘signs of life’ typical of a young family home.
Photo – Caitlin Mills. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
The couple’s red barn door can be opened in sections to maximise indoor-outdoor flow. Chairs by Micheal Marriott. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
Alvar Aalto birch veneer shelves. Ikea timber shelving unit. Handmade curtain by Carter’s sister Harry Were. Vintage Japanese baskets hung from the ceiling. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
Carter Were, Dorothy (4), and Digby (1) share the garden with their chickens. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
A Former Horse Stable Turned Charming Family Home In Byron
Recipe author Carter Were and musician Jack Crowther’s cosy family home on the tropical banks of the Wilson River used to be a horse stable.
Over the years, it’s been modestly converted with all the essentials to cook, play, grow and gather for their young family, who relish life on their little slice of paradise.
Painting by VIP Painters. Landscape design by Miniscape Projects. Brickwork by RCK Bricklaying. Wrought iron fence by Samson’s Wrought Iron. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Sarah Hendriks.
A Generous Melbourne Family Home For A Life Well-Lived
Stephanie and Matthew Crosara love to entertain, so every inch of their Brunswick West home has been designed with hosting guests in mind.
In just 10 months, they turned their California bungalow (previously untouched for several decades) into a calming family haven, full of gentle curves and sunshine.
See inside the completed home, built to nurture family life well lived!
Walls painted Porter’s Paints Timberline. Photo – Milly Mead. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Nic Smith, Jana Isaza-Smith and their two boys, Oscar (9) and Jackson (12). Photo – Milly Mead. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Dining table by Softer Studio. Vintage Thonet chairs from Curated Spaces. Art by Amber Wallis. Ceramic jug by Katherine Moses. Walls painted Porter’s Paints Timberline. Photo – Milly Mead. Styling – Annie Portelli.
A Relocated + Renovated Queenslander, Brimming With Bold Colour
Interior designer Jana Isaza-Smith and her husband Nic Smith faced challenge after challenge when it came to renovating their relocated Queenslander in South Golden Beach, NSW.
Thankfully, the resulting home — brimming with colour and sentimental pieces — leaves them with only good vibes.
The pastel yellow terrace caught Nikki Keijzer and Tom Gibson’s eye from the first visit. Photo – Milly Mead. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
Emie sofa by CLO Studios. Coffee table from Rachel Donath. Vase from Jardan. Rug by Milk & Sugar. Art by Jesse Cleay. Photo – Milly Mead. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
The gallery wall features (clockwise from top left): framed photo taken by Nikki in Morocco, framed photo by Cyrielle Rigot, art by Jesse Cleay, plate from In The Roundhouse, art by Tom’s mum Mary Mealey and an antique ladle from the Agafay desert. Photo – Milly Mead. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
The outdoor courtyard is where Nikki and Tom spend most their time. ‘In spring it’s covered in jasmine flowers, which is probably my favourite smell,’ Nikki says. Photo – Milly Mead. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
Inside A Sunshine-Yellow Sydney Terrace That Sparks Joy
This charming Sydney terrace was advertised as ‘The Yellow House’ when it came up for sale in Paddington a few years ago.
After the initial sale fell through, it fortunately ended up in the hands of banker Tom Gibson and lawyer Nikki Keijzer — whose favourite colour just happened to be yellow!
Now, the owners are on a mission to make the interiors glow with the same warm energy as its sunny exterior.
Art (from left): Closing Time by James Douglas. All Mixed Up by Anton Giomi. Bottled Up by Anton Giomi. Women’s Hunting Dream by Pauline Woods Nakamarra. Unknown artwork by Liana Purser. All frames by Icon Frames. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks.
An Architect + Builder’s Victorian Worker’s Cottage Renovation
A derelict, heritage-protected house is not high on many people’s ‘dream home’ wishlists, unless they have the vision and skill of architect Natasha Nardella and builder Joshua Best.
The couple have fully restored the facade of their 1890s worker’s cottage, while a new contemporary addition pays homage to former brickworks in the area.