• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • 0P9A8598AFTER_Before & after: This week’s Selling Houses recap (Greystanes NSW)
    • DINING-6-AFTER-0P9A4023Before & After: This week’s Selling Houses recap (Clermont QLD)
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • Screen Shot 2023-03-26 at 6.58.44 pmAmazing $2k balcony transformation using Kmart stone tiles
    • AFTERLush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at home
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • MargueriteNew Sage x Clare range + creative director’s top picks!
    • Screen Shot 2023-03-08 at 9.49.47 amKmart partners with Wiradjuri artist Judith Young on home range
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Lauren RoeInside I Love Linen’s Queensland hinterland home
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • IMG_9786Foodie Friday: Allergy-free hot choc buns
    • ES22-January-LS0076-1Early Settler’s new homewares could be your ticket to wanderlust
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

‘Australia will host the next design Renaissance,’ says LLB

By Amy Collins-Walker • Leave a Comment

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is a man with a big personality and opinions to match. But crucially, the British interior designer is also not afraid to voice them making him the perfect addition to the new line-up of judges on Australia’s current series of House Rules. Self-described as ‘flamboyant and full-fat,’ we caught up with Laurence recently where he mused over the state of modern Australian interior design.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen

“I think Australia is in an extraordinary position – it’s potentially where the next Renaissance will start. It’s perfectly poised between east and west, old and new, and nobody actually describes how beautiful Australia is,” says Laurence who cites Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral as a great example of the idea. “Sydney Cathedral is an unbelievable experience – while it’s high Victorian Gothic in style, it sits underneath an azure sky that is pink and orange and purple. It’s like a Monet painting!” says Laurence.

The designer attributes much of Australia’s aesthetic appeal to its raw and breathtaking beauty. “The colours are amazing, things grow to ridiculous heights, it’s a young nation with space, materials and great weather. Why shouldn’t this be where the next global design style starts?” says Laurence. But the designer believes our main drawback is our tendency to overuse beige – something he has noticed during his time on House Rules. “You’re surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty –  nature in all its glory, birds that only happen in Disney films, trees in so many shades of emerald it’s not true but when you go into Australian home it’s all beige. Since when was nature beige? You’re surrounded by vibrancy and beauty and then you go home into a little coffin! Why have you decorated your home as a homage to dead nature?” says Laurence in typically outlandish style.

It’s not our fault though – he puts the blame squarely at the feet of overseas tastemakers such as Kelly Hoppen and Terence Conran. “Nobody tells people not to be beige. It works for Kelly – she is that beige inside and out! But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. I’m not here to peddle the Baroque and I’m not saying it will suit you at all, but whatever you do, do it to express who you are. If you’re a minimalist be a full-fat one, not a diet one,” says Laurence.

“I’m embarrassed that you’ve had so many euros coming over here telling you how to decorate and telling you how to decorate badly. I’m here to tell you to do it how the hell you want to. It’s all about doing it your way thereby making it the perfect expression of your crazy, multi-hued personality,” says Laurence. It’s an idea he has encouraged with the current crop of House Rules contestants. “What I love about House Rules is that because we have amateurs they’re not held back by what a trend or fashion – they’re designing from the heart. This has led to one or two interiors that are globally, imaginatively inspirational, amazing and world-class,” says Laurence.

House Rules is on Channel Seven.

FacebookPinEmailTweet

May 3, 2017

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Amazing $2k balcony transformation using Kmart stone tiles
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • The Whiskey Room Be inspired to go bold by the Dulux Colour Awards 2023 finalists
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • Breathtaking new Hamptons style home in Melbourne’s south east

Follow us on Instagram

A house with wallpaper in EVERY room? It's a hard A house with wallpaper in EVERY room? It's a hard yes from us!

Take the tour with @grafico_walls founder @damian_corney and @becdouros 

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #wallpapermural #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaesthetic #graficowallcoverings #grafico #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Swipe for after! What a fab, yet sympathetic, mak Swipe for after!

What a fab, yet sympathetic, makeover of this untouched (but not in a good way!) 50s house by @sellinghousesaus See all the rooms on the blog now via link in bio.

Great use of small space and working with the retro feel of the home while still modernising it.

Bravo @wendymooreedit 👏

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #50shouse #50shome #beforeandafterbathroom #retrorenovation #lifestylechannel #foxtel #smallbathroomdesign #showeroverbath

@andrewtwinter
There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We f There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We finally knocked out our 60s brown tile back step and replaced it with a smaller grey one made from @trexcompany Island Mist decking to match our deck (that went in 4.5 years ago) and now painted brick exterior. Making the step smaller allowed us to add in an additional manhole under the back door too to allow easier access under the house at the back. And we made a cover for that too (final slide) using Trex. I say "we" but I really mean our handyman 😉 One plank was enough for both jobs. Why we didn't do this ages ago I do not know but it's done now! 😁 Installed with @trexrainescape to ensure it stays dry and lasts!

Disclosure: Plank of Trex decking was gifted. I paid for the handyman.

#backstep #doorstep #deck #decking #deckdesign #deckideas #compositedecking #trex #trexdecking #greydecking

Mat from @doormatau
Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I fir Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I first came to Australia in my 20s, it's where I headed to buy everything I needed for my first apartment at an incredible price! And I've loved watching the range get more and more impressive over the years as my knowledge of furniture has increased. I had no idea how extensive their Aussie Made sofa range was though. I'd love you to check out the options via link in bio as I think you'll be impressed! I think we have a renewed appreciation for Aussie Made and supporting local manufacturing and jobs and this is a great success story. We love a bit of high low decorating, and turns out Fantastic Furniture is a great place to find your family lounge, a special accent chair, an extra ottoman for occasional seating and so much more. 

#fantasticfurniture #aussiemade #australianfurniture #FindyourFantastic #FantasticFamily #affordablehomewares #affordablefurniture #custommadesofa #custommadelounges #australianhomes #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Please don't show my boys this room or they'll wan Please don't show my boys this room or they'll want one like it!

How gorgeous is this Brisbane kids' bedroom?! 

@brittwhitestudio worked closely with the boys (aged 7 and 9) to understand their needs with a bespoke bunk bed solution crafted by BRC Cabinets, featuring ample storage as well as an under-stair hidey-hole, a useful reading nook for books and a built-in charger for electronics. Local craftsmen Emmett’s Ropes designed and hand-tied the ropework on the top bunk and the supporting pillar beneath.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see and read more!

#bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #bunkbeds #bespokebunkbeds #custommadebunkbeds #sharedbedroom #sharedbedroomforkids #boysroominspo #boysroomdecor #junglebedroom #kidsroomstyle #kidsroomstyling #childrensrooms #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #brittwhitestudio #highriseliving #apartmentlifestyle #penthouses #apartmentlivingwithkids #newsteadbrisbane 

Pix by @joebrosnan.photo
Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

#duluxcolour #duluxpaint #duluxaus #duluxcolourawards #duluxcolourawards2023 #moodykitchen #allwhitekitchen #designerkitchen #sagekitchen #boldkitchen #colourfulkitchen #colouredkitchen #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount
We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #australianwallart #australianwallpaper #wallmurals #wallpapermural #wallpapermurals #wallpapereddoor #digitalwallpaper #digitallyprintedwallpaper #customwallpaper #wallpaperaesthetic #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaustralia #grafico #graficowallcoverings #melbournebusiness #melbournesmallbusiness #openhomesaustralia #theblock #becdouros
Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed 🥰
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

More from House Rules

New online course about everything vegan interior design

The ultimate guide to designing a modern masculine home

A bachelor pad with a future wife in mind!

Kitchen

House Rules 2018 homeowners’ reveal: SA’s Jared & Jess

Kinsman kitchen

Aussie kitchen brand launches on new House Rules season

House Rules: QLD duo take out the 2017 grand final

House Rules SA & WA garden reno reveals: Sean and Ella depart

House Rules judges’ reveal: QLD & TAS garden renovations

House Rules 24-hour fix-up reveal: Fiona & Nicole eliminated

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!