• 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
    • AFTERLush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at home
    • Screen Shot 2023-03-16 at 8.34.31 pmBefore & after: Classic, contemporary Adelaide bathroom reno
  • 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
    • AFTERLush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at home
    • Screen Shot 2023-03-16 at 8.34.31 pmBefore & after: Classic, contemporary Adelaide bathroom reno
  • 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
    • AFTERLush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at 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
    • Satay-wrap-featureFoodie Friday: An easy satay chicken wrap
    • 211025_Rosedale_12Stylist Steve Cordony’s stunning Rosedale Farm is on Airbnb!
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Block twins Alisa & Lysandra on life after the police & starting their own online store

By Guest Poster •

FacebookPinEmailTweet

By Lysandra Fraser

It’s come to that time where I am writing my final guest post for Interiors Addict. I had been thinking to myself “What topic am I going to pretend to know about this week?” LOL! Then Jen suggested that it would be nice for the final blog to be about “Where to from here?” For Alisa and I, this is a question that we have been asked rather frequently of late.

twins

I think back to a year ago and think “wow” at how both mine and Alisa’s lives have changed so dramatically. We were both police officers working part-time shift work, always striving for a bit more in life. We sat down and watched the finale of The Block one night and thought to ourselves, yep, let’s apply. Actually, let’s win The Block 2013 (no word of a lie). From the moment we decided to audition, we had this gut feeling that we were going to win.

Well as I sit here in front of my laptop, as winners of The Block, it’s only now that I have time to sit back and take in the gravity of it all and it still seems so surreal to me. I guess the biggest thing that has happened post Block, is that Alisa and I have handed in our badges and are no longer police officers. I think sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith, and that’s exactly what we have done.

I think what amazes us is that people are talking about our eye for design, and not about whether they did or didn’t like us on the show. Upon entering this competition, we would never have anticipated the response that we have had. It’s a very humbling feeling to receive such words of encouragement from so many people, and even crazier to think that people want to pay us good money to makeover their house… haha!

So, here to from here? Well, we have many exciting projects coming up in the near future, but one that we are concentrating strongly on at the moment is the launch of our online store. We are in the process of getting our website established as well as our own label. We will be selling homewares for everyone (not just interior designers) to buy. From cushions, quilt covers, lamps and throws to furniture and plenty more. Alisa and I found that it was really hard to find things we liked without having to drive all over Melbourne to 50 different stores, so we thought let’s come up with our own designs and fix the problem. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter as we’ll announce it as soon as it’s up and running!

I guess Alisa and I would like to conclude with saying thanks to everyone out there who has been behind us all the way. Thanks to the people in the industry that have taken us under their wings and guided us in the right direction. We know we have a lot to learn before we can even dare call ourselves interior designers/decorators, but with every month that goes by we get one step closer. Watch this space…

Love Alisa and Lysandra x

FacebookPinEmailTweet

October 4, 2013

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Lime wash blonde brick house makeover for just $50! Really!
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • How to: bench seat with storage for just $1200
  • A budget Hamptons kitchen makeover for just $1500!

Follow us on Instagram

How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: It’s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!”

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno. L Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno.

Located inside a 1912 sandstone villa in Adelaide’s Kensington, this bathroom makeover combines classic and contemporary elements that complement the home’s original, period features. 

Designed by the home’s owner @designby_Tahirih, who is a property stylist too, the renovation came sooner than expected after water ingress made the makeover of their only bathroom an urgent necessity!

The whole project cost an impressive $20k, project managed herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

#realrenovations #realhomes #realreno #heartyourhome #renoaddict #freestandingbath #classicbathroom #classiccontemporary #classiccontemporaryinteriors #theinteriorsaddict  #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #homestaging #laundrymakeover #bathroomrenovations #bathroomremodels
Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we find some of the most colourful interiors from my motherland, the UK!

This beautiful lilac kitchen is found in a renovated apartment by @llidesign in a grand mansion block in London's Bloomsbury. You can tour the rest of it on the blog now, via link in bio.

#londonapartment #bloomsbury
#bloomsburylondon #luxuryapartment #westendlondon #lilackitchen #colourfulkitchen #londonhome #londonhomes #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #kitchenshelf #kitchenshelves #kitchenshelfie #openshelves #openshelvingkitchen
I remember the chair being such a key purchase whe I remember the chair being such a key purchase when I put together my first ever baby room for Seb. I spent many an evening relaxing on mine while pregnant as I tried to get my head around impending motherhood! Not only are glider recliners like the Chelsea from @iltutto the most comfortable chairs EVER for those many hours spent feeding and settling, why shouldn't they look this good too, am I right?!

Did you love your nursery chair? Did it look this good?!

See more on the Il Tutto Chelsea Glider Recliner Chair via link in bio now.

#feedingchair #nurserychair #nursingchair #reclinerchair #nurseryroomdecor #nursery #nurserygoals #nurserydesign #babyroomdecoration #babyrooms #babyroominspo #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #iltutto #newmumlife
Here's a sneak peek of the kitchen and powder room Here's a sneak peek of the kitchen and powder room to whet your appetite! 

Head on over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest of this gorgeous Sydney reno by @_studio_trio 

Pix by @mareehomer.photography and styling by Jackie Brown.

#interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno #housetour #australianhomes #australianhouses #sydneyhomes #sydneyhouses #texturedtiles #kitchenshelfie #kitchenshelves #kitchenshelf #powderroomdesign #powderroomwallpaper #studiotrio #kitchenhooks
There's a LOT of goodness in @sageandclare's lates There's a LOT of goodness in @sageandclare's latest collection Marguerite but the Aida rug has to be my personal fave.

Handcrafted from wool, it features a rustic check design with a rainbow of nostalgic colour. Embroidered edge stitching furthers its handcrafted feel. 

“This is pure colour joy bundled up in a hard-wearing and happy rug that will lift any room with ease," says creative director Phoebe Bell.

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see more, including Phoebe's 5 faves.

#sageandclare #rugshopping #rainbowrug #tartanrug #checkeredrug #flatweaverugs #statementrug #handcraftedhomedecor #handcraftedhomewares #funhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
A DIY dining nook bench seat with storage for $120 A DIY dining nook bench seat with storage for $1200!

After 4 years of saying “a dining nook would be great there…” South Australians @the_groves_abode finally got a quote from a local cabinet maker for a built-in bench seat with storage. When the $4,000 price tag was revealed, criminologist, chronic over-achiever and wannabe carpenter Andrew decided to have a crack at it instead.

And we're so impressed with the end result which cost just over a grand. Read what they did, what they used and how in the blog now, via link in bio.

#diningnook #benchseat #benchseating #builtinbench #upholsteredbench #diybench #diycouple #budgetdiy #bunningsdiy #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #realreno #diningroomideas #breakfastnook #breakfastnookdesign #homediyproject
Mess = stress! Today on the blog, @little_label_c Mess = stress!

Today on the blog, @little_label_co founder Natalie Manoushian is sharing her top tips for a more organised home. I'd love you to share your best tips in the comments too!

"Disorganisation puts barriers in the way. Imagine how much quicker you would get things done if your home or work space ran smoothly. Researchers have found that clutter can actually make it more difficult to focus on a particular task. From the frustration of not being able to find what we need, to the feeling of being constantly surrounded by chaos, a disorganised environment creates brain fog and can lead to procrastination and reduces productivity. It can also trigger feelings of stress and anxiety, making it difficult to switch off, relax and sleep well."

Read the full post via link in bio now 

#littlelabelco #labelling #labellingeverything #homeorganisation #homeorganizationtips #homeorganising #homeorganisation #organisationtips #tidyingtips #homehack #storagegoals #pantrymakeover #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #cupboardstorage
Swipe for before 😲 @adoremagazine's Loni Parke Swipe for before 😲

@adoremagazine's Loni Parker and her partner are stuck into their second home reno and it's looking great! Today, we bring you the before and afters of the main bedroom, guest bedroom and ensuite (pictured). Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest and more info on what they did and used.

Enjoy!

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #adorehome #adorehomemagazine #1960shouse
#1960shome #60srenovation #ensuitebathroom
#ensuite #ensuitedesign #kitkattiles #doublevanity #theinteriorsdaddict
#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #curvedvanity #timbervanity

Pix by @coastpark.creative
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.
Avatar

About Guest Poster

If you have high quality, original, relevant content to share, we might be interested in publishing your guest post on Interiors Addict. Please email [email protected] with your submissions.

More Recent Posts

AFTER

Lush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at home

Before & after: Classic, contemporary Adelaide bathroom reno

Kitchen

Lilac kitchen stars in luxury London apartment reno

DIY designer look table made from a $50 Marketplace find

Luxe, textured materials star in modern classic Sydney home reno

Marguerite

New Sage x Clare range + creative director’s top picks!

Check out 5 entries in the Victorian Architecture Awards

How to: bench seat with storage for just $1200

Your chance to bid on a no-reserve house auction for charity

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJenny Tranter says

    October 4, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    Congratulations Alisa and Lysandra. From someone who is also a twin AND also made the big decision to hand back in the badge recently, its a bit like leaving one loving family, but being introduced into a whole new one! Best of luck to you both!

  2. AvatarBailey says

    February 2, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    Well done Alisa and lysandra on winning the block 2013

  3. AvatarBen says

    February 18, 2014 at 3:19 am

    Well done on winning the block 2013, I am cheering for you both to win the block fans vs favs. You were my favourite team in 2013 and I’m glad your back again this year. Can’t wait to check out your online store for some ideas

  4. AvatarJohn says

    March 28, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    Good luck with it girls. And keep it fun. My sister’s in Melbourne and a very talented fashion person. Sing out if you are looking for good help. Cheer John in Papua New Guinea

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!