• 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
    • 20240206_185022-01Before & after: tiles steal the show in 90s kitchen revamp
    • IMG_0235Kerb appeal: 3-bedder given fresh new look for retirees
  • 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
    • TheClassicOutfitter_AbbieMelle_43Quartzite is the new ‘it’ stone but it’s more than just Taj Mahal
    • 0C5A0574-EditMosman en suite gets “sexy, strong, girly and sophisticated” look
  • 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
    • COMMERCIAL_GoldOverBlue_28May2025_0007What’s new in furniture and homewares: May 2025
    • Screenshot 2025-05-19 at 1.02.34 pmClean your carpets professionally at home without the dry time
  • 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
    • Montage Apartment by Studio PrineasApartment takes out two major categories in design awards
  • 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
    • Crispy egg noodles with seafood p. 116Foodie Friday: crispy egg noodles with seafood
    • 1293660_lifestyle Crossland Pearl GL-Porc Txt Rect 597×1195 UNI_Crossland_AMB 02_Living_PearlHow to bring your favourite travel destinations home
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Interior designer Mark Gacesa makes customisation the norm

By Jen Bishop •

FacebookPinWhatsAppEmailTweet

“I wanted to be an architect from about the age of seven,” says Sunshine Coast interior designer Mark Gacesa, of Ultraspace. His father was an interior designer and as a youngster ‘forced’ to work in the family business instead of surf with his mates, Mark developed a passion for the trade. “I was constantly involved in the process of multiple projects from the age of about 12 and loved seeing the end results and the satisfaction my dad brought to people after being invited into their homes and lives. He taught me that in order to best assist your client, you must become your client. What a great piece of advice!”

Mark’s senior year was the first time QUT offered an interior design degree in Queensland. “I had the option of going into Architecture or Interior Design… the rest is history. However, my passion for architecture shows very strongly in my work.”

He doesn’t think Queensland design gets the kudos and media coverage it deserves. “There are many amazing projects and super creative designs going on up here. For example, I am currently working on two incredible projects… one is a luxurious resort-style house with a beach in the middle of it and another is a glamorous ranch-style getaway complete with its own helipad!”

Predictable is the last thing Mark’s work is. “I’m always creating original concepts that the client could never have imagined, but ultimately loves. I enjoy conjuring up innovative ideas with the use of new and exciting products and taking my clients on a journey with me that builds their excitement as we go. My extensive customisation affords my clients the opportunity to achieve their own incredibly unique signature look rather than mimic what’s been done (and overdone) before.”

Originality, clever use of texture, intricate lighting design (which he says is a crucial element to any space) and heavy use of unique custom designed concepts are his signature elements. “I move anywhere from 7-star hotel look, ultra-glam Dubai influences to modern ‘could be in a New York nightclub’ vibe, to relaxed, contemporary Balinese resort inspired, to luxurious and sophisticated Fifth Avenue Manhattan feel. There are no aesthetic limits!” A great designer, in Mark’s opinion, can achieve any ‘look’ the client desires.

He prides himself on his creative originality and ability to master a wide cross section of design disciplines. “This allows me to control the continuity of a project. I can totally remodel the architectural spaces, both internally and externally, and I custom design a lot of elements, from lighting to basins to furniture to wallpaper to mirrors and cladding. I like to create originality for a client and not necessarily reuse what other people have created. For example, in a recent project that won the Master Builders Best Renovation in Queensland (as well as other local and national kitchen and bathroom awards), not only did I totally redesign the interior spaces including the kitchen and bathrooms, I also ripped off the back of the house! I designed it to fully open up to the amazing views with a massive covered entertaining space, an extravagant entry drive through porte-cochere complete with a huge water feature and two-metre bronze Buddha, bridged entry walkway, circular driveway, designed the stone street entrance with electronic bamboo and carved fretwork gates, all the landscape design and also designed the pool refurbishment.” Phew! “It was a massive overhaul that was very challenging and well appreciated. It helps to have a great team of tradespeople to liaise with,” says Mark.

His work is all over Australia’s East Coast. The majority of projects are residential but he loves variety and has also done professional suites, restaurants and bars, and retail spaces. “If I couldn’t customise at least one thing in a client project I’d feel like I was trapped in a jar with the lid on! Over the years I have been recognised with quite a few awards because of my design originality – it’s who I have always been,” says Mark. “This career allows me to express my creativity and help people at the same time – it really is a blessing.”

His dad has been a constant inspiration, in life and design. “I still regularly bounce ideas off him. I am also inspired by all my fellow designers and tradespeople both here and abroad who are great at what they do. I love mixing and chatting with them, sharing thoughts and ideas. I love it when people aren’t envious or guarded about success. In the end, nobody can do exactly what you do if you are really good at it.”

His own home is a work in progress that he designed four years ago and built one year ago. “We’re on two acres but it looks like 50 acres without a neighbour in sight. It’s still ahead of the curve even though I designed it ages ago and people are always stopping out the front to just look or take photos (the cheeky bastards)! The interior is mostly moody with injections of white to add contrast. I have a full DJ console in my living space that floats above a semicircle of artificial turf, which punches out through the stacker doors to become the daybed lounging space, along with a pool table area and large booth seating. There are some awesome light fittings, fretwork paneling, loads of high end glass beaded and metallic wallpapers, some great art and heaps more features. It’s a showroom!”

Being a straight man in the industry is a rarity. “As a straight guy I definitely bring something different to the design table. I don’t know why there aren’t more straight guys in the game. It can be very technical, butch and hands-on and look at all the amazingly glamorous and talented designer ladies they’d get to hang out with!”

Photography by Mark Gacesa

FacebookPinWhatsAppEmailTweet

June 7, 2012

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Australian bathroom standards: dimensions explained by an expert

  • Win the new super slim robot vacuum and mop from DEEBOT

  • Interior designer sees her Mediterranean dream home come to life

  • Quartzite is the new ‘it’ stone but it’s more than just Taj Mahal

  • What’s new in furniture and homewares: May 2025

Follow us on Instagram

SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jas SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jasminemcclellanddesign delivered. And then some!

"With a keen eye for design, they wanted their main bathroom to feel calm, spa-like and elevated with more storage, better layout, and soft, layered textures in a neutral palette. Lighting was another big focus, with the goal of creating a space that felt luxurious enough to unwind in, preferably with a glass of champagne in the bath.”

Is it a yay or a nay for you?

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the suppliers as well as a look at the powder room with its bold wallpaper 😍

#spabathroom #zenbathroom #spavibes #bathroomremodels 

📸 @jonathantabensky
Vacuums, mops, empties itself. Slim enough to get Vacuums, mops, empties itself. Slim enough to get under the lowest furniture and beds.

Comment 'enter' and we'll DM you the link to enter for your chance to win this top of the range $1499 robot from @ecovacs_anz, the DEEBOT T50 PRO OMNI.

Good luck!

#robotvacuumcleaner #robotvaccum #robotvacuummop #robotmop #smarthome #houseworkhacks
>>>Swipe for the transformation! 😮 From cold t >>>Swipe for the transformation! 😮

From cold to cosy!

This primary ensuite for a successful career woman working in luxury cosmetics and homewares is sexy, strong, girly, but sophisticated. We love its warmth and personality.

If you'd like to take the tour and find out where everything is from, comment 'luxe' below and I'll send the link to your DMs!

Bravo @howardlanedesigns 👏🏼 
📸 @capturedbykels__

#ensuiteinspo #ensuitedecor #ensuitegoals #marblebathrooms #statementstone
The latest addition to my @kirstenjackson_gallery The latest addition to my @kirstenjackson_gallery collection. This is a framed canvas and the quality is amazing. I feel like beautifully framed canvas prints are the perfect affordable halfway point when it comes to art.
What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

I could have told you I was spring even before I took the quick quiz to find out, and pleased to report the quiz gave me the right result!

Comment the season you THINK you are below (spring, summer, autumn or winter) and I'll send you the link to the quiz so you can double check!

Fun!

This quiz from @templeandwebster jumps on the colour analysis trend for fashion and applies it to interiors!

#seasonaldecorating #seasonaldecor #colouranalysis
The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday w The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday was a real treat. Such an exciting and sleek looking upgrade to my favourite kitchen machine!

The new look speaks for itself and, as usual, the engineering is impressive. Here's the biggest changes that stood out to me:

1. It's SO quiet and in fact SILENT up to a certain speed 
2. It has a much bigger 10 inch screen
3. A new insulated, cool to touch bowl (the inner metal bowl detaches to wash)
4. A gorgeous new matte black design with fluted and herringbone details and made of 30% recycled materials 👏🏼 

Enjoyed a beautiful lunch all prepared, naturally, in the Thermomix! Was great to meet @mise_en_place_aus in real life as well as special guest dessert queen @kirstentibballs and catch up with the lovely Thermomix team.

Tag a friend who'll be coveting the TM7! It's available from next week!

#thermomixtm7 #thermomix #thermomixaus #thermomixlover
Awards are always a great place to get inspo. Chec Awards are always a great place to get inspo. Check out the kitchen and bathroom of the year winners in this month's @hia_au @csrdwelling Housing Awards. There's more winning homes and rooms to check out in our blog post on the homepage, via link in bio or stories now. 

Kitchen by @build.theory Bathroom by @birdblackdesign and @aspire_constructions 

#hiaawards #hiaawards2025 #awardwinninghomes #australianinteriordesign
We're so in love with this reno by @jdzdesigns_ 😍😍😍

It's a remodel of a previously dark and pokey extension to a Victorian Gothic home. It's now an open plan dream, and the transition from old to new is beautifully done with impressive black steel doors.

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for the full story and tour.

#kitchenislands #superwhite #luxurykitchens #openplanlivingspace #steeldoordesign

📸 @lawrencefurzey
Swipe for before ▶️▶️▶️ This kitchen Swipe for before ▶️▶️▶️ 

This kitchen is small but mighty and very very pretty! Swipe through for the finer details of this reno by Casa & Co Interior Design. It sure went from boring beige 90s to stylish and full of detail and storage!

What do you think?

Read all about it on the blog now via link in bio/stories.

#smallkitchenideas #kitchentile #potfiller #featuretiles #hamptonskitchen #pulloutpantry
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: Just One Thing To Elevate Your Interior, featuring Australia's top design talent.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Jen Bishop

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. She founded Interiors Addict in 2011. Jen also works as a copywriter and comms consultant to small business owners and brands, helping them with their own content as well as working out what will make them appealing to the media.

More from Interviews

Beautiful backyard transformation brings Italy to Bondi

A perfectly colour coordinated tiny home life for former designer

How macrame artist turned her passion into a business

The most charming pink house full of heart

Melbourne’s Adoni Astrinakis finalist in national portrait prize

CAV’ART: A stone business with heart, built on relationships

What it’s REALLY like at the helm of a family rug business

British designer Abigail Ahern on creating magic in our homes

Should Australia start embracing interesting, ageing interiors?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jo hamilton interiors says

    June 11, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Thank you for introducing me to Mark’s work. I’ve not come across him before so I will check out his design work further

Promo Area

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 © 2011–2025 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in