• 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
    • AFTERKitchen and bathroom updates extend the life of Sydney home
    • Living and diningRun-down period home given new life in Melbourne
  • 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
    • Dining and loungeMasterchef contestant’s family home gets the designer touch
    • AFTERKitchen and bathroom updates extend the life of Sydney 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
    • Screen Shot 2023-09-25 at 11.42.22 amBe more eco-friendly with candles housed in recycled wine bottles
    • 4473037a-ef84-4db1-8449-e15b219e2cebJen’s best ways to cosy up your interior
  • 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
    • Haymes Paint Heritage HuesHaymes Paint latest collection like a ‘colour hug’
  • 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
    • Penne-Alla-VodkaFoodie Friday: Penne alla vodka (dairy free & vegan)
    • Palazzo Segretti design roomDream holiday? Check out this design lovers’ tour to Milan
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Interior designer Mark Gacesa makes customisation the norm

By Jen Bishop •

FacebookPinEmailTweet

“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

FacebookPinEmailTweet

June 7, 2012

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • At home with Bohemian Traders’ Emily Berlach on the Central Coast
  • It’s kitchen (and laundry!) reveals on The Block 2023!
  • Basic new build transformed into coastal dream home post handover
  • Pushing design boundaries: a joyful London home full of colour
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail

Follow us on Instagram

Colour hug, anyone?! A collaboration with design Colour hug, anyone?!

A collaboration with design studio Nexus Designs, this palette from the new @haymespaint colour forecast is perfect for those looking to create a tranquil environment and has a particular focus on darker shades.

“Inspired by the qualities of an intimate reading room, confident and expressive colours such as Florida Everglade have a muted depth that embody this. Balanced and subtle, it’s also invigorating and luscious. Through all over application, paired with contemporary furniture and styling, this colour and the broader palette plays with tactility, translucency, reflection, and form,” says Myra Murtagh of Nexus. 

See the rest of the colour forecast, include collabs with @adairs and TikTok favourites @joshandmattdesign on the blog homepage now, via link in bio.

#haymespaint #colourforecast #painttrends #colourtrends #paintcolours #paintcolors #darkwalls #readingroom #moodywalls #moodyinteriors #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Featuring in a Block "disaster" room nevertheless Featuring in a Block "disaster" room nevertheless paid off for artist @adoni.art 

Slammed for being too small, @kyleandleslie's living room was otherwise praised by the judges for being beautifully styled.

"In terms of using it as a marketing platform it’s been amazing," he said. "Even for people who don’t follow the show it’s validation that they are following an artist that’s levelling up. The exposure has translated to sales, traffic and attention and it’s everything I wanted because I’m about to launch a new collection.”

Read our chat with Adoni and see more of his gorgeous work via link in bio now.

Have you ever bought something you saw on the Block?

#theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #affordableart #affordableartaustralia #affordableartonline #australianartist #australianart #livingroomart #livingroomstyle #livingroomideas #smalllivingroom #adoniart #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #blockshopper
Pink and green should always be seen! From time t Pink and green should always be seen!

From time to time, we stray from our Australian-homes-only rule when we uncover something we really love! This project, by @2lgstudio (and also the interior design duo’s own home) is featured in Ornament Is Not a Crime, a new coffee table interiors book by Sydney-based design writer @rebeccalgross.

Head to the homepage via link in bio to read about this home and see more colourful pictures in an extract.

#2lgstudio #2lg #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #londonhome #londonhomes #brighthome #brightinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulhome #interiordesignersathome #pinkandgreen #pinkandgreendecor #pinkandgreenshouldalwaysbeseen
Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?! Natas Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?!

Natasha from QLD recently finished a major reno of her Queenslander and this is her favourite room of all. We can see why!

She used @beaumont.tiles  Lux Calcutta slabs in gloss the wall and matt for the floor.

 "We have infused a Hamptons style whilst still remaining true to the traditions of old Queenslanders," she said. "Our bathroom is north west facing and captures such great morning light. We wrapped the cabinetry all the way along the vanity for ease of access for the bath, towels and accessories. We tiled all the way to the ceiling to create a more luxurious space. It's my favourite room in the house!"

#ichosebeaumonts #beaumonttiles #tiles #bathroomtile #bathroomtiling #hamptonsbathroom #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderbathroom #luxurybathroom #australianbathroom #australianbathrooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 very different looks last night which was great!

One question that kept coming up was just how important is the butler's pantry? Love to hear your thoughts. Do you have one? And which was your favourite last night? Please share in the comments.

Head to the blog via link in bio to find out who won and what the judges said. 

#theblock #theblockshop #blockshopper #theblockroomreveals #kitchenweek #kitchenpalette #kitchencabinetry #kitchenstyles
Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylis Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylish home was renovated recently with @keenarchitecture and @studio_esar at the helm. Brimming with fun, functionality and colour, the home is shared by ex MasterChef contestant Peter Kritikides, his wife Erica and their two children. 

Occupied by the family since 2015, the renovation brief called for a sympathetic yet modern upgrade to the heritage listed original home as well as the demolition and rebuild of the back of the residence.

Want to see the kitchen? Head to the blog via link in bio.

#elsternwick #melbournehome #melbournehomes #masterchefaustralia #masterchefcontestant #masterchefcontestants #chefskitchen #heritagearchitecture #heritagehome #heritagerenovation #monochromehome #colourfulhome #bookshelfstyling #bookcasestyling #colourfulbooks #fireplacedecor #velvetcouch #livingroomstyle #livingroomart
GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Bl GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Block master bedroom walk ins on the blog now.

Which was your fave?

Via latest posts link in bio now.

#walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #wardrobes #wardrobe #wardrobe #bedroomstorage #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #kinsman #kinsmankitchens #kinsmanwardrobes #dressingroom #dressingtable
A home that got all its extra special details AFTE A home that got all its extra special details AFTER handover with stunning results!

When Emma Fuller built her family home five years ago, she went with the ‘basic’ package with a view to elevating the spaces in a more budget-friendly manner down the line. Knowing that she couldn’t afford her entire wish list upfront, she made allowances within the plans so that she could add all the special details later.

“Although the builder could have incorporated every detail we asked for, we knew it would have blown our budget, but that didn’t mean I was going to let the dream go,” says @hamptonsinhighfields 

Patience and hard work have definitely paid off and today on the blog we are showing you how she did it from adding a fireplace, bench seat, wallpaper, french doors, a mudroom, built in bookcases, fretwork, kitchen island trim, IKEA wardrobes and more!

Via link in bio now.

#newbuild #hamptonsaustralia #hamptonsnewbuild #fretwork #benchseat #benchseating #fireplace🔥 #fireplacedecor #ikeahacks #diymudroom #mudroom #kidsroomwallpaper #frenchdoors #frenchdoor #hallwaydoors #frenchdoorpantry #butlerspantrydesign #newbuildupgrades
Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or bo Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or boring!

The latest @kaboodlekitchen trends release, in collaboration with stylist @jono.fleming, are anything but. These are just 4 of 6 new colours for the brand, sold in Bunnings.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the others (hint: one of them might be pink! 🩷). You'll also find out how to get a free copy of the latest Kaboodle edit magazine sent to you, chock full of inspiring real projects like my navy laundry!

Which of these is your pick? Would you venture outside of a white kitchen? What colour is yours?

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodlelaundry #kaboodle #flatpackfurniture #flatpackkitchen #bunningskitchen #flatpackcabinets #budgetkitchen #ontrendkitchens #colourfulkitchen #colouredcabinets #kitchencolourtrends2023 #colourtrends2023 #boldkitchen #jonofleming #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #bunningsdiy #heartyourhome #realreno #realrenovations #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenonabudget #colourfullaundry #flatpacklaundry
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.
Avatar

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

More from Interviews

Kyle and Leslie's living room

Featuring in The Block ‘disaster’ room pays off for artist

Pushing design boundaries: a joyful London home full of colour

Dining and lounge

Masterchef contestant’s family home gets the designer touch

Basic new build transformed into coastal dream home post handover

Darren Palmer

Darren Palmer’s new sustainable, ethically made rugs

AFTER

Kitchen and bathroom updates extend the life of Sydney home

Laundry

Stylish laundry no longer hidden behind a door

Aesthetics and the impact on wellbeing in an early school

A life changing stroke in her 40s made Arlene Austin reclaim art

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatarjo 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

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!