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Melissa Bonney, the design hunter

November 23, 2012

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This is Melissa Bonney, the woman behind the beautiful shop The Design Hunter. It’s only been open seven months but I feel like I’ve been hearing mutterings about how great it is for much longer. Yesterday, I finally went along to have a look for myself (Okay, I admit it, I’m a north shore girl and I didn’t really know where Charing Cross was).

Was it worth the trip? Was it ever! What a divine shop, full to the brim with gorgeous things, beautifully styled, and with friendly and knowledgable staff, not least Melissa, an interior designer. The “little bit of retail” which has quickly turned into a popular store, started when she and her other half Brendan, a builder, were working from home, often together. They had three projects put on hold at the same time and started thinking about what else they could do to bring in revenue at quiet times.

With a background in marketing, Melissa decided they needed to be on the street front, with an office, and a bit of a shop to bring people in, who would then learn more about their services. It worked, and then some. While the shop has taken off, so too has interest in their interior design and building services, with Melissa employing freelance designers to share the load. I have to say, if the shop is a reflection of her taste, I can see why people are queuing up for her to help them transform their homes. “Nothing comes in here (the shop) unless I want to take it home,” she says. “I have to love how it looks.” I think I’d quite happily take most of it home with me too, thank you very much.

Interior design is something she’s passionate about making accessible too: “It’s about bringing good design and putting things together well, to the masses,” says Melissa. “It doesn’t have to be designer furniture, it can be something you’ve found and brought in off the street.” She adds: “A lot of people think they don’t know what they want but I think one of my skills is in asking the right questions to get out of them those few little nuggets that reveal what they do want, but maybe don’t realise.”

Everywhere I looked in this store, I found things by people and brands I love: cushions and lampshades by Shibori, chunky knits by Little Dandelion, art by Lisa Madigan, Voyager Candles, Armadillo & Co rugs, Bay and Fyfe scarves. You get the idea. Melissa loves stocking Australian and handmade products where possible and gets excited about discovering brands like Urban Cartel on Etsy.

It’s clear Melissa has very personal relationships with her suppliers and could tell me all sorts of interesting details about them, their products and how she came to know them.ย It’s why this shop has such a good feel about it, as well as just looking great. I will definitely be back for a return visit.

ย The Design Hunter |ย 267 Bronte Rd | Charing Cross | NSW 2024

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Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

#timberhandles #timberknobs #cabinethardware #cabinethandles #finishingtouches #drawerpulls #kitchenhandles #kitchenpulls #kitchenknobs #kitchendrawer #kitchendrawers #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #theinteriorsaddict #homerenovations #interiordesignaustralia #interiordesigninspo #transformyourhome #housemakeover #designinspiration #trusttheprocess #designwork #beautifulhomes #dreamhouse #homestylingsydney #beforeandafterrenovation #creatingbeautifulspaces #kitchentrends2022 #kitchenglowup
Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
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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 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarGeorgia Ezra says

    November 23, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Love this article Jen!

    Melissa Bonney is such a Gem, and The design Hunter is stunning , not to mention Melissa is a FABULOUS Interior designer! I want everything in her store… Aren’t I lucky she stocks my CAJA range! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Great article!!!

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      November 23, 2012 at 6:20 pm

      I saw your CAJA in there ๐Ÿ™‚

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