Furnishing a Gold Coast house

After a fruitless search, he was finally referred to Trish of McMillan Interiors. "He had taken the old furniture from the old place but he needed direction," says Trish of their first meeting. "He's a nice man but his taste was a bit 'beige'," she laughs.

Once they met to discover whether they could work together, Trish was left with an open palette of options. 

"I was initially nervous as to what the end result would be, but she reassured me it would all be fine," says Greg.

"The house is tiled with white walls and it had a big space to fill for the living area," says Trish. "It needed to be warmed up, so I suggested a large, custom-made red couch."

"I'm pretty conservative, so I wasn't sure about a red couch so big, but now I'm rapt. It's great looking and really brightens the room," Greg says. 

"I wanted to get him something that would really fill the space. He says he likes to lie on the couch, and also when you're entertaining, only two people sit on a three-seater, so I wanted a four seater, with chairs and ottomans for when he entertains," Trish says. The whole design unfolded around this central piece. 

A rug and feature wall in raw cotton were added for further warmth, and the pair went shopping for a dining set. The glass dining table and matching coffee table tie the space in well together.

"We chose the art mainly to co-ordinate with the colour scheme," Trish says. 

"I like abstract, and the colours of these really bring out the lounge suite," says Greg.

Once the lounge room was complete, Trish turned her attention to the two bedrooms: "Many people already have an ensemble, and if you upholster the base it looks great with an upholstered bedhead. You get a valance made so it fits nice and tight," Trish says.

To create a unique, standout design, Trish covered the bedhead in mock ostrich skin. "It has a wonderful texture and creates a neutral colour mix that complements any linen colour - in this case we chose mocha." 

Lacquer espresso side tables with white tops, an ivory suede valance and another raw cotton feature wall completed the master bedroom design. 

"Family and friends love the house now," Greg says. "They love the feel and the colours, and the way it all mixes well together. If you've got no idea what to do, put your faith in people like Trish and let them run with it."

Trish McMillan

McMillan Interiors

What's the first thing you do with every client?

Well I always suggest getting together to see if we like each other, because if you don't there's no way you can design their home.

What was the brief for this home?

He'd just bought a lovely new home that needed furnishing. He'd taken the old furniture from the old house into the new one, but he desperately needed direction.

Did you select everything or did he have a say?

I took him shopping for the dining suite and he chose the art from the small selection I offered. Mostly I just searched for things that were different from what you could buy off the shelf. Guys often want this - if they're paying someone to do the work, they want it to present like it's been done.

Why did you choose to go with an upholstered bedhead?

They can add colour while remaining simple, and really they're the only option if you don't want timber or lacquer. I chose to use mock ostrich because it creates a nice, different look. You can go anywhere for a suede bedhead. It's great because the texture is timeless.

What did you do with the second bedroom?

I covered that bedhead in a chocolate macro suede, which is really easy to clean. That's why I also did the valances in that material - they're very washable.

Greg

What were you after when you called Trish?

Well that was the thing; I didn't know what I was after so I just got Trish in to work it out for me.

Were you nervous to give it over like that?

Initially I was a bit nervous, but she came up with a concept that worked well and it was ideal for what I wanted, which was a hassle-free process.

What would have happened if you hadn't gone to Trish?

If I'd selected the furniture I was looking at, it would have looked drab and not at all attractive. Now my friends joke about me choosing all this because they know I wouldn't have a clue.

What do you like most about the living area?

The couch is a fantastic size - it had to be because it's a big area to fill. But it's a good sized couch, and the chairs and ottomans look great. It flows easily for entertaining inside and walking outside, and people can relax and be comfortable.

What else did you like about the process?

The whole house looks good together; the art looks great and I chose what I wanted but I didn't have to pick and choose and carry on with a whole lot of things. Once she designed the whole area my friends and family were over the moon and I like it a lot.