Mastering Interior Design with Neptune Homes
Neptune Homes Envision Studio Manager Morgan Gutsell is responsible for leading the incredible design team behind the stunning Sorrento 32 at the Everleigh Display Village in Greenbank.
The impressive two-storey home has already won prestigious awards within the first year of its opening, from the Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards 2023 and the 2023 HIA – CSR Brisbane Housing Awards.
We spoke with Morgan about the design process for the Sorrento 32 and asked her to share her top six tips for people to master their interior design. Here is what she had to say:
Tell us about Envision Studio’s interior design process for the Sorrento 32
“To start our design process, we typically visit the community where the home is being built to get a feel for the environment and sense of place,” says Morgan.
“For the Sorrento 32, we visited Greenbank and took inspiration from the traditional Queenslanders and the natural bushland surrounding the community.
“This led us to incorporate decorative gables with timber detailing, traditional style windows with glazing bars, and lightweight cladding to the outside of the home.
“Internally, we took inspiration from coastal and Hampton homes, with the design aesthetic a natural match for the Queensland climate, creating a sense of brightness and openness that resonates with many purchasers.
“It’s definitely a home you don’t want to leave, with its resort style.”
What are your top tips when it comes to interior design?
1. Define your Budget
“One of the most important things to remember is your budget. You will need to understand and define this before you go ahead and begin your design journey,” says Morgan.
“It’s important to be transparent with your suppliers or colour consultants, so they can guide you in a way that helps you stick to your budget.”
2. Visit Display Homes
“Display homes are one of the best tools to draw inspiration from for your home,” says Morgan.
“Walking through display villages provides so much variety and is a fantastic way to see if you like a particular design style in person.
“I would encourage you to take notes when visiting displays on the aspects you liked, including the colour schemes used, the functionality within a kitchen or bathroom, and what makes a house ultimately feel like your home.”
3. Design a Balanced Colour Palette
“When designing your colour palette, it’s important to have a balance of tones and avoid including too many colours into the mix,” says Morgan.
“If living in Queensland, it is also important to take into consideration the impact darker colours have on a building, as they absorb more heat, can warp over time and fade.
“Another suggestion I have when designing your colour palette is to decide if you want warm or cool tones. A risk of mixing both is losing a sense of cohesion in your home, with some rooms pulling blue and others yellow.”
4. Visit Suppliers
“Once you have a fairly good idea of the colour scheme, I would suggest making visits to your builder's suppliers,” says Morgan.
“The Building & Design Centre in Brisbane is a good place to start, as there are a lot of suppliers under one roof.
“You will be able to touch and feel various products and find what suits you. I would also encourage you to take free samples of products you like, so your colour consultant can work with you to achieve a similar look.”
5. Create a Mood Board
“Use your notes after visiting display homes or meeting with suppliers to create a mood board with images of spaces that resonate the most with you,” says Morgan.
“These images can be things like landscaping or interior images that provide an indication of colours, textures and shapes.
“This should give you a pretty good understanding of what you like and what interior design style suits your taste.”
6. Reuse or Repurpose existing Furniture
“At this stage, a lot of people will begin researching furniture or design items to buy that fit their chosen aesthetic. However, my recommendation is to walk around your home and take note of how you can incorporate existing furniture within your design,” says Morgan.
“There are many online guides that show how you can sustainably refresh or restyle existing furniture to fit different designs.”
Everleigh Display Village in Greenbank is a haven for those seeking interior design inspiration and innovation with 21 captivating displays open daily.