From simple 70’s shack to grand contemporary homestead, Beacon Lighting has been super proud to play our part in this incredible transformation from one of The Block’s most popular couples, Dea & Darren.

Renowned for their work in period homes, this reno gave them the chance to explore a more industrial barn look.

Dining room
Taking a cue from the beach location, a cluster of our coastal-inspired Herman pendants at different heights provided a stunning centrepiece over the dining table.

We’re not even half way through the new smash hit series of Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia, but we’ve been so inspired by the transformations, we just had to share our favourites so far.

Episode 1: Normanhurst, NSW
Presented with a dark and depressing dwelling dedicated to cats, the team’s only option was to take a sledgehammer to the walls to open the house up.

What Shaynna did
Completely removing all the existing cabinetry and starting with a blank canvas helped Shaynna create a bright open plan family space overlooking the rear garden. Our Marcel pendant in smoked glass used over the large island bench zoned added drama to the neutral palette. The adjoining living room fe

It might surprise you to know that the one design element that has the most impact on how your home looks and feels is lighting. And yet, it’s also one of the most overlooked, and one that people often get wrong.

Follow our 5 fail-safe rules to get your lighting right
1. Keep it simple.
Decluttering is much more than a fad, it’s also a great concept to apply to your lighting. You should create a sense of simplicity in your home and choose designs that are sleek, functional and cohesive. Oversized lighting pieces work beautifully as a standout feature, so avoid the urge to add other large elements that will create a sense of clutter.

Quirky styling and off-beat art may be cool, but unfortunately, it’s not a great idea when you’re trying to sell your home. In this week’s episode of Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia, Shaynna, Charlie and Andrew had to convince a real estate agent in Inverloch Victoria that her unique style might not be a match for buyers.

The challenge
Yes, you can have too much timber! This house was filled with timber beams and high wooden ceilings which made it feel dark and dated. Coupled with leaky skylights, mad mosaic flooring and chunky architecture, even Fleur’s real estate credentials didn’t help find a buyer.

Before:

We’ve put together six clever lighting hacks to transform even the dullest room in your home into a bright, beautiful space.

While it’s always a good thing to be up to date with the latest design trends, it’s another thing altogether to be a slave to them. The key to creating a home that reflects your personality and feels liveable is to avoid anything too ‘matchy-matchy’ and explore the amazingly fresh effect mixing materials, colours and textures can have in your home.

More and more we are seeing interior designs that use a mix of contrasting trends. Whether it’s a subtle or striking contrast, this concept delivers a delightfully unexpected look and provides depth and dimension to a space.

This blog was written by guest blogger and Design School founder Jenna Densten.

In all our renovations, including our not-so-huge (think tiny) cottage, I’ve always adopted the theory that lighting, texture and colour are the three most important design elements to consider if you’re looking to create a feeling of space and continuity.

The Naturals trend
I’ve always been a huge fan of the Naturals trend

Who would have thought a home smack bang on Sydney harbour would be unsellable! But that was the case in this week’s episode of Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia when Shaynna, Charlie and Andrew were faced with transforming a run-down disaster in Balmain East into a home worthy of the multi-million-dollar views.

The challenge
Would you pay $4 million for a 2-bedroom home with one tiny bathroom? Neither would anyone else as Fran and Fred discovered. While the house had magnificent harbour views, the restrictive heritage listing and half-finished renovations turned buyers off.

“Hey Google, turn my house into a buyer’s dream!”
With its heritage listing, Shaynna had to work with the original blueprint of the house. Using a Google Home Mini

While we see a lot of interior design focused on a neutral palette, there’s a lot to be said for stepping out of the box with rich and decadent interiors that embrace your senses with vibrant colours and a feeling of olde-world glamour.

The Art Deco style that came to the fore in the 1920’s was all about luxury and sophistication, and it certainly didn’t hold back when it came to mixing bold colours and exuberant geometric design pieces.