You know those “before and after” moments where you have to squint and double-check you’re looking at the same space? Well, welcome to the Carlton Art House bathroom and laundry—featured in the May issue of House & Garden—where that’s exactly the case.

Yes, it’s really the same room.

In this hardworking little corner of our client’s Carlton townhouse, what was once a purely practical laundry has had a serious glow-up. It’s now moonlighting as a charming powder room that’s as stylish as it is functional. And I’ll be honest—this space may be small, but it’s got more character than most full-sized bathrooms I’ve seen!

Let’s start with the magic trick: the laundry is there… you just can’t see it. We concealed it behind sleek sliding doors, which we then papered in a completely fabulous wallpaper—customised to fit the exact scale of the panels (because of course we did). It’s subtle, it’s smart, and it brings an unexpected dash of joy to the space.

The cabinetry? Oh yes—curves in all the right places, complete with hand-cut detailing that adds that little extra something. Topped with a stunning Norwegian stone, the whole look is equal parts elegant and practical. And the hand-spun brass basin? It sings next to the vintage wall lights we sourced (because vintage is always a good idea).

The overall result? A space that feels welcoming, personal, and totally unique—just like our lovely client, whose home this is. It’s a room that works hard but wears it lightly, with thoughtful details that make it a pleasure to use, whether you’re popping in to freshen up or doing a quick load of laundry.

So next time someone tells you a laundry has to be purely functional or that powder rooms can’t have personality, send them this way. And maybe the May issue of House & Garden too.!

to see more images of our Carlton art house  here 

The post A Powder Room That Packs a Punch – Featured in House & Garden appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

What started as a dated, somewhat lacklustre space (keep scrolling!) has been completely transformed into a kitchen that’s as inviting as it is individual. The goal? To take what could easily have been a forgettable, “let’s just get it over with” kitchen and turn it into a showstopper. And let me tell you—mission accomplished!

The key to this transformation? A careful balance of rich materials and thoughtful design. We started with dark hand-stained timber veneer, which immediately added a sense of warmth and sophistication. Paired with green-toned stone for the bench tops and splash back, this kitchen feels both grounded and fresh—a little unexpected, but absolutely stunning.

And let’s not forget the bonus: We made sure the space wasn’t just beautiful to look at, but also useful. My client, an art lover, wanted a kitchen that could serve as both a functional cooking space and a place to display her art collection. With ample counter space and clever shelving, this galley kitchen became a perfect backdrop for her pieces—art and food, both elevated.

What could have been a dull and purely utilitarian space is now one of the most inspiring and individual rooms in the house. It’s proof that with a little vision, even the most practical of spaces can become a standout feature.

So if you ever find yourself in a kitchen that’s feeling more “blah” than “wow”, remember: there’s always an opportunity to inject some glamour, personality, and style. Just ask the team behind the Carlton Art House kitchen – US!

Here is a look at the BEFORE:

The kitchen had good bones, but it was definitely stuck in the past. Picture yellow tiles everywhere, yellowed veneer cabinetry, and a heavy black bench that made the space feel dark and closed off. It wasn’t just dated—it was crying out for a design overhaul. With a bit of vision and a lot of TLC, we transformed this galley kitchen into a space that’s not just functional, but truly fabulous.

The post The Glam Galley – A Show-Stopping Kitchen at the Carlton Art House appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

The cherry on top? Home Beautiful magazine came along and captured the whole thing. Yes, that’s right—I somehow ended up in a glossy mag for doing what I love most: hanging out with my design mates and talking shop. (And ok, there was a cheese board. A very good one.)

Now, let me just say—this group of women? They’re not only ridiculously talented but also some of the most generous and supportive humans I know. We catch up regularly (not just for the wine), and we talk everything: trades, suppliers, client curveballs, fabric finds, and the occasional “is this fabulous or completely unhinged?” design moment. No competition, no gatekeeping—just a whole lot of mutual respect, laughs, and a shared obsession with beautiful things.

Amy’s home was the perfect backdrop, full of warmth, personality, and more than a few “ooh, where’s that from?” moments. It was one of those days where everything just felt easy and joyful—and the kind of thing that reminds me how lucky I am to work in such a creative, collaborative industry.

Huge thanks to the Home Beautiful team for capturing the spirit of the day so beautifully—and for not showing the part where I dropped a canapé. (True story.)

Story featured in the February 2025 issue Home Beautiful Magazine

featured:

Amy Spargo –  Mainehouse Interiors

Lucinda Kimpton –Kimpton Interiors

Melissa Balzan – Melissa Balzan Design 

Alex Brownlow – Brownlow Interior Design

Sarah McPhee – Sarah McPhee interior Design 

Milly Bray – Milly + Co

Sheila Smith – Miss Smith Interiors 

The post In Good Company -indeed! appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

As an interior designer, I’ve always valued being hands-on in every stage of the creative process. It’s this direct involvement that fuels my passion, which is why I’ve chosen to keep our team intentionally small—it’s just myself and my talented offsider, Nick. This approach allows us to dive deeply into each project, ensuring every detail aligns with our ethos: working on interesting projects for interesting people.

At CMD, we’re not motivated by ego. For us, it’s not about chasing the spotlight or designing spaces that simply look good in a photograph. Instead, our focus is on creating spaces that feel incredible to be in. Spaces that are warm, inviting, and truly resonate with the people who live in them.

Right now, we’re busier than ever, working on a diverse range of projects. From designing two homes from top to toe—one in the early design phase and the other already under construction—to transforming individual rooms in homes that evolve over time, every project offers a unique challenge, big or small. And we love them all!

A recent compliment from my brother-in-law reminded me why I love what I do. During a visit to my home, he said it brought him a sense of joy. That simple statement stayed with me, as it beautifully captured the essence of what I strive to create in all my designs. My home isn’t about being shiny or perfect—it’s about feeling alive. It’s a space filled with character, warmth, and a touch of experimentation. From furniture and upholstery to lighting, my home is a reflection of the ideas I’ve tested and embraced, and it’s a deeply satisfying way to live.

This same philosophy carries through to the work we do at CMD. Every room, every detail, is thoughtfully designed to spark joy and create an emotional connection. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about crafting spaces that tell a story, evoke feeling, and make life that little bit richer.

We’re thrilled to keep pushing boundaries, experimenting with ideas, and sharing the results with our amazing clients. Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come!

My own current home – an apartment full of colour, art and textiles and design experiments – designed to make ME exhale and recharge.

The post A long Overdue update appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

When I was invited to be a part of the Avenue of design @decordesignshow , I decided I would do it to show what I truly believe in & stand for as a designer. A high horse/ money where your mouth is exercise if you will!
And that is Feelings, colour, custom design, Australian made & manufacture, details & individuality.

To be perfectly honest, I truly thought my room display which is full of colour & individuality would be too bold & a bit frightening for most people. I had braced myself to hear the passing people verbalise their “nah, & OH  dears’…  instead what I’ve heard is the joyous reactions to seeing & experiencing the colour & details. Colour evokes feels that just don’t translate so much though the screen. It’s just been so lovely to see the happy emotions this little room has sparked!

I can proudly say that almost everything in the room – with the exception of the lamp base (a vintage find years ago) the walnut side table (clever local maker Hugh McCarthy)  & of course the artworks (Jane Renyolds) & vases etc, was designed by me! Much of it existed already in my home – experiments that Ive done over time, and a few pieces I specially designed for this space – like the rug and the criss cross lamp shade that is my new favorite successful experiment & will feature in more projects soon!!

You can see it in the glossie pages in the current issue of House & garden November 2022

For more images of the room, check out the gallery here and all of the other finalists here 

The post House & Garden Top 50 Rooms appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

The side protest to the design world against all the boring greige that is everywhere was just a cherry on top for me!

Every piece in our space was custom designed: from the sculptured rug, through to the lamp shade that featured the same corner detailing as the rug – all the details that come together to make one seamless space that brought smiles to all the faces of the passes by. I worked with the team at Tsar carpets to bring my vision of the rug I designed to life. They have written an article about the occasion – so sharing their words below!

TSAR Carpets have elevated residential and commercial spaces globally with their holistic compositions for over 35 years. In recent collaboration, TSAR and Interior Designer, Camilla Molders, crafted a striking custom rug for feature in her vibrant stall at the Decor + Design interior trade event held in Melbourne.

Camilla brought elegance and flare to the crafting of the rug’s concept design, and briefed TSAR designers to finalise artistic features, materials and have the product brought to life through manufacture. Camilla Molders Design studio adopts a transformative and tailored approach to design and is driven by imagination to achieve spaces that reflect individuality and personal taste. The integration of these two teams sparked a collaboration filled with originality and creativity.

Camilla’s innovative and uniquely designed and styled space for Decor + Design, featured among nine other individually curated stalls that collectively formed an opulent entranceway of artistic suites. Guests weaved through the walkway with the opportunity to explore a creative curation of Australian Interior design before entering the trade event.

Camilla achieved her vision of creating a modern, uniquely designed stall through infusion of detailed furniture and bold textiles. The space combined an eclectic colour palette of tonal red, blue and yellow hues with crisp geometric pattern, showcasing the alignment of contemporary and sophisticated expressive design.

The integration of the distinctive TSAR carpet was complementary to the bold radiancy of the room. The meticulously hand-tufted rug is made from premium 100 percent New Zealand Wool and Tencel, and fuses varying pile heights, sleek carving and beveling to achieve a vivacious piece that speaks to both functionality and art.

“Working with Tsar was a happy and creatively satisfying experience from start to finish! From the first meeting where I presented my concept drawings, I was met with excited smiles from the team and from then on through development I knew the team were really understanding what I was after. The care and thoughtfulness was there every step of the way and I couldn’t be happier with the end result. The rug is a smile inducing piece of floor art!”  – Camilla Molders

With its bright colouring and bold texture the collaborative rug was a striking statement in the beautifully designed stall, embodying the essence of both TSAR Carpet’s technical expertise and Camilla Molders’ innovation and expansion in interior design.

The post Avenue of Design appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

This year marks the 10th Best of Houzz award that Camilla Molders Design has received in a row!

 For context – The awards have been running for ten years & that means we’ve snagged one every year!  10/10!  

Im not generally into the award scene – Its a whole too-doo & political ra-ra that I just don’t care for, however the Houzz awards are an award that Im happy to receive as its awarded by merit of public interest in my work.

Houzz have over 65 million home owners from around the world interacting on their platform. One of our images on Houzz has been viewed by people all around the world on houzz a huge 122,595 times in the past 12 months alone & added to 68,000 idea books!  So yeah – Im quite happy to have receive an award that is given by peoples interest.

So – we must be doing something right!!

The post 10th Best of Design Award appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

Its great to see the beautiful and luxurious ensuite bathroom from our Alphington Riverside project featured in Australian House and Garden Magazine.

More images of the space here.

I look forward to showing more of this beautiful home soon – it really is something special!

The post House & Garden Magazine bathroom feature appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

Interior designer Camilla Molders own apartment captures her personality, as much as being a comfortable home. Colourful, adventurous and slightly eclectic, there is a sense of joy in the way spaces have been curated, along with the paintings , objects and artefacts. “This place allows me to express the way i feel about design, whether its through the use of colour or texture.”

Molders uses the word ‘feeling’ in the way she sees a space, one that not only has balance, but most importantly, captures the clients visions and the way they choose to live. “its a collaborative process from the start. And it should be joyous. But i also see it as a privilege being a designer and invited into someones home.”

While some designers go through various career changes, Molders gravitated to interior design immediately after leaving school. Without any experience, she was offered a position at Wardlaw, known for it’s top-end premium textiles, including Tricia Guilds collection from London. Drawn to Guilds colourful combinations, including cobalt blues that captured Molders discerning eye. fast forward several decades, and her living room is a rich melange of blue and green hues in sumptuous silks, velours and woven fabrics.

Although bringing together fabrics and design options for interior designs was rewarding for Molders, she realised the importance of qualifications, later graduating in Interior Design at RMIT. She also benefitted from working in the practises of other designers, understanding the business side of interior design, as much as the creative process.

In 2005, after working for leading fabric showrooms and designers, Molders established her own practice, hoping that potential clients would take a ‘leap of faith’ by engaging someone so committed and passionate about interior design and what it can offer, A simple spruce up of an apartment in Albert Park in melbourne (a place where Molders recently returned to create ‘stage two’) is now listed on her ‘white board’ almost 15 years later.

“The early discussions with a client are paramount. It is often what is not said, as much as what is, that sets up the initial response,” says Molders, who prefers to take everything on board and allow the design to evolve, rather than simple returning with a fully completed scheme at a second meeting. “You get to understand how a client uses a space and what they are thinking the more you get to know them.”

A feeling for a space often cant be clearly articulated until ideas are suggested and start to take shape. One client, a busy professional, wanted her bedroom to be a sanctuary at the end of each day, the only problem now is the room is so chill, the children also gravitate to the room for the sanctuary it provides!” Another client came with particular proclivities, something Molders doesn’t pass judgement on. “it should always be their space, irrespective of how I like to live in my own space.”

As well as taking care of all the design elements within a home, be it fabrics, paint colours or lighting, Molders also enjoys designing and producing bespoke furniture and rugs for a room. the saying ‘you cant put a square peg into a round hole’ continually annoys her, with the idea of making a peg fit, whether round or square, simply part of an interior designer’s role. Not surprisingly, there is an expression in with her suppliers that things for the home can be “Camillarised’.

Those entering a home designed by Camilla Molders will see a highly personalised approach rather than simply a number of designer pieces sourced from a furniture showroom. “People bring to a home their own personalities. Im here to guide the process and make it simply more pleasurable.”

Well that was a great read!! Thank you Stephen!

And here is a pretty picture, just because this is all very wordy!

The post A recent chat with design writer Stephen Crafti appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.

Looking back to what was a special event back in October 2018 where I was thrilled to be included as one of the 24 designers participating in the Como by Design Interior Design Showhouse held at the beautiful historic Como House in South Yarra.

As popular as design show houses are around the world (ah to one day visit Kips bay)  there hasn’t been a showhouse in Australia since back in 2000, so was certainly about time!  …however as I was also part of the steering committee putting this event together…I can understand why there was such a hiatus! It was certainly an all consuming exercise – still,so incredibly satisfying to see a beautiful and historic original homestead in Melbourne totally transformed and given new life – albeit temporarily!

Como House was the perfect location for the event. The original homestead of the area, and with 42 rooms (- yes – 42 -one of which is a ballroom – because obviously!)  now owned & maintained by the National Trust, who operate historic tours through the house that is furnished in its original furnishings which consist of many rather elaborate antiques that the matriarch of the house Caroline Armytage collected while extensively travelling the world in the late 1800’s.

For our event, we had to be very respectful to the fabric of the house and not remove or add hooks or create any damage. Simply put, after Como by Design was all done – the house is to remain exactly as it has been for many many years!

My room to ‘re imagine’ was the study. A small room on the ground floor of the house. A small room to make a big impact!

Below is the study as it usually looks. A beautiful marble fireplace with pink carpet and antique furniture and pieces that are lovely in their own right, however look drab and uninspiring under what i describe as ‘baby boomer beige’ coloured walls!

We each had 3 days to transform our rooms from woe to go. And once the event was over,  2 days to return the room to the original state. including the baby boomer beige walls!

I wanted my room to showcase my love of colour, textiles & custom design so I worked with some of my favorite local artisans to make much of what was in my room.

Grant Ward who worked with me on designing & making the chairs & the upholstered screen, Anton Gerner who made the desk, Designer Rugs who made my sculptured rug, Lump Sculpture Studio who custom coloured their beautiful planters that  showcased the stunning floral display, ‘I like that’ who made the curtains, Haymes Paint for supplying the paint I used on the walls, Cone 11 ceramics who generously made me some very cute tea cups and finally, but certainly not least – to South Pacific Textiles who were so incredibly generous with supplying me their incredible textiles to use – including the incredibly beautiful embroidered silk that I used on the upholstered screen.

without further ado, my room – with limited commentary!

I will say however that photographing a small space at 7am when the sun is barely peeping in the shy does not make for the most amazing images…

And now for a few crappy iPhone pics. But I think they a nice representation of the energy of the show & the room.

And thank you to SJ Framing who loaned me a collection David Parise’s Barbie & Ken adventure pictures which where a huge hit, showing that humour has a place in an interior! A few of these now adorn my walls & make me smile every day!

It was a massive few days with the event running at capacity for most of the 3 days it was open!  The camaraderie throughout the event was really special to be a part of and I am so incredibly proud of all of the designers who participated.It was a stunning event, and every single room design was clever, thoughtful & beautiful!  See for your self here:

The Design Files 

and also here

Desire to Inspire 

So, when can we do it again?!!

The post Como by Design Interior Showhouse Happened appeared first on Camilla Molders Design.