Parkes Residence
A behind-the-scenes look at a full service interior design journey
Ever wondered what actually goes on behind the scenes of a full service interior design project?What happens long before a build starts, the decisions you never see in the final photos, and how a home goes from an idea to something that genuinely works for everyday life?
This is where we open the door and invite you in.
Parkes Residence is a full service interior design project we delivered for our returning clients, Sue and Peter, on the Terranora Hills in Northern NSW. As a Gold Coast interior designer specialising in full service interior design, projects like this allow us to guide our clients from early planning right through to construction, procurement, and final installation.
We worked closely together for almost two years, from the very first conversations through to handover. What began as a design collaboration naturally grew into a genuine friendship, which is always one of the most rewarding parts of our work. Construction commenced in late 2024, with handover completed just in time for them to enjoy their very first Christmas in their new home.
Rather than focusing only on the finished result, this project is best understood by walking through what actually happened behind the scenes.
Spatial planning stage
Shaping the layout before anything else
The first job, once we’ve really gotten to know our clients and asked a million questions about how they live, move, and want their home to function, is to analyse the floorplans. This is where we look closely at flow between spaces, kitchen design and pantry layouts, bathroom design, storage, and whether there are opportunities to introduce thoughtful feature moments that enhance the way the home feels and works.
For Sue and Peter, this stage was all about refining how the home would be lived in. We reviewed kitchen and bathroom layouts, ensured storage was generous and practical, softened circulation paths, and identified where architectural features could be introduced to elevate the overall experience of the home. The master wardrobe was reduced to allow for a larger bedroom, curved walkways were introduced to soften square lines, and the staircase was carefully detailed so it felt balanced rather than visually dominant.
We speak up early when something isn’t working, so it gets fixed upfront and you’re not dealing with costly changes later.
For Sue and Peter, this early collaboration with the building designer before council submission made a huge difference. It allowed us to refine key layout decisions while changes were still straightforward, saving time, avoiding rework later on, and setting the project up properly from the very beginning.
“These decisions are the reason a home feels intuitive, calm, and easy to live in.”
Concept design
Defining the look, feel, and design intent
With the layout resolved and plans progressing, we moved into concept design. This is where the home starts to gain its personality.
Sue and Peter were drawn to a refined modern farmhouse style with Japandi influences. Calm, grounded, and timeless. A classic palette of black, white, and timber formed the foundation, with warmth layered through texture rather than bold colour. The goal was always to create a home that would age gracefully, not chase trends.
This stage is where some of the biggest design-defining decisions were made.
“Shiny black zellige tiles were chosen as the statement in the kitchen, then carried through to the balcony BBQ splashback to create continuity between inside and out.”
Establishing the timber tone early was another key decision, ensuring cohesion flowed throughout the home from the entry through to the living spaces and into the master suite.
“A consistent timber tone was established early and carried throughout the home to create warmth, calm, and cohesion across every space.”
The fireplace was designed as a grounding feature, anchoring the upper level and drawing the eye upward through the double-height volume.
“The stone-clad fireplace was designed as a grounding element, anchoring the main living space and drawing the eye upward through the double-height volume.”
This is the stage where ideas are tested, refined, questioned, and tested again. It’s creative, considered, and sometimes involves stepping back, staring at a screen, and asking, “Is this the one?”
Build and joinery documentation
Where the details really start to multiply
This is usually the point where clients realise just how many decisions sit behind a new home build or renovation. And the visible ones are really only the tip of the iceberg.
Behind the scenes, we’re selecting and documenting everything. Door hardware, hinges, door stops. Tiles and grout colours. Paint finishes. Feature lighting. Fireplaces. Appliances. Basins, mirrors, sinks, tapware, drains. Furniture clearances. Power points. Lighting locations.
And yes, even toilets.
“Yes, we really do talk through everything. Even toilets. To bidet or not to bidet — we’ve got you.”
Custom joinery design is a major part of this stage, including detailed kitchen joinery, bathroom cabinetry, wardrobes, and storage solutions throughout the home. We work closely with cabinetmakers, plumbers, electricians, tilers, and suppliers to ensure every detail is practical, buildable, and aligned with the overall design intent.
We take on the mental load so our clients don’t have to lie awake wondering if they chose the right grout colour.
“Every detail was resolved upfront, from the big moments you notice to the small ones you never have to think about.”
Tendering stage
Making sure the quote reflects the actual design
Once documentation and selections were finalised, we moved into tendering and began detailed conversations with Sue and Peter’s selected builder, Simon Cassar from Cassar Homes.
A builder can only quote accurately when they’re pricing exactly what’s been designed. For Parkes Residence, we walked Simon through the full interior package so nothing was left open to interpretation.
As pricing came back, we worked closely with both the builder and our clients to review costs and make considered adjustments where it made sense. One key example was the exterior cladding. By revisiting the specification and selecting an alternative option that still aligned with the design intent, we were able to save Sue and Peter over $30,000 without compromising the look or quality of the home.
As the build progressed, there were also the inevitable moments that happen on site. Product availability changed. Bulkheads appeared where they weren’t originally marked. Cabinetry needed to be adjusted to suit real-world conditions.
Because we were regularly on site, climbing through dusty builds and ruining perfectly good white sneakers so our clients didn’t have to, these changes were picked up early and resolved calmly.
Cabinetry was reworked, selections updated, and solutions proposed before issues had a chance to become stressful phone calls.
“We don’t just design the home. We stay close to the build so problems are solved before you even realise they exist.”
Furniture selections
Making the home feel lived in, not just newly built
Furniture was an important layer in Parkes Residence, particularly on the upper level. Sue and Peter had several existing pieces from their previous home, which we thoughtfully integrated alongside new selections that better suited the scale and architecture of this build.
Layouts were carefully considered so rooms felt balanced, comfortable, and genuinely easy to live in. This is often the stage where clients say, “Now it feels like home.”
Design management through construction
Carrying the design intent all the way through
Throughout construction, we remained closely involved, guiding the design intent through to reality. Regular site visits, ongoing coordination with the builder and trades, and plenty of on-the-spot problem solving.
After working closely with Sue and Peter for almost two years, watching the home come together so seamlessly was incredibly rewarding. Because the thinking had been done early, the build phase felt calm, considered, and well-managed.
No rushed decisions. No last-minute panic. Just a design being built exactly as intended.
Procurement and installation
Where it all comes together
The final stage is where everything lands. Furniture, lighting, and finishing touches are ordered, coordinated, delivered, and installed.
This is where our black belt comes out and we karate-chop those cushions into submission, styling and refining every detail so the home feels polished, layered, and magazine-ready for our clients to step into. Even though this was our second reveal for Sue and Peter, seeing the emotion on their faces as everything came together was just as special. Watching it all come to life never gets old.
From the curved staircase and stone fireplace to the timber panelling and subtle colour moments, Parkes Residence feels calm, warm, and effortless to live in. Not because of any single feature, but because every decision was made with intention.
Why this process mattered for Parkes Residence
This project worked because the thinking happened early. The layout was refined before plans progressed. The concept was clear. The selections were finalised. The documentation was detailed. The build was guided closely as it unfolded.
It’s not always glamorous, but it’s what allows our clients to enjoy the process, not just the finished home. Ideally with a glass of wine in hand, while we handle the rest.
“This is what full service interior design really looks like behind the scenes.”
Thinking about a project of your own?
As a boutique Gold Coast interior design studio, we take on a limited number of full service projects each year to ensure every home receives the time, care, and attention it deserves.
If you’re planning a build or renovation in the Gold Coast or Northern NSW region and want to feel supported, confident, and genuinely excited about the process, we’d love to start the conversation.