Madeleine Mackenzie, Head of Decorative Arts & Art, Sydney speaks with Melissa Penfold, Author of Natural Living By Design
Melissa, your latest book highlights the connection between interior design and quality of life, featuring eco-friendly and “healthy” homes. Tell us about where your interest in this topic came from and what some major influences were for the book.
Having written about the interior design industry for the past four decades, I understand the effects an interior can have on your sense of well-being. Our homes wield enormous power. They shape the way we live, influencing our health and happiness. In a world that has become just so stressful, complex, and exhausting—and environmentally threatened—I believe our homes can and should be our refuge.
The purpose of my latest book is to help you create a healthy home that looks beautiful, contributes to your quality of life, and is kind to the planet.
In your chapter on ‘timelessness’ you advise that to be forward-thinking we must also have one eye on the past. I thought this was such a poignant remark and one that anyone in the auction industry will be able to relate to. Can you provide us with a favourite example where new style trends have effectively referenced the past?
Good design is timeless—and deeply personal. Whether you prefer a minimalist or maximalist style, stay true to it in all your design decisions, and you will derive lasting pleasure from your home.
There is more beauty in interiors that are authentic, and in a world of AI, it is nice for homes to feel warm and personal with pieces that have a history. Maybe it’s not exactly a trend, but I do think that there is a general movement away from sameness, towards uniqueness itself which appears to be having a moment as one of the interior design trends for 2025. We want to see more rooms with personality. It’s about mixing pieces that tell stories about the people who live in the spaces. It takes a lifetime of collecting to finish a room. What stands out in today’s interiors is freedom of expression, originality, rich eclecticism, and spirit—rooms filled with all kinds of pieces, whatever their provenance or value.
Your suggestions to reuse, repurpose and be resourceful feel so prescient in current times and of course at auction we are always encouraging our clients to do this. What are some simple steps anyone could follow to start incorporating existing possessions into their home decor?
To achieve a timeless look, there’s no need to constantly buy new or expensive furnishings. How much you spend is less important than how well you channel your inner curator and mix things from different eras.
Periodically assess your belongings and make executive decisions about whether to showcase them or toss them. Consider rearranging your objects and furniture and see how uplifting it can be to enter what feels like a new room. Experiment with your layout, sometimes the simple act of aligning things that have gone askew can instantly restore order, calm, and flow to a room.
I know a lot of people, myself included, love the look of styling the old with the new but it can be a hard balance to find. Do you have any top tips on how to get started recreating this aesthetic at home?
Your interior should be 70 per cent classic foundational pieces, 30 per cent trends and fun modern updates. I think that’s the best ratio for ensuring your rooms are both timeless and up-to-the-minute. Don’t skimp on the staples. Think of furniture foundational pieces as being like fashion’s little black dress: the simpler and more classic they are, the more you can vary them with accessories. Unify vintage and new pieces by grouping them by colour hues and choose one or two standout pieces. A small room benefits from a clear focal point; hero pieces help anchor a room and give it purpose. Beware of matching ensembles of furniture, all matching furniture creates character-free rooms, however upmarket. The most effective and affordable approach is to mix one-offs and hero pieces with modern updates and go for contrasts.
You yourself are an advocate of buying at auction, what are some of your favourite finds from over the years?
Design trends constantly change, and prices will reflect this. At the moment, dark wood furniture – mahogany and oak – is out of fashion, which is a good thing because it means you can pick up beautiful Georgian and Regency antiques for a bargain. Clocks are also a good buy right now. I’ve bought a few timepieces such as stately Empire-style gilt bronze designs, and depending on the size, they can easily be moved from room to room. Think of them like a piece of jewellery for your interiors. Seek out great-value antique pieces and make the most of the opportunity as they’ll be back in style soon.
With thanks to Melissa Penfold for her time.
Top Image: Melissa Penfold Photograph by Kristina Soljo
October 2025