Why Planning Your Window Treatments Early in the Build/Reno Project is Crucial
You need to be finalising your window treatments before you build! Find out why these should be top of your priority list. If you are leaving these till last, you’re leaving it much to late. Find out why window coverings are so important…
Choosing Your Builder: 10 Questions To Ask
10 questions you need to ask before you choose your builder. Trusting someone with one of your largest investments in not a small decision. As experts in the new build and renovation space, we know what we want from a building partner. Here we guide you on what YOU need to know!
The Gable House: How to Maximise Space on a Small Block
Looking for tips on how to maximise your new build on a small block. We show you exactly how we built a 4 bedroom home with 2 outdoor areas on a 300 square metre block! Expertly designed by Heliconia design in prime position in Manly.
Setting The Exterior Direction - The Avenue - New Home Build
Our latest new build on the Northern Beaches, The Avenue, is up to the exterior selections. View the Exterior Mood Board and read all our tips on what you need to know at this stage of your new build!
Engineered Stone Out: The Rise of Non-Silica Benchtop Innovations
The official engineered stone ban coming into play in Australia on the 1st of July 2024 has been a major shake-up for the Interior Design and building industries. Like every major change, this has spurred some incredible creativity, leading to some exciting (and safe) new products and options. In case you need a re-cap on the ban, this is what it is all about…
The Avenue - Sally’s New Build 2024: Starting with the heart of the home.
What happens when an Interior Designer builds her own home? Sally's latest project – her brand new family home is finally underway...we can't wait to take you along for the ride & show you the entire process starting, the Heliconia way, by understanding the heart of the home…
Building and Renovating in 2024
In 2024, the journey of building or renovating a home presents new challenges and opportunities. One thing remains constant: preparation is crucial for a successful project.
Crafting a Cosy Guest Bedroom
Got guests coming to stay? Here are our tips for transforming that spare room into a comfortable and enjoyable haven they won’t want to leave.
How To Choose The Right White
From cool and crisp to warm and inviting, the world of white paints offers a spectrum of possibilities that allows you to play with palettes and options that will work well with your space. But which white is right?
Tour : Renee’s Own Kitchen
As an Interior Designer and serial renovator and builder herself, Renee has lost count of how many kitchens she’s designed. So when it came to Renee’s brand new kitchen, you could say the pressure was on to design something spectacular.
5 Tips for a Small Bathroom
If you're planning a bathroom that errs on the side of compact, fear not. You can still achieve statement and substance with some considered planning and a few clever tricks of the trade.
6 Steps to Answering the Renovate Vs Build Question
Have you been thinking about whether to renovate, extend out or up or even knockdown? How do you know which option makes the most sense? We show you where to start.
Three Mood Boards for 2021
Now that we’ve share how we make a Mood Board, we’ve followed the formula to create boards for a few of the styles we feel are relevant in 2021. Feel free to use them as your own!
How to Make a Mood Board
As the name suggests, a Mood Board is not just about what a space will look like, but how it will feel when you’re in it. We share our step-by-step formula for creating a Mood Board that will help you articulate your vision.
The Exhale Factor - Design It Yourself
For us, there were many lessons learnt in 2022. But when reflecting on all our wonderful projects, both big and small, there is one stand out piece of advice we know has helped our clients more than anything else. And it’s not what you think.
The Secret to a Happy Project
A renovation or new build project can be an emotionally-charged time. We reflect on the ingredients required to help make sure it’s an exciting life-highlight (not stressful nightmare).
6 Tips for Success When Working From Home
As we sit here housebound during the global pandemic crisis that is COVID-19, up to our necks in home schooling and working from home, we’ve put together some tips to help calm the chaos at your place.
10 Tips for Family Bathroom Design
Kids’ bathrooms are high-traffic, hard-working rooms. We share our top tips for a bathroom design that will pass the family-friendly test… now, and in the future.
How To Style With Indoor Plants
We investigate how to choose an indoor plant - and keep it alive! Paul Hyland of Glasshaus gives us advice on indoor plant care, plus we list our top 5 indoor plant picks!
Garage Conversion Before and After
The front door sets a lasting impression and updating it with a lick of paint can result in just the transformation your home’s entrance needs this season.

