A new wave of renovation thinking is sweeping Australia, with The Block stars and top architects leading a shift toward emotionally intelligent, timeless home design.
If your renovation dreams begin with a Pinterest board and end with a budget blowout, you’re not alone.
Australia’s top home experts say too many would-be renovators are skipping the fundamentals, and ending up with houses that look great in photos but fail to deliver where it counts.
Whitefox founder and The Block judge Marty Fox said the homes people fall in love with are never the flashiest.
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“They’re the ones where nothing feels forced, just smart, beautiful spaces that feel effortless to live in,” Mr Fox said.
Mr Fox and his wife Charlotte recently transformed a forgotten Toorak house into a breathtaking family sanctuary, complete with slab marble bathrooms, a backyard pickleball court, and designer finishes sourced from Europe.
But Mr Fox said it’s not about throwing money at a problem, it’s about vision, planning and understanding how design choices shape real life.
Marty Fox’s Toorak family estate combines luxury, lifestyle and scale, with 1440sq m of land, pickleball court, wellness deck and a designer fit-out crafted to last.
The Block judge Marty Fox has created a Toorak sanctuary with slab marble bathrooms, Murano glass, and landscaping by Nathan Burkett, all in a single-level design
“You can spend millions and still get it wrong,” he said.
“What makes a home sing is when it reflects your lifestyle, where every detail has purpose.
“Not just what’s trending.”
That same message is echoed by The Block’s resident architect Julian Brenchley, who has spent more than a decade watching contestants battle budgets, briefings and breakdowns under national scrutiny.
The Block’s Julian Brenchley said homeowners are ditching showy facades and embracing homes that feel good, with internal courtyards, natural materials and smart zoning. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily
“Design isn’t decoration,” Mr Brenchley said.
“It’s problem-solving.”
Mr Brenchley warns that many renovators rush toward open-plan layouts without truly understanding how to zone space for function, acoustics or family life.
“Everyone wants big and open, but with no structure it just becomes an echo chamber,” he said.
Japandi design — a blend of Japanese calm and Scandinavian warmth — is emerging as one of Australia’s most sought-after renovation styles. Supplied: James Hardie, Modern Homes Forecast
“You need flow, you need quiet areas, you need smart storage.”
And while bold facades and glossy finishes once dominated display homes, The Block architect believes people are moving away from trying to impress.
“Buyers don’t want trophy homes, they want liveable ones,” Mr Brenchley said.
“People are moving away from trying to impress, less facade, more feeling that’s the future.”
Timber tones, clean lines and layered textures are defining Japandi interiors, which are designed to slow you down and foster a sense of peace at home. Supplied: James Hardie, Modern Homes Forecast
That’s the design philosophy embraced by The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio, who said the biggest shift they’ve noticed post-show is emotional design.
“Great design slows you down,” Ms Ottavio said.
“It makes you breathe deeper when you walk through the door.”
The couple recently completed a Japandi-style design for James Hardie, a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian principles, favouring clean lines, warm timber, earthy tones and layered textures.
Japandi-style homes prioritise wellbeing, with Steph and Gian Ottavio noting that every design choice is made for how the home makes you feel, not just how it looks. Supplied: James Hardie, Modern Homes Forecast
The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio say demand for calming, intentional homes is rising — with Japandi principles now shaping a new generation of renovations. Picture: Supplied/Channel 9
“It’s not just a trend,” Mr Gian said.
“We design for how a home feels, at 7am when you’re rushing out the door, or when you collapse onto the couch after a long day.”
And Ms Ottavio said the days of designing for resale are fading fast.
“Buyers can smell inauthenticity,” she added.
“You can walk into a house that’s had 200k thrown at it and still feel nothing.
“But give me a home where the spaces are well-planned and thoughtful, and I’ll take that every time.”
Whitefox founder and The Block judge Marty Fox said the key to great renovations is material knowledge and emotional connection, not flashy trends or oversized builds. Photo: Zebe Haupt
Mr Fox, who’s sold some of Melbourne’s priciest real estate, agrees that emotional pull is everything.
“You want buyers to walk in and picture their kids playing in the backyard, not wondering how long the floors will last,” he said.
“At the top end, people want turnkey — but more than that, they want soul.”
The Block judge said he’s also big on quality over quantity.
“Don’t waste money on trendy tiles you’ll hate in six months,” Mr Fox said.
“Spend where it counts, good stone, beautiful lighting, tapware that feels solid in your hand.”
So what’s the golden rule when planning your dream reno?
For Mr Fox, the answer is simple.
“A home is about memory-making,” he said.
“Get the fundamentals right, and the magic follows.”
The Block stars top 5 reno tips
1. Don’t follow trends
Whitefox founder and The Block judge Marty Fox said fads fade fast.
Use natural materials, classic finishes, and design choices that will still look good in 10 years.
2. Prioritise flow and function over fancy facades
The Block architect Julian Brenchley warns against “facade obsession.”
Focus on how your home feels and functions day to day, not just how it looks on Instagram.
3. Plan every detail, especially the basics
Know your marbles, timbers, lighting, and layouts.
According to Mr Fox, great renovations hinge on understanding materiality and making intentional choices early.
4. Design for emotion, not just aesthetics
The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio recommend designing for how a home makes you feel, from 7am grogginess to post-work recharge, not just its visual appeal.
5. Think lifestyle, not just location.
The right home isn’t just where it is, it’s how you live in it.
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