Carmel is a qualified Interior Designer and has been working with GIA Renovations in Melbourne for the last 12 years. Her latest accolade – Australian Bathroom Designer of the Year – is a dream come true which still feels quite surreal. “I have so much respect for the other finalists in this category,” Carmel says. “To be on the stage with them and then take out the award was an incredible experience. I still can’t quite believe it happened”.

The project which won her the award (pictured above) was the result of a serendipitous confluence of the right client, the right space and the right time. “I met the client three years ago,” explains Carmel. “I quoted a laundry that didn’t go ahead but we developed such a rapport that, when it came time to renovate the ensuite, the client came straight to me”.

“In some respects, that’s what made it extra special,” says Carmel. “Rather than tinker with the quote to get the price down, the client was willing to wait, save and do it right. But it’s worth it when the client and the designer have the relationship to make it happen”.

Carmel says that she’s never wanted to be anything other than an interior designer and remembers informing her parents when she was still in high school of her chosen career path. They were dubious but couldn’t deny her years of painting (and repainting), accessorising and decorating her bedroom as well as many of her friend’s bedrooms. When she finished school, Carmel attended the Whitehouse Institute in Sydney which she describes as “the most intense course I could have chosen”.

The course ran for two years and Carmel attended school five days per week for long hours – sometimes 12-hour days – but she says this prepared her for the reality of working in a fast-paced industry. It was also a course requirement to work in the industry on weekends so she picked up work with an interior designer/decorator doing drafting and working in the showroom, and then at a tile showroom within a bathroom renovation centre which worked with high-end builders.

“It was an intense two years,” says Carmel. “But it was so amazing to go to school every day and be surrounded by such inspiration”.

A move to Melbourne saw Carmel take a role with a bathroom renovation company before she headed overseas for a time. Back in Melbourne, she started in an interior design role with a company that undertook large extensions and renovations but found the larger, more complex projects were less conducive to life with small children. This led to a suggestion by her cabinet maker to approach GIA Renovations as they saw an alignment of values within design and client management.

“The owner, Illan Elberg, has created an inspiring and fun work space,” says Carmel. “At GIA it’s like a big family where all the highs and lows of renovating are shared and worked through together with designers and trades to get the best outcome for the end result”.

Carmel’s personal design philosophy has evolved over the years but she says the key to a project’s success will always come down to the relationship between the homeowner and the designer. “The more I do this, the more I realise that you have to find clients who you can work with,” she says. “By that I mean finding clients who understand your role in the project and who appreciate what you can bring to the table. The best projects are those where the client trusts the designer to do what they know needs to be done”.

Carmel takes her role as a confidant and adviser very seriously and this comes across in her approach to building a rapport with the client. “My goal is to only quote a project once,” she explains. “It’s important as designers that we are responsible with our client’s budgets and that we don’t undermine the quality of the work by trying to cut corners to win work – especially in the bathroom”.

Carmel doesn’t believe she has a particular design style as she sees her role more as a collaborator and facilitator. “Homes are meant to be lived in and enjoyed, to be used and be messy at times,” she says. “I love the challenge of having to adapt my style to suit the client and the home, and to add value to that space”.

“But I do love colour,” she confesses. “Colour makes your soul happy and there has to be joy in our interior spaces!”.

When asked about how the industry has changed during her 22 years, Carmel says she has mostly noticed the change in the understanding of the role of an interior designer. She started in the industry around the same time that The Block hit our television screens and she feels this has had both positive and negative outcomes.

“I’m not a fan of them but reality renovation shows do showcase the benefit of design and the skills an interior designer will bring to a project,” she adds. “And it pushes the product suppliers to stretch the limits of the product applications as well as provides impetus for bringing in a broader range of products. This, in turn, educates the homeowner to be more adventurous and embrace new ideas”.

When it comes to the hot topic of registration of designers, Carmel agrees there should be the facility to make a distinction between stylists, decorators and qualified designers. In her opinion, any profession with the word “design” at the end should mean that person is skilled enough to be responsible for detailed plans, as well as specification of finishes – both hard and soft. “The process is about so much more than just shopping,” she expands. “You have to have the ability to draw your design concept but also to be able to communicate that clearly to the client and to those who will be bringing the project to life. It’s a very specific skill set”.

Carmel feels passionately about her industry and offers this advice to any newcomers: “Remember that you can do it! Trust who you are and find your own way,” she says. “Don’t try to imitate other designers. Take inspiration if you like but seek out what can be truly yours. Work hard and don’t be afraid of competition, as competition can push you further than you would normally go on your own”.

Carmel says she and workmate Olivia Cirocco continually challenge each other in a positive way and this helps both stay at the top of their game. She loves this part of their work relationship as they both win by continually improving and pushing the boundaries of what they can do. Together they are both keen to look at what the industry can do to support more women in this space. Particularly in the area of communication throughout the project, from the initial design process to handing over the job to the onsite team who are more often male, Carmel feels strongly about building relationships that provide the best outcomes for her clients.

In terms of future plans, Carmel has a number of larger projects that are coming to fruition in the second half of this year as well as balancing work and a busy home life with her three children. So, watch this space!

For more information visit https://www.giarenovations.com.au/ and stay in touch with Carmel via https://www.instagram.com/carmelwylie_interiordesign/

Nestled among the trees with a view of the Stura Valley in Roccasparvera, Cuneo, the Buen Retiro retreat stands as a testament to the skill of local architect Dario Castellino, who has designed it to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings. In the scenic area of Broglio, which translates to “sprout” in local dialect, Buen Retiro rejuvenates a historical rural site. This project highlights Castellino’s dedication to revitalising small alpine villages, similar to his work in the Cuneo valleys at Paraloup and Campofei.

Transforming an old stone ruin overrun by nature, Castellino has created a modern extension using burnt larch wood and glass, establishing a seamless connection between the natural environment and the architectural design.

The original stone and lime structure, featuring one room on each floor, has been carefully preserved in both form and materials. Specific efforts to reinforce and reconstruct the roof with reclaimed wood from the Stura valley have maintained its original character. An internal wooden staircase, housed in the rebuilt and insulated old portico, links the new addition to the existing building. The modern extension complements the stone structure, maintaining visual unity and integrity. It integrates smoothly, with horizontal forms and a low profile that fits delicately under the long sheet metal roof.

The extension is constructed with slender wooden pillars on a reinforced concrete base. The walls are made of nailed wooden boards filled with CalceLegnoCanapa® insulating panels, known for their low environmental impact and strong mechanical, seismic, fire-resistant, and insulating properties. The insulated roof is supported by wooden beams and boards. The southern façade features large single-glazed windows, merging the indoor and outdoor spaces. The dark frames and strips on the insulated portions of the facade and internal partitions ensure harmony with the natural setting.

The design thoughtfully integrates materials and colours with the surroundings while playing with contrasts. Smaller windows in the original building evoke a sense of protection, while large panoramic windows create a feeling of openness and immersion in the landscape. These expansive windows allow nature to flow seamlessly into the house, forging a unique connection between the interior and exterior spaces.

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Dario Castellino, a strong proponent of the local wood supply chain in the Cuneo valleys, sourced all the wood locally for the new construction. He used the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique to preserve the wood, enhancing its resistance to weather, pests, water, and fire through a surface carbonisation process followed by the application of Tung oil.

Moreover, the house is fully energy self-sufficient, equipped with photovoltaic panels on the roof and an energy storage system, embodying a commitment to zero-emission living.

For more information visit dariocastellino.it/en/home/

Photos: ©Fabio Oggero

Project Credits

Structural Works Designer: Eretika, Borgo San Dalmazzo (CN),ing. Ivano Menso

Heating System Designer: Studio Tecno, Cuneo (CN), ing. Emanuele Dutto e arch. Alice Lusso

General Works: Edilbieffe, Borgo San Dalmazzo (CN)

Water and Sanitary System Installation: Termoigienica, Cavallermaggiore (CN)

Electrical System Installation: Alen Impianti Elettrici, Giordano Alen, Boves (CN)

Furniture/Interior Design and Implementation: Paolo Sasia, artisan

Suppliers:

Wood and CalceLegnoCanapa®: Segheria Pedona, Borgo San Dalmazzo (CN)

Furniture: Bensa Arredamenti, Vignolo (CN)

Sanitary Ware: Idroterm, Cuneo (CN)

Glass and Fixtures: Tecnovetro Macario, Borgo San Dalmazzo (CN)

Fixtures: La Casa del Legno di Sibilli Osvaldo, Aisone (CN)

Stove: P&P Prandi Caminetti, Dronero (CN)

Floor Resins: To Be Resine

Products:

Insulation: CalceLegnoCanapa®

Sanitary Ware: Flaminia

Fittings: Zucchetti

Furniture:

Dining Table Chairs: Wishbone Chair, Carl Hansen & Søn

Dining Table: Record, Infiniti

Armchair: Lounge Chair & Ottoman, Vitra

Living Room Chandelier: Radiohus, Louis Poulsen

Bedroom Light: Balloon, Brokis

Bathroom Light: Moon, Davide Groppi

Pouf: Tondo, Valentini Imbottiti

Rugs: Dipodesign

Objects: Rina Menardi | Adriani & Rossi

Illuminated Sideboard: Living Day, Novamobili

Log Holder: Caligaris Objet

Understairs Armchair: Nest, Nicoletti Home

Book Table: Circle, Novamobili

Bathroom Stool: Tronco, Gervasoni

The floors in the living area and kitchen are tiled with the Beton porcelain stoneware collection in the light Pearl colour and the 75.5×75.5cm and 75.5×151 cm sizes, while the Dark colour was chosen for the bathroom, in the 75.5×151 cm size, making a total of 146 square metres.

On the ground floor, a large open-plan area features the living room, the dining area, screened off with a masonry partition wall, the master bathroom, a study separated from the rest of the home by a sliding panel made of wooden boards, and an outside area. Above this floor are the mezzanines, a typical feature of loft apartments. The whole living space is characterised by the contrast between the white floors and walls, the black iron and décor elements and the warm allure of the birch wood furnishings.

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To obtain a larger, more regular surface area, and to make the most of the height of the building, the renovation project involved the removal of the wall dividing the two long, narrow parts of the industrial construction, as well as the construction of three metal carpentry mezzanines. On one of the mezzanines is the bedroom, with a jacuzzi and a small bathroom; on another is a lounge area, while the third is used as an area to host guests. Under the larger mezzanines is the entrance to the apartment, decorated with wallpaper, as well as the walk-in-wardrobe, main bathroom and the study, which has its own entrance.

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To add a dynamic edge to the whole place, the stairs up to the mezzanines have been designed in different shapes and colours. The lighting has also been studied with great care to create a distinctive atmosphere for each area and their different functions.

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Lastly, a part of the roof has been removed and closed off on two sides with large sliding door frames, to create a private outdoor area, make the whole home brighter and allow for a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors.

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Concrete effect porcelain stoneware is one of the top trends for fans of a metropolitan or urban chic style. This innovative ceramic material takes concrete and gives it a soft, stylish, cloudy look with an appealing colour effect. This offers a striking response to the evolving requirements of contemporary living styles, and is the ideal choice to shape enchanting, sophisticated living spaces with plenty of character.

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The Beton porcelain stoneware collection by Casalgrande Padana features neutral tones and soft spatula effects, making it a perfect complement for a variety of styles: from the metropolitan style typical of loft apartments, to a more modern, contemporary Nordic look. Beton comes in a natural surface, and is available in five shades (Dark, Ivory, Mud, Pearl and Sand) and five sizes (30×60 cm, 60×60 cm, 37.5×75.5 cm, 75.5×75.5 cm and 75.5×151 cm).

For more information visit casalgrandepadana.com/

Text by Sara Costi for Casalgrande Padana | Photos by Jana Sebestova