b'over the rainbowA decade after her television debut, Carlene Duffy has proven herselfa designer with distinction.W hile the path Carlene Duffy took to become a designer may be an unconventional one, she wouldnt have it any other way. For the past ten years, she has been busily building a business and brand in the public eye through television and social media while consulting for clients in her Gold Coast-based design studio, Cedar + Suede.Eveninherearlyyears,CarlenewasnostrangertotheThat first television appearance, where she partnered with herabove and left: Home to a vibrant family of five, itbeen doing it for so long, she says. Sometimes filming falls inmaterials. Hes a commercial pilot now but his time as a carpenterabove: Carlenes design for Berry House encapsulates warmth and spotlightits where she thrived. I grew up in Brisbane and wastool-savvy husband Michael, has undoubtedly had a significantwas important to Carlene that the colours usedclusters and I feel the impacts of not being in the studio, but Iand builder comes in handy. He still has to get on the tools at ourplayfulness, but it also offers a soft and soothing retreat to welcome immersed in performing arts as a kid, she says. I was singing andimpact on her design careerbut in different ways than onefor her Berry House project were reflective ofhave a good team so for the most part its all very doable. own house and I still refer to him for certain aspects in my work. visitors. Guest bedroom walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen dancingprofessionallybeforemight assume. While recognition from the programme has itsthe people who live there. The interiors areResene Last year, the couple also released a book titled This Old VanOftheclientworkshescompletedtodate,herBerrytinted to Resene Edward, ensuite walls in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen goingtouniversitytostudyperks, Carlene says its really the shows immersive hands-ondeliberately playful, she says. The home tellsRaineewhich Carlene says was particularly demanding. I enjoyed theHouse projectwhich won a Resene Total Colour Residentialtinted to Resene Rainee, ceiling in Resene SpaceCote tinted to Resene a delicate and considered colour story, withHalf Wan White and window architraves and door in Resene Lustacryl MediaandCommunication.experience that brought the most benefits. TheBlock was acareful consideration to the quality of naturalprocess of doing the book, but because we were renovating a vanInterior Colour Maestro Awardis the job she is most proud of.semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Half Wan White.Iworkedpart-timeinthebaptism of fire where we had to learn a lot fast, she recalls. Itlight each space receives. It aims to be a warm andalongside it (on top of our normal jobs), it was a lot! Berry House was the first project in which I had full freedom comms industry while my kidsgave me a platform and exposed me to plenty of suppliers. It alsoengaging family home rather than a precious object. Kitchen cabinetsDespite the books challenges, Carlene is interested in doingwiththecolourselectionthankstothefaithofourclients, were young, but my passion forprovided a few lessons on what not to do, but overall, I was quitepainted in Resene Quarter Biscotti, island in Resene Toast, pendantanother in the future but wants to wait for the right time andCarlene explains. The home was high-end and the outcomeReseneinteriors developed when I wasproud of what we accomplished. The first bedroom we deliveredlampshades (bottom section) in Resene Moleskin and bulkhead andangle. I look forward to doing an interiors book one day, but Idemonstratedhowcolourcanbesophisticated.TheresultsCarlenes dream Edwardceiling in Resene SpaceCote tinted to Resene Half Wan White. Interior onmaternityleavewithbabyback in 2014 included sage green wardrobes, which I still love.design and colour selection by Cedar + Suede. Architectural specificationdont want to simply put another interiors book out there justresonated with people and its a good example of why it pays todinner datenumber two. Wed bought ourIt taught me to have a go and commit. by Shaun Lockyer Architects, www.lockyerarchitects.com.au. Build because I can. I will only put something out that fills a hole intrust your designer. Kelly Wearstler, just so I can ask her what shes charging second and current home byIn the ten years since their season aired, Carlenes time hasby JH Dixon, www.jhdixon.com.au. Painting by Chroma Paintingthe market, and when I have something unique to say. I know myApre-warBrisbaneproperty,BerryHouseunderwenta that point; it provided a bit ofbeen split between media work and client work in her designServices, www.chromapainting.com.au. Images by Mindi Cooke, lightbulb moment will come, so I look forward to that. But I alsosignificant renovation led by Shaun Lockyer Architects beforeher clients, and who are these people with these obscene a creative lab and my appetitestudio.Since2017,CarleneandMichaelhavehostedthewww.mindicooke.com. want to have more projects under my belt first. Carleneputherinteriordesignanddecorationprowesstobudgets?! Its difficult to fathom the world in which she fordesignbecameinsatiable.properties located in Queensland on Open Homes Australia asToday,thedesignstudioisCarlenesprimaryfocuswhilework.Theoriginalcottagewasraisedandmovedclosertooperates, so Id love some insight. Id also love to hear Resene Resene about her challenges because it looks so rosy over there in Competing on The Block gavewell as the full two-season run of Ready Set Reno. Open HomesHalf Wan White MoleskinMichael provides building support where he can. Michael hasthe street to allow more space underneath and behind. A newher worldand Im sure its not.meanoutletforthatandAustralia usually isnt very demanding of me. Its on an as-neededResene Resene always loved design but in a much different way, she says. Headdition at the back of the property spans two storeys, which turned everything on its head. basis and doesnt really require any prepmaybe because IveQuarter Biscotti Toastappreciates a homes architecture whereas I notice colours andwas made more engaging through the articulation of the floor 38 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 39'