The Art of Asking the Right Questions

Luxaflex Home Collection

Luxaflex Window Coverings

The Mystery Art Piece

Darren's Home Tour

What does “home” really mean when you strip away the marble benchtops and Instagram angles?

In this episode of The Edit, we sit down with one of Australia’s most loved interior designers and long-time judge on The Block,  Darren Palmer.  Alongside Home Beautiful editor Elle Lovelock, for a conversation that’s less about cushions and more about courage. It’s reflective, funny, occasionally filthy, and unexpectedly tender.

Darren opens up about growing up in an industrial Queensland town where he didn’t quite fit, learning his craft without formal training, and why curiosity, not confidence, has shaped his career. We talk about why great design should never look the same twice, how formative homes stay with us (whether we like them or not), and what happens when you finally stop editing yourself for public consumption.

Along the way, Darren shares the story of being outed by the media and how choosing honesty changed everything, plus why Almost Home isn’t really about houses at all, but about memory, identity and the spaces that make us feel safe enough to be ourselves.

There’s also a joyful deep dive into his current home: colour, texture, scent, sound and the artwork that follows him everywhere because it still makes his heart beat faster.

We also catch up with Mel Nottage from Luxaflex on the quiet shift happening in Australian homes away from hard finishes and toward softer, more cocooning window treatments outdoors that prioritise how a space feels, not just how it looks, with more people looking to entertain at home. 

It’s an episode about ambition, vulnerability, and the quiet power of showing up as you are, Zara outfits, filthy jokes and all.

You’ll hear:


Why Darren believes you can teach skills, but never attitude


The real story behind Almost Home and why it’s a double entendre


How childhood homes quietly shape adult design choices


What it was like growing up queer in regional Queensland in the ’80s


The moment Darren decided to stop hiding parts of himself publicly


Why the most powerful art isn’t décor, it’s emotional


How design can be used to genuinely change lives through charity work


An audio home tour that hits all five senses (yes, including scent)

Get comfortable, this one stays with you! 

Thank you for listening ❤️

before you leave...

🗣️ Get in touch 

What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on Instagram

👀 See more

Inside Darren Palmer's Kitchen

Darren's beautiful Bondi home

Hamptons Style Easily Done 

🙏 Our special thanks for making 'The Edit' our new home:

Luxaflex - our beautiful 'studio home' curtains

Oz Design - furniture Australians love 

Darren Palmer Products 

Credits:

Edited by Phil Calloway 

Production by Thomas Crnkovic 

Our wonderful Home Beautiful team 

Learn More: HOME BEAUTIFUL

 

What does &ldquo;home&rdquo; really mean when you strip away the marble benchtops and Instagram angles?
In this episode of The Edit, we sit down with one of Australia&rsquo;s most loved interior designers and long-time judge on&nbsp;The Block, &nbsp;<a href="https://darrenpalmer.com/">Darren Palmer.</a>&nbsp; Alongside Home Beautiful editor <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellelovelock?igsh=MTZqd2NmajF6eGpjdQ==">Elle Lovelock</a>, for a conversation that&rsquo;s less about cushions and more about courage. It&rsquo;s reflective, funny, occasionally filthy, and unexpectedly tender.
Darren opens up about growing up in an industrial Queensland town where he didn&rsquo;t quite fit, learning his craft without formal training, and why curiosity, not confidence, has shaped his career. We talk about why great design should never look the same twice, how formative homes stay with us (whether we like them or not), and what happens when you finally stop editing yourself for public consumption.
Along the way, Darren shares the story of being outed by the media and how choosing honesty changed everything, plus why Almost Home isn&rsquo;t really about houses at all, but about memory, identity and the spaces that make us feel safe enough to be ourselves.
There&rsquo;s also a joyful deep dive into his current home: colour, texture, scent, sound and the artwork that follows him everywhere because it still makes his heart beat faster.
We also catch up with <a href="https://www.luxaflex.com.au/products/awnings">Mel Nottage from Luxaflex</a> on the quiet shift happening in Australian homes away from hard finishes and toward softer, more cocooning window treatments outdoors that prioritise how a space feels, not just how it looks, with more people looking to entertain at home.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s an episode about ambition, vulnerability, and the quiet power of showing up as you are, Zara outfits, filthy jokes and all.
You&rsquo;ll hear:
<ul>
<li>
Why Darren believes you can teach skills, but never attitude
</li>
<li>
The real story behind <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrDzyqpe2OJYW-IfFCUw8XtVNTJgzyswk">Almost Home</a>&nbsp;and why it&rsquo;s a double entendre
</li>
<li>
How childhood homes quietly shape adult design choices
</li>
<li>
What it was like growing up queer in regional Queensland in the &rsquo;80s
</li>
<li>
The moment Darren decided to stop hiding parts of himself publicly
</li>
<li>
Why the most powerful art isn&rsquo;t d&eacute;cor, it&rsquo;s emotional
</li>
<li>
How design can be used to genuinely change lives through charity work
</li>
<li>
An audio home tour that hits all five senses (yes, including scent)
</li>
</ul>
Get comfortable, this one stays with you!&nbsp;
Thank you for listening ❤️
before you leave...
🗣️ Get in touch 
What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/?hl=en">DM us on Instagram</a>
👀 See more
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/renovation-ideas/kitchen/a-look-inside-darren-palmers-kitchen/">Inside Darren Palmer's Kitchen</a>
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-tours/the-block-judge-darren-palmer-home/">Darren's beautiful Bondi home</a>
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-tours/hamptons-cottage-makeover/">Hamptons Style Easily Done </a>
🙏 Our special thanks for making 'The Edit' our new home:
<a href="https://shadetrendz.luxaflex.com.au/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23125304318&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACcMuN6IiBsj6G_n_8E8c50GpwySv&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFsFUkw31rOzRF9wU6hG8mghdfAynrw_nq1rK837HdpD8e9h5S3nyLBoCeqsQAvD_BwE">Luxaflex - our beautiful 'studio home' curtains</a>
<a href="https://ozdesignfurniture.com.au/furniture/tables/coffee-tables/?loaded=1&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21415529745&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC9A_Pa-UbUcY99mNrp5zmDd-cznX&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFiFRHBgba954pNDZXlnrYPvcHIPZgbBzw6BEwGWBhHQW9_uP5S6xkRoCAKEQAvD_BwE">Oz Design - furniture Australians love&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://darrenpalmer.com/">Darren Palmer Products </a>
Credits:
Edited by Phil Calloway&nbsp;
Production by Thomas Crnkovic&nbsp;
Our wonderful Home Beautiful team&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/">Learn More: HOME BEAUTIFUL</a>
&nbsp;

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable. 
Hosted by Editor  Elle Lovelock, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable.&nbsp; Hosted by Editor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellelovelock?igsh=MTZqd2NmajF6eGpjdQ=="> Elle Lovelock</a>, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

THE EDIT

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions.  With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It’s for everyone shaping their sanctuary—whether you’re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions. &nbsp;With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It&rsquo;s for everyone shaping their sanctuary&mdash;whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

How Childhood Homes Quietly Shape Adult Decisions with The Block's Darren Palmer 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/15878e6e-c5dc-47ef-bc7a-b3f00068482f/transcript