If you’ve ever stood in the middle of your place, scrolling inspo pics and thinking, “I have no idea where to start,” this episode is your shortcut to a home that actually feels like you live there - not like you borrowed it from a display village.

Design and real estate expert James Treble (yes...you’ve seen him give excellent advice on The Living Room and his own reno series) sits down with Editor Elle Lovelock to decode how to turn any house, yes, even the ugly red‑brick, asbestos‑ridden one, into a calm, character‑filled home with a story. He starts with the artwork he literally pulled off his own wall, explains why your partner’s signed footy jersey still counts as “art”, and shows you how to build an entire colour scheme from one picture, op‑shop find or kids’ drawing.

From there, James walks you through his Central Coast renovation: the bright yellow double doors, the breeze‑block wall, the terrazzo‑look tiles and the decision to completely flip the kitchen, bathroom and entry layout because “you do not have to stick to the original floor plan.” He breaks down which eras of Australian houses are secretly goldmines, how to know if a place has good bones within 30 seconds at an open home, and why you should almost always start with a hallway or bedroom before you even think about the kitchen.

Moments you'll hear:

Why “homemaking” is making a comeback and how to tell your own story at home without spending a fortune.

James’s simple method for using art as your colour roadmap (including what to do if your partner’s taste is…challenging).

A tour of his once‑hideous red‑brick house and the exact moves that turned it into a light, layered, mid‑century‑inspired haven.

The eras and house types he’d buy in a heartbeat, and the structural red flags that should have you walking straight back out the door.

How to create an overarching “story” (coastal, modern farmhouse, mountain escape) so every room decision stops feeling random.

Why having two bathrooms is the new non‑negotiable and clever ways to carve one out of a laundry or awkward corner.

If you’re renting, renovating or just itching to repaint one room and see what happens, this episode will give you the confidence, language and starting points to finally make your home look like the life you’re actually living inside it.

Thank you for listening ❤️

before you leave...

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👀 See more

James Treble Website 

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

Luxaflex - our beautiful 'studio home' curtains

Oz Design - furniture Australians love 

Credits:

Edited by Propod 

Production by Thomas Crnkovic 

Our wonderful Home Beautiful team 

Learn More: HOME BEAUTIFUL