Home Design and Garden Styling Tips: From Sydney Designer, Carolina Ghigonetto
Meet Carolina Ghigonetto
Carolina Ghigonetto discovered her passion for interior design and home design 10 years ago, when she moved to Sydney. Those looking for home designs in Sydney may already be familiar with her stunning work and intricate design thought process. She is a go-to home designer in Sydney making Carolina a powerhouse for home design and styling tips!
With home design experience from her time living in Italy and her background in fashion design, Carolina began to take an interest in designing beautiful interiors, where fabrics, textures, and materials were a driving force behind her decision-making process. She found inspiration in how they complement each other to create stunning home aesthetics. Initially, Carolina worked with other companies and then struck out alone on a mission to create gorgeous interiors throughout Sydney.
Carolina has recently redesigned her own home, commenting:
“I purchased the Zen Outdoor Concrete Square Stools in Weathered Cement from Remarkable Outdoor Living. They’re stylish, durable, and a great addition to my outdoor space.” she said.
What is your design process when styling a home and garden design?
Carolina has a specific design thought process she follows to ensure that her home decor and design ideas are completed to an unparalleled standard. She begins with a client consultation, which she uses to understand their needs and vision, as well as any particular requirements for the home design. This also involves a visit to the site, taking measurements, and notation of any regulation constraints or particular features already present that will affect the interior design ideas and project execution
Next, the design process starts with mood boards and concepts to bring the client’s visions to life. Preliminary finishes are explored, and then the client has an opportunity to give feedback. Once this has been incorporated and the home design revised to perfectly suit her client's tastes, Carolina begins working on detailed plans and creating 3D renderings.
Materials, lighting, and furnishings will be finalised at the end of the design thought process, and then it’s time to start coordinating with contractors and suppliers to source materials. Carolina supervises every element of the home or garden renovation, making sure the project stays on track and maintains exceptional quality standards. She oversees the construction and installation, ironing out any issues that occur with the interior design ideas.
After this, it’s down to Carolina to complete the finishing touches of the designs by using furniture, artwork and soft furnishings to style the home. Carolina prioritizes functionality in each space she is styling, whether it’s functional outdoor seating or decorative cushions, practicality comes first.
Graphic displaying Carolina Ghigonetto’s design process.How do you design your home?
Carolina’s own home is an inspiration to many looking for interior design tips, and she has channeled her wonderful creativity into it. Both indoors and outdoors are breathtaking visual experiences, making use of natural materials and clean, modern furnishings to create spaces that are functional, peaceful, and sensory stimulating.
Her use of Remarkable Outdoor Living furniture on her patio is particularly notable, bringing together the Zen Outdoor Concrete Square Stool and the Zen Outdoor Concrete Dining Table to maximise functionality and using concrete materials to compliment the light canvan of her outdoor patio, which is clad in natural wooden flooring. The grey concrete of the Zen Outdoor Furniture is hard-wearing and highly weather-resistant and also allows the natural sandstone wall to stand out, complementing the colour tones perfectly, and creating an alfresco dining area that’s functional, but tantalisingly ready for entertaining and making memories in the home.
Carolina’s design philosophy is self-evident in her home design project, combining personalisation, simplicity, and modernity to create a design that is fresh, unique, and enormously pleasing to the eye. Anyone looking at Australian garden design can benefit from looking at her home, as well as the other work she's done in home designs throughout Sydney.
Luxurious dining area, designed and styled by Carolina Ghigonetto.What are the most important elements to include in a garden renovation?
| Must-have home design feature | Where to include these in your design | Suggested items |
|---|---|---|
| Ambient Lighting | Dining area, Balcony, Patio, Garden Lawn. | Bobby Outdoor Aluminium Lamp |
| Comfortable, Versatile & Practical Outdoor Seating | Dining area, Reading Nook, Lounge Area, Poolside. | Colwood Outdoor Rope Dining Chair |
| Shade Solutions | Poolside & Alfresco dining area. | Versa UX Umbrella |
Carolina emphasises the importance of ambient lighting, comfortable and versatile seating, and shade solutions for all garden renovations. She’s deeply invested in functionality, aesthetics, and innovation to make spaces that are both practical and visually pleasing, that being said, the functionality of the space comes first in all of Carolina's designs.
The Bobby Outdoor Aluminium Lamp makes an excellent option for ambient lighting in a dining area, balcony, patio, or lawn setting. The lamp comes in 3 different sizes, with the smaller two also offering 3 different colour options. In terms of functionality, it has a battery life of up to 10 hours and is easy to charge with a universal USB-C charger.
For comfortable, versatile, and practical outdoor seating for a dining area, reading nook, lounge area, or poolside, there’s the Colwood Outdoor Rope Dining Chair. Sophisticated and sleek, made with superb waterproofing, and designed to withstand the elements, this is ideal for outdoor areas and comes with a 5 year warranty. Our Colwood range is also a commercial-grade product, so is suitable for hotels, spas and other commercial locations.
Finally, in terms of shade solutions for the poolside and alfresco dining spots, the Versa UX Umbrella brings excellent temperature resistance and combines it with clean, opulent and refined aesthetics for your outdoor setting. Water and UV-resistant, it can withstand both rain and sun - important for any Australian garden design. It's an excellent, subtle element of home decor and Australian garden renovations.
How do you stay ahead of design trends in 2024?
Carolina works hard to keep up with trends and interior design tips by attending expos and turning to social media like Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. Although following design trends in 2024 takes time, with the internet and influential designers providing a wealth of information on new technologies, styles, and materials to include in your home designs, Carolina has plenty to choose from and makes sure she’s keeping up with all the latest changes. You can also check out our Facebook group for weekly updates on design trends and tips all in one place: we've got all you need in terms of interior design tips, and the latest design trends 2024!
What are the challenges you face during your design process and what advice would you give to clients?
Quite a few challenges come up when working on a new home design, and here are some of Carolina’s approaches that help maximise the process and make it smoother for everyone.
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Managing Client Expectations | Regular updates and meetings are important to discuss home decor and design ideas, alongside visual aids to help clients picture the interior design ideas and ensure everyone is on the same page. This can be coupled with written agreements. |
| Staying Within Budget | Cost breakdowns should be offered for every element of the project. Pricing priority should be given to the essential elements. Some funds should also be set aside for unexpected costs, as garden renovation problems can be expensive. |
| Dealing with Unexpected Site Issues | Flexibility and adaptability may be required to overcome problems, and having a network of contractors will help ensure issues are addressed quickly. |
| Integrating Indoor and Outdoor Spaces | Create a cohesive look and feel by using similar materials, colours, and styles throughout indoor and outdoor spaces. Follow design trends 2024 to maximise the modern feel in these spaces. |
| Selecting Appropriate Materials | Pay attention to functional, durable, weather-resistant, low-maintenance materials, but also consider aesthetics. |
| Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality | Ensure that interior design ideas are functional and beautiful, and include multi-functionality where feasible, with the occupants’ needs being accounted for. |
| Navigating Local Regulations | Stay informed about local laws and obtain all permits before starting. Work within regulations from the beginning to avoid costly changes later. If you're looking at home designs in Sydney, do thorough research before starting. |
| Ensuring Sustainability | Look for eco-friendly, sustainable, recycled materials, and prioritize energy efficiency where possible. Incorporate water-saving features like rainwater harvesting and drought-resistant plants. Sustainability is key to design trends 2024 and is one of the top interior design tips you'll see! |
Key Takeaways and Advice
Throughout this blog, Carolina has helped us make sense of how she brings such magic to home design, and how practical, functional furniture like that produced by Remarkable Outdoor Living is key to the creation of her spaces. The quality, functionality, and aesthetics align perfectly with her design background, allowing her to visualise spaces that are multi-functional and suit her clients’ needs beautifully.
Carolina offers the following advice to clients looking to work with home designers in Sydney:
“My best advice to clients will be to ensure that the designer’s style aligns with their vision and that they can effectively translate their ideas into the designs. In addition to this, clearly defining the project scope, budget, and timeline from the start is crucial to avoid misunderstandings—because nothing says ‘smooth sailing’ like being on the same page from the start!”
Carolina’s designs can be seen on her Instagram or on her website to give you a better idea of the amazing work she produces and to find some incredible interior design tips and design trends 2024. There's no better place to figure out your new Australian garden design!
Reference Sources
- https://www.remarkablefurniture.com.au/collections/cantilever-umbrellas/products/versa-ux-umbrella
- https://www.remarkablefurniture.com.au/products/colwood-outdoor-rope-dining-chair-light-grey
- https://www.remarkablefurniture.com.au/products/bobby-outdoor-aluminium-lamp-mid-high
- https://www.remarkablefurniture.com.au/products/zen-outdoor-concrete-dining-table-180-cm
- https://www.remarkablefurniture.com.au/products/zen-outdoor-concrete-square-stool
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