By Danielle Davey
A symptom of our throwaway culture, dated homes are often denied the love they deserve. Buyers knock them down in favour of new builds; homeowners who feel they’ve outgrown their space move on. A Mornington Peninsula-based interior designer specialises in the transformation of older-style homes, giving them a new lease on life.
Courtney Dunn, director of Assembly Interiors, helps owners get the best out of their home for their current lifestyle by simplifying the process of renovating, taking the stress off their shoulders and delivering crafted spaces they’ll enjoy for years to come.
Clients include families at different stages of life, particularly those with older children still living at home and ageing couples hoping to stay in the house they’ve lived in for 50-plus years. An initial consultation uncovers how to make the home work for them.
To identify which features to retain and which they are open to changing, Courtney asks clients: “Why did you buy the house originally?” and “What isn’t working for you now?”
Storage is a common issue. While a home’s contents increase throughout the years, shelving and cupboard space generally remains unchanged. She encourages clients to keep everything exactly as it is before her first visit, rather than tidying up. Daily clutter on countertops and floors tells a story, helping her visualise and prioritise where storage is needed most.
Courtney’s warm guidance makes the design process feel less transactional than clients expect. Her genuine desire to see them happy is clear, and she checks in regularly to gauge how they’re feeling throughout the progress.
Sometimes she challenges clients to try something different: “We’ve looked at the safe options; how about we explore this?” For some, the process reawakens their own creative spark.
Not everyone can visualise a space’s potential, but Courtney brings decades of experience managing commercial and exhibition projects to her current role.
Making changes can be daunting for people who have lived in their home a long time, so she always tries to retain some familiar characteristics. For one project, she replaced a nostalgic 1970s red vinyl-topped table with a red marble benchtop as a nod to the family’s history.
She persuades clients to “think of yourself, not the next buyer” when considering the renovation. “You’re living in the home now. You’re the one who has to love it.”
To stay in the home longer, accessibility often plays a key role. Courtney assures older clients there’s no need to let pride get in the way. There are several discreet design elements that can keep them safe in the home: grab rails that look like towel rails, and slip-resistant tiles.
While her passion is mid-century homes, Courtney creates kitchens, bathrooms and custom joinery for all homes and lifestyles. Visit Assembly Interiors at assemblyinteriors.com or on Instagram @assembly_interiors to see her recent work or to book a consultation.
