Login
Ready to revamp your home and ditch the dull beige? Let’s dive into the vibrant world of Pip Brett, the creative force behind Jumbled, who recently joined Rebeka on the Building with BuildHer podcast. During their chat, Pip shared her expert insights on bringing life and personality into your home using bold colours, thoughtful art, and functional design. As a design trailblazer, Pip’s unique approach blends creativity and practicality, making her a master at transforming spaces that are both beautiful and liveable.
In the podcast, Pip opened up about her journey—from curating innovative designs to working alongside her husband, builder Speedy, and her collaboration with designer Felicity Slattery of Studio Esteta. Whether she’s designing her own home, renovating a historic property, or curating stunning art collections, Pip’s talent for mixing modern flair with heritage charm is unmatched.
Let’s explore her tips and tricks for taking your home beyond beige and making it truly shine.
Fun Meets Function
First things first—your space should be beautiful, but it also needs to work for you. From transforming a historic building or whipping up a stunning interior for an accommodation project, Pip knows how to make sure every corner feels intentional and functional, striking the perfect balance between playful and practical. Pip explained in the podcast how important it is to have a space that not only looks amazing but also enhances everyday living. “I want to be able to walk into a room, and have it make sense,” she shared, adding that functionality doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity or fun.
For Pip, designing for functionality is all about clever planning and asking the right questions early on. She emphasises the importance of considering how people will use a space—whether it’s how furniture is arranged to flow better or the practical use of storage solutions that don’t compromise on style. “We think about things like storage—where’s your stuff going to go? It needs to be functional as well as beautiful,” she says, highlighting the balance between aesthetics and everyday practicality.
Pro tip: Look for pieces that do double duty! Whether it’s a quirky chair that doubles as a statement piece or a colourful rug that grounds your room, think about how your design choices can look great and make your day-to-day life easier. Pip notes, “It’s really about combining those elements… making a space feel fun, but also knowing that it works for you, for your life.”
Old Meets New: The Best of Both Worlds
One of Pip’s standout projects, Sona, transformed a former Commonwealth Bank building into a chic accommodation that combines the best of its historic charm with modern flair. She played around with rich, heritage-inspired colours like burgundy and olive green but kept things fresh with modern materials and a focus on natural stone. It’s a clever mix of past-meets-present that creates a cozy yet sophisticated vibe.
“We were inspired by heritage colours,” says Pip, who noted how Sona’s original dark olive green safe room influenced their colour palette. She adds, “When you do [heritage colours] in a modern way, it’s really beautiful.”
Pip also splurged on the bathroom tiles, which she absolutely loves. “The bathroom tiles kind of bring all the colours together,” Pip says, noting how the intricate floor design adds vibrancy while keeping the small area feeling balanced.
Pro tip: When you’re working with a space that has history (even if it’s just the sentimental kind!), don’t be afraid to embrace its roots. Highlight original features while adding modern touches through materials like tiles and natural stone, or through furniture and accessories that nod to both eras.
Go Bold with Colour
One of the best things about Pip’s designs is that she’s not afraid of colour—like, at all. Her playful mix of bold hues is a refreshing break from the safe neutrals we’re used to seeing. In the Sona kitchen, for instance, she chose artwork with neon green and purple, paired with pink and beige tones. It sounds wild, but it totally works and makes the space feel electric.
Pro tip: Feeling colour-shy? Start small. Add pops of bold colour through art or cushions, then work your way up to a statement piece of furniture or a feature wall. And don’t forget to consider how natural light will play with your chosen shades—it can change everything!
Art That Speaks to You
For Pip, art isn’t just a finishing touch—it’s the heart and soul of a room. She’s all about choosing pieces that evoke an emotional response rather than just matching the decor. Through her Jumbled Art Superstar Competition, Pip has helped emerging artists find their feet in the art world, and her knack for curating beautiful, emotion-packed collections is a cornerstone of her design philosophy.
Pro tip: When it comes to picking art, trust your gut. Go for pieces that make you feel something, whether it’s joy, peace, or nostalgia. And when you’re ready to hang them, get creative! Group smaller pieces for a big impact, or mix and match sizes and shapes for a gallery wall that feels fresh and dynamic.
The Big Picture
At the end of the day, Pip’s design philosophy is all about storytelling. Your space should reflect your personality and passion, and it should feel like a place where you can live, love, and create memories. So, take risks, be bold with colour and art, and most importantly, have fun with it!
Pro tip: Start with a vision, but don’t be afraid to let your design evolve. As you discover new pieces that you love, let them shape the rest of your space. Focus on how everything—colours, materials, and artwork—comes together to create a vibe that’s uniquely you.
By channelling a bit of Pip Brett’s fearless creativity and love for art, you can turn your home into a place that’s not just stylish but also full of life and personality. So, ready to go beyond beige? We can’t wait to see you go bold!
Don’t forget to visit Jumbled Online for a dose of happy as well as Pip’s dreamy Sona project:
jumbledonline.com
sona-molong.com.au
You can also listen to the full podcast episode with Pip here.
