Home Tour: More is More

For Alanah and Elle, co-founders of interior design studio Twostyle, every home they work on is a labour of love. But none more so than the recent renovation of Alanah’s own West Melbourne home. At once a family home and live portfolio piece, this special project was a distillation of the studio’s signature blend of organic warmth and bold personality. The three-bedroom residence exemplifies Twostyle’s commitment to finding the balance between organic neutral and more-is-more.  

Exploring the harmony between Twostyle’s two defining design directions, Alanah notes that in her “dream project”, “you’ll see that balance play out in the kitchen, where the travertine and soft beige tones are paired with two contrasting stones to create subtle tension and depth. It’s that mix of restraint and expression that feels so us.”  

Keen to create a home that was “fun yet calming, and completely inviting” was both the goal and the biggest challenge. Both bold design choices and livability were the aim. “It’s easy to go all-in on statement features, but we wanted the home to also feel calm and cohesive. We achieved that by layering textures and colours in a curated way so that each space has its own identity while still flowing beautifully into the next”, shares Alanah.  

Another priority was creating a home that felt “warm and layered, yet still refined” which meant plenty of planning went into the structural elements of the renovation. Alanah explains, “As the project evolved, it became about creating a space that felt lived-in and soulful, but also curated and intentional.” This included the soaring ceilings crucial to the overall vision. Chosen to “completely transform the sense of space and light. They made the whole home feel so much more open and calm.” 

Adding curves throughout was another structural element that the pair felt was crucial to the finished product. “Curves always soften a space”, shares Alanah. “The home’s exterior has quite a strong, industrial feel, so we wanted to balance that by bringing softness and flow inside. The curves add a calmness and femininity that make the home feel more welcoming.”  

When it came to natural light, the Twostyle team was working with a heap of it. But in order to harness this existing feature, the floor plan needed to be maximised in order to filter the light into key living spaces, creating a feeling of openness and warmth.  

Design extremes were not just relegated to colour and included the textures used throughout the build. On their selections, Alanah shares, “Travertine and Calacatta marble were key materials, along with bold stone that still feels calming”. Layering texture, she notes, “is what brings a sense of depth and comfort.” It was this use of texture that accounts for Alanah’s favourite details. She gushes, “I’m obsessed with the bullnose edge detail and the double-stone benchtop, the textures and craftsmanship make it such a standout moment. It’s functional, but it also feels like a piece of art.” 

And to top off the textured renovation? A series of curated colourful furnishings “to keep it feeling vibrant and fun.”  

When reflecting on the unique opportunity to renovate her own home, Alanah shares, “It was a chance to showcase our signature blend of organic neutrals and daring, more-is-more moments. Every detail was intentional, from the curved lines softening the industrial exterior to the double-stone kitchen bench that really pushes boundaries. It’s a home that tells a story about who we are as designers, and how far we’ve come as a studio.” 

She continues, “Designing for clients is amazing, but to come home every day to something that embodies my own vision is another level. It’s bold but not overwhelming, fun but timeless, and it really captures both my personality and Twostyle’s design ethos.”   

Photographer: Simon Shiff @simonshiffsays 

Interior Designer: Twostyle @twostyle.interiors  

Build: Able Melbourne @able_melbourne  

Loved reading all about this Melbourne reno? You might also like this colourful family home and this entertainer’s haven.

Writer

Olivia Storrie

11 November 2025

Armed with an Arts Degree in History and Psychology from the University of Sydney, a natural curiosity and a ravenous appetite, Olivia is your go-to for restaurant recommendations across the city. She also has a keen interest in hiking, patting other people’s dogs, travelling, curating her maximalist home and reading every book she can get her hands on.