Deborah Hutton: An Interior Styling Journey Part One

Interior Styling Case Study — Part One

The Initial Consult

Some interior projects begin with a clear plan. Others begin with a feeling.

For Deborah Hutton, the vision for her South Coast forever home was already forming long before furniture selections or mood boards entered the picture. What she knew instinctively was how she wanted the home to feel — warm, layered, relaxed and timeless.

This first chapter marks the beginning of our interior styling journey together, starting with the most important step of all: the initial consult.

A shared starting point

When Deborah began gathering inspiration for her home, one thing kept appearing again and again.

“Every time I saved a piece I loved on Pinterest, I’d realise it was Alfresco Emporium. There was definitely something guiding me there.”
— Deborah Hutton

From Pinterest boards to in-store visits, Deborah found herself drawn to pieces with texture, warmth and character — rattan, cane, rich timbers and finishes that felt lived-in rather than new.

Her early thinking had moved away from a classic white coastal look, instead leaning into something more layered and enduring. “This is a forever home. I wanted warmth and personality — something that felt comfortable, not overly modern, and not like it had all been done at once.”

The initial consult: setting the foundation

The initial consult is where every interior styling journey begins.

It’s not about locking in furniture or making final decisions. It’s about listening, understanding and setting a clear direction before any styling takes place.

During Deborah’s consult, our Interior Styling team spent time exploring:

• How the home will be lived in day to day

• How Deborah entertains and uses different spaces

• Architectural features and materials already in play

• The emotional tone she wanted the home to carry

“I’ve been living and breathing concrete and construction for so long. I was ready to start thinking about the softness — the things you touch, sit on and live with.”

A collaborative process

Interior styling is never about imposing a look or following a trend. It’s about collaboration.

Deborah was clear that while she had strong instincts, she wanted to work alongside people who live and breathe interiors every day.

“I love working in a collaborative environment. You get inspired by each other — and that’s when ideas really start to come together.”

Our role as stylists is to guide the process — translating inspiration into a clear, cohesive direction that works with the architecture, the setting and the client’s lifestyle.

Why the initial consult matters

The initial consult allows us to:

• Clarify the overall design direction

• Identify opportunities early

• Avoid rushed or costly decisions later

• Ensure every future choice feels intentional

It’s a stage that often goes unseen, but it’s where the most important groundwork is laid.

For Deborah’s home, this consult marked the transition from construction to creation — the point where the home began to take on its own identity.

What’s next

This is just the beginning.

In Part Two, we’ll share how early ideas are translated into mood boards, colour palettes and material selections, shaping a clear vision for Deborah’s home before installation begins.

We’ll be documenting each stage as it unfolds — offering insight, inspiration and a behind-the-scenes look at how a home comes together, step by step.

Follow along as the journey continues.

Explore Interior Styling at Alfresco Emporium →