STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL, PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

The English interior designer David Hicks once said, "The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them." At Maxim Interiors in Daylesford, head designer Melinda Penny’s work reflects that ethos.

"I grew up in Doncaster and went to Box Hill High. I met my husband at Box Hill Football Club. We settled in Surry Hills and then we moved here for a tree change in 2008,” quips Melinda. Growing up, she had little to do with design in her profession. “I was in medical reception and management in Melbourne, so it was really just a hobby. And I think that the lifestyle here in Daylesford allowed for it to become a career.”

Eventually, friends asked her to help renovate their properties. “We always renovated our own houses. So I thought, I better do a course and study it.”

Melinda fell into staging for sale, while assisting people with styling the interiors of their properties.

“I thought, what would be good is to have a place where people could come and see my style as well. It led to opening up Maxim, the shop, in Daylesford.” Her approach is simple, “We like to use locally sourced products as well as treasures from overseas, especially India. And really just an approachable, friendly service.”

Her journey began seven years ago when Melinda’s father tragically passed away and she traveled to India.

“I mainly went to source homeware, furnishings and linens, and things. But my dad had passed away that year. So it kind of became like a spiritual journey. I became connected to places that overwhelmed me spiritually.”

She tried to reflect those deep encounters in the spaces she weaves together for clients.

“I just fell in love with India because it was something I needed at that time. That's how Maxim came about because that was my dad's name. I think Maxim also means pure and honest, which is what he was. So we stay true to that.”

“I think one of my favourite homes is one I'm actually working on now in Fraser street for a weekender. It's an old miner's cottage that really lends to the style that I like.” Her first house in Daylesford was the iconic Mount Olive, nestled on the edge of Doctor's Gully. “It was in the style of modern country with a few rustic touches, because it was an old Edwardian home,” says Melinda.

Since then, Melinda has designed some of our region's most extravagant properties such as Sky High in Mt Franklin and the Carlisle in Daylesford.

“I would describe my style as boho-country or modern-country with a hint of coastal. I love India a lot, I love their homeware so I’ve even got splashes of that style in my work. But we work with anyone on whatever style they like from industrial to provincial.”

Her process is bound by the relationships she builds with her clients. It’s not black and white. “Everyone’s different. Some people just leave it completely up to you, especially with the weekenders because they trust that you know what works well,” says Melinda. “If it’s someone's home, I have more of an idea of their style, and I just work with them.”

Maxim Interiors Daylesford

info@maximinteriors.com

www.maximinteriors.com