By the time Vincent Jenden was a teenager, he had already decided what he wanted to do with his life. Not only was he sketching floorplans and rendering imaginary homes with the kind of enthusiasm that might have been reserved for a budding architect, but his designs had a striking consistency: houses, rooms, and interiors, each beautifully arranged with furniture, lamps, and artwork. His adolescent drawings depicted what he thought of as idealized spaces—a kind of architectural reverie that included everything from ornate castles with turrets to sprawling lawns leading down to tranquil lakes. 

“I think it’s fair to say that I was obsessed with the idea of home from a very young age,” Jenden says, now in his early fifties and firmly established as one of Melbourne’s leading interior designers. With a career spanning three decades and locations as varied as New Zealand, London, and Melbourne, Jenden’s aesthetic today reflects that same childlike passion for architecture and design - but now, of course, it has been refined and channeled into a sophisticated art form. 

As the principal designer at Vincent Jenden Design (VJD), Jenden is known for his unique ability to marry the classical with the contemporary. His design ethos is rooted in a deep appreciation for the history of design, yet it is tempered by a keen understanding of how modern living demands new solutions. His work is both maximalist and restrained, luxurious yet deeply lived-in, with a strong emphasis on integrating eclectic periods, styles, and objects into a harmonious whole. It’s this balance of the old and the new that defines Jenden’s distinctive approach. 

“Great design is all about creating something that speaks to the past and the future simultaneously,” he says, adjusting a velvet cushion in his studio. “I see my role as a kind of curator. Every object, every piece of furniture, tells a story. I’m just the one that helps weave those stories together into a living narrative.” 

Indeed, Jenden’s own life could be described as a collection of stories - each chapter marked by a new home, a new space, and a new challenge. He has renovated numerous properties over the years, from grand old houses in Melbourne to heritage buildings in the countryside. His personal project, Ambleside Country Park, a sprawling 1860's Colonial house in Blackwood, Victoria, has been his most ambitious endeavor to date. A former gold mining town nestled in the hills of Victoria, Blackwood’s picturesque landscape has become the canvas for Jenden’s love of the natural world. He and his partner have spent years painstakingly restoring the home and developing its surrounding garden, which boasts heritage-protected trees and a host of garden features that will soon be open to the public. 

“It’s a true labour of love,” Jenden explains. “There’s a deep connection between the land, the house, and the people who have lived here. It’s important to me to preserve that connection, to create a space that feels authentic to its history, but also relevant to the way we live now.” 

His philosophy is rooted in the belief that our homes are a reflection of our personal history, an amalgamation of taste, memory, and aspiration. And for Jenden, this idea isn’t limited to just the interiors of a home. He’s equally adept at curating gardens, outdoor spaces, and even entertaining areas. Whether it’s a carefully chosen piece of antique furniture or a modern sofa placed next to a vintage light fixture, Jenden understands that it’s the layering of elements - often from disparate periods - that gives a space its life. 

“People think of design as a purely aesthetic exercise, but it’s much more than that,” he reflects. “The objects we surround ourselves with, the furniture we collect, the way we choose to arrange our homes - it’s all a form of storytelling. Every design decision is about capturing a feeling, an emotion. It’s about creating a space that allows you to feel at home, no matter where you are.” 

This approach has made Jenden a sought-after name in Melbourne’s competitive interior design scene, as well as further afield. Whether he’s working with private clients on bespoke residential projects or collaborating with leading Australian institutions - such as Como House, the Antique and Art Dealers Association of Australia, or the Johnston Collection - Jenden’s passion for design is contagious. 

“I think what makes Vincent stand out is his genuine enthusiasm,” says one of his collaborators. “He doesn’t just design rooms; he builds relationships. He makes you feel like you’re part of the creative process, and that’s a rare gift in the world of design.” 

That enthusiasm extends beyond his professional life. Jenden recently opened a regional design space in the heart of Trentham, a small country town known for its artisanal charm. Located in the rear courtyard of Kuki, a local café and gallery, Jenden’s new venture offers a rotating collection of antiques, upholstered furniture, lighting, and architectural salvage from the 17th to 19th centuries. The space also includes an eclectic selection of outdoor furniture and garden accessories, underscoring Jenden’s belief that design isn’t confined to the walls of a room. 

“The beauty of working in a space like this is that I get to engage with people in a different way,” he says, his eyes alight with excitement. “It’s not just about selling pieces; it’s about sharing the story behind them. Each piece has a history, and when you put them together in the right way, they create something truly special.” 

Though Jenden’s design philosophy is informed by his international travels and years spent living in London, his heart remains firmly in Melbourne. The city’s unique blend of history, culture, and modernism speaks to him on a personal level. And his work, whether in the sophisticated South Yarra apartment of a high-powered executive or in a country retreat in Blackwood, reflects a profound understanding of how space can influence the way we live. 

In a world where design can sometimes feel like a fleeting trend, Jenden’s work is a celebration of timeless beauty. He’s not just designing for the present; he’s designing for the future, creating spaces that will continue to tell their stories for generations to come. 

“I think it’s about creating something that feels real,” Jenden muses. “Design, like life, isn’t perfect. It’s the imperfections, the little details, that give it character. And that’s what I hope to bring to everything I do.” 

Vincent Jenden Design
Regional Retail / Design Studio
Veranda & Courtyard Kuki - 38 High Street, Trentham
Design Studio - Domain Rd, South Yarra
@vincentjendendesign
vincentjenden.com 

STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL
PHOTOS BY CHRI S TURNER