Jess Oehlers 20/5/25 Jess Oehlers 20/5/25

A TREEHOUSE STORY..

My love for design has been lifelong. From rearranging my mum’s living room as a little girl, it has been a passion since the beginning.

Starting my own business has been a blessing. I work on all aspects of the business myself, from design to the business side.

Starting small with colour consultations and styling, and now mostly completing full-scale interior services.

Mostly working on renovations of historic homes and new builds with charm and character.

As a designer with my own business, my mind never switches off. Ideas are constantly coming into my mind for my projects. That’s how I know I’m where I’m meant to be, because even though I’m not working, I’m thinking about it. It’s not a chore, it’s a passion and I love it.

Jess Oehlers 17/5/25 Jess Oehlers 17/5/25

Wholesome Kids Rooms

I’ve always believed kids’ rooms should invite play, happiness and joy.

PART ONE

Nine years ago when I first started The Treehouse Collective, it was all about my love and passion for kids bedrooms and play spaces. Stemming from an engaging play based childhood, moving through to my previous career as a Kindergarten teacher, I truly believe play based environments are so important for little people. The science behind play based activities is huge (another story for another time). Using what I know from being a teacher, I love creating spaces for kids that are special and engaging. I want children to look back on their childhood and think there rooms were so fabulous and special.

So what makes a great children’s room you ask? Firstly you need to create a space that involves the child’s interests and includes their favourite colours. I’m a huge fan of wallpaper in children’s rooms. It instantly makes an impact and ignites so much imagination. Paired with a contrasting colour on trims and doors and perhaps the ceiling (depending on the room) this makes for a lasting impact. The next big thing to consider is functionality and in a kids room that means STORAGE! It’s all well and good to create a cute space, but if you don’t have storage for all the little bits and bobs kids collect over time, it’s pointless!

Stay tuned for more on my Kids Interior series. I have so much to share and a new service launching soon. A big project is under way and I cannot wait to share more on this soon.

Like what you see? Why not sign up to my newsletter and keep in touch with my latest projects and everything in between.

Jess

Jess Oehlers 9/3/25 Jess Oehlers 9/3/25

Empowering Spaces Celebrating How Women in Interior Design Infuse Personal Stories into Their Creations

In the dynamic world of interior design, women are not just shaping spaces; they are weaving their narratives into every corner.

In the dynamic world of interior design, women are not just shaping spaces; they are weaving their narratives into every corner. By embracing their unique experiences, they transform environments into powerful expressions of identity and emotion. From vibrant colours that reflect their heritage to thoughtful layouts that accommodate modern lifestyles, each design choice tells a story. This journey of empowerment showcases how women harness creativity to redefine spaces, making them not only functional but also deeply meaningful.

I'd love to share some insights about inspiring female designers who have made significant impacts in the interior design industry through their unique journeys and creative expressions.

Phoebe Nicol is indeed a remarkable designer known for her clean architectural style and the thoughtful inclusion of antiques in her work. Her classic and sophisticated approach brings a serene and calming atmosphere to any space, making it both timeless and inviting. Her ability to weave personal narratives through her design choices makes her work not only visually appealing but also deeply meaningful. It's inspiring to see how she creates spaces that reflect both elegance and a sense of serenity.

Lauren Sullivan is indeed another interior designer who weaves antiques and a soulful approach to her spaces. Her design philosophy emphasises not just aesthetics but also the stories behind each piece, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in her projects.

Athena Calderone not just an interior genius, but a true lover of all things creative. Athena pushes the boundaries across various fields, including art, cooking, furniture, and decor design. Her innovative approach brings a unique blend of aesthetics and functionality, making her work stand out in the design world. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creativity, she transforms spaces into expressive and inviting environments that inspire those who inhabit them.

These designers not only showcase incredible talent but also illustrate how personal stories can shape and elevate the design process, creating environments that are both unique and deeply meaningful. Engaging with their work offers valuable insights into the power of narrative in design.

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Jess Oehlers 27/2/25 Jess Oehlers 27/2/25

Feb Favourites

Well February has been and almost gone, crazy!

Personal style and knowing how to curate these within your home, are two very different things. So many people say, ‘I know what I like, but I don’t know how to pull it together’. Start with a mood board. Start with one room or space within the home.

In my home, our entry hall is very boring at the moment. We have just recently moved house and I have been too busy to focus on making our new place feel like us. Everytime I step through the front door, I think to myself, something needs to happen here. Don’t get me wrong, it has all the good bones and potential to be beautiful, it simply needs styling. The fun part, right? So I’ve decided to start collecting ideas and items for this space. I like to save images and the links and then think about it. Once ready, I start collecting the pieces I want, to pull the space together. While doing this, I thought I’d share it here with you.

A house should feel like a home. It should have personality and items collected throughout the years. I like a space to feel genuine. Styling someone’s home is different to styling a real estate property for sale or Airbnb. If styling for an Airbnb or realestate campaign, I look for accent pieces to display throughout the home, bright and light colours and furniture that isn’t too bulky, in order to make the home feel larger. In someone’s home, it’s nice to showcase history through photos, vases etc. Items that have been passed down through generations. Pieces collected from a trip overseas, can transport you back to that place every time you see it on the mantel.

Below are some pieces I’ve had my eye on for a very long time and others I’ve added to show you how to pull a space together, with smaller decor items. I started with the bench. I have adored this for such a long time, it brings so much joy, so I’ve centred the room around this. I love the french tapestry and feel it is a real statement piece that would work in the hall. I am really drawn to blues and greens and although I’m a neutral lover, bringing some colour into a space feels warm and inviting. I also love the texture this brings to the space, being fabric. There is a mantel in the hall and lots of space around it, so I wanted to use a plinth and from time to time, I would change the viewing on this piece. I like the use of a vase on the plinth or a decorative item such as a statue. This creates an interesting viewpoint.

Once I commence this area, I aim to share some before and afters of the space. I plan to regaularly change the hallway (as I do throughout the house) so these pieces will be versatile throughout the entire home. The bench, when not used in the hall, will look beautiful at the end of a bed and the plinth, at the end of a hallway with a lamp or vase. I enjoy changing rooms around and refreshing the decor. It doesn’t mean you need to buy lots of items, it simply means to rotate and create a new vinette or focal point.

Happy mood boarding.

Jess