We love seeing what our graduates get up to when they are out working in the industry... the beautiful work from Zhana Garkinis caught our eye, and we just had to catch up with her to find out what she had been up to since studying with us! 

When did you study with us? Design School Group 3 (a while ago - we are now up to Group 30!)

What is your occupation now? Interior Designer & Decorator

What kind of projects do you work on? Residential Interior Design & Decoration, New Homes & Renovations  

How would you describe your personal design style?  

I’m very drawn to Modern American Homes, because they feel sophisticated in their design but are so wonderfully comfortable to live in. I love to design modern contemporary homes too. 

What did you do before this / what initially attracted you to study at our Design School?

I worked in the corporate business sector previously. I was...

We were thrilled to recently showcase our new Short Course in Visual Merchandising at the Life Instyle trade fair in Melbourne. With the launch on the horizon, the pressure was on to ensure our stand made a lasting impression—and it certainly did!

To create a stunning display, we partnered with our friends at Eva, who provided some of their gorgeous furniture to bring our vision to life.

Designed right here in Melbourne, Eva is committed to sustainability in every aspect of their business. They believe that true beauty lies in functionality, striving to create products that simplify and enhance everyday life.

Our top pick was their Slideaway Sofa Bed, which came in the most beautiful shade of Terracotta. The sofa bed not only added a pop of color but also showcased the perfect blend of style and functionality. To complete the look, we paired it with their Hideaway Coffee Table, which brought those irresistible mid-century vibes to our stand.

...

We are thrilled to share the highlights from our recent Graduation event in Melbourne, a truly unforgettable day that marked a significant milestone for the students of Group 26 & 27 in our Certificate IV in Interior Decoration course.

Celebrating Success

It was a celebration filled with pride, joy, and a strong sense of community as our graduates gathered with their trainers, loved ones, and fellow students to celebrate their hard-earned accomplishments.

A Gathering to Remember

With around 80 guests in attendance, this event was one of our largest and most meaningful yet. These gatherings offer a unique opportunity for our trainers Melissa Rettore and Mel Bailey to finally meet in person with the learners they’ve been guiding throughout the year. The face-to-face interactions, the shared stories, and the collective sense of achievement made the day truly special.

A Feast for the Senses

We owe a special thanks to Hamed's Persian Catering and Salamatea...

We had an incredible time exhibiting at the Life Instyle trade fair in Melbourne. The energy, creativity, and passion that filled the Royal Exhibition Building was nothing short of inspiring, making it the perfect backdrop for us at Design School Online (DSO) to introduce our NEW Short Course in Visual Merchandising directly to the retail industry.

The response to the launch of our short course was overwhelmingly positive, with interest pouring in not just from potential learners but also from industry professionals who recognised the lack of training available for visual merchandising. It was clear from our conversations that retailers have been seeking skilled Visual Merchandisers who can bring creativity and strategic thinking to their stores, but finding such talent has been a challenge—until now.

Our Short Course in Visual Merchandising is designed to fill this gap by offering a comprehensive, skills-based education that empowers learners to...

Say hello to Petrina Turner, the latest creative powerhouse to join us as a trainer at Design School Online. Hailing from Melbourne, Petrina is no stranger to education, having taught design for many years. We've long admired her unique approach to creating smart, sustainable spaces and her brilliant eye for colour and pattern. So, to say we're thrilled to have her join Team DSO is an understatement! Welcome, Petrina!
 

Q: Hello, Petrina! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your design journey?

A: Hello! I'm Petrina, the heart and soul behind Petrina Turner Design. With over 30 years in the design industry, I've had the joy of transforming countless spaces into beautiful, functional havens. My journey began with a deep passion for creativity very early on, sewing with my mum, always rearranging and decorating my room and drawing up floor plans for imaginary homes. I also have a love for how design can make a real difference in people's lives. Over the years, I've...

What an incredible week we had at the Decor + Design Show in Melbourne! The DSO team was on hand to launch our new Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program directly to the industry, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Our custom-pink booth stood out on the show floor, drawing in a fantastic response from the crowd. It was such a pleasure to interact with professional designers face-to-face, meet new people, and reconnect with familiar faces. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone who stopped by made it clear that the RPL program is something the industry has been waiting for.

The new Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program allows you to fast-track your path to becoming a qualified Interior Decorator through a streamlined process. Save time, enhance your career, and get recognised for the expertise you’ve already gained in the field.

If you are already working in the industry, we now offer a unique opportunity to have your years...

Attending trade events is one of our favourite ways for our DSO educators to stay connected to the industry.

We visited Design Show in Sydney last week and left feeling sooooo inspired.

Hands down, this event featured some of the most refreshing designs we’ve seen in recent years.

Looks like designers currently aren’t afraid to play with colour, pattern and form - some of our fave elements!

Here are some of the top trends we noticed from the trade fair:

1. PLAYFUL SHAPES

Calling it now - Scandi is over. Goodbye straight-legged designs. Designers are now looking for any excuse to infuse different, customised shapes into their furniture pieces. In particular, console tables with stacked spheres for legs from FForm, plus a primitive looking carved table base from Calce Company (executed in one of their divine microcement textures) caught our eye.

fform.life
calcecompany.com

3. GEOMETRIC TEXTILES

As interior...

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