The Design School Story
Where it all began...
Design School journey started over ten years ago with a simple belief: that design education should be practical, inspiring and connected to real industry.
Founded by Jenna Densten, Design School started in Abbotsford, Melbourne as an intimate, in-person training experience for those drawn to interiors and seeking a more hands-on way to learn. From the beginning, the focus was on building confidence through practice, teaching good taste, clear thinking and real-world skills in a supportive, considered environment.
As the community grew, Design School evolved into an industry-recognised learning space, welcoming students from across Australia and beyond. Over the years, we’ve supported thousands of learners - from career changers to working creatives - each navigating their own path into the industry.
As the way we work and live changed, so did the way people wanted to learn. Many no longer needed to start again, but wanted to stay connected, refine their skills and continue growing with confidence.
Today, Design School offers a more flexible, studio-led approach through Design School Studio - a curated series of masterclasses and immersive experiences designed to support continued practice, clarity and community.
While our offerings continue to evolve, our values remain the same.
Confidence comes from practice and
Community matters.
Meet the people bringing Design School Studio to life!
Your creative mentors, design lovers and every day Mums, who are passionate in passing on their expertise based on real projects, real experiences and real industry knowledge.
Melissa Rettore
Trainer & Assessor
Mel's passion for teaching runs over a decade deep. She made the career leap from primary school teaching to interior design, and combines her love of both design and education here at Design School. Mel actively works as an editorial stylist and works with digital media agencies to produce publications such as the Bunnings Warehouse magazine. In additional to her freelance work, Mel's interior design business, Moody Aesthetic Interiors, offers full interior and decorations services, such as art, furniture object curation. In her spare time she is often found sketching houses and her watercolours and hand-rendered sketches of interiors have featured amazing homes like that of Jen Bishop of Interior’s Addict. Mel brings her talents to the Design School classroom, sharing her knowledge and practical skills to help students on their own design journeys.
@melissa_rettore
Holly Miskimmin
Trainer & Assessor
Holly is a Design School alumni, having undergone her training with DS founder Jenna Densten, Holly brings both her own personal experience, industry skills and knowledge to the Design School Classroom classroom. Over the years, Holly honed her diverse styling and decorating skills while working alongside award-winning Interior Stylist Simone Haag, gaining knowledge, mentoring, and exposure to high-end clients. This experience also refined her creative talents in creating 2D and 3D visualisations for client presentations, as well as creating bespoke illustrative artworks and hand drawn house sketches. Holly also works in her own interior styling business and as a Mid Century Modern lover, her and her iconic 60's home have been featured in publications such as Design Files.
@holly_miskimmin