This week on Home Life Series, we're stepping inside the home of Kip&Co Co-Founder Kate Heppell, where colour, comfort and collected treasures come together in the most welcoming way.
As one of the forces behind Kip&Co, Kate has spent more than a decade encouraging Australians to embrace homes filled with personality rather than perfection. Her own home is no exception. Rich with stories, layered textures and thoughtful details, it's a place designed for gathering, unwinding and celebrating the everyday.
From fresh linen bedding and treasured artworks to the rituals that make a house feel like home, Kate shares the inspiration behind her spaces, the lessons she's learnt along the way, and why creating joy through interiors still excites her as much as ever. Come on in.
Hi Kate, thank you for having us over in Point Lonsdale! Everyone knows and loves your gorgeous home, but how would you describe its style?
Joyful, welcoming and layered. I love a home that tells the story of the people who live there, full of pieces collected over time and treasures that hold meaning.
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Can you tell us a bit about your role at Kip&Co and how this influences how you've styled your home?
Kip&Co has always been about creating homes that feel alive. Fourteen years ago, homewares looked very different — muted, plain and predominantly white. I love that people now embrace interiors that are mood-making and expressive. That philosophy naturally flows into my own home. I decorate with feeling first and trust that if something brings joy, it will work.
How would you describe the style of the home?
Relaxed, layered, textural and expressive. And colourful – obviously. It reflects our family perfectly. It has a relaxed tree house feel – in and out. It’s coastal at heart but not in an obvious way – more about feeling than aesthetic. There’s a mix of natural materials, strong colour, art and travel treasures, and lived-in warmth. It’s a home that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still feels considered. Having owned the house for 20 years it has seen us grow and change as humans, it has seen kids and animals come and go, it has seen good and harder times as we both grew our businesses.
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How did you come to own it and what made you fall in love with it?
In 2006 we would come to Point Lonsdale for weekend beach getaways and one weekend we saw this rickety knock down and on a whim we bought it and decided to breathe new life into it, rather than knock it over. We fell for the feeling before anything else. It had a quiet confidence to it – beautiful bones, incredible light, and a connection to the outdoors that felt really special. It felt like somewhere we could truly settle into and make our own. We never imagined living in Point Lonsdale but this little town slowly but surely gets deep into you. We slowly slowly wanted more and more time here and in 2011 we decided to move here to have our first baby (a home birth in the top living room) and try the coastal life for just 1 year. After the 1 year, we did move back to Melbourne for 2 years but returned in time for the birth of Fern, and this time it was for good.
What are your favourite things to do here?
We're big entertainers, so gathering people around the table is one of my greatest joys. I also love the quieter moments — climbing into a freshly made bed, enjoying a knock-off drink with friends, or simply winding down with family at the end of the day.
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What have you changed since moving in?
We have done two renovations in the 20 years of owning this house. The first was in about 2011, with Tony Hobba Architects, when we closed in the downstairs, creating the bluestone living room, added a bedroom upstairs and one downstairs, and tweaked the layout. Then in 2024 we went again, this time with Edwina Glenn as the architect, and we moved the kitchen, and turned the old kitchen into a study / sitting nook. The garden has been a slow labour of love for Mal over the entire time but in 2024 we engaged his long time work associates at Eckersley to do a design that would incorporate a pool and sauna, which Mal then constructed.
If you could choose three pieces someone should add to update their home, what would they be — and why?
- New bedding will always shake up a room. It's the easiest way to facelift your bedroom. And I don't need to explain why sleeping well is one of the most important things you can do in life. Add a beautiful print and suddenly you have sleep and pleasure covered.
- A cosy robe for winter is a treat that makes every evening utter heaven. Don't underestimate how this tiny indulgence can elevate the daily wind-down.
- A bold throw or statement cushion. Layering in one strong, joyful piece instantly refreshes a space. It's a low-commitment way to play with colour and texture — and it can completely shift the mood of a room.
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Any challenges you’ve come across with renovating?
Balancing beauty with practicality when you have three kids is always a juggle. We wanted it to feel elevated but still completely liveable – nothing too precious.
What piece of advice would you give someone wanting to refresh their home?
Start with the bedroom. It's the space you return to every single day and one of the easiest rooms to transform. Fresh bedding can completely shift the mood of a space. Add beautiful prints, soft textures and layers you can't wait to climb into. We all know how mood-altering it is to lie in a fresh, soft bed — unbeatable, and absolutely worth the effort.
What excites you most about the future of home interiors?
Homewares isn't basic anymore. It's emotional. It's about how we present our homes, how we entertain and the intrinsic effect our surroundings have on our moods and the way we live. The future feels bright — metaphorically and in real life.
What are your favourite design details?
I love mixing fabrications and layering textures. Linen bedding is my dream base, but velvet Euros, textured cushions and combinations of bamboo, cotton and linen make a space feel rich and lived in. It's those thoughtful layers that transform a room.
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Describe Kip&Co in three words.
Joyful, energised and welcoming.
