A person holding a smartphone with an incoming call screen showing a woman in a white top and black skirt, on a construction site background.

LIKE HAVING A DESIGNER IN YOUR BACK POCKET

The Design Mentor

You don’t need a full-service designer…but you do need someone in your corner supporting you. The Design Mentor gives you expert guidance, feedback, and clarity as you navigate your renovation, build, or interiors project.

$2,500 +GST PER MONTH

Limited places available. (Min 3-month commitment)

BECOME A DESIGN MENTOR CLIENT →

Managing your own build, renovation or interiors project — but wishing you had a designer in your corner to sense-check your decisions before you commit? Because doing it yourself can feel exciting… right up until you’re choosing layouts, materials, finishes — and suddenly every decision feels expensive and permanent.

You don’t want to hand the whole project over to a designer — but you also don’t want to get it wrong.

That’s exactly where Design Mentor sits.

It’s like having a designer in your back pocket — giving you direct, ongoing access to Melissa Bonney as your personal design mentor and project advisor. Someone to review your plans, refine your ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and help you make confident, considered decisions at every stage.

You stay in control of your project — we make sure you’re on the right track.

No full-service commitment. No second guessing. Just expert guidance when you need it most — so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and a home that truly works.

Two women hugging at the doorway of a home, smiling and showing affection.

What’s Included

2 x mentoring sessions per month (via Zoom or phone)
Perfect for troubleshooting, planning and strategy
Unlimited messaging via Whatsapp/ Telegram (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm)
Quick feedback and expert input in real time
Support tailored to your unique project
Use Mel’s knowledge + experience to navigate selections, layouts, styling, supplier decisions & builder queries
Ongoing guidance that evolves with your project
Whether you’re just starting out or mid-way through, Melissa will walk beside you

- Owner-builders managing their own renovation or new build
- Homeowners working with a builder, architect or team — but wanting extra support
- Busy professionals who need a sounding board to keep things moving
- First-time renovators feeling unsure or overwhelmed
- Design-savvy clients who want to stay hands-on — with expert backup
Once you join, we’ll onboard you with a simple questionnaire, book your fortnightly calls, and set you up on Telegram so Melissa is right there when you need her. You’ll get fast responses during business hours and high-level advice to keep your project flowing smoothly — from big-picture strategy to the tiniest material decision.
This is your expert in your corner, every step of the way.
If your project evolves, you can expand your support with:
- Site visits or in-person walkthroughs (NSW + QLD)
- Plan reviews and layout markups
- Finish selections and documentation packs
- Styling advice + curated shopping lists
- Deep dive consultations or team meetings
We’ll tailor your experience based on your needs and project stage.
· $2,500 per month (ex GST), invoiced monthly in advance
· 3-month minimum commitment
Availability is limited due to the high-touch nature of this service
This is a high-touch, high-value service, and we want to keep the experience seamless and supportive. For clarity:
Messaging is available Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm (AEST)
·       Please note: Telegram messages will be responded to within a reasonable timeframe, but not in real-time outside of the agreed hours.
·       Quick questions and feedback are welcomed via Telegram
·       In-depth reviews, detailed markups, or full design concepts will be referred to additional sessions or services as needed
·       If you're unsure whether something fits within this scope — just ask! We'll guide you.
Let’s keep your project on track, beautifully designed and stress-free — with a trusted expert by your side.
Got a question? [email protected]

Close-up of various building materials including wood, brick, tile, and metal pipes on a concrete surface.

A consult with Melissa = clarity and creative design solutions (that you would not have come up with on your own). I had Melissa come to my home for a design consultation. She helped me create clarity around our renovations, all the while making sure it was aligned to our family’s needs and the way we live, as well as tie in with our existing style. Not always an easy ask! At the end of the consultation I felt heard and understood in what I was wanting and armed with new found clarity (and trust in my own choices). Not your typical designer approach and I loved that so much! If you’re looking for clarity or help with your interior design ideas, around a renovation, styling or new build, I highly recommend Melissa. She’s highly professiona l yet wonderfully personable and if I could hire her for my entire project I would!

Georgia | BROOKLET
I recently had the pleasure of working with Melissa as a consultant on a 10 house development in Byron Bay. Mel is not only a designer, she has a deep knowledge of the entire building and development process from start to finish! She was a true professional - listening attentively to our needs, offering expert advice, and bringing our vision to life with creativity and flair. She was often ou r life line when needed! The end result is a beautiful, functional, and cohesive space that exceeds our expectations. She has a keen eye for detail, a deep understanding of colour, texture, and light, and a passion for creating spaces that are both aesth etically pleasing and tailored to her clients' lifestyles. We can't recommend highly enough. If you're looking for a designer who is so much more, look no further!

Zac | Byron Bay
I am absolutely in love with the work Melissa did in transforming my liv ing space! Her expertise in furniture selection and placement is truly exceptional. She took the time to understand my personal style and preferences, and together we created a cohesive and functional space sourcing antiques and modern pieces for my home. The vintage pieces chosen are not only beautiful but also incredibly timeless and durable. Melissa is a master of her craft, and I highly recommend her mentorship to anyone looking to elevate their home's interior.

Carissa | Ewingsdale
I recently had the pleasure of working with Melissa Bonney for a design consultation, and I couldn’t be more impressed. Mel’s extensive experience in design, spanning decades, was evident in every aspect of our session. She provided invaluable assistance with challenging concepts like the window and door schedule, layout reviews, and deck placement. Her ability to blend functionality with beauty is remarkable. Mel’s designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and well-thought-out. She approaches each project with a deep understanding of building knowledge, ensuring that every element serves a purpose while enhancing the overall design. At this stage of our renovation, Mel’s guidance gave me the confidence I needed. Her constructive feedback and adaptability were instrumental in refining our home’s design and flow. She made the process enjoyable with her friendly and approachable demeanor. I wholeheartedly recommend Melissa Bonney to anyone considering a home renovation. Her expertise and passion for design will undoubtedly bring your vision to life.

Lisa Parkinson, BYRON BAY
Mel at The Designory is fantastic! We had her over to brainstorm our kitchen renovation, and she blew us away. She brought fresh, innovative ideas for the layout and products that we hadn't even considered. What's more, she showed us smart ways to save money without sacrificing quality, and her suggestions will definitely add value to our home. Highly recommend!

TOBY CARROLL

Express your interest in becoming a Design Mentor Client

Looking for design consulting?

Learn about our Design Intensives with Melissa.

What most people really need isn’t a designer to take over — it’s clarity. That’s exactly what our Design Intensives are built for.

This isn’t an initial consult. It’s not a discovery call. And it’s definitely not a conversation about “how we could work together.” This is high-level, focused design consulting — an hour dedicated entirely to your project, your questions, and your decisions. You come prepared, and we get straight into it.