Owner of The Most Beautiful Tile Store in Melbourne Shares the Secrets Behind her Stunning Home Transformation

In this article, Dara Shashoua, Founder of Byzantine Design shares with us part of her process renovating her first home. Dara grew up with a curiosity and passion for natural stone, and with her now being the owner of The Most Beautiful Tile Store in Melbourne it is fascinating to gain insight into the design choices she's made to transform her own space.

Nearing the end of 2022, Dara excitedly shared the news that she had closed the deal on her very first home and with that she immediately took on a new challenge - renovating! After spending a few months going back and forth between her old place and new one choosing finishes, from design consults to online shopping for fun fixtures and decor, Dara’s project was finally complete and she was able to move into her new home in the autumn of 2023.

The home, located in the stunning suburb of Cheltenham, was built in the 70's. Dara’s vision was to respect and honour the charm of this retro home while being able to accentuate its beauty with some modern touches and add some of her own personality and design style to the space. The design process began with the benchtop, which served as the centerpiece for the entire kitchen. From there, Dara was able to select complementary finishes that give the space a cohesive feel and showcase the beauty of natural stone throughout the home.

Dara's love for natural stone is apparent in her home as the moment you walk in through the door a stunning tumbled travertine in a french pattern-lay greets your step and follows all the way through to the kitchen and into the laundry room, which was also given a makeover. Dara's own tile collection, Riad, hugs the walls of her kitchen with a variation in tones and sizes, creating an organic, airy and handmade-look backsplash that complements and accentuates the Verde Marinace benchtop. The laundry room follows the same theme and colour palette as the kitchen. However, showcasing a bit more of Dara's fun yet elegant style and personality in the laundry room is her favourite tile, the Amazon Marble, which was used for the backsplash.

Being the owner of The Most Beautiful Tile Store in Melbourne, it comes as no surprise that Dara chose her own shop's stunning tiles for her renovation. Below we've listed the different collections she used for her home:

- Laundry Backsplash: Amazon Marble. This tile is a perfect example of Dara's fun and elegant style, with its unique pattern and beautiful colours.

-Kitchen + Laundry Benchtops: Verde Marinace in leather finish

-Kitchen Backsplash: Riad natural 150x150 and 150x50mm

-Laundry Backsplash: Amazon Honed Square Marble, 100x100mm

-Floors: Tumbled Biscotti travertine in a French Pattern

It is clear that Dara's passion for natural stone shines through in her design choices, and her expertise in the tile industry allowed her to create a cohesive and beautiful living space. Her renovation journey serves as an inspiration for homeowners and designers alike. Dara's renovation journey shows that with a clear vision and the right team, a house can be transformed into a beautiful and functional living space.