First Home Fabulous: Carly Anne's journey from losing sleep to loving the space

Watch Carly Anne Kenneally’s renovating journey in our six-part series, First Home Fabulous.

Carly Anne shares the trials and tribulations of her first-home buying and renovating experience, with a little help from her mum – interior designer and The Block judge Shaynna Blaze.

Creating the perfect living room in a one-bedroom apartment was no small feat. It had to be a space where I could unwind, host friends, and eat – all while maximising storage, looking stylish, and feeling uniquely “me”. Talk about squeezing it all in!

Let’s start with the missing elephant in the room: the TV. Shocking, I know, considering I work full-time in TV production. But for me, this apartment was all about creating a vibe, and nothing kills a vibe faster than a giant black rectangle staring at you.

Eventually, I’ll splurge on a projector and use my blinds as the screen, but first, the budget needed to go to more pressing matters – like fixing the floors I botched.

The floors were, without a doubt, my most colossal renovation fail. I started strong by sanding them – A+ effort there – but then skipped primer. I also chose matt concrete paint when gloss would’ve been far more forgiving. The result? Stains, peeling paint, and my soul leaving my body with every new scuff mark.

For months, I ignored the disaster. But the closer I got to the day of the final reveal, I was losing more and more sleep over internet trolls critiquing my DIY efforts.

So, the weekend before Domain’s arrival, I bolted out of bed at dawn and marched to my trusty local paint shop. Their advice was a game-changer.

After a marathon repainting session, the floors have held up beautifully for six months now – no peeling, no stains. Pro tip: if you’re going for white floors, invest in a really good mop. I’m still hunting for one. Recommendations welcome!

Originally, I dreamed of a hallway gallery wall with bold artwork and maybe some chic VJ panelling. But when I added up the costs – posters, custom frames, panelling, installation – it was way out of budget. Plus, I don’t do “basic”, so I couldn’t settle for run-of-the-mill prints.

While scrolling through ’70s design inspiration, I fell in love with mirrored walls. Not only are they unique, but they make small spaces feel more grand. Brand-new mirrors were quoted at $2200, plus $500 for installation – ouch. Enter my old friend, Facebook Marketplace.

After a few weeks of searching, I scored a full set of vintage mirrored panels for just $100. Installation brought the total to $600, and the result is stunning. On sunny days, rainbows dance around the room – a delightful bonus. (Sadly, Melbourne didn’t deliver sunshine when Domain came to film!)

For the dining area, I wanted a round table for that cosy, communal vibe. I stumbled upon a green, faux-marble octagon table on one side of town and matching green swivel chairs on the other. Naturally, I roped in my besties to help collect them.

The piece de resistance is my pink velvet couch, complete with matching armchairs. Getting it into my apartment involved an Airtasker, a lot of stair manoeuvring, and a near-ruined friendship.

After

Before

Sometimes, I question whether Marketplace is worth the hassle when delivery from a store costs just a few hundred dollars more.

But there’s immense pride in knowing my space isn’t filled with fast-fashion furniture – it’s curated, considered, and just a little chaotic.

My top three living room renovation tips

1. Buy your paint from the pros. Skip the hardware giants and head to an independent paint shop. Their expertise is unmatched, and they’ll save you from costly mistakes (like my no-primer fiasco).
2. Wait for what speaks to you. If you’re buying something just to fill a space, pause. Leave the area empty until you find something that truly sings to your soul. Trust me, the wait is worth it, and your wallet will thank you.
3. Know when (not) to call in friends. There’s a fine line between asking friends for help and testing the limits of your relationships. Save their goodwill for manageable tasks, like a paint day or furniture pickup, and show your appreciation with their favourite treats. For jobs that might ruin friendships – like lugging a pink velvet sofa up narrow stairs – hire a pro.