Como House: interior designers transform the historic South Yarra mansion.

A little imagination goes a long way. Picture Como House in South Yarra all dressed up by the sharpest talents in interior design. For three days, the historic property will be transformed by 25 designers, using all their gifts to create a personal space, a snapshot of their individual styles.

Interior designer Tigger Hall has been planning Como by Design – one of the most exciting design events for decades – for the past 18 months, persuading international stars and the best of local design talent to take part.

“It’s a wonderful challenge for a lot of interior designers to work in a space that is not their own,” Hall says.

After years of muted greys and neutrals, the promised colour revival is finally here, Hall says. Beautiful textiles in vibrant colours will be woven into the exciting design showcase where visitors can see, feel and appreciate the individually designed spaces.

“Australia has been lacking colour for such a long time and this event will be a jewel box of colour,” she says.

Speaking from London, the Melbourne-based designer explains the decorating palette in Europe and the United States is much more colourful and Australia is still catching up.

Como by Design is a chance to see the Melbourne designers side by side as they transform the sitting rooms, drawing rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms of the National Trust house in South Yarra.

“I would love to show younger designers how beautiful antiques and ‘brown furniture’ can be, and how you can sow an element of tradition into a room,” she says.

British doyenne of interior design, Nina Campbell, is among the guest speakers. The designer has worked for royalty, and celebrities including Rod Stewart and Ringo Starr. She will be signing copies of her new book, Nina Campbell Interior Decoration: Elegance and Ease, which features her most interesting recent projects.

There will be 10 seminars in the Como ballroom where guest speakers and local experts will share their knowledge. Talks include how to collect art, how to display art, how to use colour in your home, design aesthetics and how to curate design.

The session on the bespoke world of artisan craftsmanship should be particularly interesting, Hall says, as Melbourne has a rich collection of creative craftspeople.

High-profile garden designer Paul Bangay and international designer Thomas Hamel are also among the speakers. Other participating designers include Chalmers Le Fevre, Brownlow Interior Design and gardener Julian Ronchi.

The idea of a “show house” event has been running successfully in New York, Los Angeles and London for years.

Hall, who is known for a fondness for textiles, fabrics and colour, hopes that people will be inspired by the displays.

Designer Danielle Serpanchy, who left a career in finance to follow her passion, says the event will bring the design community together, create a platform for connection between designers and the public and celebrate an iconic Melbourne landmark.

“My spaces are specifically designed around the themes of femininity, journey and heritage in honour of the women of the Armytage family who managed the property for almost 70 years,” Serpanchy says.

Hall hopes to make this a bi-annual event with the next show-house planned for Sydney.

Profits go to youth charity The Prince’s Trust, of which Hamel and Bangay are ambassadors.

Como by Design, Corner Williams Road and Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra, October 19-21, comobydesign.com