Welcome to The Designory’s Design Intelligence Platform.
This is your all-in-one home design destination which brings together design education, fully resolved and editable architectural and interior plans, professional studio level design tools, budgeting and project management resources, our favourite design schemes, our sourcing connections, plus our Insider Membership platform that includes trade discounts and fortnightly live expert guidance from Mel.
And it’s all here to help you confidently design, plan, manage and source for your build, renovation or decorating project.
For almost 15 years, we've been designing homes for other people. Over 400 of them, in fact. And along the way, through our client projects, our own renovations, our retreats and the thousands of conversations we've had, we've started to notice something - most people have a pretty good idea of what they like and the kind of home they'd love to create. And yes often these days they can access knowledge and tools online or from courses (that they mostly never finish), but what they are really lacking is the “how” to actually bring it all together and the confidence to execute it all when there’s so much information being thrown at them.
Create an online course they said! But for us creating an online course on its own was never the answer. Giving you access to our plans was never the only answer. And pulling back the curtain on the studio and sharing our in-house design tools and processes was only part of the solution. The truth is, when it comes to building, renovating or decorating, there is never one right answer. Every home is different. Every budget, family and set of circumstances is different. You can teach someone the principles of good design, but what happens when they need to apply those principles to their own project and things get a little complicated?
We wanted to be part of the solution, not contribute to the problem. We didn't just want to give you information. We wanted to give you the confidence to actually use it. That’s why we pivoted, The Designory evolved and the Design Intelligence Platform came to life. The INSIDER membership is an all-access pass to everything we do, how we do it and EVERYTHING on our site.
PLUS IT GIVES YOU ACCESS TO TWO THINGS WE THINK ARE PRETTY SPECIAL:
Live Zoom Q&A sessions with Mel.
This is a chance to bring your own design dilemmas, ask questions and get guidance when you actually need it. Because sometimes, all it takes is a conversation with someone who's been there before to help you move forward.
The Sourcing Assistant
And then there’s the part that blows everything wide open - INSIDER Plus, this opens up the Sourcing Assistant and our trade buying power so YOU can access our Trade Discounts just like you would if you were a client in our design studio.
We've always believed good design shouldn't be exclusive to a few - it should be for everyone - and now we have a way to share what we've learned with far more of you than we ever could working on one project at a time. We can't wait to welcome you to the Inside.
Mel and Cat xABOUT US
Meet Melissa + Cat
Melissa Bonney
Founder and Creative DirectorDiploma of Commercial Arts (Interior Design) n.c. 2011 | Bachelor of Science (Psychology) n.c 2007 | Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) 1999 | Class 1 Licenced Real Estate Agent - REA NSW 20530398 (Buyers Agent)
Melissa Bonney is a trusted voice in the Australian design and building industry, bringing over 30 years of experience across property, building + interior design, project management, marketing, and human behaviour. Her career spans client projects, personal developments, and strategic brand partnerships—resulting in a uniquely holistic and people-focused approach to both design and education.
As Founder and Creative Director of The Designory, Melissa has led more than 400 successful residential design and build projects. Her strength lies in blending creative vision with practical insight — making great design feel accessible, intelligent, and deeply considered.
Melissa is also an advocate for accessible, transparent design. She’s passionate about sharing professional insights, simplifying the process for homeowners, and breaking down industry barriers through education, digital resources, and collaborative storytelling. Driven by curiosity and a love of innovation, Melissa is on a mission to empower others to design with confidence and creativity—without the barriers of jargon or exclusivity.
property obsessed | collector of old things | lover of sand, sun and tea | golden retriever enthusiast | pilates convert
Cat Gerke
Director of Strategy and PartnershipsMaster of Business (Marketing) 2016 / Bachelor of Art Education 2015
Cat Gerke is a seasoned marketing and brand strategist with over 15 years of experience creating campaigns that connect deeply with people and purpose. With a background in strategy, interiors and fine arts, Cat brings a unique blend of commercial insight, creative storytelling, and heartfelt advocacy for makers and design professionals.
As Co-Owner and Director of Strategy & Partnerships at The Designory, she’s focused on evolving the studio into a platform that bridges design education, industry collaboration, and accessible resources for homeowners. Her work is rooted in connection—between brand and audience, creative and commercial, idea and execution.
Cat’s journey with The Designory began in 2016, sparked by a shared vision with Melissa Bonney and a passion for storytelling that elevates Australian interiors and the thinking behind them. Alongside her strategic work, Cat is also a professional artist, having exhibited in galleries across the country. This artistic lens gives her a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and fuels her mission to empower others to engage with design in a thoughtful, creative, and approachable way.
mumma of 2 dogs | stubbornly always in black | collector of aussie art | coffee addict | sustainable building enthusiast | red wine lover
FROM LEADING DESIGN STUDIO TO EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM
Our Journey
2012
Melissa opens The Design Hunter which included design services and a beautiful retail store filled with designer finds.
2015
Cat joins the team to rebrand the studio + store. The Design Hunter remains our retail store and The Designory is born as our design studio.
2017
We renovate Ayana House, the first project where we shared the entire process on social media offering full transparency to viewers.
2018
We create the Barefoot Bay Cottage in Byron Bay sharing the entire process. We launch the home as a design forward airBNB upon completion.
2019
The Barefoot Bay Villa in Byron Bay is born, our largest project to date which we shared on social media. We launch the home as a design forward airBNB upon completion.
2020
We share the process of our work on Walker Farm an exciting rural off-grid build unlike anything we’ve shared or done before.
2021-2022
Melissa works on the development of 3 homes, the Vela properties during the uncertainty of Covid. Cat leaves the business to focus on her art career + health.
2023-2024
The Designory relocates to Byron Bay, opening a new office and design studio. The focus starts to shift to working nationwide design learning.
2025
Cat rejoins The Designory as a director and we decide to pull back the curtain on the design industry. Focusing on sharing our design secrets and making design easier for homeowners.
2026
The future of The Designory is filled with even more ways to help homeowners and emerging designs create beautiful spaces. Stay tuned for retreats, courses and more!