Mi Casa | Mel Colman – Pampa Journal

Just steps from one of the Gold Coast’s most beautiful beaches, Mel Colman lives a life that perfectly balances ease and intention. A mother of two, wife, and self-proclaimed homebody, Mel is also the effortlessly cool General Manager of Australian lifestyle brand Zulu & Zephyr, where she brings her lifelong love of fashion and design into everything she touches. On the side, she runs a boutique consultancy, working with founders and growing teams to bring clarity, structure and momentum to their businesses.

After recently completing a thoughtful renovation of her family’s apartment, Mel has created a space that feels, in her own words, warm, refined and grounding. Guided by intuition and experience, she approached the transformation with a clear vision, to design a home that feels calm, intentional, and lived-in. Drawing on her love of travel and that effortless California-cool aesthetic, she’s layered natural textures and earthy tones throughout, from linen and oak to soft curves and tonal artworks (which she painted herself and her kids!). Her FORMA rug anchors the living room with warmth and tactility, while considered accent pieces bring a sense of softness to the bedrooms. The result is a coastal home that feels both timeless and deeply personal — a reflection of Mel’s refined eye, creative spirit, and the laid-back rhythm of life by the sea.

SHOP THE LOOK

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about what you do creatively and for work?

I’m Mel – mother of two and GM of Australian lifestyle brand Zulu & Zephyr. Creatively, I also run my consultancy, working with founders and small teams.

How would you describe your home in a few words?

Warm, refined and grounding.

What inspired your approach to renovating your Gold Coast apartment?

We bought our apartment 4 years ago, just before welcoming our second child. At the time, we didn’t have the capacity for a full renovation, so we gave it a fresh coat of paint and decided to sit with it which was actually a blessing, as it gave us time to understand how we moved through the space as a family of four, how the light shifted with the season and what the space needed to grow with us. By the end of last year, we were torn between moving somewhere bigger or staying put. In the end, we love where we live too much, so we decided to go all in and create a home that really felt like us.

Can you share some of the story behind how you’ve styled your space?

I’ve always been inspired by travel, especially time spent in Los Angeles that effortless California-cool style with a touch of wabi-wabi. We wanted to bring some of those influencers into the apartment. With the long-term goal to eventually Airbnb our space, it was important that it felt timeless and layered with natural textures and earthy tones that are both calming and lived-in.

Your Forma rug sits beautifully in your living room. What drew you to this piece, and how does it fit into your home’s design?

Our renovation was intentionally pared back with natural elements, so I was looking for ways to bring in warmth and texture. The FORMA rug was the perfect balance – adding playfulness and depth without overwhelming the space, and it sits beautifully within the palette.

What’s inspiring you right now—whether in design, life, or nature?

Lately, I’ve been inspired by slowing down. With our eldest starting school next year, it’s put a lot into perspective. I’ve been really enjoying the ritual of family time and finding new ways to fill my cup, which in turn gives me more ease and presence in my work.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone designing or renovating their home, what would it be?

There were so many learnings, but for us, it was being super clear on how we wanted the space to feel, not just how it looked. From there, organisation is everything. I took on the role of project manager to keep things moving and save costs – coordinating trades, deliveries and schedules. It was intense, on top of the many hats I wear elsewhere, but it’s also why we finished the project in just 6 weeks. If I did it again, I’d probably hire someone for my own sanity, but there are always trade-offs.

Finally, how does living near by the Coast influence your lifestyle and the way you approach your home?

It shapes everything. We’re rarely home during the day – we’re usually at the beach, the park or on a sushi date with the kids. Life here is outdoorsy and relaxed and I like our home to feel like the grounding balance to that, a place we can return to, unwind and recharge.

Know more of Mel here

Photos: Victoria Aguirre