For our latest Heart-to-Heart, we sat down with Melbourne-based interior stylist Bertie Coad and trust us, this one’s a must-read.
It’s for anyone living in an older rental that feels uninspired, unable to make big changes, and unsure where to start. And it's especially for those of us who live for a good vintage find and love homes with nostalgic, eclectic soul.
Bertie’s apartment is living proof that you don’t need a huge budget or permanent renovations to create a space that feels beautifully you. With almost every item sourced secondhand (yes, Facebook Marketplace fans, you’re going to love this), her home is a masterclass in thoughtful styling, budget-friendly sourcing, and nostalgia.
We chat about vintage shopping tips, clever styling hacks, and how Bertie created a dream space she never, ever wants to leave.
Who are you and what do you do?
My names Alberta Coad - Bertie for short. I’m an Interior Stylist here in Melbourne. I work for a beautiful company called Create Expectations where we staged properties for real estate. I also freelance part-time doing interior decorating work.
Before coming back to Melbourne in recent years, you lived in Bali for 5 years… tell us about your career history and personal journey from the past decade!
Wowsers okay here we go!! Before I moved to Bali I worked in high end fashion, turned 21 and moved to Bali by myself. It was meant to be for three months but I ended up staying for five years, I got sucked in.
I moved there with an internship at Potato Head Beach Club doing their social media. I worked there for about six months until I started working for a beautiful homewares store called Kim Soo as their Manager and Visual Merchandiser. After about a year or so, I opened up my own vintage clothing store called Jane Doe. There were big second hand markets there so I would source all the clothing there whilst designing my own small label.
After Jane Doe, I then opened up a fusion Vietnamese restaurant called Leroy’s. I hadn’t worked a day in hospo before but saw a niche market and jumped on it. Designing the space, creating the menu and managing all of the creative side was super fun, but working the dishwasher wasn’t.
Whilst I ran Leroy’s I also hustled in a few different jobs to get by - I started making music playlists for restaurants, spas and stores which ended up doing really well and I loved doing it. Whilst also styling for fashion shoots.
When I moved back to Melbourne I went through a bit of a ‘wtf’ period where I was unsure where I belonged work-wise. I worked in hospo, then for a kids brands in their warehouse, shot for fashion brands and then worked on yachts fixing them - until I decided to go back and study interior design. I scored a scholarship and then landed my foot in the industry!
Shop bed linen here, resin here and sleepwear here.
You’re renting a beautiful Melbourne apartment, how do you approach styling a rental when you can't make major changes? Also, how did you know where to begin with this apartment when you moved in?
Gosh I would make sooooooo many changes to this place if I could. Main changes I’ve made are drilling a billion holes in the walls. Sorry landlord. As I can’t go painting the ceiling burgundy, I’ve just gone mad with colour elsewhere. Every wall is covered, there’s something going on in every nook. Have fun with it through decor, books, eclectic furniture and art. Layer! Bookshelves are a super fun way to express your creativity or show off your treasures.
I’ve been in this apartment almost a year and a half now and I’ve only just found the perfect layout. Where you place your furniture when you move in, doesn’t mean it always has to stay there. Give it a switch around every few months, re-style surfaces, re-hang art in different rooms.
You mentioned almost everything in this apartment is second-hand. Best advice for someone wanting to bring more creativity into their home without a huge budget?
I’ve done this all on a huge budget as I love a bargain and honestly, I can’t afford to spend a hefty amount on new furniture. Go on an adventure to second hand stores or scroll on Facebook marketplace. If something doesn’t work, re-sell it. Sell something to buy something new, to replace what you’re not loving. Spend time on Pinterest and create a ‘Home’ folder, then go out hunting for similar pieces.
Shop the Leroy Jumper here.
Shop resin here and lounge here.
What pointers do you have for people wanting to purchase beautiful art without lots of cash to splash? Where have you sourced all your amazing artwork from?
It’s all a mix, some through auctions - download ‘Invaluable’ on your phone, make it in Australia and you’ll see all the amazing auctions going on. The rest is through Marketplace, op-shops and thankfully some hand-me-downs from my parents.
Your Dad was an antique collector and he has hugely inspired your interiors and career. Tips for filling a space with vintage finds but allowing it to still feel modern, well curated and unique?
He really has, and I’m so thankful that’s how he brought me up. Mix materials. Mix styles. Buy what you love, don’t worry that it has to be matchy-matchy - as long as YOU love it, that’s what’s important. If you’re styling with something old or vintage, pair it nearby to something new or a completely different style. A new coffee table book would look beautiful with a vintage glass or timber piece layered on top. I have an antique gold mirror next to a very modern silver floor lamp, they balance each other out.
If you could go vintage shopping any where in the world… where would you choose to go?
ITALY!!!!! With a shipping container. And a million dollars.
What are the small daily rituals that bring you joy every day?
A marketplace scroll. A pop in to an op shop. A relaxing moment in my living room. My boiled eggs with goats cheese. My gooey face moisturiser. Music always.
Describe your perfect day out in Melbourne to us…
Lil’ sleep in, pilates, a walk along the beach with my boyfriend with pastries, a drive to a new op-shop, manifesting unique pieces and finding them, taking photos of architecture, a lil nap, styling what I’ve found, finished by yummy food and a bottle of wine with my girlfriends.
Follow Bertie Coad on Instagram here.
With a whole lotta love xx