Meet Jess Hislop, an interior stylist, Mum of three and one of those people you just fall in love with instantly.
Jess is obsessed with interiors and curating a home s-l-o-w-l-y… to the point where she would rather wait years for the right piece of furniture, rather than choose something that doesn’t feel exactly right.
As a long-time Melbournian who loved the lifestyle in the big smoke, Jess had no plans to leave the city... until one random Saturday morning when her and her husband decided to check out this beautiful property overlooking the Macedon Ranges. She stepped inside and immediately knew they had to have it. Fast forward a year and their life looks completely different.
Their days now consist of hikes in the hills (just outside their front door), feeding the animals together, gardening in the sunshine (their daffodil garden honestly felt enchanted) and overall, they are living a much slower paced life.
The property has a feeling of magic about it and if I could choose any family home to grow up in, it would be this one.
Shop door mats here and dine here.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Jess Hislop and I am a Melbourne based Interior Stylist.
Your new property doesn’t feel real, it feels like something out of a fairytale. Tell us about your recent move… what made you want to leave the city?
Our years in the city were wonderful - full of community, convenience and the buzz of city life – but we always had this quiet pull towards something different. As our girls grew older, so did our desire for space, fresh air and the chance for our girls to experience a childhood surrounded by nature.
When we discovered our new home, it felt less like a house hunt and more like stumbling upon a hidden chapter in a fairytale. The rolling hills, the garden, the house... it was everything we had ever dreamed of, and we knew there and then that we had found our forever home.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of making the move somewhere new but they’re too scared to leave what they know behind?
I completely understand the fear – change is big and leaving the familiar can feel overwhelming. But I think that’s where the magic lies. Growth often lives just outside your comfort zone, and sometimes it takes a leap to find the life you’ve been quietly (or loudly) dreaming about. The unknown will always feel daunting, but it also holds so much possibility.
For my family, the move wasn’t just about leaving something behind, it was more about what we were stepping into: more room for our children to play, a slower pace, quality family time and a new creative project. If your heart is pulling you towards something new, trust that pull. The life you imagined might just be waiting for you on the other side of that fear.
How has this new life chapter changed you as a person and your day-to-day life?
It’s changed immensely. I felt like I was on a hamster wheel in Melbourne, with the days blurring into each other, but here everything has a slower rhythm. I find myself noticing the small things – the change in the seasons, the sounds of the birds – I spend a lot of my time roaming the garden taking photos of all the new flowers that pop up. I’m channelling Martha Stewart – HARD.
It’s also changed how I spend my days. I’m more present, more intentional. There’s space to create, to dream, to put energy into our home and the traditions we want to build as a family. Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, I feel like I’m living in each moment. This shift has been such a gift and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I should also mention – what I spend my money on has changed dramatically – less on takeaway coffees and Mecca – LOTS more on the garden chaaa-chingggg.
Shop bed linen here and cushions here.
Describe the feeling when you and your husband first stepped inside this charming home, what was going through your mind? What features made you fall in love with it?
We instantly knew “this was it”! I was giving my husband crazy eyes behind the real estate agent's back and I could tell he was equally excited. There was an instant sense of calm – it felt like home. We fell in love with EVERYTHING! The winding driveway, the garden, the fact that the home was surround by nature and not neighbours, the gable window and the natural light that streamed into every room. It wasn’t just a house – it was the setting for the kind of life we’d always imaged.
It’s one thing to buy pretty things but then there’s those rare people that are born with a wildly amazing sense of style, it can’t be explained, some people just have it within them… you’re one of them Jess! Where did this deep love of interiors and style come from?
That is the loveliest compliment, thank you! I think my love of interiors really grew out of a deep fascination with history, museums and galleries. I’ve always been drawn to spaces that hold stories – places where you can feel the layers of time.
What is your creative process when you take on a new project for a client?
A big part of my process is intuition. Of course, I gather inspiration, reference points and practical needs, but so much of it comes down to instincts – feeling what the client is really seeking, even if they can’t quite articulate it themselves. I form ideas in my head and then look for inspiration images to support my direction.
What’s your favourite project/ proudest career achievement to date and why?
Every time I collaborate with an incredible creative or brand - this feels like an achievement. To be recognised for my style and asked to share my perspective – whether through features or partnerships is something I’m deeply proud of. It reminds me that trusting my instincts and following my love of interiors has led to opportunities that I was once had only dreamed of.
Your friends love coming here to escape the city, what is your favourite thing to cook them for dinner? Take us through the whole menu!
I go large! My worst fear is someone leaving hungry. I usually cook a lasagne, pasta or a roast lamb. One big main dish accompanied by my crispy roast potatoes and a couple of salads or seasonal vegetable dishes. This may sound controversial, but I’m starting to sub out the old famous cheese and dip platter upon arrival and get on with an early dinner as I’ve found that everyone gets too full on the platters and wine and by the time the main comes out – there isn’t a lot of room left!
Shop our resin here, lounge collection here and apparel here.
This is going to be a hard one for you… what are your favourite pieces of furniture/ decor in your home and why? What is the special story behind them?
SO HARD. Too hard.
My Nan’s collection of glass swizzle sticks she gave me. I used to sit down and polish them meticulously when I was little so to have them in my possession now is very special.
This is a question that comes up a lot within our community… Tips for styling kids bedrooms?
Make them Fun! I think children thrive in inspiring environments. Use different colours, textures, shapes and objects. I also play on the whimsical especially when they are younger. Parents only have short time where children believe in the magic of fairies, unicorns and Santa etc – it is such a beautiful and innocent time in their life, one that I really treasure.
I also use good quality natural products on their bedding and upholstered items. There are many cheap and nasty products on the market that have short life cycle – I suggest buying quality sheets, mattresses and pillows – much like adults would use in their own rooms. I want them to feel nice and cozy when tucked into their beds.
As a Mum of three and someone who cares deeply about interiors, how do you balance practicality and beauty within your home? Aren’t you worried about your precious items being broken in a game of hide and seek?
It’s a balance. With three little ones, practicality must come into play – but I’ve never wanted that to mean living without beauty, I think children can grow up around precious things, if they are taught to respect them, and I also believe that homes are meant to be lived in. I’ve learnt throughout my years in this industry what fabrics are hard wearing/easy to clean. I’ve also learnt that a marble dining table is one of the best things you can own as a parent – if you choose the right marble, it’s basically indestructible. Anything SUPER breakable, small and precious - well that goes up high or in a display cabinet – naturally.
Shop our kids + baby collection here.
I’ve discovered you love instant coffee as much as me… which is a lot (seriously underrated in my eyes). What are your daily non-negotiables and rituals that make you happy?
I felt like we really bonded over our love for instant coffee.
My husband always makes me a coffee in the morning which is a ritual we’ve had since day one. Exercise, sauna’s, getting out in the garden – all of these make me happy, and I would love to say they are my non–negotiables. BUT.. I’m a mum of three. The days are hectic – most days the only one I get under my belt is the morning coffee and the rest fly out the window.
You’ve got the whole day to yourself, describe your perfect day to us in detail from AM to PM…
Honestly – one whole uninterrupted day at home (Rondelie Estate) is my perfect day. A day to plan the new chook shed or plant some more fruit trees. We have a big list of jobs to do around the house, and I love ticking off the list and I love nothing more than to potter around at home. Cut fresh flowers, read one of my 200 books or rearrange my furniture. This answer would have been VERY different if I was still living in Melbourne. I guess this answer demonstrates how content I am living here as there is no need or want to really leave.
Follow Jess on Instagram here and follow the journey of their home via the Rondelie Estate Instagram here.
Find Jess Hislop's interior styling website here.
With a whole lotta love xx