Meet Taeler
I've spent over a decade in some of Melbourne's most respected architectural firms. Working on multi-million dollar residential projects, produced technical documentation, and guided families through one of the most complex processes of their lives.
But the thing that changed everything? Doing it myself…
When I completed my first renovation with my husband, with our own money, on our own timeline, I understood something I'd never fully grasped behind a studio desk, great design doesn't have to be expensive. It just has to be considered.
The Background ...Architectural-trained. Developer-tested.
I'm Taeler, the founder of For The Love of Design. I hold a Bachelor and Master of Architecture from RMIT, and I spent the better part of a decade working across high-end residential practices in Melbourne. I was the person drawing the plans, coordinating the documentation, and navigating the complex territory between a client's dream and what a builder could actually deliver. I loved it. But I always wanted to know what it felt like to be on the other side.
So I crossed over. I completed my first property renovation while still working full-time, sold it for a profit, and never looked back. Since then I've completed five developments, designing every one of them myself, managing the builds, and learning something new on every single project.
The why ...“I cant afford an architect”, The gap nobody was filling.
When people started reaching out; friends, followers, strangers on Instagram asking for help with their own renovations, I noticed the same thing every time. They weren't looking for a registered architect. They couldn't afford one, and they didn't need full architectural services.
But they also weren't getting what they needed from a draftsman or a stylist. They wanted someone who could look at a floor plan and immediately see what wasn't working. Someone who could show them what their home could look like before they committed to a builder. Someone who'd done it themselves, with a real budget, and come out the other side with something beautiful.
That's the space FTLO Design was built for.
What working with me looks like.I offer a three-stage design service: structured so you can enter at the beginning and move through at your own pace, or jump straight to the stage you need most.
Stage 01 - Floor Plan Review: We assess your existing floor plan and I'll provide two alternative layout options documented to scale with measurements, ready to take to a draftsman or builder.
Stage 02 - 3D Exterior Concepts: Two 3D renders of your front facade and two of your rear. You choose a direction, we refine, and you walk away with a clear vision of what your home can become from the outside.
Stage 03 - Interior Design Concepts: Space by space, we work through your interiors; kitchen, bathrooms, living, laundry, and more with 3D concepts and revisions at each step. The final package includes internal elevations and a full briefing document your builder and draftsman can work directly from.
Each stage is paid for independently, so you stay in control of your budget at every step.
The Proof …
I share everything on Instagram.
On Instagram I take you behind the scenes of every project the decisions, the budget moments, the before and afters. Not the polished highlight reel, but the real process of renovating a home thoughtfully and on a budget.
Because I believe that when you see exactly how it's done, you feel more confident doing it yourself or knowing who to call when you need a hand.
Let's make something beautiful.
Whether you're at the very start, staring at a floor plan wondering where to begin, or you've already got a direction and need someone to bring it to life visually, I'd love to help. This is what I do.