As one of the youngest female CEOs of a tech start-up valued at over $1 billion, Perkins has built an impressive empire. In 2023, she ranked 89th on Forbes’ list of the “World’s 100 most powerful women,” and her company, Canva, is now valued at $26 billion. This makes it the world’s most valuable startup founded and led by a woman.
Perkins’ journey from a 19-year-old with an idea in 2006 to building a global design platform demonstrates her vision for making beautiful design accessible to everyone. Her story of being rejected by 100 VCs before achieving success showcases the determination that has shaped both her professional and personal life.
Location and Exterior Design of Melanie Perkins’ House
Nestled in one of Sydney’s most prestigious neighborhoods, the Melanie Perkins House commands attention without demanding it. The location itself speaks volumes about Perkins’ approach to life—close enough to the city’s vibrant tech scene yet removed enough to provide the tranquility essential for creative thinking. The neighborhood, renowned for its tree-lined streets and architectural diversity, offers the perfect backdrop for a modern home that strikes a balance between innovation and tradition.
The exterior design immediately reveals Perkins’ design sensibilities. Rather than opting for the glass-and-steel modernism typical of tech executives, she chose a warm, contemporary approach that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The facade combines natural stone, sustainable timber, and large windows that invite the outside in—a physical manifestation of Canva’s philosophy of making design accessible and inviting.
What strikes visitors first is the thoughtful integration of eco-friendly materials throughout the exterior. The roof features solar panels discreetly integrated into the design, while rainwater collection systems are cleverly concealed within the architectural elements. These sustainable choices aren’t afterthoughts—they’re fundamental to the home’s design language, proving that environmental responsibility can enhance rather than compromise aesthetic appeal.
The landscaping deserves special mention. Instead of manicured lawns that demand excessive water, Perkins opted for native Australian plants that create a natural, low-maintenance garden. Winding pathways made from recycled materials lead through various outdoor spaces, each designed for different purposes—meditation, entertainment, or simply enjoying Sydney’s beautiful weather.
Perhaps the most striking exterior feature is the seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Large sliding doors and covered terraces blur the boundaries between the inside and outside, creating flexible spaces that can adapt to various occasions. This design choice reflects Perkins’ belief in adaptability and user-centered design principles that have contributed to Canva’s success and made her home truly special.
Interior Design Highlights
Step inside the Melanie Perkins house, and you’re immediately enveloped in an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and welcoming. The interior design theme revolves around what could be called “accessible luxury”—high-quality materials and thoughtful design choices that create elegance without intimidation. This approach mirrors Canva’s user interface: powerful yet approachable.
The Living Spaces
The living room serves as the heart of the home featuring soaring ceilings and an open-plan design that encourages conversation and connection. The color palette draws inspiration from nature, featuring soft grays, warm woods, and pops of green from carefully placed plants. Custom-designed furniture pieces, many crafted by local Australian artisans, offer both comfort and visual interest without overwhelming the space.
The kitchen represents the perfect marriage of form and function. State-of-the-art appliances hide behind minimalist cabinetry, while a massive island provides space for both cooking and casual gatherings. The choice of materials—sustainable bamboo, recycled glass countertops, and energy-efficient fixtures—reflects Perkins’ commitment to environmental responsibility without sacrificing style.
Personal Retreats
The bedrooms in the Melanie Perkins house feel like personal sanctuaries. The main suite, in particular, showcases how minimalism can still feel luxurious. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning views of the garden, while automated blinds provide privacy and control over light. The color scheme remains neutral and calming, with textures adding visual interest—think soft linens, natural wood, and subtle metallic accents.
The Creative Hub
Perhaps most fascinating is Perkins’ home office—a space that embodies her work philosophy perfectly. Unlike traditional executive offices, this room feels more like a creative studio. Multiple monitors support her work with Canva, while comfortable seating areas allow for informal meetings or brainstorming sessions. The walls feature magnetic whiteboard paint, enabling spontaneous ideation just like in Canva’s offices.
Smart Home Integration
Technology integration throughout the house is subtle but comprehensive. Smart home features include climate control that learns patterns and adjusts automatically, lighting that responds to natural daylight levels, and a security system that provides peace of mind without feeling intrusive. These elements work together seamlessly, creating an environment that supports productivity and relaxation equally.
The use of color throughout deserves special attention. Rather than following trends, Perkins chose a palette that’s both timeless and personal. Whites and grays provide a neutral backdrop, while carefully selected art pieces and textiles add a touch of personality. This restraint in color allows the architecture and natural light to take center stage, creating spaces that feel both calming and energizing.
Functional and Inspirational Spaces for Entrepreneurs
The Melanie Perkins House offers a masterclass in creating spaces that fuel entrepreneurial success. Every room serves multiple purposes, adapting to the dynamic needs of a tech CEO who often works from home. This flexibility isn’t accidental—it’s a deliberate design choice that reflects the modern reality of work-life integration.
The Ultimate Home Office Setup
Perkins’ workspace goes beyond the typical home office. It’s divided into distinct zones: a focused work area with ergonomic furniture and optimal lighting, a creative corner with comfortable seating and inspiring artwork, and a collaboration space equipped with video conferencing technology. This multi-zone approach enables her to transition between different types of work without leaving the room, thereby maintaining productivity while avoiding monotony.
The office features a standing desk that can be adjusted throughout the day, recognizing the importance of movement for maintaining energy and focus. Natural light floods the space, supplemented by carefully positioned task lighting that reduces eye strain during long work sessions. Plants throughout the office not only purify the air but also provide visual breaks that help maintain mental freshness.
Balancing Work and Life
What makes the Melanie Perkins House truly special for entrepreneurs is how it facilitates a work-life balance. Transition spaces between work and living areas help create psychological boundaries, fostering a sense of separation between the two regions. For instance, a small meditation nook sits between the office and main living areas, providing a space to decompress and shift mental gears.
The design also incorporates “thinking spaces” throughout the house—a window seat perfect for reading, a garden bench ideal for phone calls, and a roof terrace where big-picture planning happens. These varied environments support different types of cognitive work, recognizing that innovation doesn’t always happen at a desk.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs looking to create their own inspiring spaces, Perkins’ house offers valuable lessons. First, invest in quality basics—a fantastic chair, proper lighting, and reliable technology form the foundation of any productive space. Second, create flexibility—spaces that can adapt to different needs prevent the feeling of being trapped in one Mode.
Consider incorporating biophilic design elements like Perkins has. Natural materials, plants, and views of nature have been proven to boost creativity and reduce stress. Even in small spaces, these elements can make a significant difference in how energized and inspired you feel throughout the day.
Melanie Perkins House and Sustainability
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at the Melanie Perkins house—it’s a fundamental design principle woven into every aspect of the property. This commitment to environmental responsibility reflects Perkins’ broader philosophy that success shouldn’t come at the planet’s expense. The luxury house stands as proof that eco-friendly design can enhance rather than compromise luxury and comfort.
Green Building Practices
From the foundation up, the house incorporates sustainable building materials. Recycled steel provides structural support, while reclaimed wood adds warmth and character to various spaces. The insulation uses eco-friendly materials that maintain comfortable temperatures year-round while minimizing energy consumption. Even the paint throughout the house is low-VOC, ensuring healthy indoor air quality.
The energy systems deserve particular attention. Solar panels provide a significant portion of the home’s electricity needs, while a sophisticated battery storage system ensures power availability even during outages. Smart meters throughout the house track energy usage in real-time, allowing for continuous optimization of consumption patterns.
Water Conservation Excellence
Water management at the Melanie Perkins House showcases innovative conservation techniques. Rainwater harvesting systems collect and store water for garden irrigation and toilet flushing. Greywater recycling systems ensure that water from showers and sinks gets a second life in the garden. Low-flow fixtures throughout reduce water usage without sacrificing performance.
The landscaping itself is designed with drought resistance in mind. Native plants require minimal watering once established, while permeable paving allows rainwater to replenish groundwater rather than running off into storm drains. This approach creates a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that thrives with minimal intervention.
The Value of Sustainable Design
What makes the sustainability features of the Melanie Perkins House particularly compelling is how they add both charm and value. The natural materials age beautifully, developing patina and character over time. Energy-efficient systems reduce ongoing costs while providing superior comfort and energy efficiency. The connection to nature through sustainable design creates a sense of well-being that no amount of conventional luxury can match.
Personal Touches and Unique Features
Beyond the architecture and systems, it’s the personal touches that transform the Melanie Perkins House from a showcase property into a true home. These elements reveal the personality, values, and journey of one of tech’s most inspiring leaders, creating spaces that tell stories and inspire visitors.
Artistic Expression
Throughout the house, carefully curated artwork reflects Perkins’ journey and values. Many pieces come from emerging Australian artists, supporting the local creative community while adding unique character to each room. A particularly striking installation in the entryway—created from recycled materials—sets the tone for the entire home, combining environmental consciousness with artistic beauty.
The walls also feature prints created using Canva, showcasing both the platform’s capabilities and meaningful moments from the company’s journey. These pieces serve as daily reminders of the impact of making design accessible to millions worldwide.
Cultural Heritage
Perkins’ Australian heritage is evident in subtle yet meaningful ways. Indigenous artwork holds places of honor, acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land. The kitchen features a collection of vintage Australian ceramics, while native woods used throughout the house celebrate local craftsmanship and materials.
Family-Centered Design
Despite her busy schedule, family remains central to Perkins’ life, and the house reflects this priority. A dedicated family room encourages gathering and connection, with comfortable seating arranged to facilitate conversation rather than focus on screens. Photo walls chronicle family adventures and milestones, creating a warm, personal atmosphere.
The outdoor spaces include areas specifically designed for family activities—a vegetable garden where everyone can participate, a fire pit for evening gatherings, and flexible spaces that can accommodate everything from intimate dinners to larger celebrations.
Innovation in the Details
Small but significant details throughout Melanie Perkins’ house showcase innovative thinking. Custom storage solutions maximize space while maintaining clean lines. Modular furniture can be reconfigured for different occasions. Even seemingly simple elements, such as door handles and light switches, have been chosen for both their aesthetic appeal and functional excellence.
How the Melanie Perkins House Inspires Homeowners and Designers
The influence of the Melanie Perkins House extends far beyond its walls, offering valuable lessons for homeowners and design professionals alike. This residence demonstrates how thoughtful design can enhance daily life while reflecting personal values and supporting professional success.
Lessons for Homeowners
For homeowners, Perkins’ approach offers a refreshing alternative to trend-driven design. Instead of chasing the latest fads, she focuses on timeless elements that will remain relevant and beautiful for years to come. This includes investing in high-quality materials, selecting neutral base palettes that can evolve with changing tastes, and prioritizing both functionality and aesthetics.
The house also demonstrates the value of patience in design. Rather than rushing to complete every space at once, Perkins has allowed her home to evolve organically, adding elements as needs arise and opportunities present themselves. This approach creates more authentic and meaningful spaces that genuinely reflect the lives of their inhabitants.
Inspiration for Design Professionals
Interior designers and architects can draw numerous insights from the Melanie Perkins House. The seamless integration of technology without overwhelming the design offers a template for creating modern homes that embrace innovation while maintaining warmth and character. The successful balance between open-plan living and private retreats shows how to accommodate both social and solitary needs within a single residence.
The project also highlights the importance of understanding client values beyond surface preferences. By incorporating sustainability, supporting local artisans, and creating flexible spaces, designers can build homes that truly serve their clients’ lifestyles and beliefs.
The Innovation-Comfort Balance
Perhaps most importantly, the Melanie Perkins House proves that innovation and comfort aren’t mutually exclusive. Cutting-edge technology enhances rather than dominates the living experience. Sustainable features add to rather than detract from luxury. Modern design sensibilities complement rather than clash with personal warmth.
Where Does Melanie Perkins Currently Live?
Melanie Perkins currently lives in Sydney, Australia. Specifically, she and her husband Cliff Obrecht, the co-founder and COO of Canva, reside in a renovated terrace home in the trendy Surry Hills area of Sydney, close to Canva’s headquarters. This location has played a significant role in Canva’s growth as a business from a local startup in Perth to a globally recognized company headquartered in Sydney
