Welcome to a journey that transcends mere aesthetics and delves into the emotional and sentimental landscapes of one of Australia's most celebrated interior designers.
We are thrilled to share our debut collaboration with Darren Palmer, award-winning interior designer, The Block judge, and the creative force behind some of Australia's most iconic residential spaces.
The Darren Palmer X Urban Road Collection is not just an array of decorative pieces. It's an invitation to connect, feel, and transform your space under the umbrella of Darren Palmer's renowned design philosophy.

Who Is Darren Palmer? Understanding His Design Philosophy
For those unfamiliar with Darren Palmer's work, he's been shaping Australian interior design for over two decades. As a judge on The Block since 2012, he's critiqued hundreds of room reveals and guided contestants toward creating emotionally resonant spaces. But beyond television, Darren has built a reputation for designing homes that feel deeply personal. Spaces that tell stories, evoke emotion, and reflect the people who live in them.
What makes Darren Palmer's interior design style distinctive:
His approach isn't about following trends or creating Instagram-perfect rooms. Instead, Darren champions what he calls "emotional design" - the idea that your home should reflect your experiences, memories, and the life you've lived. Every piece should have meaning, whether it's a souvenir from travel, an heirloom passed down through generations, or artwork that captures a moment you want to remember.
Masculine, soft, bold, and joyful, this bold art collection, brings Darren's renowned interior design finesse to life, featuring an alluring blend of experiences, emotions, and styles that serve more than just wall decor - they offer a deeply emotional narrative for every home.
This philosophy is evident throughout the Darren Palmer X Urban Road Collection. Each artwork isn't just a beautiful image. It's rooted in Darren's personal narrative. From beaches he's visited with his partner Olivier to memories of family road trips through Queensland, these pieces transform personal moments into art you can bring into your own home.

HYMN
Hyams Beach is more than a scenic location for Darren; it’s an intimate chapter of his life shared with Olivier. "Hymn" is an artful homage to this treasured spot, capturing its exquisite landscape with warm sunlight, white sands, and turquoise waters.
This piece is more than a beautiful painting – it’s an extension of Darren’s personal sanctuary. Owning it is like owning a slice of Darren's dream, bound to fill your home with an aura of peace and serenity.
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EARTHEN HEART
Art is often a mirror to our lives, encapsulating memories and emotions that words can fail to capture.
Darren’s personal connection to "Earthen Heart" offers a heartwarming testament to this fact. He weaves the essence of his and his father's disparate geographies, coastal Queensland and Atherton Tablelands, into a cohesive narrative.
Evoking nostalgia through wispy rain clouds and subtle brushstrokes, this piece bridges generational and geographical gaps, making it a fitting tribute to cherished family road trips.
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NATIVE GRACE
This bold artwork blends the alluring essence of visible brushstrokes and colour blocking to bring a calm, painterly feel to your home.
Light and bright, this portrays the infinite beauty and elegance of the Banksia, a native Australian flower. Native Grace Canvas art print is featuring a symphony of soft, muted tones including brown, yellow, green, blue, and pink, this piece represents a unique, abstract take on Australian flora, reflecting the charm and beauty of this iconic plant.

CHIN CHIN DI ROSSO
Where art meets the culinary world, in Chin Chin Di Rosso Darren has captured the joy and sophistication that comes with the culture of leisurely enjoyment. His attention to detail, like the perfect hue of red to signify the Negroni’s unique blend, speaks volumes of the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into making the perfect drink, and the perfect art piece.
His tip for the best Negroni of your life? Make sure you’ve got your hands on a quality Vermouth, a great tumbler, and a single, large ice cube. Then, let it chill to let all those ingredients meld together.

EPHEMERAL DEPTHS
Within the mesmerizing piece "Ephemeral Depths," vibrant blue brushstrokes come alive, mirroring the ocean's diverse layers.
This artwork encapsulates the transient and delicate essence of oceanic enigmas, urging observers to ponder the deep and shifting mysteries of the sea. The abstract masterpiece calls for contemplation as it weaves an interplay of vivid and dusky blues, immersing the audience in the profound expanse of water.

SUMMIT'S LIGHT
Crafting a mesmerizing portrait of a snow-blanketed mountain peak, Summit’s Light canvas resonates with the tranquility of soft whites and varying shades of blue, echoing the cool hues of the serene landscape.
Evident brushstrokes create a tactile journey across the scene, adding an authentic touch. Amidst the icy panorama, a solitary stroke of yellow emerges - a sunlit whisper on the horizon, illuminating the icy expanse as it captures the aspiration and accomplishment of reaching the mountain's peak, where one can witness the breathtaking view and feel the warmth of the sun's embrace.

CONTOURS CHARGE
“Contours Charge” is a clear statement piece, as it channels the raw energy and majesty of a charging bull.
With light grey lines delicately brushing against a dark charcoal background, it celebrates both the power and gentle beauty of its subject. This piece evokes a masculine elegance that makes any space it inhabits feel simultaneously powerful and refined.
It’s not just art; it’s an experience, inviting viewers to appreciate the suspended energy of strength and motion in time.

CHROMATIC GAZE
In the vibrant hues of "Chromatic Gaze," there's a compelling narrative of expression and emotion. A pop art portrait set against a lively mint green backdrop, this piece invites onlookers to contemplate what lies beneath the surface.
The abstract composition and style make it a versatile piece that suits many interiors, from eclectic, to modern, and even to minimalist spaces that want a pop of colour to brighten a space. No matter what, this artwork by Darren Palmer is bound to captivate and elevate any interior space it graces.
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Darren Palmer's Signature Design Elements
If you've watched The Block or followed Darren's residential projects, you'll recognize certain hallmarks of his style, like elements that make a "Darren Palmer interior" immediately identifiable.
Layered Textures
Darren is a master of mixing materials: smooth boucle against rough jute, polished travertine beside organic linen, glossy glass vessels near matte ceramic. This textural layering creates depth and visual interest without relying on busy patterns or excessive color.
Restrained Color Palettes
While Darren isn't afraid of color, he uses it intentionally. His spaces often feature a neutral foundation: whites, beiges, soft greys, punctuated by moments of deeper, more saturated tones. Blues, greens, rust, and terracotta appear as accents rather than dominants, creating spaces that feel calm but never bland.
Emotional Anchors
Every Darren Palmer room has what he calls an "emotional anchor". That is the piece that makes you feel something when you enter the space. Often, this is artwork. A painting that captures a meaningful place, a portrait that tells a story, a landscape that evokes a memory. The rest of the room is designed to support and frame that emotional moment.
Australian Coastal Influence
Having spent significant time in coastal New South Wales, Darren's work often reflects the Australian landscape - the particular quality of light, the colors of the ocean, the textures of native flora. His interiors feel unmistakably Australian without being literal or kitschy.
Masculine Softness
One of Darren's unique talents is creating spaces that balance masculine and feminine energy. He pairs strong, architectural pieces with soft textiles. Bold artwork sits alongside delicate accessories. The result feels sophisticated and grounded, neither overly feminine nor aggressively masculine.
How to Use Darren Palmer's Art in Your Own Home
The Darren Palmer X Urban Road Collection spans coastal landscapes, abstract compositions, botanical studies, and pop art portraits. Here's exactly how to use these pieces in your home, following Darren's proven design principles:
1. Match Art Style to Room Function
For bedrooms and bathrooms (calm spaces):
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Choose: "Hymn," "Earthen Heart," "Native Grace," "Summit's Light"
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Why: Soft colors and natural subjects promote relaxation
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Hang: Above the bed or opposite the bathtub where you'll see it while unwinding
For living and dining rooms (social spaces):
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Choose: "Chromatic Gaze," "Contours Charge," "Chin Chin Di Rosso"
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Why: Bold, conversation-starting pieces energize gathering spaces
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Hang: Above the sofa, sideboard, or largest wall as the room's focal point
For home offices and reading nooks (focus spaces):
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Choose: "Ephemeral Depths," abstract pieces with movement
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Why: Contemplative without being distracting
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Hang: On the wall you face while working, not behind your desk
2. Pull Your Color Palette from the Artwork
Don't try to match art to your existing room—do it backwards.
Practical example using "Hymn":
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Artwork colors: Turquoise water, white sand, warm sunlight, soft greens
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Pull for walls: Soft white or pale sand
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Pull for large furniture: Natural oak or whitewashed wood
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Pull for textiles: Seafoam green throw, turquoise cushions, sandy beige rug
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Result: Everything coordinates without looking matchy-matchy
The formula: Choose 3-4 colors from your artwork. Use the lightest as your dominant color (60%), mid-tones for furniture and larger textiles (30%), and the boldest as small accents (10%).
3. Size and Placement Guidelines
Living room:
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Art should be 2/3 to 3/4 the width of your sofa
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Hang 15-20cm above sofa back
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Center at eye level (145-150cm from floor) if not above furniture
Bedroom:
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Leave 60-90cm of wall space on each side of art above the bed
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For queen bed: 100-120cm wide artwork
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For king bed: 120-150cm wide artwork
Dining room:
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Above sideboard: Art should be 50-75% the width of the furniture
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Leave 15-25cm gap between furniture top and frame bottom
4. Balance Bold Art with Neutral Surroundings
If your art is bold or busy ("Chromatic Gaze," "Contours Charge"):
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Sofa/chairs: Solid neutrals—white, cream, soft grey, taupe
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Rug: Natural fiber (jute, sisal) or solid wool, no patterns
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Cushions: Maximum 2 accent colors from the artwork, rest neutral
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Keep 70% of room in neutrals so art stays the hero
If your art is soft or minimal ("Summit's Light," "Native Grace"):
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You have more freedom for pattern elsewhere
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Add texture through boucle, linen, velvet
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Can introduce patterned rug or printed cushions
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But still keep it to 1-2 patterns maximum
5. The 3-Piece Rule for Styling Around Art
Darren always styles art with exactly 3 supporting elements. Not 2, not 5—three creates visual balance.
Example setup for "Ephemeral Depths" (blue abstract):
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Large element: Peacock blue velvet armchair (echoes the artwork's blues)
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Medium element: Textured throw or cushion in complementary neutral
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Small element: Ceramic or glass vessel on side table
Example setup for "Earthen Heart" (landscape):
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Large element: Natural fiber rug or bench seat
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Medium element: Blush or clay-toned cushions
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Small element: Ceramic vessel in earthy tones
This creates a styled vignette without looking overdone or cluttered.
The Emotional Power of Meaningful Art
The most important thing to understand about the Darren Palmer X Urban Road Collection is its foundation in emotional design. These aren't just decorative pieces meant to fill blank walls. They're visual narratives designed to make you feel something every time you see them.
This aligns with current thinking about how we create homes. We're moving away from catalog-perfect, show-home interiors toward spaces that reflect who we are: our travels, our memories, our values, our stories. Darren has always championed this approach, and this collection embodies it completely.
When you bring one of these pieces into your home, you're not just adding Darren Palmer's story. You're creating space for yourself. Maybe "Hymn" reminds you of a beach from your childhood. Perhaps "Earthen Heart" evokes a landscape you love. "Native Grace" might connect you to native flora from your region. The artwork becomes a starting point for your own narrative.
This is what Darren means by emotional design. Your home should make you feel something. Art that's chosen intentionally, that resonates with your experiences and aspirations, transforms a house into a home.