Set Decorators
Expert set decorators bringing Australian interiors to life—from coastal modernism to Federation-era heritage.
A set decorator selects and arranges the furnishings, artwork, drapery, and decorative details that bring a production designer's vision to life on screen. In Australia, this means navigating a design tradition that blends British colonial heritage, mid-century modernism, and contemporary indoor-outdoor living—from the verandahed Federation homes of Sydney to the brutalist apartments of Melbourne's inner city.
We connect you with Australian set decorators who know where to source locally—from antique dealers in Paddington and Chapel Street to prop houses on the Gold Coast studio lots. Our network spans all major production hubs, with professionals experienced in dressing everything from outback homesteads to slick harbour-side penthouses.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete Set Decoration Services
From sourcing through strike, our set decorators fill your spaces with the details that make them real.
01
Set Dressing
- Interior styling
- Furniture placement
- Soft furnishings
- Window treatments
- Art & accessories
Complete Interiors
02
Sourcing
- Prop house coordination
- Antique acquisition
- Custom fabrication
- Rental management
- Purchase coordination
Resource Access
03
Set Management
- Continuity tracking
- Scene changes
- Strike planning
- Inventory control
- Return coordination
On-Set Control
04
Team Leadership
- Leadman coordination
- Swing gang management
- Buyer supervision
- Vendor relationships
- Budget oversight
Department Head
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Set Decorators
01.
Australian Antique & Prop Access
Established relationships with prop houses at Fox Studios Sydney and Village Roadshow on the Gold Coast, plus antique dealers across Paddington, Surry Hills, and Melbourne's inner suburbs.
02.
Australian Design Traditions
Set decorators versed in Federation, Art Deco, mid-century modern, and contemporary Australian styles. They understand the distinctive character of Australian interiors, from weatherboard cottages to harbour-side apartments.
03.
Regional Textile & Craft Resources
Access to Indigenous Australian art consultants, local textile makers, and specialist upholsterers. We source authentic materials including Australian timbers, wool, and locally crafted furnishings.
04.
Colonial & Modern Period Expertise
Experience dressing sets spanning Australia's colonial era through post-war modernism and contemporary design. Accurate period decoration for productions set in any decade of Australian history.
On Location
Catherine Martin + Colin Gibson Oscar-tier set decoration anchoring Disney Studios Sydney and Village Roadshow Gold Coast builds
Here is how this works in practice. Our set decorator coverage runs through Sydney's Disney Studios Australia (formerly Fox — 1998 build hosting Matrix trilogy 1999-2003, Star Wars Episodes II and III, Moulin Rouge!, Wolverine 2013, Elvis 2022), Village Roadshow Studios Gold Coast (Aquaman, Pirates Dead Men Tell No Tales 2017, Thor Ragnarok and Love and Thunder, Furiosa 2024), Docklands Studios Melbourne, and Adelaide Studios under SAFC.
Here is the short of it. Prop house and hire networks anchor in Sydney (Sweethearts, Hard To Find, Eclipse, Picture Perfect), Melbourne's Fitzroy and Collingwood clusters, Gold Coast (servicing Village Roadshow builds), and Adelaide. Period research routes through the National Museum of Australia, Australian War Memorial archives, Powerhouse Museum Sydney, NGV Melbourne, and state heritage councils for Federation-era, colonial, gold rush, and mid-century domestic dressing. Productions structure through the federal Producer Offset 30 percent, Location Offset 30 percent (QAPE 30M+ AUD), and PDV Offset 30 percent stackable with state rebates for good rates above 40 percent.
Here is the breakdown. Heritage stacks Catherine Martin's department (Luhrmann's wife — 4 Oscars total: Moulin Rouge! 2001 Best Production Design + Best Costume Design, Great Gatsby 2013 Best Production Design + Best Costume, Elvis 2022) and Colin Gibson's Mad Max Fury Road 2015 Best Production Design Oscar build (George Miller's 6-Oscar film), with set-decorator collaborations Beverley Dunn (Great Gatsby Best Production Design Oscar with Martin), Lisa Thompson (Mad Max Fury Road), and Karen Murphy.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Aboriginal Land Council consultation under Mabo 1992 Native Title and AIATSIS cultural protocols is mandatory for Country-set dressing or Indigenous-character interiors — Welcome to Country protocols open Indigenous research. Australian Border Force customs and AQIS biosecurity inspection govern imported dressing; Safe Work Australia WHS Act covers rigging; MEAA covers union representation; Fair Work Ombudsman, Superannuation 11 percent, GST 10 percent apply.
ACT 03
FAQ
Set Decoration Expertise
Where do you source furnishings in Australia?
Our set decorators work with major prop houses in Sydney, Melbourne, and Gold Coast, plus antique dealers, auction houses, and vintage specialists across all states. We also have relationships with Indigenous art consultants for culturally appropriate sourcing.
Can you dress sets for Australian period productions?
Yes, our decorators have extensive experience with Federation-era, interwar, mid-century, and post-war Australian settings. We source authentic period furniture and decorative items through specialist dealers and heritage prop collections.
How do you handle productions filming across multiple Australian cities?
We coordinate set decorating logistics across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and regional locations. Our teams manage transport between states and maintain continuity across all sets regardless of geography.
What about custom fabrication?
We work with skilled craftspeople for custom pieces when rental options don't meet your needs. This includes furniture building, upholstery, scenic painting, and specialty fabrication.
Can you create authentic outback or rural Australian interiors?
Absolutely. Our decorators source from regional dealers, station sales, and country antique shops to create convincing rural Australian environments—from pastoral homesteads to remote mining camps.
Do you provide the full set decorating crew?
Yes, we can staff complete set decorating departments including decorators, leadmen, buyers, set dressers, and swing gang. We scale the team to match your production's requirements.
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ACT 04 — On Set
Need a Set Decorator?
Tell us about your production's set dressing requirements and we'll connect you with expert decorators.