Creating Happy Spaces One Colour at a Time with V.Happy Co

This week, on our Home Life Series, we’re excited to step inside the vibrant world of V.Happy Co, created by the talented Vanessa Perilli, who is bringing playful design to kids' bedrooms. Based in the heart of Richmond, Melbourne. Vanessa is the powerhouse behind the brand, which specialises in wall art and furniture that’s loved by both big and little people, transforming spaces into joyful, colour-filled havens because life’s too short to have boring walls!

We had a feeling her home would be just as fun and joyful as her designs—and we were right! From light and airy to pops of colour and style, Vanessa’s home is a true reflection of everything she does with V.Happy Co. There’s nothing better than getting a peek behind the scenes at the person who’s filling your home with gorgeous, playful designs, so keep reading to see how Vanessa brings colour to life in her very own space.

Hi Vanessa, we are so excited to step into your home. Thank you for having us! For those who don’t know or are just discovering your amazing work, can you share a bit about who you are and what you do? 

Thank you for having me! What a thrill to be part of your home/life series, I’ve loved following all the beautiful homes you’ve shared. 

First up, I’m a Mum to two curious, high-energy girls. Second, I am V.Happy Co. I wear all the hats: Creative Director, Product & Graphic Designer, Customer Service Rep, Campaign and Brand Strategist, Content Creator, Copywriter, Stylist, sometimes Photographer, Customer Service Rep, Bookkeeper, PR Girl, Studio Manager, Logistics, I’m also the Web Guy and Order Packer… the list goes on. If it needs thinking, I’m the thinker. If it needs doing, I’m the do-er. I’m basically a one-woman joy machine, bringing playful design to kids’ bedrooms and play spaces!

We would love to hear more about your home. Can you tell us where it’s located and how you would describe its overall aesthetic? What kind of renovations or updates have you and your husband worked on together to bring your vision to life?

We live in Richmond, Melbourne (Naarm) and are still in the process of furnishing and renovating our home. For now, it’s fairly pared-back and minimal. We like to call it “the house with everything you need”— it’s a functional space where everything has its place. It’s not overly decorated or layered, just practical and purposeful. We don’t have a lot of “stuff,” but the pieces we have are graphic in shape, intentional and carry an underlying sense of fun. “Curated Minimalism, with room to grow” would be the perfect way to describe it.

Our house has great bones. The previous owners did the structural renovation around 15 years ago, transforming the walls into useful floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or storage. We gave the house a cosmetic update, focusing on natural materials and keeping things pared-back to let them shine. As we live here, our home will evolve, shaped by the furniture, art, books, and decor we collect. We believe the journey is just as important as the destination. You need to live in a space before you can truly figure out what works.

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Starting V. Happy Co. and juggling the demands of family life while being your own boss is no small feat! What inspired the start of your business, and what have been some of the most memorable 'pinch me' moments along the way? Along with the highs, what were some of the big challenges you faced in balancing it all? 

This story begins almost nine years ago when my daughter Hazel was born. Parenthood didn’t unfold as I’d imagined… Hazel was born deaf and the pressure I felt from her specialists (to encourage her speech and language development) was overwhelming. I noticed that Hazel was a visual learner; she saw details others missed. With my background in typography, I had an idea that combined illustrations and letters to make the alphabet engaging. I’m not an expert in deaf education but when I reflect, it was my way of showing Hazel my unwavering commitment to helping her.

For years, that project was too personal to share and when I first launched V. Happy Co, it was all about greeting cards. But now, seeing that same alphabet celebrated and hanging in kids’ bedrooms around the world is a true ‘pinch me’ moment—one I’ll never take for granted. 

There have been so many highs along the way. From V.Happy Co’s first sale, to collaborating with brands I admire (am I really chatting with Kip&Co!). But running a business while raising a young family comes with its challenges. At one point, I was juggling multiple roles: employee at a design studio by day, business owner by night and parent in between. I didn’t want to let my employer or customers down, but it was my kids who felt it the most. Finding balance is an ongoing challenge and I’m far from perfect but I’ve learned to set clear boundaries, keep reminders in sight, be kinder to myself and celebrate even the smallest wins.

Your branding is so vibrant and full of life! Can you share the creative journey behind it and where you draw your inspiration from? What is it about colour that seems to captivate and connect with little ones? 

Thanks for the kind words! The branding is a natural extension of my design style—graphic, bold and playful. I wanted it to feel like a kids' brand designed for kids and colour plays a huge role in that. Have you ever heard a kid say their favourite colour is beige? Hell no! I also wanted it to feel inclusive, not tied to traditional gender norms. I’m proud to have created a brand that embraces colour and helps kids connect with their surroundings in a fun meaningful way. 

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Now that we’re in the peak summer, many of us have already or are keen to freshen up our spaces. What are your top tips for adding colours to your home and how can we give our interiors a re-fresh? 

I’m not a big refresher; I’m more of a tinkerer. I love making small tweaks here and there to breathe new life into our home without completely changing it. I find joy in little changes that can have a big impact. When adding colour, start with what makes you happy. Begin with one bold piece, a vibrant artwork, a fun print (wink), or a statement rug and build around it. Try small swaps such as; fresh bedding, cushions, or ceramics can instantly lift a space. There’s a lot to be said for rearranging; sometimes, just moving things around or decluttering can make your home feel brand new. The beauty of tinkering is that you can keep adjusting until it feels just right.

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Big congratulations on hitting the amazing milestone of 5 years with V Happy Co! Looking back over the journey, what’s the one memory that stands out as your absolute proudest? 

Thank you! We’re celebrating BIG this month. Looking over the journey, there is no individual memory that stands out, while most will think it is the pinch me moments of stocking your product in a cool store or being published in a mag. No, it’s the setbacks that you often battle behind the scenes. The ones that involve things that don’t get posted on Insta, overcoming those moments are my absolute proudest. They are personal wins that you have when you almost want to give it all up and somehow you find the courage to keep going.