LYNDA GARDENER “MY DREAM DAY” - MELBOURNE (DRAFT)
Lynda Gardener, Stylist & Decorator
What does a Dream Day in Melbourne look like? For acclaimed stylist Lynda Gardener, it unfolds in the neighbourhood she has cherished for more than three decades: Fitzroy. With its leafy streets, buzzing cafés, and hidden backstreet gems, this pocket of the city is both her daily inspiration and her ultimate retreat.
Internationally recognised for her distinctive blend of rustic charm and modern simplicity, Gardener has built a career crafting interiors that feel timeless, tactile, and deeply personal. That same sensibility draws her to the streets around her, where heritage buildings, bustling streets, and design-led stores continue to fuel her creativity.
A favourite of Lynda’s, Fitzroy’s Morning Market
In this instalment of our Dream Day series, Gardener shares the rituals and places that shape her perfect day at home: morning pilates, a pastry (or two), browsing her favourite treasure troves, and winding down with cocktails in one of Fitzroy’s cosiest wine bars. Her itinerary, much like her interiors, is layered with character, steeped in history, and effortlessly stylish.
“Fitzroy North has been my home for decades, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even though it sits right beside the CBD, it feels like a little village—familiar and welcoming, yet always changing. I start most mornings with a walk down quiet, leafy streets to Good Times Pilates on Gertrude Street. The energy inside is warm and uplifting—music, laughter, and movement that set the rhythm for the day ahead.”
“Afterwards, I can never resist drifting into Morning Market. The smell of freshly baked pastries hits you the moment you walk through the door, and the counters are piled high with seasonal produce and pantry staples. I’ll usually leave with flowers in one hand and something sweet in the other. More often than not it’s their canelé—caramelised on the outside, custardy in the middle, and, I promise, better than any I’ve had in Paris.”
“Gertrude Street is a ritual in itself. I love taking my time here, stopping to admire a window display or stepping into Le Labo for a spritz of Santal 33—its smoky, woody scent has become part of my daily rhythm.”
“From there, I usually wander over to Hub General Store in the Collingwood backstreets. The building itself is a beauty, all heritage bones and worn timber floors, and inside it’s crammed with curiosities: Japanese knives, soft wool blankets, jars of local honey, old-fashioned pencils. It’s the kind of place where textures, smells, and objects collide—and you always leave with something unexpected.”
“By lunchtime, I often find myself at Hector’s Deli. I’ve tried everything on the menu, but the tuna toastie keeps pulling me back. I love sitting at the bar, chatting with the staff while the kitchen buzzes around me—it feels relaxed, familiar, and always a little indulgent.”
“As the day winds down, I retreat to Napier Quarter. Tucked into a quiet backstreet, it has this distinctly European soul: low-lit interiors, the clink of glasses, and the smell of wood and wine in the air. Daniel, the owner, has been there nearly a decade, and you can feel the care and consistency in every detail. It’s my favourite place to meet friends, share plates, and linger a little longer than planned.”
“No day feels complete without a walk home through Carlton Gardens or Edinburgh Gardens. The seasons transform them—crisp winter mornings, the scent of wattle in spring, the rustle of autumn leaves underfoot. These walks always bring me back to the heart of why I love this neighbourhood: it’s alive, ever-changing, and yet it feels like home in the deepest sense.”
As the day draws to a close in Fitzroy North, it becomes clear that Lynda Gardener’s Dream Day is an extension of herself—thoughtful, unhurried, and filled with quiet beauty. Every ritual, from morning pilates to an evening glass of wine, reflects the same sensibility she brings to her interiors: a love of character, detail, and the simple pleasures that elevate daily life. For Gardener, Fitzroy isn’t just home—it’s the heartbeat of her creativity, and the place that continues to shape the way she sees the world.