Karen Merrilees

Creative professional turning visual concepts into finished, commercial results.

Professional Summary

Creative Brand Director with 25 years of commercial visual design experience- currently leading brand strategy for global clients at Studio 1, and previously leading fashion product and brand development for major retailers including Target, Kmart and Myer. Styled 7 homes for sale across Melbourne and consulted with clients on preparing their homes for market- most recently earning an unsolicited testimonial from a 35-year Jellis Craig agent for my own home's presentation. Ready to return to the hands-on work I love most: highly organised, creative, disciplined and physically fit, with full licence and own vehicle. Available immediately, flexible days.

Key Skills

Property styling and furniture placement. 7 homes styled for sale.
Practical decluttering & organisation to help clients live in their homes while selling or downsizing.
Space planning, visual composition, and commercial colour and texture selection.
Visual merchandising for commercial point-of-sale and retail signage design.
Creating and executing SOPs; project coordination to fixed deadlines.
Disciplined and physically fit (former natural competitive bodybuilder) to aid lifting, loading, installation.

Property Styling Experience

Property Styling Consultant 2016 – 2018
Own consultancy, Melbourne.
  • Ran a property styling consultancy: styled 6 homes for sale across varied market levels and buyer demographics, and conducted client consultations on preparing homes for market.
  • Full scope: decluttering, furniture selection and placement advice, and set up for listing photography.
  • 2026: styled own home for recent sale campaign in Blackburn North. (see testimonial below)

Client Testimonial

Karen's styling and staging was exceptional — a major contributor to achieving a premium sale price, particularly in a market that presented its share of challenges.

— Sam Babalis, Partner | Licensed Estate Agent & Auctioneer, Jellis Craig

Read full review

Having spent 35 years in real estate marketing and selling homes all over Melbourne, I have seen firsthand just how significant presentation can be in achieving a premium result. In an era where you don't get a second opportunity to make that first impression, Karen's talent, eye for detail and understanding of property presentation cannot be denied.

The home was presented flawlessly and meticulously, with every detail considered. Her ability to enhance the property's best features while creating an immediate emotional connection with buyers was central to the result.

After 35 years in the business, I know the difference between simply presenting a home well and presenting it in a way that genuinely adds value. Karen has that specialised skill.

I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Karen to anyone seeking expert pre-sale presentation and styling advice, or simply wanting to refresh and elevate their existing home to the highest standard. Her professionalism, creativity and exceptional eye for detail speak for themselves.

Career History

Creative Brand Director 2018 – present
Studio 1 Design — Global design agency creating custom branding for medium–large businesses across Australia and the US.
  • Translate business goals into creative brand strategies & leading design teams and ensuring consistency across all channels.
  • Conduct competitive market analysis across diverse industries: service-based, e-commerce, entrepreneurial and personal brands.
  • Develop and enforce style guides so every touchpoint from digital campaigns to physical products are authentically on-brand.
  • Create custom comprehensive visual mood boards including colour, texture, photography & graphic direction to form each brand's visual blueprint.
  • Design consumer product packaging, point-of-sale and retail signage for clients supplying Bunnings, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.
Fashion Product Developer & Trend Forecaster 1999 – 2015
Fashion wholesale, Mens, Womens & Childrenwear — Roles at Mac Group, Spectrum Forecasting & Design, CK Clothing and Clothes Scene — supplying Target, Kmart, Myer, Just Group and Walmart Canada.
  • Developed commercial product ranges from concept to production for major national and international retailers.
  • Helped grow start-up wholesaler Mac Group from $0 to $10M turnover in 4 years; grew key Target menswear account 157% in first year.
  • Delivered seasonal global trend forecasting across Mens, Womens & Childrenwear. Travelled internationally 2–3 times yearly for retail analysis and trade shows.
  • Managed design and production teams to seasonal deadlines, including offshore manufacturing coordination.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts (Fashion Design), with Distinction, RMIT Melbourne.

Additional

  • Advanced Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator; AI-assisted design tools and Canva.
  • Experienced in visual digital marketing design for social media.
  • Confident with Google Docs and everyday digital tools — scheduling, documentation and project tracking.
  • Full Victorian driver's licence and own reliable vehicle; based in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

Styling Folio

A visual look at recent styling projects, before & after transformations and styling detail work.

View Styling Folio