Melbourne, Australia, is regularly named one of the "World's Most Livable Cities." So we decided to check in with Lea, who lives there with her husband, her young son and, come 2008, a new baby. "We live right by the city and sea," she tells us, "so we can raise our kids in a cultural center and play at the beach." The family's home reflects this love of both the indoor and outdoor--just check out their amazing greenhouse! Let's look inside....

You're expecting? In early 2008; sex as yet undetermined. Names are very much part of lounge-room conversation...

How are you narrowing down names? I like names that are 'normal', yet not in 'the top 10' of popularity. You only have to look at all the famous "Jennifers" around these days to figure out the number-one name of the early 70's.

What does your son like best about his room? The bunting I made. He calls it "Party Flags." I guess everyday is a party for a 3-year-old! The bed is from Capt'n Snooze, and the bedspread is from Ezibuy.

What's in the black-and-white photos? I bought them from a street vendor in New York. We buy prints from every city we visit as a reminder of our stay.

Did Callan help decorate? No, thank goodness! But he came in often to say "WOW" and be encouraging, which was nice.

What does he like to do? I love catching him on the bed, reading from memory, and using all the different voices and expressions. Favorites include the Hairy McClary series, Charlie & Lola, Dr. Seuss and Monsters, Inc.

Does he ever get scared at night? No, although he pretends to. If he wants to sleep in mummy and daddy's room, he'll tell us there are "roars" (his word for monsters) under the bed. He's very transparent, but we don't mind his snuggling in with us every once in a while...

This nursery is stunning!
This room is for our second baby. We don't know if we're having a boy or girl, so a gender-neutral environment is essential. If the baby is a girl, flowering blossoms can be added to the tree mural, and perhaps monkeys for a boy. The mobile and most of the furniture are from IKEA. The bedding is from Target.

What inspired you as you decorated? Flickr, as well as a love of trees for as long as I can remember. Trees are beautiful, calming things, and babies love to lie under them, or by a window and watch them flutter, move and breathe. It can keep them captivated for hours. The thought made me happy.

That's so lovely. How did you create the "baby" letters on the wall? I made the word out of flexible decorative reeds (which are usually arranged in vases) and secured them at specific points with florist's wire. The tree and leaves are made of paper stock. I drew the pattern freehand.

How do you use the giant pillows on the floor? They're great for breastfeeding, reading, relaxing and playing. My son used to curl up on them for naps. They're my alternative to a breastfeeding chair, which always seem to give me a crick in the neck!

Was there anything you bought that you ended up not needing? When we had our son, we were living in a one-bedroom cottage from the 1800's, so there wasn't room for gigantic furniture and bits and pieces. We vetoed items some new parents find neccessary, such as a changing table and rocking chair. I never missed them. You can change a nappy on a bed or on a mat on the floor--in fact, I find it easier!

I love this area for blow-drying your hair. Why not use the bathroom?
This house was built in the 1930's, and there are no electrical outlets in the original bathroom! Instead, I use this room, which also serves as a space to stick up magazine pages, try paint samples on the walls, and hang my son's artwork. I love this room and will miss its quirkiness when it's transformed into a real bathroom.

Why did you hang this particular magazine page?
I love the picture of happy children running in the garden. I hope to recreate the lush style in my front garden. Instead of keeping magazine clips in folders, I like to have ideas out in front of me.

As a busy mom, is there any makeup you swear by? Banana Boat Aloe Vera gel. It's supposed to be for sunburn, but I use it under makeup as a moisturizer. I love its clean, non-greasy finish, and it doubles for 'healing/cooling' on scraped knees and cut fingers. Also, lip gloss--without cloying strawberry/vanilla smells. Why do they do that with adult makeup?

Can you tell us about your amazing greenhouse? It came with the house and appears to have been made from "scraps." Some panels are old shower screens, others are old Art Deco doors...

What do you grow? Mainly herbs, succulents and easy-grow vegetables or flowers for Callan to look after.

So Callan helps you garden? Callan loves gardening, and thinks everything smells wonderful (even weeds that smell like pee! ). I'm trying to teach him to be more discerning...

That's hilarious.
He also loves checking the fruit trees daily to see if the fruit have grown. He's basically a happy kid who finds delight in the everyday.

What advice would you give new decorators? Think organically: Look to ebay, friends, thrift stores, chain stores, antique stores, old, new. Mix and match and build your own 'look' from things you love. You'll be surprised what a lick of paint can do to an ugly hand-me-down.

Any decorating fantasies for the future? Oh, yes! This house is our "ten-year project." Down the track, we might add an upstairs extention, throw the kids up there and turn their current rooms into a study and kitchen. There are always projects here--it's fabulous to always be planning and dreaming of the future! I love evolution and revolution!

See more photos on Lea's flickr site.